Hanoi is the bustling capital of Vietnam. It is also one of the main transport hubs (most visitors start or end their journey here).
Although I didn’t like my first trip to Vietnam, the country is one of the most affordable in the region, full of fantastic food and breathtaking natural beauty. It is also easy to navigate and has a well-traveled road that runs from North to south.
But because Hanoi is part of the main route through Southeast Asia, it is full of hostels. I mean, there are tons of them here. And not all are created equal.
To help you choose a hostel from all the stunning options, here is my List of the best hostels in Hanoi!
If you don’t want to read the longer list, here are the best in each category:
Do you want the details? Here is my breakdown of the best hostels in Hanoi and why I like them:
1. Hostel
It is a dynamic and energetic hostel. There are events every night, including Live music and DJ nights, so it’s always fun where you can easily meet other travelers. There is a swimming pool and a rooftop bar, as well as a Restaurant. I like that they give you a wristband when checking in so that you can load food and drinks into your room (instead of taking cash with you). I also appreciate that things stop at midnight so that you can still party and sleep. To relieve the hangover, there is a delicious free breakfast every morning (with vegetable options).
The dorms are spacious and all the bunk beds have individual fans (a big plus because Hanoi heats up), as well as curtains, USB raters and comfortable mattresses. I especially like the fact that the upper berths have inclined ladders that almost look like stairs, so the berth is easily accessible. There are also female-only dormitories. And although the water pressure in the showers is not particularly high, everything is clean and the volunteer staff here make sure that you really feel welcome.
A hostel at a glance:
Swimming pool, Bar and Restaurant
Free Breakfast
Live Music Every Night
Beds from 251,000 VND.
2. View of the old town
Located in the heart of the Old Town, one of the best areas of the city, this hostel has a colorful and chic design. Although it looks more like a hotel than a hostel, it is still quite social. The rooms are clean and spacious, with lots of natural light thanks to the bay windows (some even have small balconies). The beds in the dormitory are equipped with thick mattresses, privacy curtains, lockers and reading lamps. The upper berths have stairs instead of ladders and the hostel also has air conditioning (a big plus).
Although there is no party atmosphere here, the hostel encourages travelers to hang out during the daily Happy Hour with free drink, during the free walking tours and during a weekly cooking class (it’s not free, but it’s super inexpensive and you will learn a lot!). There is also an excellent breakfast which is really affordable (only 50,000 VND). Overall, it’s a more upscale choice for travelers looking for something within walking distance of all major attractions.
View of the old town at a glance:
Free Happy Hour every day
Clean and spacious dormitories
Very comfortable beds
