Overview

For those on a tight budget, Vietnam can be a little unusual in that it is often difficult to find a room that doesn’t have air-con, so you end up paying a little more for accommodation than you might in the neighboring countries. That said, the rooms are mostly of a pretty high standard with air-con, hot water often being standard and rooms are frequently cleaned daily. Most of the major destinations have sufficient accommodation for most budgets, but once you get off the tourist trail, the quality tends to slip a little and the range of options is reduced. Both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have top class hotels, as does Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Nha Trang and Hue.

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What should you expect for your money in Vietnam?

Generally, if you’re on a budget, you’ll find yourself staying in a better class of room than in say Thailand or Laos, but you will be paying more for it. In Vietnam, it really pays to pay a little more. There can be a huge difference between a $5 room and an $8 room — if there was ever a country where paying a few dollars more is worthwhile, Vietnam is it.

The following uses Hanoi as a base – there will always be variations to the following – individual mileage will vary.

Under US$5 Under $5 will get you a dorm room with a fan or a very grotty single room with a festy mattress, noisy fan and share bathroom. The sheets (if there are any) will be changed when you leave. Expect thin walls and dreary drapes — plan to spend most of your time outside the room.

$5-$10 This is the most common type of budget room. You should have your own bathroom that will be moderately clean. The room will be big enough for the bed and a couple of bags – there may even be a chair or two. The bed should have a clean mattress and sheets. Rooms in this range are often air-con, though the cheaper end of this price range may be only fan-cooled.

$10-$20 The standard you get in this price range in generally very good value. Air-con, cable TV, hot water bathrooms (often with a tub) and comfortable bedding and extra furnishings. If the hotel has internet you may even get free broadband in your room for these rates.

$20-$50 For this money you’re moving into serious three star lodgings. Rooms should be larger, often with balconies, bigger bathrooms and of course be spotless. The hotel may have extra facilities such as a pool in this range.

$50+ As the price goes up from here the extras get added on incrementally. For $75 or more you can get a room at a top-class hotel in most larger cities in Vietnam. It should come with all the dressings at this price level.
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Do I need to make a reservation in advance?

Outside of the Tet festival (Vietnamese New Year) when reservations are a good idea, you really don’t need to reserve too much. Perhaps if you’re heading to Phu Quoc Island over Christmas or New Year a reservation could help, but in most cases there is so much accommodation to choose from you’ll never struggle too much to find a room.
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Active Travel Magazine reviews

Guesthouse and hotel reviews on Active Travel Magazine are independent and are written by our researchers who have visited, in person, every property we list. Unlike many travel websites, we do not allow the hotel or guesthouse to write the review and unlike some travel guide publishers, we do not accept any kind of discount, payment or other freebie in return for coverage — positive or negative. The links below lead directly to the accommodation section for some of the more popular destinations in Vietnam.