Accommodations in Vietnam can vary from basic hostels to beach bungalows to five-star resorts. Prices are generally cheaper than almost anywhere else in South East Asia, so Vietnam is a great place to pick a place to stay.
Vietnam has bounced back from a country of war to become one of the most favorite destinations in South East Asia. Stretching from the mountainous North, down to the mouth of the mighty Mekong in the South, Vietnam appears as multiple countries rolled into one. Hugely popular amongst luxury holiday goers and backpackers alike, the rich culture and stunning landscapes draw in tourists from all over the world. Tourism has been continuously increasing in Vietnam, and locals are making the most of this trend. New and refurbished hotels have been opened throughout the country.
Vietnam offers a range of accommodations to suit every budget, from basic backpacker hostels to luxury resorts and everything in between. There are international chains, hotels, and lovely boutique hotels... Generally speaking, prices in Vietnam are quite low. Even the traveler on the tightest budget will be pleasantly surprised with the costs of accommodations in Vietnam. You may also be surprised to find that you pay more in less touristy areas, where there are fewer hotels and competition has not driven the prices down yet. By and large, you will be pleasantly surprised in the quality of accommodation in Vietnam. If you’re a luxury traveler, you may want to go with reputed brands or well-reviewed hotels. If history is your major, lodgings set in a former colonial villa or ancient shophouse might be nice. Or if you're adventurous and on a budget, you might be interested in a village homestay.
International chains are well represented in large cities, particularly the French group Accor, which owns one of the country's most outstanding colonial hotels - the renovated Sofitel Legend Metropole in Hanoi. In big cities, Accor offers brands in multiple price ranges, including MGallery, Pullman, Novotel, Mercure, and Ibis. The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is represented by InterContinental and Crowne Plaza properties, while Sheraton and Hyatt also have a few properties. Luxury brands like Aman Resorts, Banyan Tree and Six Senses also open resorts in Vietnam.
Hanoi
Hanoi is often the first step of your trip to Vietnam. Some people find the city overwhelming and chaotic at first with flows of motorbikes on the streets.
You'll find most of the budget accommodation around the Old Quarter area. There are plenty of guesthouses in this neighborhood as well as hostels. It's best to choose a place down an alley to avoid the noise caused by traffic. Also, make sure there is no construction nearby as this will wake you up.
Mid-range hotels can vary dramatically in price. If you make reservations from your home country you will have the peace of mind that comes with having a plan. It really depends on your level of flexibility to choose the best option for you.
There are some great up-scale hotels in Hanoi as well. Many of this offer excellent facilities and services. Obviously, if you choose to stay at a high-end hotel, you'll find yourself feeling like a real patrician.
Sapa
Starting in the far north we have Sapa with lots of places to stay, particularly in the flashpacker to midrange brackets, and a few choices of luxury and boutique options. Most hotels overlook the valley and feature views of Mount Fansipan and the Hoang Lien mountains. Sapa stays cooler than the lowland coastal areas, so few rooms feature air-condition or fan. But your concern is, arriving on a cold winter's day, should be heating - so go for a room with a fireplace or fine heater.
Sapa can get extremely busy, particularly at weekends and peak holiday periods, so you better find an available room and book in advance. It's also worth noting that prices tend to go up at the weekend, promotions in summer are common and hotels can be vague and inconsistent when providing hotel prices.
If trekking is your thing, why not opt for a trek that includes a homestay. What better way to expose yourself to the cultures and color of Vietnam's ethnic minorities on a trek through terraced rice paddies, bamboo groves and traditional villages all in the shadow of Mount Fansipan. As the name suggests, a homestay should be an overnight stay in someone’s house (not a well established mini guest house style homestay). In the case of Sapa, that house is likely to be the home of an H'Mong or Red Dao family. If you are looking for absolute authenticity in a real home, then this is the choice for you. You can cook and eat with your host family and generally enjoy the hospitality of tribal people. The more you participate the richer the experience!
Halong Bay
Practically all the accommodation in Halong City is in Bai Chay, particularly along Halong Avenue and Vuon Dao Street. Quality is variable, however, and many of the seedier hotels double up as massage parlors. The summer months can be very crowded with domestic tourists, so it's better to book in advance.
Seeing thousands of rock formations emerge through the mist, standing proudly out of the emerald water, is an incredible sight and the best way to see this World UNESCO site is on board a cruise. Or we call it floating hotels on the sea as all cabins come with all the amenities you would expect in a hotel. Halong Bay cruise tour often offer several different kinds of activities like exploring islands, visiting floating fishing villages, discovering grottoes, kayaking…, and it will definitely require more than one day to get the whole experience. Many hotels can get pretty good deals to go on Halong cruise tours, so don’t hesitate to ask us.
Hue
The former Imperial City of Hue, now a World Heritage Site, is one of Vietnam's major tourist attractions. Accommodation in Hue ranges from budget small guesthouses to world-class hotels, with good quality and services for great access to this historical city. Even backpacking hostels and budget hotels in Hue are often far cleaner and cheaper than the neighboring countries like Cambodia and Thailand. The best hotels in Hue have built up around many cultural and religious monuments in the city, offering guests refined stays and convenient sightseeing opportunities.
Hoi An
Hoi An has a rich hotel scene as the tourism boom. There are several stands out hotels in Hoi An depending on your budget and how long you are staying in town. Hoi An can be divided into three areas: the old town, the Thu Bon riverside ad near Cua Dai Beach. Whether to stay near the ancient town or the beach is always an important and difficult decision for travelers when visiting Hoi An. Although these two places are only 5 kilometers far away from each other, your location may affect the atmospherics of your vacation to Hoi An. In general, staying in the old town gives the advantages of reaching the ornate attractions, shops, and restaurants for the exciting night out. Then, the accommodation near the riverside will give you the relaxation of the waterfront, and guests can also see the local fishermen catching fish. And beachfront villas are common, as are comfortable bungalows with breathtaking views of the sea. Keep in mind, the quality is not always good. Our picks for the best places to stay in Hoian will help you shorten the list of your options and spend less time to find a suitable one.
Nha Trang
Surrounded by verdant mountains with a tranquil bay that’s fringed by a crescent-shaped coastline, Nha Trang is a popular holiday destination amongst travelers looking to soak up the sun. Due to its popularity, the coastal town has hundreds of hotels, from lavish beachfront hotels to cheerful budget backpackers, and most places are within a block or two of the beach.
The tourist hub is centered on Nguyen Thien Thuat, Hung Vuong and Tran Phu Boulevard, the busy street that separates the city from the beach. The downtown area is where you will find the greatest concentration and range of accommodation, from $6 hostels and the ubiquitous local hotels to international chain behemoths that occupy prime real estate along the coast. Staying downtown means a short walk to the beach. Furnished serviced apartments are on the rise, and they are great for families or those who like home-type comforts.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is more modern than Hanoi. There are plenty of cheap guesthouses to stay in. They might be slightly more expensive than the options in the northern, but they remain very affordable.
You'll find most of the guesthouses for backpackers in District 1 around Pham Ngu Lao Street. This is about a 15-minute walk from the Ben Thanh Market. In this area, you'll find tons of small hotels. Most are air-conditioned and they cost about US$15.
Ho Chi Ming City also has many international chain hotels including the Hyatt and Sheraton. These are standard in their quality and price. You can expect comparable service to what you would find elsewhere in the world.
Tips:
– When you check-in at a Vietnamese hotel or guesthouse, you’ll be asked for your passport, which is needed for registration with the local authorities. Make sure you get it back. You should never leave your passport as a deposit.
– All hotels charge 10% government tax, while top-class establishments also add a service charge (typically 5%). These taxes may or may not be included in the room rate, so check to be sure.
– You can combine all aspects of your holiday into one simple and inexpensive package: flights and accommodation as well as transfers, tours, travel insurance, activities and attractions, and even meals. Benefitting from huge discounts and exclusive extras, you can choose from an existing range of packages or customize one to suit your own personal needs.