If you’re exploring Ho Chi Minh City on a budget, a hostel is one of the best accommodation options. From this city’s bustling districts to charming alleyways, the hostels in this area go beyond mere accommodation—they become communal hubs where global travelers converge, share stories, and create lasting memories.
Many hostels host events and social excursions, so if you’re a solo traveler, this is a great way to meet new friends and like-minded people. Plus, hostels are a fraction of the cost of a hotel room, putting more money in your pocket to experience the local attractions, nightlife, and cuisine.
Whether you seek the energetic atmosphere of a lively dormitory or the tranquility of a cozy common room, the list below covers some of the best hostels in Ho Chi Minh City. Keep reading to discover the three best hostels in Ho Chi Minh City for your next trip to Vietnam.
City Backpackers Hostel
City Backpackers Hostel is in a prime District 1 location, close to the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, War Museum, Ben Thanh Market, and Saigon River. During your stay, everything will be within easy reach.
At this hostel, there are a total of 15 rooms. Every private room has air conditioning, WiFi, and a private bathroom. Guests in dormitory-style rooms will have access to a privacy curtain, lockers for belongings, towels, and toiletries.
Rooms are simple and clean, with wooden floors and white linens. Shared spaces in this hostel include a lounge with comfortable furniture, an onsite cafe, and a coworking space with desks.
You can choose between various room options, like a deluxe double room with a balcony, a co-ed dorm room, a 6-bed dormitory, a 10-bed dormitory, or an economy bunk bed. There’s an option for everyone!
City Backpackers Hostel’s staff is friendly and knowledgeable about local points of interest, providing valuable tips for a memorable stay. A concierge service and luggage storage make it effortless to experience everything Ho Chi Minh City offers.
Additionally, the City Backpackers Hostel offers competitive rates, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers looking for a comfortable and social accommodation experience in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.
Hostel details
Address:
7/1 Nguyen Trai Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
Guest rating:
4.6 out of 5.
Price per night:
from $11
Vy Khanh Hostel
With only six guest rooms, Vy Khanh Hostel offers an intimate and one-of-a-kind experience. This hostel has a convenient and central location within just a short walk to the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Fine Arts Museum, and the Reunification Palace. Here, the entire city will be at your fingertips!
At this hostel, each room is equipped with air conditioning, portable fans, private bathrooms with hot water, cable TV, minifridges, and WiFi. Rooms are simple but stylish, with plush white linens, elegant curtains, and wooden wardrobes. Shared services include a washing machine, a cafe, and a common room.
Guests at this hostel can choose from a variety of room options, like a standard double room, twin room, or small double room – you’ll also have the option of having a window or not. No matter which room you choose, you’ll enjoy a clean, cozy, and comfortable stay.
While this isn’t a party hostel, it is a family-run business with safe and clean accommodation. At the hostel’s travel desk, the staff can arrange tours and provide tips for your stay – this hostel is a great way to experience Ho Chi Minh City like a local!
Hostel details
Address:
241/11/6 Pham Ngu Lao street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
Guest rating:
4.9 out of 5.
Price per night:
from $9
Meander Saigon
Located on a bustling street with several restaurants, Meander Saigon combines a coworking space, event space, cafe, rooftop bar, and, of course, a hostel. Only a two-minute walk to Japan town and a ten-minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral, this hostel offers one of the best locations in Ho Chi Minh City.
This hostel’s dorm-style rooms have bunk beds, privacy curtains, WiFi, air conditioning, and reading lights. You can also book a private room with an ensuite bathroom, minifridge, and TV.
Upgrade your room to enjoy a free-standing tub. Each room feels more like a luxury hotel than a hostel – you’ll notice wooden floors, earthy materials, abundant natural light, and sleek design wherever you go in this hostel.
Guests can choose between various room options, like a twin studio, family room, deluxe room with a city view, and a suite with a view. No matter who you’re traveling with, there’s an option for groups of all sizes.
Cook your own meals in the shared hostel kitchen, hang out in the lounge, and get some work done in the chic coworking spaces. This building also features an outdoor terrace and a fun slide that will take you from the top floor downstairs!
Hostel details
Address:
3b Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Guest rating:
4.7 out of 5.
Price per night:
from $15
About our Ho Chi Minh City hostel recommendations
If you’re an individual adventurer in search of a private place or a group of explorers on a budget seeking comfortable, affordable accommodation, the top hostels in Ho Chi Minh City to suit your requirements are listed above.
Please be aware that we only feature hostels on our site that have achieved an overall guest review rating of no less than 4.0 out of 5. These ratings are compiled from multiple booking sites and independent review platforms, meaning they reflect the views of thousands of guests.
Consequently, rest assured all aforementioned hostels guarantee excellent value for money during your stay in Ho Chi Minh City.
Best price guarantee
For our hostel recommendations, we work together with Hostelworld and Booking. These partnerships don’t have any influence on the recommendations we make or on the order in which our recommended hostels are listed.
The reasons why we have chosen to partner with these companies are that they’re trustworthy, offer excellent service and both apply the best price guarantee.
This means you can claim a refund for the difference if you find your reservation cheaper on another website. It has to be for the same property, accommodation type, dates, cancellation policy and conditions, otherwise, you can’t claim a refund for the difference.
If you book through Booking.com then all you need to do is contact them at least 24 hours before your check-in date. If you book through Hostelworld you must claim the refund within 24 hours after you made the booking.
Top 3 hostels in Ho Chi Minh City
To summarize again, based on thousands of guest reviews, these are the best hostels in Ho Chi Minh City:
Why you should be careful when booking the cheapest hostel available
Opting for the most budget-friendly hostel isn’t always the best choice, and here’s why:
- Hostels with the lowest rates often fall short when it comes to location. If your plans include exploring Ho Chi Minh City or immersing yourself in its nightlife, you might find yourself spending extra on public transportation or a cab ride to reach your destination. In such scenarios, staying somewhere more central could be less costly eventually. We generally suggest a centrally located stay for those new to travel; however, even seasoned travelers may find value in paying slightly more for convenience.
- The other factor discouraging one from choosing an extremely cheap hostel is related to its inhabitants. People residing in these places are usually not those who can afford frequent travel like you do, but rather migrant workers or locals struggling economically. Hence, they gravitate towards these budget accommodations, as they are cheaper substitutes than maintaining an apartment of their own much of the time. This demographic might not be ideal if you’re a solo adventurer seeking companionship during your journey.
- The third rationale for steering clear of the cheapest hostels lies in security concerns. These establishments often neglect to verify identification, fail to collect signatures, or only handle transactions in cash upon arrival. As a result, it’s impossible for the hostel management to accurately know who resides within their premises.
- Customer service is typically lacking at these budget accommodations. For example, should you decide to leave your luggage with them temporarily, your belongings will be left unguarded in common areas instead of being securely logged and stored away in a safe room.
So, it may make more sense to allocate slightly more financial resources toward securing better accommodation during your visit to Ho Chi Minh City.
As a concluding piece of advice: always prioritize reading the most recent reviews about any prospective hostel! While all places garner both praise and criticism over time, it is indeed the freshest reviews that hold significant weight when making an informed decision.
More Ho Chi Minh City tips
Get to know the city even better and check out our other articles about Ho Chi Minh City:
Best hotels in Ho Chi Minh City
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
Cheap hotels in Ho Chi Minh City
