So you don't go wrong choosing accommodation in Vietnam
When planning a trip to Vietnam, the most important thing is choosing your accommodation.
Vietnam, stretching long and thin from north to south, differs greatly by region in climate, culture, and the atmosphere of its cities. Hanoi's Old Quarter, Ho Chi Minh City's Dong Khoi Street, Da Nang's beach resorts. To enjoy the appeal of each to the fullest, the choice of area to stay holds the key to success.
If you're a first-time traveler, the basic move is to choose an area with good access to tourist spots. On the other hand, for the well-traveled, a place where you can taste a local atmosphere is appealing too. The best area to stay changes depending on your budget, purpose, and travel style.
In this article, we introduce points for choosing accommodation without going wrong, city by city in Vietnam.
Choosing an area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
"Dong Khoi area," recommended for beginners
Even on your first visit to Ho Chi Minh City, the area around Dong Khoi is not the only right answer. Choose based on your priorities: proximity to sights, nighttime quiet, budget, and getting to the airport.
The area around Dong Khoi Street and Nguyen Hue Street is home to restaurants, commercial facilities, and luxury hotels, making it convenient for those who want to explore the center on foot. However, construction and traffic restrictions can affect walking times. Check the actual entrance and a safe crossing route rather than relying on straight-line distances on a map.
The city center can be more expensive than other areas on some days, but you cannot compare prices using a fixed yen figure. Compare the final amount — including tax, service charge, breakfast, deposit, and refund conditions — for the same dates.
"Around Ben Thanh Market," which broadens your trip
The area around Ben Thanh Market is also popular with Japanese travelers.
The area around Ben Thanh Market is easy to explore on foot from the center, but road crossings and noise levels day and night vary by street. Star ratings alone cannot tell you about cleanliness or room size. Check recent photos of the room type you want, whether there is a window, and recent reviews regarding housekeeping.
Walking times between Ben Thanh Market and the Dong Khoi area vary depending on where your accommodation is located and traffic conditions. You cannot infer service quality from the nationalities of other guests. Compare individual properties by checking cleanliness, facilities, languages spoken, noise levels, and how complaints are handled.
Points to note about the backpacker district "Pham Ngu Lao"
If you choose by cheapness, it's the Pham Ngu Lao area, the backpacker district.
The Pham Ngu Lao, De Tham, and Bui Vien areas have many budget accommodations, though room rates vary by day of the week and demand. Near nightlife venues, noise can continue late into the night, so consider whether your room faces the street or a courtyard, and whether earplugs would be sufficient.
The things to be aware of are not about people's nationalities, but late-night businesses, crowds, alcohol, traffic, touts, and keeping your smartphone and wallet secure. Those who want a quiet night's sleep or are traveling with children should also compare streets a few blocks away from the entertainment district, and check entrance lighting and the route back at night.
Choosing an area to stay in Hanoi
The appeal of the Old Quarter area
Hanoi's Old Quarter is an area where you can fully savor the atmosphere of a historic ancient capital.
Old-fashioned shops line the narrow alleys, and a lively scene of passing motorbikes unfolds. It's within walking distance of Hoan Kiem Lake, ideal as a sightseeing base. This area has a wide range of hotels from mid-class to luxury, so you can choose according to your budget.
However, since the Old Quarter is lively until late at night, it may not suit those seeking a quiet environment. Also, because the streets are narrow and winding, first-timers should note that it's easy to get lost.
The calm atmosphere of the French Quarter
The French Quarter is an area with a refined atmosphere even within Hanoi.
Colonial-style buildings line the streets, and luxury hotels and restaurants gather here. Without the clamor of the Old Quarter, you can enjoy a calm stay. It's close to the Opera House and Hoan Kiem Lake, a convenient location for sightseeing too.
Room rates are a bit higher than the Old Quarter, but in return you can expect quality service and well-equipped facilities.
Choosing an area to stay in Da Nang
The appeal of the beach resort area
When it comes to Da Nang, it's the beautiful beach resorts.
Along My Khe Beach, luxury resort hotels like the Melia Danang Beach Resort and Grandvrio City Danang line up. With locations offering direct beach access, you can fully enjoy a resort stay. Facilities like pools and spas are well appointed too, ideal for spending time leisurely within the hotel.
However, since it's a little removed from the city center, if you make touring tourist spots your main focus, you need to account for the time travel takes.
The convenience of the city-center area
Central Da Nang is recommended for those who want to enjoy both sightseeing and the beach.
It's close to tourist spots like Han Market and the Dragon Bridge, with plenty of restaurants and cafes too. The beach is about a 10-minute drive away, so a style of spending the day at the beach and enjoying meals in the city center at night is possible.
Room rates are also more reasonable than the beach resort area, so you can expect a stay with high value for money.
A special experience around Ba Na Hills
There's also the option of staying at Ba Na Hills.
Staying at the summit reduces travel time, but the hours you can enter Golden Bridge, cable car operating sections, and what rides, park entry, and breakfast are included in accommodation plans are all subject to change. Do not assume early-morning entry or unlimited rides; check the details of your booking plan and on-the-day operating information.
The mountain area is also affected by fog, rain, and service suspensions, so those who prioritize scenery and those who prioritize city sightseeing will assess it differently.
Checkpoints to confirm when choosing accommodation
Location and access
When choosing accommodation, the most important thing is location.
Check in advance the distance to tourist spots, access to the nearest transport, and the safety of the surroundings. We recommend looking up the actual distances on an online map and grasping how far it is to major areas like the Dong Khoi area and Ben Thanh Market.
Especially in big cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the atmosphere differs greatly by location even within the same district. Even within District 1, places other than around Dong Khoi and Ben Thanh Market become local neighborhoods, and you may need a taxi to reach tourist spots.
Balancing budget and facilities
It's important to discern the facilities you need according to your budget.
Star ratings are a reference for facilities and service classification, but do not guarantee the cleanliness, size, soundproofing, or staff responsiveness of individual rooms. Make a list of the facilities you need and combine recent reviews with direct confirmation from the property.
Even among budget guesthouses, operating standards and quality vary widely. Do not assume poor cleanliness based on price alone; check operating licenses, locks, fire escape routes, private or shared bathroom, air conditioning, housekeeping, and after-hours contact.
Making use of booking sites and checking reviews
Always check reviews before booking.
Reviews are useful for understanding actual conditions, but ratings vary by posting date, room type, and travel purpose, and individual posts may be inaccurate. Look at multiple recent reviews from the past few months to see whether the same issues are raised repeatedly.
Also, since rates can differ by booking site, we recommend comparing several sites. Checking the cancellation policy in advance is reassuring too.
10 Things to Check Before Looking at Star Ratings
- The actual entrance and vehicle drop-off point, not just the map pin
- Nighttime noise from entertainment districts, construction, roads, and clubs
- Window, size, bed configuration, and floor of the room you are booking
- Elevator and steps; accessibility for wheelchairs and strollers
- Emergency exits, smoke detectors, evacuation routes, and 24-hour contact
- Total price including tax, service charge, deposit, and extra person fees
- Breakfast hours, and operating status of pool, spa, and gym
- Refund and change conditions, and how typhoons or cancelled flights are handled
- Cleanliness, pests, and plumbing as seen in recent photos and multiple reviews
- Planned renovation work, nearby construction, and suspended facilities
Some properties have similar names on booking sites. Cross-check the property name, address, phone number, and entrance photo, and if you are arriving late at night, confirm front desk availability and where to wait for your transfer in advance.
Summary: a comfortable Vietnam trip by choosing accommodation that suits you
Choosing accommodation in Vietnam greatly affects the satisfaction of your trip.
If you're a first-time traveler, staying in a sightseeing hub like Ho Chi Minh City's Dong Khoi area or Hanoi's Old Quarter is reassuring. For the well-traveled, enjoying an area with a local atmosphere or a special experience at a Da Nang beach resort is also good.
Choosing the best area and accommodation according to your budget, purpose, and travel style is the key to success. Firmly check the location, facilities, and reviews, and find accommodation that suits you.
Vietnam is a country that shows more faces the more you meet it halfway. A stay at comfortable accommodation is sure to make your Vietnam trip richer.
