Vietnam Travel Information

i Tour Vietnam | Top-rated private Ho Chi Minh City tours and Vietnam travel guides.

Staying at Guest Houses in Vietnam: Tips & Information

guest-houses-in-vn Hanoi Lucky Guest House, Hanoi

Instead of deluxe hotels, guest houses in Vietnam (or “Nha nghi”) can be a great choice for budget travelers and backpackers who venture onto roads less explored. Scroll down to see what you should know about this type of lodging!

What are Guest Houses in Vietnam?

Guest houses in Vietnam are mostly family-run businesses, providing decent yet affordable accommodation (from VND 60,000/hour or VND 150,000 - VND 300,000/night). Though you may not get a 5-star service, you’re bound to have a hot shower and a good night’s sleep. And because they’re all over the country, even in remote places, you’ll have no trouble finding one.

How to Spot Good Guest Houses in Vietnam?

In recent years, guest houses in Vietnam have been associated with love hotels. It’s true that some love hotels hide under the facade of “nha nghi” to dodge the law, but there are some tips to tell them apart. First, love hotels display and charge their fees by the hour (usually written as “60 phut”, meaning 60 minutes). Secondly, love hotels usually decorate their rooms with Playboy-style pictures. So if you see these signs, and aren’t comfortable with staying in a love hotel, it’s time to change lodging.

Pros and Cons of Staying at Guest Houses in Vietnam

Some may shake their heads upon hearing the words “guest house” due to a number of reasons:

  • They only have basic amenities such as a toilet, a bed, a bathroom, and an air-conditioner or a fan.
  • Don’t expect to find a refrigerator anywhere near the room!
  • Their room is usually small and the guest house is often found in small alleys.
  • There’s no meal included.
  • The staff oftentimes can’t speak English.
  • Their lack of service: laundry, parking, room service…
  • The quality of the room is not guaranteed. Even though they’re all guest houses in Vietnam, some may cost and look as much as a hotel, while some are rundown.

Yet, guest houses in Vietnam still remain a popular choice, especially for backpackers, simply because its advantages can outweigh its unwanted “characteristics”:

  • It’s a lot cheaper than staying at a hotel! If you want to stay in the backpackers’ district in Ho Chi Minh City or the Old Quarter area in Hanoi for half or even a third of the normal price, guest houses are your go-to.
  • When you travel to remote places in Vietnam, luxury hotels are non-existent. However, you can find guest houses in most areas in Vietnam, even in the mountains! Therefore, guest houses are great for those off-the-beaten-path trips.
  • For campers, guest houses in Vietnam can give you a place to take a shower and a short nap. Even though there’s a high chance that guest houses that display their rates by the hour are love hotels, some are actually decent lodgings.
  • Guest houses in touristy cities may often offer motorbike rental services to their guests for a good price.

Although traditionally, you must go into a guest house to book a room, nowadays platforms like Agoda have included some top choices for guest houses in Vietnam so you can book beforehand at home.

Don’t miss out:

Hanoi Hotels

Ho Chi Minh City Hotels

Some Good Guest Houses in Vietnam

TiTi 1 Guesthouse

Address: 241/11/12 Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

guest houses in vn titi1

TiTi 1 has spacious rooms with comfy beds (See price and availability)

Locating right in the backpacker’s district, TiTi 1 Guesthouse has a perfect location for both night entertainment and sightseeing around Ho Chi Minh City.

Hanoi Lucky Guest House 2

Address: 91A Hang Ma Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

guest houses in vn hanoi lucky

Hanoi Lucky Guest House is frequented by many tourists (See price and availability)

Wanting to stay in the Old Quarter without breaking the bank? Choose Hanoi Lucky Guest House 2. The accommodation in Hanoi’s city center has friendly staff and an amazing breakfast.

Lyn Na Guesthouse

Address: 64 Pham Huu Kinh Street, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang

guest houses in vn lyn na

Lyn Na’s a more high-end guesthouse

Lyn Na’s closer to My Khe Beach than the city center. Therefore, it’s great for anyone who loves a quiet night and a morning at the beach.

 

Tips for Staying at Guest Houses in Vietnam

guest houses in vn tips

Check the listed room facilities immediately to avoid paying for something you haven’t used!

  • Check the amenities carefully and inform the staff if anything’s missing or needs cleaning upon entering the room.
  • Most guest houses in Vietnam require identification documents (ID or passport...) to check-in.
  • If you book online (for example: via Agoda), remember to print out your booking receipt.
  • A more modern, better-equipped, yet not so drastically different in pricing alternative of guest houses in Vietnam are homestays. See our list of top homestays in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Most guest houses in Vietnam only accept cash payment using the Vietnamese currency so remember to prepare enough cash.
  • It's better to prepare your own toiletries (can be found at convenience stores or local retail shops) as the toiletries kits' quality at guest house is not guaranteed.

Our Thoughts on Guest Houses in Vietnam

We can say that guest houses in Vietnam don’t have a great reputation among locals, but if you find one that’s decent, it can actually be a good-value-for-money experience. Especially for travelers who plan to have a long trip, guest houses will help you save a lot of money for other fun activities. Stay tuned and read more about Vietnam in our Vietnam Travel Guides.

Travel safer with World Nomads travel insurance:

 

Copyright

© Written by Ngan Mai for itourvn.com

9
×
Stay Informed

When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.

 

Comments

Guest
Guest - George Wright on Saturday, 09 May 2020 12:38

guest houses are great when you travel off the beaten path. The quality is just fine, nothing fancy, but you can get freshen up with a quick shower or take a short nap before hitting the roads again

guest houses are great when you travel off the beaten path. The quality is just fine, nothing fancy, but you can get freshen up with a quick shower or take a short nap before hitting the roads again
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Monday, 02 October 2023

Captcha Image

About itourvn.com

This Vietnam travel information page is written by a team of professional tour guides in Vietnam. More about us or visit home page

Vietnam Travel Information

Check out the necessary information for traveling to Vietnam

First Time in Vietnam

To Pack List for Vietnam

Major Cities in Vietnam

Family & Elderly Travel

LGBT Travel

Vietnam Festivals and Holidays

Best Vietnamese Dishes

UNESCO World Heritage in Vietnam

Vietnamese Culture

Religions in Vietnam

Ethnicities in Vietnam

Tipping in Vietnam

Best Dishes to Try in Vietnam

20 Must-try Vietnamese Dishes

Unusual Foods to Try in Vietnam

Street Food in Vietnam

Vietnamese Grilled Dishes

Rice Dishes in Vietnam

Pho Dishes in Vietnam

Traveling to and within Vietnam

Airport Arrival Tips at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh)

Airport Arrival Tips at Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)

Major Airports in Vietnam

Taking Trains in Vietnam

Bringing Your Own Vehicles to Vietnam

Bringing Your Pets to Vietnam

How to Take Motorbike Taxis

Taking a Ferry in Vietnam

Renting a Car in Vietnam

Vietnam Visa, SIM Cards, and WiFi

Visa Info & Where to Buy Sim Cards

Traveling with Wifi in Vietnam

Vietnam Travel Safety Tips

Travel Insurance

Is it Safe to Drink Tap Water?

How to Avoid Mosquitoes

Food Safety in Vietnam

Getting Vaccinations

Wearing Face Masks in Vietnam

Can Tourists Drive in Vietnam?

How to Avoid Scams

Travel Safety Tips

Find the best hotels to stay in Vietnam:

 
Powered by 12Go Asia system