When looking for accommodation in Vietnam, you can find charming guesthouses, modern hotels or family-run homestays in great locations without blowing the budget, especially if you’re happy with simple comforts. Here’s a review of the hotels we stayed at during our two and a half weeks in Vietnam, with what we liked, what we didn’t, and a few notes to help you pick what works best for you.

Pu Luong Boutique Garden*, Don Village

A quick note on hotel scams in Vietnam: Some travellers report booking hotels that don’t match the photos online or have names that closely mimic well-known properties. We also heard that some places push visitors to leave five-star reviews, so don’t trust them all. We didn’t have time to research places and read reviews in multiple places, so we used a trusted local travel agent for bookings. They had no idea we’d write this blog post, and we didn’t receive any compensation, so these are 100% honest hotel reviews based on our experience. Of course, things can change, so always check recent reviews and trust your gut if something feels off. If you book a room through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Did you stay somewhere special in Vietnam? Share your experience in the comments below!

What we looked for

We mostly stayed in 3-star hotels, which in Vietnam doesn’t mean luxury. We were after comfortable beds, private bathrooms, air con, and ideally a good location. Nothing fancy, but clean and practical. Breakfast was always included, and we had Wi-Fi everywhere except on our Halong Bay cruise (it was only available in the restaurant).

We also stayed in two homestays and were quite surprised each time. I had expected a stay with a local family and the chance to be part of their daily life, but that wasn’t the case. In both places, we had our own separate room with a private bathroom – it felt more like a small hotel, just run by a local family and with an on-site restaurant. I know some homestays offer a much more immersive cultural experience, where you stay in a private home with very basic facilities and shared bathrooms, and may even cook with the family. I do regret not having more time to research and try that type of homestay experience.

We didn’t spend much time in the rooms or at the hotel, so comfort, cleanliness and convenience mattered more than luxury and amenities. Our itinerary was packed, and we booked last minute, so a few options were already full. Where relevant, I’ve included alternatives that other travellers recommended.

Review of our hotels in Hanoi

We stayed in two places in the Old Quarter, which was perfect for exploring on foot and joining tours.

La Passion Classic Hotel had a nice room with multiple street-facing windows. It was great to watch the buzzing life, but expect traffic noise. We slept fine, but it might not suit light sleepers. The bathroom only had a bath with a shower head, which isn’t ideal for anyone with mobility issues.

Classy Holiday Hotel & Spa had a smaller room – a bit tricky for packing – but it was quiet, comfortable and nicely decorated. However, the window was tiny, and the breakfast was a bit below average compared to other places.

Other options we had on our radar: Golden Rooster Hotel

Review of our hotel in Ninh Binh

Tam Coc Holiday Hotel & Villa was basic but comfortable. The room wasn’t anything special and had no view, but the walk-in shower was nice. We had an extra single bed, so it’s a great option if you’re travelling as three.

Tam Coc is peaceful and close to the river, which is lovely for evening walks. We also found a great massage spot nearby and really enjoyed the relief after climbing Mua Cave. That said, we might have preferred staying in Hoa Lu for a livelier atmosphere, the romantic walk with the lanterns and the lovely night views of the lit-up pagoda and temple.

Trying to choose between Ninh Binh and Sapa? They offer very different experiences, and it’s not always possible to do both. Here’s my take on Ninh Binh vs Sapa to help you plan.

Review of our hotel in Pu Luong

Pu Luong Boutique Garden was our favourite stay of the whole trip and a highlight of our trip. Don Village is truly special and we really enjoyed our beautiful room with its stylish bathroom, its comfy bed with a mosquito net, and a balcony with breathtaking views of the valley. Falling asleep to frog calls and waking up to mist over the rice fields was magic.

The downside? Our neighbours were very loud in the early morning in the bungalow that shared a wall with ours. Still, once they left, it was pure peace. We wished we had stayed longer.

Review of our hotel in Sapa

We stayed at Sapa Plum Eco House because Ap Retreat – Ta Van’s Heel was full.

We loved the quiet location in Ta Van village, with mountain views and peaceful village life, yet with a few options for travellers for food and to relax. The room was nicely decorated with traditional textiles, and dinner was delicious and great value. Be aware: the path down to the rooms is steep and can be slippery, but staff kindly helped us with our bags using a scooter.

Review of our hotels for the Ha Giang loop

Ha Giang CitySilk River Hotel. It was spacious, which helped with packing before our motorbike tour. But overall, it was one of the least impressive places we stayed at, mainly because of stains, a noisy bathroom door, and tired furniture.

Dong VanDu H’Mong Hotel: We had great views and a nice bathroom. Unfortunately, the water pressure was weak and the shower temperature was inconsistent, which was very disappointing when you want to relax after a long day on the motorbike. It was a short walk from the old town, so we had a quiet stay close to the action.

Meo VacHomestay Cao Nguyen Da. It was one of our top stays, with mountain views from the property, a lovely shower, and great sleep (but the walls are thin!). However, the town is quiet, so most travellers prefer to stay in Du Gia for more nightlife and karaoke, but we were happy with the peaceful vibe and to witness authentic life activities.

Review of our cruise on Bai Tu Long (a less touristy alternative to Ha Long Bay)

Swan Cruises Halong wasn’t the most pretty boat in the bay, but it’s better to have the prettier boats around you for photos! We had a fantastic time and appreciated being in a rather small group (~30 people). Big windows in the bedroom and bathroom meant we always had a view. Cabins were comfy and some rooms are bigger or have bathtubs, but we spent most of our time outside on the deck so we’re glad we didn’t pay for an upgrade. Food was great, drinks expensive (as expected), and karaoke ended by 9pm so it stayed peaceful and we couldn’t hear the other boats at all.

We heard some travellers are disappointed that activities are based in one location rather than cruising non-stop, but most cruises follow the same itineraries and activities anyway. With the opportunity to watch the scenery under different lights at sunset and sunrise, it suited us just fine.

Short on time? If you’re wondering if you should choose between Ninh Binh or Halong Bay, this comparison may help!

Review of our hotel in Hoi An

Kiman Hoi An Hotel was spacious and clean, but the location wasn’t ideal. We were 1.5km from the old town and 3km from the beach. Bicycles are available, but I didn’t feel safe riding in the crowd at night. If I had to do it again, I’d stay closer to either the beach or the old town.

Alternative travellers recommended: We met a couple who loved their stay at Rustic Villa, mentioning a very charming decor and a spacious room.

Review of our hotel in Hue

Our room at the Romance Hotel was huge with a separate living area, a spa bath, a separate shower and a balcony with a view. We had good views from the room and the rooftop pool was perfect for cooling off. It’s in a great location near bars and restaurants, and we could walk to the citadel along the river. The breakfast buffet was busy but had lots of variety, including local dishes.

Review of our hotel in Ho Chi Minh

The vibe at GK Central Hotel felt totally different and more impersonal. No warm welcome or basic information (like your room floor or the breakfast location and time) unless we asked. Our room was very narrow and hard to move around when packing. But it was clean, with a good shower and a comfy bed. Breakfast was smaller than elsewhere but had proper coffee, which was a nice plus.

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