Formerly called Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city in terms of population. It is one of the most popular cities in Vietnam where tourists love to spend time in. It’s also considered the business and financial hub of the country and boasts sleek skyscrapers, charming temples, quaint colonial structures, and dazzling traditional pagodas.
In this article, we will recommend some of the best accommodations in Ho Chi Minh City for travelers on a budget. If you would like to know the rough budget you’re required to travel to Vietnam, do check out our cost of travel guide.
The accommodations were chosen based on several factors and not just cost alone. The amenities they offer, their location, and feedback provided by previous customers, among others, were also considered. Whether you are looking to explore Ho Chi Minh City alone or in a group, take a look at some of the best accommodations that we at Budget Itinerary have curated just for you.
Saigon 1979 Hotel
Saigon 1979 Hotel is strategically located along Pham Ngu Lao in the iconic District 1, also known as the “backpacker’s area”. The nearest airport is about 5 km away from the hotel.
Saigon 1979 Hotel Facilities and Amenities
The hotel offers air-conditioned rooms that are good value for their price. There are dorm beds popular for solo travelers as well as private rooms.
Private rooms are fitted with complete toiletries and cable TV. They also offer complimentary breakfast as well as motorbikes for rent. The reception is open 24 hours so guests can ask for assistance anytime.
The rooftop of the hotel has a bar where tourists can go for a quick drink or two and meet fellow travelers. The hotel is also close to many shopping areas like the Ben Thanh Market, Ben Thanh Street Food Market, and Vincom Center.
Saigon 1979 Hotel Customer Reviews
Overall, the reviews for Saigon 1979 Hotel are good. Customers are happy mainly due to the affordable price of the rooms and the hotel’s good location. The convenience of restaurants and shopping areas is also mentioned.
Guests, however, have complained about the dormitory rooms being a bit cramped when there are a lot of people booked. Moreover, the bathrooms are a bit small, and the floor might always be wet since the shower and toilet are together in the same area. Road traffic sounds might also be heard from some rooms.
Budget Itinerary Verdict for Saigon 1979 Hotel
We think that this hotel is a great choice for solo travelers as well as friends traveling in a group. The location, being along Pham Ngu Lao ward, is good and easily accessible. Solo travelers who don’t mind a bit of crowdedness and using shared bathrooms will find this accommodation good for its price.
Free beer and breakfast are also provided and travelers can socialize at the rooftop bar. There are also many food and shopping stalls nearby so guests will never run out of options. Moreover, the staffs are friendly and helpful. However, this accommodation might not be good for families who want a quiet place to stay since road traffic noise might be audible from some rooms.
Price: Starts at $12 for solo bed in dorm rooms; $45 for private rooms
Check out Saigon 1979 Hotel here.
Vy Khanh Guesthouse
Situated along Pham Ngu Lao in District 1, Vy Khanh Guesthouse boasts a prime location and homey environment. This family-run hostel is within walking distance from famous shopping areas, restaurants, and coffee shops in the city and also has great airport proximity.
Vy Khanh Guesthouse Facilities and Amenities
Vy Khanh Guesthouse evokes a homey ambiance. Its six basic rooms are fitted with a cable TV, desks, as well as a mini-fridge, making them perfect for a group or a family.
The bathrooms include cold and hot shower facilities. The hostel is less than 20 minutes of walk from the Reunification Palace, the Fine Arts Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the War Remnants Museum.
Other amenities include laundry services at an additional fee, as well as airport taxi services, which can be arranged through the reception. They also offer currency exchange services, so guests need not worry when they run short of local currency.
Vy Khanh Guesthouse Customer Reviews
Most guests rate the hostel satisfactorily, particularly because of its friendly and accommodating staff, who are the family members who run the hostel. They praise the staff for being gracious and helpful in arranging tours and addressing their concerns. Most guests are also offered coffee or tea every morning when they go down to the common area. The hostel is also always clean and tidy and even the bathrooms are well-maintained.
The only complaint from a few guests is that the staircase in the hostel might be hard to climb for travelers with large luggage.
Budget Itinerary Verdict on Vy Khanh Guesthouse
We believe this hostel is great for first-time visiting couples, friends, or families. Guests spoke highly of the friendly staff of this hostel and its homey environment. They also mentioned how the staffs were helpful in pointing the guests to the must-see places in Ho Chi Minh City. The rooms are also equipped with all basic amenities and hence, good for their price. The area is close to the famous shopping centres and restaurants in District 1.
Price: Starts at US$15
Check out Vy Khanh Guesthouse here.
The Like Hostel & Cafe
The Like Hostel & Cafe is located in District 1, along Bui Vien Walking Street or Ho Chi Minh’s “red light district” which is famous for its booming nightlife. This hostel is popular for its quaint rooftop cafe offering an unblocked view of the city.
The Like Hostel & Cafe Facilities and Amenities
The Like Hostel & Cafe offers modern, yet cozy and affordable dormitory rooms fitted with bunk beds. Every dormitory room has air conditioning, lockers, bathroom, and each bed has its own curtain allowing privacy for guests. Bathrooms feature showers and hair dryers.
The hostel features a play area–its rooftop cafe from where each guest can get a free beer. Guests can also prepare their meals in the common kitchen. Moreover, tour and transport booking services are available at the reception.
The Like Hostel & Cafe Customer Reviews
The Like Hostel & Cafe is loved by guests for its calm and charming ambiance and prime location. The free beer the hostel offers in its Instagram-worthy rooftop cafe is a plus point for artsy backpackers or nomadic couples. Guests also like the comfortable dormitory beds, although some guests did mention that bathroom cleanliness could be improved. Moreover, waiting in line for the shower might be needed especially when there are many guests booked for the day. Guests might also need to bring their own toiletries since there is no shower gel provided in the shared bathrooms.
Some guests also mentioned that there are a lot of stairs that need to be climbed to at the hostel. The staff, however, are friendly and welcoming.
Budget Itinerary Verdict on The Like Hostel & Cafe
This hostel is a good accommodation for solo backpackers or nomadic couple travelers who don’t mind sleeping on bunk beds. The hostel is centrally located and in close proximity to the night bars, cafes, and shops. The hostel’s rooftop cafe is a great area to enjoy the city view, drink, and socialize with other travelers. As the bathroom is shared, however, it might not be always clean and it is also best to bring toiletries to avoid a last-minute run to the store.
Price range: Starts at US$8.49
Check out The Like Hostel & Cafe here.
Final Thoughts
For budget travelers, the best pick for where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City is around its iconic Pham Ngu Lao Street and Bui Vien Street in District 1. The above hotel and hostels are all good value accommodations.
In particular, Saigon 1979 Hotel is good for solo travelers and friends traveling in a group. It offers both affordable bunk beds and private rooms in a central location.
Vy Khanh Guesthouse, on the other hand, is a good value accommodation for couples, families, or friends traveling to Ho Chi Minh City for the first time. The hostel offers a homey, safe, and very accommodating ambiance that most guests describe as a home away from home.
Finally, The Like Hostel & Cafe is the right choice for adventurous solo backpackers or nomadic couples. The hostel offers affordable dormitory solo bunk beds with privacy curtains. It also has an aesthetic rooftop cafe which offers a nice space for guests to hang out, drink, and socialize.
These are the best hostels and hotels for budget travelers in Ho Chi Minh City which are good values for their price and the quality of the services they offer. We have also curated some of the most interesting places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City here.
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