by Figuring out where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City is not an easy task! There are so many great hotels and hostels from which to choose. Our guide will help you cut through the noise and find great Saigon accommodation in no time.
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This post is your shortcut to figuring out where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City. We have been to this amazing city at least a half dozen time and stayed in all kinds of different accommodation. For this post, we picked our favourite places for every budget, from backpacker to luxury.
It can be pretty hard to figure out where to stay in Ho Chi Minh! The city is sprawling and densely populated, with more than 8 million people living there! Sometimes, it seems like there are almost as many hotels to choose from too.
The great news is that because there are so many hostels, hotels, and other types of accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City, the quality tends to be very high and the prices are low!
So, no matter what your travel style, use my recommendations of where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City below so you don’t have to spend the next three hours scouring the internet for your ideal place.
Read on for our recommendations of…
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City
OUR TOP 4 PLACES TO STAY IN HO CHI MINH CITY
1. Best hostel → Vy Da Backpackers 2
2. Best budget hotel → Nest Hotel
3. Best boutique hotel → Christina’s Saigon
4. Best luxury hotel → Fusion Suites Saigon
What’s the Best Area to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City?
The question of where to stay in Saigon is a little complicated.
The best district to stay in Ho Chi Minh city for most travellers is definitely District 1. This is where most of the tourist-focussed restaurants, bars, and spas are located.
However, District 1 is actually a huge area.
Backpacker District
If you want lots of affordable restaurants within walking distance, the best place to stay is the “backpacker” area, between Bui Vien street and Pham Ngu Lao. Especially if you’re looking for where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City for nightlife, the backpacker area is best.
It’s near the bus station, has easy access to all kinds of restaurants and bars, and is within easy reach of most of the main Saigon attractions. This area of District 1 is also where you’ll find the most affordable hostels, guest houses, and hotels in Saigon.
We’re not going to lie, it’s very touristy — but that’s part of its charm.
Upscale Ho Chi Minh City
The closer you get to the city centre (around Pasteur Street), the fancier the hotels become. Most of the hotels in the centre are big chains, or other luxury hotels, so less likely to be eco friendly and affordable.
However, the city centre is also an interesting area to stay — you’ll get a chance to see how middle class locals work and play. It’s also better for less adventurous travellers and families with young kids, since the Bui Vien district can get kind of crazy with traffic and tourists!
Saigon’s Expat Playground
If you want to mingle with expats, stay in District 2, a popular expat neighborhood. There are lots of restaurants in District 2 targeting expats, so it’s a great place to go if you want a dinner out that isn’t some version of Vietnamese food.
But, if you stay in District 2, be aware that you’ll have to hop on a Grab Bike to get anywhere!
Need More Vietnam Tips?
Check out our guide to 2 or 3 days in HCMC, our vegan guide to Saigon, and get our best Vietnam travel advice.
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh for Backpackers
This section includes some of the best places to stay in Ho Chi Minh for backpackers and budget travellers. Alongside the usual dorm rooms, these hostels also have incredibly inexpensive private rooms which are perfect for couples travelling to Saigon.
Alleyway Hostel
$6 dorm bed, breakfast included
We stayed here and liked it. A fairly new hostel in Ho Chi Minh City, Alleyway Hostel features new beds, with private lockers, plug sockets, and lights. The bathrooms are modern and clean, too.
It’s just a two-minute walk to the bus station and slightly away from the frenzy of the backpacker district but close enough to walk there in 10 minutes or so. If you’re a backpacker wondering where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City, try Alleyway Hostel.
Saigon Fantastic Hostel
Rating 9.2, $4 dorm bed (with private dorm bathroom), breakfast $1
Saigon Fantastic Hostel is named “fantastic” for a reason. It is one of Saigon’s most highly rated hostels for location, just 400 m away from the Fine Arts Museum (and within 1 km of all other main attractions in District 1). It’s the perfect spot if you’re interested in museums, shopping and nightlife and has been rated highly by solo travellers.
Saigon Fantastic also offers evening entertainment, bicycle hire, a safe place to store your valuables and even cooking classes (at an additional cost).
Vy Da Backpackers Hostel 2
Rating 8.8, $5 dorm bed per night with shared bathroom
What we really love about Vy Da Backpackers is that they offer a modern approach to backpacking. Each dorm bed is made from stylish wood and includes blinds to offer more privacy. The hostel is located in District 1 and is within walking distance (2 km or less) from all of the major attractions.
The best thing about this hostel might be the communal roof terrace area where you can socialize and meet fellow travellers. Reviewers rave about the cleanliness and safety of the hotel, and the friendly and helpful staff.
Nha Chung Hostel
8.7 Rating, $4 single bed in 4/8 bed dorm room, breakfast $1
Most popular Ho Chi Minh City attractions are in walking distance from Nha Chung Hostel. While you’re out walking, store your valuables safely in the under-bed storage.
Nha Chung Hostel organizes plenty of entertainment, from movie nights to live music, pub crawls and more. They also have a nice outdoor dining area where you can get free tea and coffee throughout your stay.
They have hot showers, free toiletries and everything you need to feel at home while travelling, including a kettle in the dorm room so you can enjoy a cuppa whenever you wish.
Best Budget Hotels
There is a huge selection of budget accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City. The hardest part is sifting through all the great choices! Start with our suggestions below.
The Art – G9 Homestay
$28 double room, no breakfast
We stayed here and loved it. A short walk away from the busy backpacker district, The Art is on a small alley that bustles with local life. Technically it’s a homestay, because the owner lives in the ground-floor apartment, but it is run more like a hotel (you won’t be eating your meals with the family).
This is where to stay in Ho Chi Minh if you want to be close to the action but not right in the middle of it.
The rooms are nicely decorated and have lots of amenities that other budget hotels lack, like a place to hang your clothes, bedside tables and lamps, a desk, and a little space to move. Each unit also has a small kitchenette where you can cook simple meals.
The owner is super-helpful and communicative, answering all our questions about the city quickly and accurately.
Cozy House 140
$23 budget double room, breakfast included
We stayed here and liked it. We were very happy with the comfy bed at Cozy House, the basic but clean room, and the location, just around the corner from Bui Vien, the main backpacker street.
Unfortunately, when we stayed they were renovating and we couldn’t deal with the noise. When we complained, the staff did everything they could to re-situate us in their property around the corner.
Since they didn’t have the right room available though, we said no and they gave us a refund without argument. We’ll give Cozy House another shot next time we’re trying to discover the best hotels in Saigon.
Watch our live hotel room tour of Cozy House 140 in Ho Chi Minh City.
Also have a look at Cozy House 160 which is just around the corner.
Himalaya Phoenix Saigon Hostel
8.7 rating, $18 superior double room, $27 family room with balcony, breakfast included
We absolutely love the look of this hotel, as it offers bright, light and clean rooms and has been voted a guest’s favourite on Booking.com. Himalaya Phoenix is located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh and is surrounded by must see attractions in District 1 (the Ho Chi Minh City Museum is also in walking distance).
During your stay you can sleep in a spacious, clean room, wake up to a free cooked breakfast, and have the super-friendly staff to help you out with anything you need.
Nest Hotel
9.0 rating, superior double room $19
This colourful hotel is right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s backpacker’s area, but offers a little more comfort than many hotels in the area. The rooms feature modern, quirky design and soft beds — a rarity in Vietnam. The big windows let in a lot of light but the neighbourhood is quiet, so you won’t be woken early by street noise.
The staff on the front desk are extremely helpful and friendly, and are happy to help you out at any time of the day. The owner and other staff members also speak great English should you need help with anything such as arranging tours and visiting tourist attractions.
Saigon Inn
9.1 rating, double room $21, breakfast included
We stayed here and really liked it. We love this bright and cheery hostel which has super clean and ‘feel at home’ style rooms. Many reviewers say that Saigon Inn is the cleanest place they’ve stayed in the whole of Vietnam. The staff are also extremely friendly and helpful, and treat you like you’re one of the family.
Saigon Inn offers an amazing breakfast, including a large fresh tropical fruit platter. The Inn is in District 1, but is a little way away from the chaos of the main backpacker street (so you can have the best of both worlds).
They provide everything you need during your stay, from lockers, luggage storage, airport transfers and a tour desk to help you organize your sightseeing and tours.
Best Boutique & Mid-Range Hotels
Ben Thanh Retreats Hotel
9.5 rating, deluxe double room $38, deluxe suite with balcony $50, breakfast included
The welcoming owners make Ben Thanh Retreats Hotel extra special. They are happy to help you out, whatever time of day or night. The owner even went out of her way to send a guest’s forgotten mobile onto her next travel location. Having lost my phone in Vietnam once, I know how amazing that is!
The location is right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, with the famous Ben Thanh Market and the Renmants War Museum less than 1 km away. They also offer a spa and wellness facility (including a sauna, spa lounge and fitness facilities), where you can take a nice long foot bath or indulge in a massage after a long day of exploring the city.
If the spa isn’t quite enough for you, you can also try a variety of different activities, such as Vietnamese cooking class, a trip to a water park, hiking and canoeing adventures, evening entertainment and walking tours.
Tam Hostel
9.5 rating, deluxe double room $39, breakfast included
Tam Hostel has a gorgeous minimalist interior, with natural woods, lots of plants and a simple design. Although this is a hostel, they also provide spacious private deluxe rooms and family rooms. The location is great, too — only 100 m from Ben Thanh Street Food Market and 500 m from Ho Chi Minh City Museum.
This is a great choice of where to stay in Ho Chi Minh if you’re a couple or a family on a budget.
There is a roof terrace where you can relax, enjoy your daily free breakfast (Vietnamese or American style), watch the sunsets and meet fellow travellers.
La Maison de Pierre
9.9 rating, deluxe king room $33, breakfast included
This is one of the most nature-focussed places to stay in Ho Chi Minh City. Although this luxury hotel is located in District 2, a little further from the centre of the action, it’s still be worth checking out if you want a quiet, scenic stay in Ho Chi Minh City.
The rooms are decorated in a modern style, with pastel accents and wood, somewhat reminiscent of a high-end spa.
The lakeside hotel provides a stunning view and a range of luxury facilities including an infinity pool, a rooftop pool with a bar, sun loungers and umbrellas. There are also free bicycles if you want to explore the city on your own.
For travellers looking for something a little different, this is where to stay in Ho Chi Minh.
Nguyen Shack
$29 budget double room, breakfast included
I stayed at Nguyen Shack in Phong Nha and absolutely loved it. Their Saigon hotel is a little different than their others, as it doesn’t feature any dorm room option and it’s not open to the elements.
They’ve brought the bamboo shack concept into the big city of Ho Chi Minh, decorating the guest house to look as if it belongs in the jungle. They also run small charity projects in a couple of their locations. Ask them what they’re doing in Ho Chi Minh City when you visit!
Nguyen Shack also has locations in Ninh Binh, Can Tho and Phong Nha.
Christina’s Saigon
$63 queen suite, sells out quickly!
This is our first choice of where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City!
When researching the best hotels in Saigon, we stumbled across Christina’s website. We wish we had been able to stay here but to be honest, Christina’s was a little out of our budget! That’s because it has all the amenities to make it one of the best places to stay in Saigon.
The apartment-like suites are beautifully decorated in a modern style and many of them include a kitchenette and separate eating area. At Christina’s, you also get access to communal kitchens, an office/bar area, do-your-own-laundry facilities, and a rooftop patio.
This might be the best place to stay in Ho Chi Minh for road-weary travellers and busy digital nomads who need to get some work done! Their friendly reply to my enquiry emails left me feeling cheery, even if I wasn’t able to stay there!
Christina’s has three other locations in Saigon, here, here, and here.
Lief Pulo Saigon
$75 deluxe double room, breakfast included
We stayed here and loved it! With colourful contemporary design and modern amenities, Lief Hotel appears to be a cut above most similar hotels in Saigon. If you’ve flown in from Europe or North America, Lief Hotel seems like the perfect place to get over jet lag, with its quiet location, extremely helpful staff, and made-to-order breakfast delivered straight to your room.
It’s a short taxi ride to the city centre and nowhere near the touristy backpacker’s district, so best for people who don’t want to be partying at the tourist bars late into the night.
If you want to know more about the Lief, see our in-depth review of our stay.
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh for Luxury
Fusion Suites Saigon
9.2 rating, double suite with private kitchen, $103, fabulous breakfast included
Lend a little luxury to your Ho Chi Minh City stay at Fusion Suites, where comfortable, contemporary rooms come equipped with your own kitchenette.
You’ll also get to indulge in a complimentary spa treatment during your stay. We love the quirky design accents and the floor-to-ceiling windows, which give you a great view of the city.
This hotel is right in the centre of District 1, with the War Remnants Museum only 800 m away.
Grand Hotel Saigon
Rating 8.8, deluxe double room $95, breakfast included
Located in District 1, this hotel is named Grand for a reason. Housed in a restored colonial building and just a short walk to Saigon River and Opera House, this grand hotel offers spacious accommodation, an outdoor pool and access to two on-site restaurants.
The rooms feature classic French décor with fine bedding and furnishings, including a private bathroom (with a bathtub), air conditioning and a flat screen TV with cable channels. They also offer a Spa and Wellness Center, where you can enjoy a variety of different treatments such as body scrubs, body wraps, massages and facial and hair treatments. Including an outdoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi.
The Grand Hotel Saigon is definitely for those who love the finer things in life, but still don’t want to miss out on the action that District 1 offers.
Why Did We Write This Guide?
We write comprehensive posts about hotels in places we’ve been because we want to share the hours of hotel research we do — we know that most people just don’t have the time to explore every hotel option out there!
We also know that online reviews can be misleading but we’ve had enough experience that we can usually spot the duds a mile away!
The links in this post are affiliate links which means that if you use one of them to book a hotel, we’ll get paid a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). Think of it as a free way of paying us back for all our hard work. :)
More Vietnam travel tips
• The Best Vietnam Itinerary for 2 Weeks
• Transformational Things to Do in Vietnam
• Vietnam Packing List – What to Bring to Vietnam
• 19 Transformational Things to do in Hoi An
• Vegan in Vietnam: 15 Tips for Finding Animal-Friendly Food
I hope you found our guide to where to stay in Ho Chi Minh city helpful. If you have any questions or you’ve stayed in a great hotel in Saigon, let us know on email or Instagram!
♥ Happy transformational travels, Jane & Stephen
We’re not going to lie, it takes a LOT of work to create travel guides like this. But it’s easy to help us out! If you book or buy something using one of our personal links in this post, we’ll earn a small fee at no extra cost to you. Of course, we would never recommend anything we didn’t 100% believe in! Huge thanks in advance! –S&J
