Vietnam has some of the best-value accommodation in Asia. A boutique hotel that would cost $400 in Bali costs $90 here, and the street-food scene outside your door is typically better. The trick is choosing the right neighbourhood: get that wrong and you will spend your whole trip in taxis.
Hanoi: stay in the Old Quarter
The Old Quarter is the obvious choice and the correct one. Thirty-six streets of colonial tube houses, street food on every corner, and walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake, the train street, and most day-trip pickup points. Hotels stack 8-10 storeys, rooms are small, prices run $25-100 for solid mid-range options (Hanoi La Siesta, Little Hanoi Deluxe, La Sinfonia del Rey).
Alternatives:
- French Quarter: wider streets, grand colonial buildings, higher-end hotels (Sofitel Legend Metropole, $350+). Quieter, further from street food.
- West Lake (Tay Ho): expat zone. Better for longer stays, apartment rentals, craft cocktails. 20-minute Grab from the Old Quarter.
- Ba Dinh: near the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Leafy, residential, fewer tourists.
Stay walking distance from Hoan Kiem Lake for a short trip.
Ho Chi Minh City: District 1, 3, or 4
District 1 is the main tourist zone — Ben Thanh Market, Bui Vien (backpacker street), the river. Most visitors base here. Hotels from $30 to $500.
District 3 is where young Saigonese eat and drink. Better food, more local, 10 minutes from District 1 by Grab. Boutique hotels $50-120.
District 4 is the sleeper pick. Working-class peninsula across a bridge from District 1, with some of the best street food in the city. Cheaper hotels ($25-60) and a local feel. Not ideal if you want to walk to bars.
Avoid Districts 2 (Thao Dien — expat suburb, far from centre) and 7 (Phu My Hung — Korean business zone) unless you have a specific reason.
Hoi An: Old Town vs An Bang Beach
Hoi An gives you two very different bases 4km apart:
- Old Town / Ancient Town area: heritage lanterns, tailors, restaurants walking distance. Can feel crowded in peak season. Boutique hotels $40-100, resorts on the edge $120-300.
- An Bang Beach: 10 minutes by bike. Quieter, beachfront, hippie cafe scene. Better for families and anyone staying 4+ nights.
- Cam Thanh / coconut forest: in between, rural, resort territory ($90-250).
First-timers: Old Town. Repeat visitors or anyone with kids: An Bang.
Da Nang: My Khe Beach
My Khe, the main beach, is the default base — 10km of sand, high-rise hotels, Grab cheap across town. Stay between My Khe and My An for best restaurants. $40-150 mid-range; resorts (Furama, Hyatt, InterContinental further north) $200-800.
Han Riverside and the city centre are alternatives if you prefer urban to beach — cheaper but not as scenic.
Other major bases
- Sapa: the town centre is practical but ugly concrete. Better to stay in a valley homestay in Lao Chai or Ta Van (30-45 min drive) for views and quiet.
- Ninh Binh / Tam Coc: Tam Coc village beats Ninh Binh city. Small family-run places in rice fields for $25-60.
- Phu Quoc: Long Beach for first-timers, Ong Lang for quiet, south island for resorts.
- Da Lat: town centre near Xuan Huong Lake.
- Phong Nha: Son Trach village.
- Ha Giang: homestays on the loop, not Ha Giang City itself.
Hotel vs homestay vs hostel vs resort
- Hostel ($8-18): best for solo backpackers, social atmosphere, Hanoi and HCMC excel.
- Guesthouse / 3-star hotel ($25-50): the sweet spot for most travellers. Clean, friendly, includes breakfast.
- Boutique / 4-star ($60-120): noticeable step up in style, pool, often rooftop.
- Resort ($180+): worthwhile only on beaches (Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, Da Nang, Hoi An).
- Homestay ($25-60 including meals): the right call in rural areas — Mai Chau, Sapa, Ha Giang, Mekong. Skip in cities.
Booking tips
- Compare Booking.com and Agoda for the same property — prices often differ 10-15%.
- Message the property directly through WhatsApp or Zalo for a small discount on longer stays.
- Don't prepay non-refundable rates in low season; walk-in deals are common.
- Read the most recent 10 reviews, not just the overall score — standards shift fast.
- Always screenshot your booking confirmation; some small hotels lose reservations.
Scams to avoid
- Fake hotels at arrival: taxi drivers tell you your hotel is "closed" and take you to a commission property. Confirm your booking by phone first.
- Name duplication: several hotels copy the names of popular ones. Check the exact address and photos.
- Bait and switch: you booked a "superior" room, you get a windowless one. Photograph the listing, insist on what you paid for.
For 10-14 days in Vietnam, budget around $600-900 on accommodation for two people in comfortable mid-range hotels — less than you would spend in three nights in Singapore.