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Home » Blog Page » Accommodation » Where to Stay in Hanoi: 6 Best Hostels in the Old Quarter

Where to Stay in Hanoi: 6 Best Hostels in the Old Quarter

While finding a hostel in Hanoi, Vietnam isn’t that hard, picking the best area to stay can make or break your trip. Hanoi city is located on the banks of the Red River and is a very diverse city despite of its size. Yes, it’s not that big but it will be a lot easier if there is a list of best hostels in Hanoi’s neighborhoods for tourists, especially if you are coming only for a day or two. The Hanoi capital is very rich in culture with influences from Southeast Asia, China and France.

Before I go any further, I am going to tell you that Old Quarter is the best area for tourists to stay in Hanoi. This is where you will find well-preserved colonial buildings, little temples, different street activities, and epic street food. This is the real heart of Hanoi where you can really see almost everything about the history of Vietnam. I recommend walking around Hanoi, may It be during the morning or evening, since it has always been busy throughout the day. Here are our recommendations where to stay in Hanoi Old Quarter.

Republik Backpacker Hostel

Location: 14A Phùng Hưng, Hàng Mã, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam

Republik Backpacker Hostel is one of the coolest looking hostels I have seen in Hanoi. Basically, it’s a social hostel in the quiet street of Phung Hung. It has plenty of vibrant common areas for you to hang out including the hostel lobby. There’s an activity dedicated each night (pizza night and movie night to name a few!) so you must sign up before joining. The hostel offers you to choose between quirky dorms and private rooms. Although I’ve seen both, I really find the rooms something very basic and tight. The hostel has 6 floors, each floor having all-gender showers and toilet rooms. Republik Backpacker Hostel is tucked near the city’s railroad so you might hear some noise from train passing by.

We stayed in a private room for two nights and it costed us about 15 USD with free breakfast and coffee. The whole experience was just okay, the staff are very accommodating and the hostel is near the the Long Bien Bridge. The only weird thing about this hostel is you need to leave your passports at the reception area.

By: Kevin of The Outcast Journey

Luxury Backpackers Hostel

Location: Phường Hàng Trống, 56 Ngõ Huyện, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam

The Luxury Backpacker Hostel is a perfect budget choice due to its location. The hostel is just 5 minutes away from St. Joseph’s Cathedral and 10 minutes away from Hoan Kiem Lake. The dormitory beds are very comfortable and the staff is very friendly. It’s a great choice for budget traveler who want clean and private bathrooms, lounge areas and very nice free breakfast. All rooms are equipped with key cards so security will never be an issue. Prices start from 7USD per bed per night but we felt that the quality of our stay and the superb level of service was on par with what you’d expect from a 5-star hotel.

By: Kevin of The Outcast Journey

See You at Lily’s Hostel and Travel

Location: 16 Ngõ Huyện, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

If we were to recommend one of the best hotels in Hanoi, it would definitely be See You at Lily’s. The place is quirky and relatively cheap but comfortable to stay at. It is a Bohemian themed budget hostel so you can definitely imagine the decors and the overall displays. The dorm rooms are clean, tidy and with spacious bathrooms. A night in their dorm rooms only costs $5 a night which is perfect for your budget if you are backpacking Vietnam.

Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square.

If you want a more private space, they have private rooms as well that costs $23 a night. They have single rooms, double rooms as well as family rooms. You can opt for a room with the city view. But another amazing thing about See You at Lily’s is that they have tours that you can book with them directly. They have tours for Ha Long Bay, Central Region, Northern tour and Sapa tour. We tried their tour for Sapa and it was awesome. Their location is also great for the backpacking area in Hanoi.

By: Ruben of Gamin Traveler

Backy Posh Hostel

Location: 3 Hàng Tre, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Backy Posh Hostel by Poshtel Vietnam is conveniently located in Hoan Kiem or the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Within a couple of minutes walk, you can reach the exciting and busy narrow streets with cafes, craftsmen shops, night market and the lake with its iconic red bridge. It is the perfect base to start exploring the capital, especially if it’s your first time in the city.

As the name suggests, the hostel is rather posh and is definitely one of the most stylish you will encounter on your journey. A lot of attention has been put into interior design details. Everything from the cozy common space with hammocks, comfortable single or double dorm beds all the way to shared lavatories are modern and slick.

As the rooms are only accessible using keycards, besides being classy, the hostel is also very secure – something any traveler will appreciate. If that wasn’t enough, one of the best features of the establishment is the friendly staff. Ready to help with any issue, they can recommend some of the best local places to dine. Expect to pay 4-5$ for a bed in the mixed dormitory and breakfast.

By: Darja of DeeGees Travel

Hanoi Light Hostel

Location: 10 Nhà Chung, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

If you are looking for the best home base for exploring the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi Light Hostel would be your most affordable bet. With its prime location in the center of Hanoi Old Quarter, you will be walking distance from the charming Hoan Kiem Lake and the iconic Ngoc Son Temple. Other tourist destinations, like the Hoa Lo Prison, the Vietnam Military History Museum, and the Opera House, are within a kilometer away from the hostel. And, if you choose to explore other areas of Vietnam by train then early morning departures and traffic won’t be a problem as you will be 1.1 kilometers from the Ga Hanoi Railway Station.

Hanoi Opera House.

With different types of rooms to choose from, you can have the choice of sharing their dormitory and meeting new friends or getting a room for yourself. Each comes with air-conditioning and sound-proof windows that will ensure that you get a good night sleep in an area that never sleeps. Better yet, the room is equipped with sockets, free Wi-Fi, hairdryer, toiletries, and a minibar, providing you with all the comforts that you have at home.

By: Karolina of Karolina&Patryk

Vietnam Backpacker Hostels Downtown

Location: 9 Phố Mã Mây, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Hanoi is without a doubt one of my favorite places to visit. The hustle and bustle of the city and the food rich in character and flavor. But with so many neighborhoods one of the real challenges is working out where to stay to be in the midst of it all. Having visited Hanoi twice I can firmly recommend Vietnam Backpackers Downtown Hostel as the perfect place to stay. Nestled in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter the hostel is situated the perfect walking distance from many of the best things Hanoi has to offer.

Hanoi Night Market.

The hostel itself sprawls over several floors and is fully equipped with a lounge area, rooftop, bar and travel desk. Although it’s pegged as a party hostel – truly it offers so much more than that. No trip to Vietnam Backpackers Hostel is complete without booking yourself onto one of the tours where you’re guaranteed to make friends not just for the trip, but for life. As a solo traveler there really is no better place to stay. Average cost 21$ AUD includes free breakfast.

By: Efia of Effy Talks Life

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Kevin del Prado

Kevin is currently working as a Business Analyst. Interests also include traveling, watching movies, outdoor activities, and photography. He graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering.

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