Where Should You Stay in Vietnam? 5 Areas Explained
Where Should You Stay in Vietnam? 5 Areas Explained
Choosing a hotel in Vietnam isn't simply about finding a room at the right price.
Where you stay can affect how much time you spend travelling, how easily you can explore, and what kind of experience you have.
Vietnam has many different cities and neighbourhoods, so there isn't one perfect location for everyone.
Here are five practical areas to consider.
1. Hanoi — Old Quarter
If you want to be close to restaurants, cafés, markets and many of Hanoi's central sights, the Old Quarter is a natural place to consider.
It is busy, lively and very walkable in many areas.
The Old Quarter can work particularly well if you want to experience Hanoi's street life rather than stay somewhere isolated from the centre.
Good for:
Restaurants and cafés
Markets
Walking
Central sightseeing
Experiencing Hanoi's everyday atmosphere
2. Ho Chi Minh City — District 1
District 1 puts you close to many of Ho Chi Minh City's major attractions, restaurants, cafés and nightlife.
It is a convenient base if you want to explore the central part of the city.
Good for:
Major attractions
Restaurants
Nightlife
Cafés
Central location
3. Da Nang — My Khe Beach
Da Nang offers a different type of stay.
Around My Khe Beach, you can combine beach access with relatively easy access to the city.
This can be attractive if you don't want a purely urban hotel experience.
Good for:
Beach access
Cafés and restaurants
Relaxed atmosphere
Combining beach and city
4. Hoi An — Ancient Town
Staying near Hoi An's Ancient Town gives you the opportunity to explore the historic centre on foot.
The atmosphere changes considerably in the evening, when the old town becomes especially active.
Good for:
Walking
Historic surroundings
Restaurants
Evening atmosphere
Exploring the Ancient Town
5. Ninh Binh — Tam Coc
Tam Coc offers a very different experience from Vietnam's major cities.
It can be a useful base if you want to combine local surroundings with access to Ninh Binh's major attractions.
The area is particularly suited to travellers who want scenery and a slower pace.
Good for:
Nature and scenery
Local atmosphere
Day trips
A slower travel experience
The most important question isn't "Which hotel?"
It is:
"Where should I stay?"
Before booking, think about three things:
1. What do I want to see?
If most of your planned activities are in one part of the city, staying nearby can save considerable time.
2. What's nearby?
Look at restaurants, cafés, transport, attractions and basic conveniences around the hotel.
3. How much time will I spend travelling?
A hotel that looks inexpensive can become less attractive if you spend a lot of time and money travelling to everything you want to see.
The cheapest hotel isn't always the cheapest choice
Suppose one hotel costs slightly more but is close to the places you want to visit.
Another hotel is cheaper but requires longer journeys every day.
The cheaper room isn't necessarily the cheaper overall experience.
This is why price and location should be considered together.
There isn't one perfect area for everyone
Someone visiting Hanoi for food, markets and local atmosphere may want a very different location from someone looking for a quiet hotel.
A beach-focused traveller in Da Nang may make a completely different choice from someone spending most of their time exploring central Hanoi.
The right location depends on how you want to spend your time.
Before you book
Ask yourself:
What do I want to see?
What's nearby?
How much time will I spend travelling?
These three questions can help you choose accommodation much more intelligently than simply sorting hotels by price.
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