As a backpacker, you will find many unique places to stay in the Land of the Blue Dragon. Take, for example, Nha Nghi, the guesthouses in Vietnam that are playing catch-up with the most unique accommodations in the country.
Whether you are a budget-conscious traveler or a group of family seeking cheap and safe accommodations, Nhà nghỉ cho khách du lịch ba lô tại Việt Nam, or guest houses for backpackers in Vietnam, are always present to cater to travelers who are looking for cheap and no-frills places to stay.
Nha nghi means “guest house,” a term that not many tourists are familiar with. These nha nghi are scattered around the diverse landscapes of the country – from beaches and mountains to remote areas and bustling city centers.
Budget guesthouses in Vietnam (Nhà nghỉ giá rẻ ở Việt Nam) are the most affordable stays in the country, perfect for travelers who want comfort without sacrificing their budget.
Stay with us as we explore the nha nghi of Vietnam and determine what makes them so appealing to tourists who want basic, inexpensive, and comfortable accommodation during their trip!
What Are Nhà Nghỉ In Vietnam?
Backpackers in Vietnam are very familiar with these words – nha nghi. They look for these words on small homestays found on off the beaten paths and sometimes on the Nhà nghỉ gần các địa điểm du lịch nổi tiếng tại Việt Nam (guesthouses near famous tourist spots in Vietnam).
Nha nghi are the most reasonably priced places to stay in Vietnam that are less fancy than hotels and more well-kept and decent than motels.
Many people think that the exaggerated, low costs of Nha nghi mean a compromise on privacy, safety, or a good location.
The fact remains that many nha nghi in Vietnam are safe and comfortable places to stay no matter which part of the country you are in. Even if you are on urban streets, hamlet roads, district roads, or national motorways, you will always find a good nha nghi, or guest house, near you.
Nha Nghi is sometimes confused with love hotels by tourists. Love hotels are low-end accommodations, very different from guesthouses, and they are made for local clients looking for hourly rates — definitely not for tourists. But we’ll discuss that more later.
The Best Nha Nghi In Vietnam – Our Recommended Places To Stay
As a traveler in Vietnam, once you know how to find great nha nghi, you will never run out of cheap, good quality, and comfortable places to stay for a few hours or to sleep overnight.
Most of the nha nghi are places run by families. It is no doubt that the disreputable underside of these accommodations has stained their reputation. But we can confidently say that a majority of nha nghi on remote areas and roads mostly taken by tourists have a much more positive character.If you are looking for the best guest house or nha nghi in Da Nang, Hà Noi, or Ho Chí Minh City, consider the following places to stay in that we highly recommend.
Nhà nghỉ Phúc Anh
Address: 69 Trần Hưng Đạo, TT. Yên Minh, Yên Minh, Hà Giang, Vietnam
This cozy nha nghi in Yen Minh offers unrivaled cleanliness and hospitality. This guest house, run by a kind family, is a great family-friendly place to stay in the city. The hosts also understand and speak English, making it convenient for the guests to stay for as long as they like. They will gladly show you around the guest house before you book your confirmation. After that, you will be greeted with a clean room with well-maintained bathrooms, and the hosts also prepare a delicious family dinner and chat with you to make your stay feel homey and comfortable.
Hanoi Crocus Homestay
Address: 30 Đ. Lê Duẩn, Văn Miếu, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Hanoi Crocus Homestay is an ideal nha nghi to stay in Ha Noi. This guest house is only a 15 to 20-minute walk away from the railway station. This makes it convenient for you to book a room even if you arrive late by train, or are planning to leave early in the morning. The rooms are clean and spacious, despite the place being quite old itself. The host provides ample helpful instructions to make your stay comfortable. We highly recommend booking this nha nghi room if you are looking for a place to stay near the Ha Noi Railway Station.
Nhà Nghỉ Cảnh Dương
Address: Hamlet, Canh Duong, Phu Loc, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam
Surrounded by the picturesque beauty of Vietnam you will find this guest house offering a homey, rustic feel. A Nha nghi is known for its deep connection to local culture, and this guest house is the perfect place to stay in Vietnam if you want easy access to dining, recreational, and other amenities.
Nhà Nghỉ Thanh Trịnh
Address: 593 Hung Vuong DL, Binh Kien, Tuy Hoa, Phu Yen, Vietnam
Affordability makes nha nghi an attractive accommodation for most tourists, and this guesthouse proves that there isn’t a shortage of cheap and reasonable accommodations in Vietnam. The hosts ensure that the rooms are always aired out and cleaned for new guests. One of the standout features of this nha nghi is its ideal location on the main road which makes it easier to find by most tourists.
Nhà 2 Phòng Ngủ – Homestay Halley
Address: 2.5 km away from Asia Park Danang, Da Nang, Vietnam
Nestled in the heart of Da Nang, Vietnam, this guest house is a cozy home away from home. This is due to the friendly and kind nature of the hosts and the clean and warm ambiance of the rooms. The homestay is only a few minutes’ drive away from the beach and airport, which means that you can rest here for a stress-free stay if you’ve just landed in Vietnam.
Nhà nghỉ Tập Thể Rộng Rãi – Mr Peace Backpacker’s
Address: Phuong 6, Da Lat, Lam Dong, Vietnam
There are many reasons to stay at this nha nghi. For starters, you get free parking and a super friendly staff who is also fluent in English. The rooms offer free WiFi, proper tour and city map information, free breakfast, hot showers, and much more. Furthermore, the guest house is located just 10 to 15 minutes away from the city center, making it a clean, cozy, and convenient place to stay in Dalat, Vietnam.
Nhà Nghỉ Hạnh Phát 9
Address: 167-203, Phone 923, My Khanh, Phong Dien, Can Tho, Vietnam
This guest house is situated in a slightly obscured area in Phong Dien, which makes it hard for some tourists to locate it in the first place. But once you arrive here, this budget-friendly and effortlessly convenient nha nghi offers a quiet and peaceful retreat away from the city center. The rooms are equipped with refrigerators and TVs, and the windows look out over the serene river views.
What Makes Nha Nghi A Friendly Accommodation For Tourists In Vietnam?
Guesthouses near famous tourist spots in Vietnam (Nhà nghỉ gần các địa điểm du lịch nổi tiếng tại Việt Nam) are great places to stay close to the must-see sights and iconic attractions without burdening your pockets.
This feature of nha nghi is very appealing to backpackers, who want to stay as close to the tourist attractions as possible and save time and money on commuting as well.
For example, in Saigon, you will find many comfortable guesthouses (Nhà nghỉ tiện nghi tại Sài Gòn) like Leiden Homestay & Cafe’, Song Anh Indochina Studios Nguyen Thai Binh and Amazing Merit Ben Thanh. So, after a busy day exploring the beautiful city, you have a cozy and well-equipped stay at a great price!
The cost-effectiveness and abundance of these guest houses in Vietnam also open up adventurous traveling opportunities because no matter how far-fetched areas you are visiting, you will always find a good place to sleep at the end of the day.Nha nghi offers many benefits to tourists in Vietnam. Let’s see what makes these hundreds of nhà nghỉ in the city so special.
- Various Forms And Options: Nha nghi comes in all shapes and sizes. You will find four-story houses, alpine villas, dorm-style rooms, and wooden homes bearing this sign in rural areas and urban centers. Nha nghi are highly versatile options for tourists with different budgets. Also, if you are visiting a second or third tier city of Vietnam like Da Nang or Hai Phong, you can find dorms or other types of nha nghi at much cheaper prices – maybe as low as $3.5 per night.
- Warm Hospitality: While things are not always so tidy and well maintained at a nha nghi, you will always find them warm and welcoming. Why? Because most nha nghi in Vietnam are run by families. Budget traveling and a stay in a local guesthouse can come with some minor inconveniences, like noisy neighborhoods or other real-life issues. But the hosts are always willing to make your stay comfortable, such as providing clean pillows and linen, and even offering free breakfast.
- Budget-Friendly Option: Nha nghi is clearly made for budget-conscious travelers. Even though the price to stay in a nha nghi will be even less than you expected, you can shave a dollar or two with a little bargaining. We recommend booking in person after inquiring about the guest house availability and rates and being polite during negotiation. Make sure that you research the pricing norms beforehand and respect the decision of the hosts, as nha nghi is already a steal of a deal.
Guest Houses In Vietnam – Nhà Nghỉ Vs Love Hotels
In Vietnam, you can commonly mistake a love hotel for a regular guest house. You will be surprised to find many guesthouses in Vietnam with fake online reviews and misleading photos that make the accommodations look safe and normal, when, in reality, they are made for local clients or young couples seeking intimacy and romance.
Love hotels often suggest enticing deals and offers with unbelievably low rates. It is common for tourists to accidentally book a love hotel rather than a nha nghi (guesthouse) in Vietnam (and regretting later on).
So, How Can We Tell Apart A Love Hotel From A Nhà Nghỉ ở Việt Nam?
Many tourists and locals know about the ill-reputation of guesthouses in Vietnam and believe in the common misconception that all nha nghi are love hotels.
While spontaneity is always a fun activity for backpackers, sometimes doing your research before booking a stay in nha nghi can prevent extra stress. As a tourist, it is important for you to be aware of local undertones and decide your stays wisely. Learn how to differentiate a love hotel from a nha nghi to avoid any awkward or uncomfortable encounters and not to provoke cultural sensitivities. Here are all the signs that will tell you whether you are staying in a nha nghi or a love hotel.
- Suggestive Names and Signs: Love hotels display suggestive, raunchy, and bold names that indicate that this accommodation features activities more than rest and sleep. Look out for fancy and romantic hotel names such as nhà nghỉ ánh sao, nhà nghỉ đêm dài, or nhà nghỉ biển xanh. A quick Google Translate search will help you decode these names. However, you can always ask a native Vietnamese speaker to explain the names and nature of the accommodation.
- Bold Signs: You can always tell if a nha nghi is a love hotel if it displays neon signs, sometimes with suggestive images, and also discreet entrances to the guest house. Regular nha nghi always have a modest sign and a welcoming ambiance that suits families and tourists. You can also search for the nha nghi name on Google and read out the online review – that will help you decipher if it is worth going in or not.
- Ask To See The Room: If you were still unable to take the hint that the overly friendly staff was behaving as a part of their business model, look out for signs in the rooms. Love hotels have semi-erotic photographs on the walls, full-length mirrors next to the bed, bathtubs sprinkled with rose petals, and other not-so-subtle signs. As soon as you spot them, quickly make the excuse and leave the establishment.
- Per Hour Rates: Sometimes in urban areas of Vietnam, it is difficult to discriminate nha nghi from love hotels as both types of lodges operate simultaneously to cater to a spectrum of clientele. Most of the nha nghi that display rates per hour, and not per night, are love hotels. Booking websites have upgraded their pricing models to display the per-hour rates so that tourists can quickly avoid such accommodations.
- Proximity to Karaoke Streets: While the rural nha nghi are mostly family-friendly accommodations, those in busy city centers and near karaoke bars are often love hotels. A quick search on the internet will allow you to inspect the area and what kind of clients visit these nha nghi, or you can always ask a local to point you in the right direction.
Average Rent Price Of Nha Nghi (Guesthouses) In Vietnam
As a traveler in Vietnam looking for cheap places to stay, it is important to look out for dodgy places that offer unbelievably low rent prices, but are undesirable, noisy, uncomfortable, and unsafe.
In fact if you see any hotel or guesthouse in vietnam priced under $5 or $10 per night, know that they will be lacking cleanliness and may have rats and cockroaches in or around the rooms.
Love hotels, on the other hand, can range within a $25-50 budget if it is a higher-end accommodation.
Now, let’s look at the rates a nha nghi offers in Vietnam.
Even though nha nghi are much cheaper than hotels, they have the basic necessities that have helped them earn a good reputation among budget-conscious travelers. WIFI, parking facilities, satellite TVs, bathrooms with hot water, and a clean and hygienic environment are available in every nha nghi across the city.
Staying in a Nha Nghi doesn’t mean that you have to spend a fortune. In fact there are many guesthouses in Vietnam under 500,000 VND (Nhà nghỉ với giá dưới 500.000 VND tại Việt Nam), such as Nhà nghỉ Quỳnh Hương
The cost of staying in a nhà nghỉ varies according to the amenities, location, and season in Vietnam. On average, expect to find the prices starting from 200,000 VND and going up to 500,000 VND per night. That costs between $8 and $20 for a night’s stay.
The prices can be a bit higher in popular Vietnamese destinations, however, you will always find a nhà nghỉ to be much cheaper than hotels. We recommend checking out the booking platforms and up-to-date pricing to secure excellent value nhà nghỉ accommodations.
How Can You Stay Safe In A Nha Nghi?
When staying in a nha nghi, especially as a solo traveler, some safety measures are essential to prioritize. First things first, never ask a taxi driver to recommend a place to stay. Scams are common in Vietnam. You must use ride-hailing services to safely relocate to your accommodation.
Ensure that you are choosing accommodations that have well-lit and secure entrances and surroundings. Nha nghi with a 24-hour front desk helps you stay worry-free as there is always a reliable and friendly point of contact available at all times, to answer your queries and smooth out your check-in and check-out procedure.
Always keep your valuables safe, and keep general safety precautions in mind at all times. Before you book your stay, check for fire safety measures in your guest house. If you are staying with a local family, foster a great relationship with your hosts and respect their traditions and culture to maintain the cultural and natural Vietnamese beauty.
