This guide has the best hostels in Ninh Binh you could ever stay at. But first, an introduction:
In Ninh Binh, Vietnam, rice fields grow on flat lands, overlooked by gigantic limestone cliffs that seem to pop out into the landscape.
In reflection of its stunning environment, this small town has slowly seen itself becoming one of Vietnam’s most famous destinations.
Thankfully, it also offers many different accommodation styles, most of which border the area of Tam Coc and its gigantic lakes and Van Long and its spectacular wetlands.
If you’re looking for the best hostels in Ninh Binh, look no further: we bring you hostels perched over shallow pools and nestled in high cliffs!
All you need to do is look forward to a great trip.
Our favorite hostels in Ninh Binh are:
- The Banana Tree Hostel - best for Solo Travelers
- Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow - best for Couples
- Hoalu Backpacker Homestay Ninh Binh - best for Backpackers
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
If you’re backpacking Vietnam, we also have a guide on the best hostels in Vietnam and a few hostel city guides, including one on nearby Hanoi.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
What we cover in this article?
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Ninh Binh
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Ninh Binh cost $4 – $10 per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room has an average price of around $33 per night. This is a rough average, just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check-Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11 am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later.
Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Transportation: While we recommend walking around because everything is so beautiful and majestic, you will definitely need your own vehicle to explore the area. Travelers usually opt for motorbikes, but you can also rent a bicycle.
Food: There isn’t a wide variety of western dining options, so if you’re looking for pizzas and espressos, keep walking to Hanoi.
But if you’re trying to sample some delicious Goat meat, floating cake, or Nem Yen Mac – you’ve come to the right place.
How many days: Travelers usually visit Ninh Binh on a day trip, but we think it’s very much worth staying here for at least 2 days – unless you really need to rush.
How to reach Ninh Binh: Like in most of Vietnam, you have a variety of options, from private taxis to buses. But if you can, try to opt for the Reunification Express train.
While it can be slow and cumbersome, it is well-linked to Ninh Binh, and the scenic ride will engrave itself in your memory for years to come.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read my guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. I especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels?
- Understanding Hostels in Europe - and what makes them special
The 3 Best Hostels in Ninh Binh are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Ninh Binh.
- The Banana Tree Hostel – best for Solo Travelers
- Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow – best for Couples
- Hoalu Backpacker Homestay Ninh Binh – best for Backpackers
These are our favorite hostels in Ninh Binh. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
🦸 Solo Traveler: | The Banana Tree Hostel |
👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel: | Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow |
🎒Backpacker: | Hoalu Backpacker Homestay Ninh Binh |
🙎♀️ Female Solo Traveler: | Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow |
👫 For Socializing: | The Banana Tree Hostel |
1. The Banana Tree Hostel
The Banana Tree Hostel is a friendly social hostel in Ninh Binh that offers travelers a familiar space to sleep and engage in.
On-site, you’ll find:
- A swimming pool
- A garden overlooking the Tam Coc river and its surrounding limestone landscape
- Hammocks
- A massive outdoor common area (with a pool table and table tennis)
- A bar and restaurant
- Pod-style bunk beds
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Now, although they serve food, we don’t particularly recommend it: it’s good but very expensive.
Your wallet will be much happier if you opt to sample some local cuisine right outside this hostel’s door.
While they don’t organize any activities, this is definitely a party hostel in Ninh Binh (but it feels very safe and homey!).
The staff is also very accommodating and will help you book any tour or bus to your next destination.
Location: In the backpacker area of Ninh Binh. It’s next to a street with a lot of bar and restaurant options and faces the lake. It has easy access to the boat rides on Tam Coc.
The best choice in Ninh Binh for
- Solo Travelers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow
Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow serves as the perfect hostel in Ninh Binh for couples looking for a romantic atmosphere (without breaking the bank and, consequently, their hearts).
Here, you’ll find:
- A lovely garden
- A cozy terrace
- A swimming pool
- Rooms with balconies
- Free English/Irish breakfast that slightly varies each day
- A bar and restaurant (with vegan options)
- Spacious dorms
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
We really like the nature surrounding the area, as this hostel is basically hugging the trees and the huge limestone mountain around it.
A great way to discover Ninh Binh would be to rent the bicycles they offer and explore the surroundings: there’s a stunning path on the street parallel to the hostel that will take you through the limestone mountains. You can also enjoy fishing nearby.
This is a family-run establishment with lovely owners that are incredibly friendly.
The overall atmosphere is very laid-back, calm, and relaxed.
Both bicycle and car rental services are available at the Tam Coc mountain bungalow, while cycling and fishing can be enjoyed nearby.
Location: A 5-minute motorbike ride out to the center of Tam Coc (25 minutes on foot). There are a few restaurants nearby and lots of natural sights to explore.
A great choice for
- Couples
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Hoalu Backpacker Homestay Ninh Binh
Hoalu Backpacker Homestay Ninh Binh is perfect for… well… Backpackers.
This Ninh Binh hostel has the following facilities:
- A swimming pool
- A bar and restaurant
- Water sports facilities
- Mixed dormitories
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
We really like them because they offer a wide range of activities to partake in as well, from fishing, hiking, and bamboo rafting to cooking classes and karaoke nights.
Here, you’ll be able to socialize easily during their family dinners, which are hosted every night and are a great way to meet fellow travelers.
The overall atmosphere is that of familiarity, and you’ll find people from all walks of life coming here.
When it comes to safety, rest assured: there is a little puppy guarding the main door every night.
Location: Nestled between the limestone cliffs of Ninh Binh, it is less central than the other hostels on our list, so you will definitely need a motorbike to get around. Note that the lake is around half a minute away from this hostel and offers stunning views of the sunset!
This is one of the best hostels in Ninh Binh for
- Backpackers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels in Ninh Binh for Solo Travelers?
The best hostel in Ninh Binh for solo travelers is The Banana Tree Hostel . They have amazing facilities and are located in a breathtakingly beautiful part of the countryside.
Their staff is also very accommodating, which will come in handy if you encounter any issues.
You’ll find that making friends there is also facilitated thanks to the overall social atmosphere as well.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
What about the cheapest hostels in Ninh Binh?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Ninh Binh.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Ninh Binh
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
From time to time, I receive special promo codes for booking platforms, hotels, or hostels. I will be sharing these here once received. Bookmark this page to get an update.
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
I included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
I recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Ninh Binh best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
My Best Hostels in Ninh Binh for Female Traveler on a Map + Sights
We’ve put all of our Ninh Binh hostel recommendations on a map to help you visualize the distances between them and the sights and attractions you’re interested in seeing.
FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
What are the best hostels in Ninh Binh?
The best hostels in Ninh Binh are:
- The Banana Tree Hostel – best for Solo Travelers
- Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow – best for Couples
- Hoalu Backpacker Homestay Ninh Binh – best for Backpackers
What is the best hostel for couples in Ninh Binh?
The best hostel for couples in Ninh Binh is:
Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow
What is the best hostel for solo travelers in Ninh Binh?
The best hostel for solo travelers in Ninh Binh is:
The Banana Tree Hostel
More handmade Guides for you
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Ninh Binh.
We wrote more travel guides for backpacking Vietnam:
And we also have other guides for the best hostels throughout Vietnam:
- best hostels in Vietnam
- best hostels in Saigon
- best Hostels in Hanoi
- best Hostels in Da Nang
- best hostels in Hoi An
- best hostels in Hue
- best hostels in Dalat
- best hostels in Nha Trang
- best hostels in Ha Giang
- best hostels in Cat Ba Island
- best hostels in Sapa
- best hostels in Phu Quoc Island
- coolest party hostels in Hanoi
- coolest party hostels in Ho Chi Minh
You can find all our new and updated articles for Best Hostels here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list, and more.