3 Best Hostels in Ninh Binh – Where Limestone Sprouts From Rice Seeds

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.

Your Shortcut:

1. The Banana Tree Hostel - best for Solo Travelers
2. Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow - best for Couples
3. 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?

• Introduction
• 3 best hostels in detail
  • #1 The Banana Tree Hostel
  • #2 Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow
  • #3 Hoalu Backpacker Homestay Ninh Binh
• cheapest hostels in Ninh Binh
• best hostels in Ninh Binh for solo traveler
• discounts and promo codes
• How to book?
• All hostel and sights on a map
• FAQ
• Flights

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 our full hostel starter guide here. We especially recommend reading:

• how to book hostels (and websites to use)
• 23 items for the hostel packing list
• Are hostels safe? 13 safety tips for hostels

The 3 Best Hostels in Ninh Binh are …

Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Ninh Binh.

1. The Banana Tree Hostel – best for Solo Travelers
2. Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow – best for Couples
3. Hoalu Backpacker Homestay Ninh Binh – best for Backpackers

We put all accommodations on the map, incl. our own tips for 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

Book The Banana Tree Hostel here

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

Book The Banana Tree Hostel here

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

Book Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow here

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

Book Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow here

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

Book Hoalu Backpacker Homestay Ninh Binh here

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

Book Hoalu Backpacker Homestay Ninh Binh here

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.

Book The Banana Tree Hostel here

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.

1. Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Ninh Binh
2. add your dates
3. 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?

You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. There are even special discount codes that we only share in our newsletter.

It is completely free to join!

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.

We 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.

Read: step-by-step guide on how to book with Hostelworld

We 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.

The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app

Download the Hostelworld App here

Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!

All Top Hostels put 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:

Flights to Ninh Binh?

There isn’t an airport in Ninh Binh, and you will need to come here in your own vehicle or via bus or train (we love the train). The closest airport is the Tho Xuan (THD) airport. 

We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.

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:

• best things to do in Da Nang
• best things to do in Vietnam
• best things to do in Hanoi
• best things to do in Ho Chin Minh City
• Sa Pa in Photos
• Travel photos – Vietnam in 99 photos

And we also have other guides for the best hostels throughout Vietnam:

• best hostels in Hoi An
• best hostels in Ho Chi Minh City
• best hostels in Hanoi
• best hostels in Da Nang
• best hostels in Hue
• best hostels in Dalat
• best hostels in Sapa
• best hostels in Ha Giang
• full list of best hostels in Vietnam + Itinerary

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.

Over to you

Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!

Your question will help us to improve this Ninh Binh guide.

Last note: Our commitment

This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.

Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks