Homestay
A family-run stay in a village or town, and what to ask before you choose one.
A homestay in Vietnam is a family-run stay where you sleep in a home or small guesthouse and meet your hosts. Shared meals and local tips are the appeal. It suits travellers who want slower days in a village or small town.
How will you meet it on the trip?
You will find homestays in the hills and the countryside, and in town they sit beside hotels. Rooms are simple, hosts may speak limited English, and breakfast may be cooked while you wait. Bring patience and a phone with a translation app.
Compare that with a stay in the pho co, where hotels sit close to cafes and the lake.
What should you ask before booking?
Ask about the bed, the bathroom, the stairs and the walk from the road. If food matters, ask what the host cooks and whether you can bring your own. Muslim guests should ask about pork in the kitchen and never assume halal.
Ask where you can buy fruit and snacks nearby. A morning visit to a cho (market) shows how the host shops.
Which related terms will you see?
- Pho co: the old quarter, a base for city stays.
- Cho: the local market near most homestays.
Read more in Food and daily travel or try the route chooser.
If you are weighing a homestay against a hotel for your group, share who is travelling and any food or mobility needs, and we can help you decide what to ask first.
Common questions
Is a homestay the same as a hotel?
No. A homestay is a family home or a small family-run property with a few rooms, and the host may cook the meals. A hotel has fixed services and staff. The trade-off is closeness to local life versus predictable comfort and facilities.
Is a homestay suitable for Muslim guests?
It can be, but you must ask. Check whether the host cooks pork, whether utensils are shared and whether you can bring your own food. Never assume any homestay is halal. Ask for the arrangement in writing before you go.
Can older parents stay in a homestay?
Sometimes. Steep stairs, shared bathrooms and upstairs beds are common in family homes. Ask for a ground-floor room, a private bathroom and a short walk from the road. If these cannot be confirmed, a small hotel may be kinder to the knees.
Keep planning
If you are weighing a homestay against a hotel for your group, share who is travelling and any food or mobility needs, and we can help you decide what to ask first.