Ubuntu Hostel and Tour
Location: 139 Hang Bac, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, vn
Star Rating: 6.5 Stars
Property Type: Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
About this Property
Central Location
Located in the heart of Hanoi, Ubuntu Hostel offers a convenient stay with easy access to popular attractions and transportation hubs.
Comfort and Convenience
Enjoy air-conditioned rooms equipped with modern amenities such as free bikes, WiFi, and a kitchen in selected rooms. Relax in the garden, shared lounge, or terrace, and grab a drink at the on-site bar.
Friendly Service
Experience excellent hospitality with multilingual staff available at the 24-hour front desk. Feel at home with cozy bed linens and a welcoming atmosphere catering to English, Vietnamese, and Chinese-speaking guests.
Book your stay at Ubuntu Hostel now for a memorable and hassle-free visit to Hanoi!
Policies
Check-in: 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Amenities & Facilities
- Parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Room service
- Luggage storage
- Express check-in/check-out
- Safety deposit box
- Tour desk
- Ironing service
- Private check-in/check-out
- Shared lounge/TV area
- Board games/puzzles
- Shuttle service (additional charge)
- Concierge service
- Grocery deliveries
- Allergy-free room
- Public transport tickets
- Evening entertainment
- Adult only
- Fruits
- Staff adhere to local safety protocols
- Guest rooms disinfected between stays
- Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
- Cashless payment available
- Fire extinguishers
- Invoice provided
- Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
- Smoke alarms
- Guest room sealed after cleaning
- Property cleaned by professional cleaning companies
- CCTV outside property
- Face masks for guests available
- 24-hour security
- Security alarm
- Happy hour
- Television in common areas
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Express check-in
- Free wired internet
- Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
- Airport transportation - drop-off (surcharge)
- Internet access
- Housekeeping on request
- Concerts/live shows
- Secured parking
- Bicycle-friendly property
- Accessible shuttle
- No accessible shuttle
- Accessible train station shuttle
- No accessible train station shuttle
Rooms Available
-
Bed In 4-Bed Dormitory Room
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Dressing room
- Slippers
- Private entrance
- Electric kettle
- Bidet
- Hypoallergenic
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Socket near the bed
- Lockers
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Reading light
- Privacy curtain
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
-
Bed In 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Dressing room
- Slippers
- Private entrance
- Electric kettle
- Bidet
- Hypoallergenic
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Socket near the bed
- Lockers
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Reading light
- Privacy curtain
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
-
Bed In 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Dressing room
- Slippers
- Private entrance
- Electric kettle
- Bidet
- Hypoallergenic
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Socket near the bed
- Lockers
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Reading light
- Privacy curtain
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
-
Bunk Bed In Mixed Dormitory Room
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Dressing room
- Slippers
- Private entrance
- Electric kettle
- Bidet
- Hypoallergenic
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Socket near the bed
- Lockers
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Reading light
- Privacy curtain
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
-
Double Room With Shared Bathroom
The double room features air conditioning, a private entrance, as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower and a bidet. The double room offers an electric kettle and heating. The unit has 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Slippers
- Private entrance
- Electric kettle
- Bidet
- Hypoallergenic
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
- Reading light
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
-
Double Room With Private Bathroom
The double room provides air conditioning, a private entrance, as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The double room offers an electric kettle and heating. The unit offers 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Slippers
- Private entrance
- Electric kettle
- Hypoallergenic
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Entire unit located on ground floor
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
- Reading light
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
-
Family Room With Bath
Guests will have a special experience as this family room features a pool with a view. The family room offers air conditioning, a washing machine, as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and a bath. The family room is furnished with a desk and a seating area and provides a private entrance, a minibar and garden views. The unit offers 2 beds.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Minibar
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Desk
- Seating Area
- Fan
- Toilet
- Washing machine
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Slippers
- Private entrance
- Sofa
- Tile/marble floor
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Dining area
- Electric kettle
- Tumble dryer
- Hypoallergenic
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Dining table
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Sofa bed
- Rooftop pool
- Infinity pool
- Heated pool
- Plunge pool
- Pool towels
- Pool cover
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Socket near the bed
- Feather pillow
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
- Reading light
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
-
Double Room With Private Bathroom
The double room provides air conditioning, a private entrance, as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Slippers
- Private entrance
- Electric kettle
- Hypoallergenic
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
- Reading light
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
-
Triple Room With Private Bathroom
The triple room features air conditioning, a private entrance, as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The triple room provides an electric kettle and heating. The unit has 2 beds.
Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Slippers
- Private entrance
- Electric kettle
- Hypoallergenic
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
- Reading light
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
-
Quadruple Room With Private Bathroom
The quadruple room provides air conditioning, a private entrance, as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The quadruple room features an electric kettle and heating. The unit offers 3 beds.
Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Fan
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Heating
- Slippers
- Private entrance
- Electric kettle
- Hypoallergenic
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
- Reading light
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
-
Standard Single Room
The single room provides air conditioning, an electric kettle, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and a bidet. The single room features heating. The unit offers 1 bed.
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Fan
- Toilet
- Heating
- Slippers
- Electric kettle
- Bidet
- Hypoallergenic
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
- Clothes rack
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Socket near the bed
- Smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Key access
- Reading light
- Single-room air conditioning for guest accommodation
Guest Reviews
- Alejandro (2/5): Pay a bit more for a better place - Good location and cheaper than other places Nothing like the photos. Very uncomfortable bed. No windows and humidity smell. Receptionist doesn’t speak English
- Alex (8/5): Very good -
- Marie (2/5): Very poor - Location.
Air cond
When I toi ld the owner the bathroom was dirty hé suggested to come and clean. When we arrived to the place ( at thé end off a dirty dark tunnel between two building) i received a message on WhatsApp asking me to go to another place, 500 meters away. It was another dark tunnel between 2 buildings, no reception desk, no one to welcome us. We had to go up a tiny staircase to find our tiny room that looked like a garage, the tiny bathroom that had not been cleaned from previous guest) The pictures and comments on booking do not correspond to this place. There's no reception, no common area, no modern bathroom. Ir çannot bé the 'best hostel in Hanoi although it's a bit noisy' because itvis not a hostel and its is not noisy.
I wish I hadn't booked there.
- John (10/5): Affordable comfort in the center of everything - I had a wonderful experience at Ubuntu Hostel. The check-in process took less than five minutes, which was a huge relief after a long journey. The room was cozy, clean, and incredibly affordable for the location. The hostel sits right in the middle of the city, making it easy to walk to restaurants, shops, and attractions. What really stood out was the staff — they were warm, attentive, and always ready to help. I highly recommend Ubuntu for budget-conscious travelers who still want great service.
- Emily (10/5): Perfect Stay in the Heart of the City - Great stay at Ubuntu! The staff was super friendly, check-in was quick, and the room was clean and affordable. Perfect location in the city center!
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - I didn’t expect much for the price, but Ubuntu Hostel blew me away with its cleanliness and service.
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - “Ubuntu Hostel exceeded my expectations. The room was super clean and tidy. You can tell they really care about hygiene!”
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - Check-in was so smooth and quick! No long waiting times—great for travelers arriving late.
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - Check-in took less than 3 minutes, and the staff was well-prepared for my arrival.
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - Such a cozy and clean place for such a good price! Perfect for backpackers on a budget.
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - The cleanliness of the room really stood out to me. Fresh linens and spotless bathroom every day.
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - I was impressed by the hospitality here. The staff are always smiling and ready to assist.
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - The bathroom was sparkling clean, and the sheets smelled fresh. Great attention to detail.
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - Staff were extremely friendly and helpful from the moment I arrived. Made me feel at home instantly.
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - I arrived late at night, but check-in was done in under 5 minutes. Very efficient and organized.
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - The receptionist greeted me with a smile and made the check-in process so easy and pleasant.
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - Amazing value for money. The price is low, but the service and cleanliness are top-notch.
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - Super friendly staff and very fast service. I felt welcome from the second I stepped in.
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - Great location and super affordable. The room was clean and comfortable. Highly recommended!
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - Everyone working here is super warm and welcoming. They go above and beyond to help guests.
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - I loved how quiet and clean the rooms were. Perfect for resting after a long day of travel.
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - This hostel really understands the needs of travelers—fast check-in, clean rooms, and fair prices.
- Ngay7n2t6y (10/5): Exceptional - The price is incredibly reasonable for what you get. Definitely budget-friendly without sacrificing comfort.
- Ngay3n2t6y (10/5): Good - The landlord is easygoing and very supportive when problems arise. I’ve lived at Ubuntu for nearly a year — it's a peaceful and respectful living environment. Clear house rules make it easy to feel at home. The room is airy with a window, and security is solid. Move-in ready — no need to buy much extra stuff.
- Crystal (9/5): Superb - Quirky little hotel, not for the faint of heart but I loved it there. The location is perfect.
- Barry (1/5): Misrepresented. Booked tour and paid cash, when on tour had to pay again - Nothing. Booked because of access to tours. But hotel was worst ever and manager a cheat on tours and layer about property The room was just big enough for worn out bed . Had to crawl on bed to turn light on/off. No window. AC inop. Not a table or chair! Or hooks to hang clothes. Crickets and cockroaches ( biggest I have seen). Very cheap padlock on door. Very insecure! I did not stay 2nd night. Place was a mess, fire hazard , entry full of motor bikes and very dark.
- Bogdan (9/5): A decent place to crush located right in the middle of the old town. P.S. Don’t bring your piano or your high-hilled sho - - the location is right in the middle of the old town;
- even if the owner wasn’t very prompt answering back my messages and even if I was offered a different room initially, he demonstrated professionalism and offered me the right room I booked - no windows
- Lucy (1/5): Do not stay here. Very dirty, woke up to bugs all over our stuff. Hotel is in a different location. -
- Daisy (1/5): Misinformed and extremely dissapointed - Nothing There were no staff to be seen. I was asked to pay in cash into a safe box upon arrival but didn’t have the correct change. When I asked about getting some change I was told it would be done later - slightly strange that I would part with a big bill, almost twice as much as the room rate, with no real guarantee of getting any change. A woman in the hostel took us to a room which looked nothing like the one we’d booked. When I complained via text to the manager she said that if we didn’t like that room she would give us one that does look like the picture (she made it seem as if she was doing us a favour when in fact they’d checked us into the wrong room initially). I was then told that my actual room was 300meters down the road!! The manager I was texting about all this made me feel like all of these issues were my fault. When we arrived in the new building we had to climb two very narrow and steep flights of stairs, near impossible with our bags. None of this information was given to us at all before we checked in. Not only this but the room was extremely dirty too, which the manager didn’t acknowledge when I told her. After our stay finished this morning, the manager changed my booking dates to next year to try and deny us a chance to write a review, claiming that if I cancelled the reservation now it would “help” her?
- Diwakar (1/5): Bad - Except location nothing is good There is nothing to like they made wash room as room and gave for rent the bed is teirrible
- Nicole (3/5): Avoid this place - Good location I confirmed my reservation through booking and it listed an address to go to. When I found it there was no one at reception or anywhere to be seen and then had a WhatsApp number to call. I texted this number then they sent me to another location altogether. Still no staff present this entire time it has only been through text.
I then had to film myself putting money into a lock box since I didn't see a single staff member this whole time.
The place was incredibly basic, no windows. The "sheets" we were given was a duvet cover and not even the blanket. We had to go downstairs and take sheets ourselves. Bathroom did not feel clean and overall very dingy. If you can go somewhere else in your travels I would highly recommend not staying here.
- Robin (1/5): They had 3 groups waiting on the same room when someone had already checked in to it, we were also sent to multiple diff - Nothing, they didn’t even give us the room we payed for and we were left without acomodation Everything, it lest a sour taste in my mouth
- Kolja (1/5): Bad -
- Conor (2/5): Disaster - Nothing. There is something very wrong about the rating of this Hostel and I am convinced all there positive ratings are fake. This room was little bigger than bed, bare concrete floors which I would class as good for emergency shelter and not more.
When I told the owner this did not match pictures he said he updated them to include my pitiful room and I could cancel, at 8pm I was in no mood to go looking for a new hotel but I warn everyone this place is not fit for habitation.
- Charlotte (1/5): Bad -
- Lea (1/5): Bad - It is in center of old quarter If you don't read this long review then just know DONT BOOK THIS!
Firstly all the pictures do not match the actual place. Secondly we were given another location to go to than was listed. We arrived and there was no one to check us in, only a sign saying call this number. After calling it they hung up and sent a message about what room we were in. When we got to the place everything seemed off and we were debating to cancel but was like what ever we only gotta sleep there. But let's mention that the fire safety is questionable even though there is "no fire" signs displayed everywhere together with smoke masks, staff still seemed to smoke in the stairwell. We could smell the cigarettes in our room when they cleaned up after former guest. At 11:30pm they woke us up by walking on our room which was a very scary way to be woken up. He then preseeded to argue that we had to pay then and there. We d
Didn't get much sleep afterwards feeling unsafe in our room. We cancelled our second night right there on the spot.
They apparently had the policy that you pay at check in but as they didn't have any staff present before midnight that is quite hard to do. We later found out by checking text that there is a deposit box you can drop the money in which they wrote 2 hrs after we arrived and went to bed. They texted us this 2 hours after we arrived but as we both where sick and had 2 nights booked we thought that we could pay the following day when staff were presented (we later found out that there is no staff present before midnight. They run it through sms and surveillance video). We cancelled our 2 night and found a way nicer place to same price on Airbnb. What a scam.
- Dusyanthana (4/5): Not worth it - I was offered for a double bedroom for the first day, but it was a terrible experience.
Bed was not comfortable, waste water pipe lines are visible, some sheets used to cover the floor and mild odour from the room.
Note that you have to climb up through a spiral ladder for upstairs rooms.
- Catalina (1/5): Bad - We arrived to the hostel at 15:30 and the room wasn’t ready (check in at 14:00), in the reception they told us that the room could be ready by 17:00! We had just arrived from other city to Hanoi so we were tired and wanted to rest, at the end we book in other hostel and canceled the booking here.
- Bernardita (7/5): Good -
- Aurélia (3/5): Poor - The pictures doesn’t look like the reality. No Windows, no common Space, dirty bathroom. The manager will ask you to cancel your online réservation and make you pay the same Price
I only stay there for one night and it was more than enough
- Thomas (1/5): Worst place ever. Avoid. - Nothing. No one to meet you when checking in. Dirty room, rock hard beds, bugs/cockroaches/ cold shower/ room had hair all over it and disgusting underneath beds. Owner didn't care. Reviews are fake and so are pictures
- Jesse (3/5): Poor - Bit dirty
- Adam (4/5): Disappointing -
- Pearson (4/5): Disappointing -
- Aragón (10/5): Luxury vibes at budget prices - Staying at Ubuntu Hostel felt like staying at a boutique hotel but at a fraction of the cost.
- Prince (10/5): Worth every penny - The service here far exceeds the price. Great location, clean facilities, and very welcoming staff.
- Wiley (10/5): More than worth the price - I was amazed by the level of comfort and care provided here for such an affordable price. Highly recommended!
- Owen (10/5): Best value in the Old Quarter - Ubuntu Hostel is proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to have a great experience.
- Harri (10/5): Affordable comfort in the heart of Hanoi - The hostel provides more than what you'd expect for its price – clean rooms, a central location, and friendly service.
- Robinett (10/5): The best balance of price and quality - Ubuntu Hostel combines affordability with fantastic service and amenities. A perfect choice for budget travelers.
- Parrish (10/5): Budget stay with premium experience - Ubuntu Hostel offers an experience that feels far above its price range. Perfect for backpackers and solo travelers.
- Manning (10/5): Great deal for quality service - I couldn’t believe how affordable it was to stay here with all the comforts and facilities included.
- Jarvi (10/5): Affordable luxury in the city center - Staying at Ubuntu Hostel gave me more value than I paid for. A wonderful budget-friendly option.
- Ruthe (10/5): Amazing quality at a low cost - I stayed here while traveling on a budget, and it exceeded all my expectations.
- Regina (10/5): Top-notch service at hostel prices - The staff went above and beyond to ensure I had a great stay. For this price, it’s unbeatable.
- Knapp (10/5): Affordable and unforgettable - Ubuntu Hostel provides great value, clean rooms, and a friendly atmosphere – all for a very reasonable price.
- Hale (10/5): Budget-friendly without compromise - This hostel proves you can have a comfortable and enjoyable stay even on a tight budget.
- Tucker (10/5): Great quality for a small budget - If you're looking for a budget-friendly stay with clean rooms and excellent service, this is the place.
- Gronemeyer (10/5): Perfect for travelers on a budget - I was pleasantly surprised by how much I got for such an affordable rate – clean rooms, helpful staff, and a central location.
- Adam (10/5): Exceptional value for money - Ubuntu Hostel offers the kind of comfort and convenience you’d expect from a hotel, but at hostel prices.
- Morrison (10/5): Cheap doesn’t mean 'cheap quality' here - The price is very reasonable, but the experience felt premium. A hidden gem in the Old Quarter!
- Vaughan (10/5): Low price, high standards - For the cost, I was amazed by the cleanliness, comfort, and exceptional service provided here. nothing
- Moon (10/5): "Affordable price, outstanding quality" - I didn’t expect such a clean and cozy place with excellent service for this price. Totally worth it! nothing
- Mccormick (10/5): Budget-friendly with perfect service - Ubuntu Hostel is a fantastic choice for those who want to save money but still enjoy top-notch facilities and friendly staff.
- Melissa (1/5): 0/10. Aweful, don’t stay here. - decent location Dirtiest place I have ever stayed. make shift bathroom, bed harder than rocks. Walls with holes in them. door with holes in it. After we booked we were told that the hotel was at a different location, their “second property” that has the private rooms. We had to climb up 6 flights of stairs up a sketchy narrow spiral staircase. Literally a trap house looking death trap. The staff asked us to cancel our Booking after check-in because “it doesn’t cost us anything and it helps their small business out”. I would consider myself fine with backpacker arrangements and have stayed in hostels all over the world. This place is terrible. Don’t make the same mistake we did. stay somewhere else, plenty of cheap options around.
- Shruti (2/5): Very poor - Location Tiny room size and ultra narrow passageways with no elevators. Had to carry our luggage up 6 floors without any help.
- Tran (7/5): Good -
- Katiyar (1/5): Plz go for better option - Nothing plz do not take this as a recommend it’s inside in narrow lane he will charge you for all . Stair case which is as steep and shorter then you can think you cant take your trolley to rooms All the things . First you have to wait to come and check In their is no 24/7 staff to check in and check out
- Isaak (10/5): Exceptional -
- Isaak (10/5): Exceptional -
- Isaak (10/5): Exceptional -
- Xuyến (10/5): The Mystery of the Lost Flip-Flops - The Mystery of the Lost Flip-Flops
During one of our stays at Ubuntu Hostel, we were enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of the common room, chatting with fellow travelers from around the world. The hostel's vibe was always lively, and the staff was super friendly. However, on one fateful evening, I faced a mystery that would forever be known as "The Case of the Missing Flip-Flops."
After a long day of exploring Hanoi's bustling streets, I decided to relax and take a nap. I left my flip-flops at the entrance, as I had done many times before. However, when I woke up and went to leave the room, I noticed that my beloved flip-flops were missing. I checked under the bed, in the hallway, and even in the kitchen — nothing.
I jokingly asked the hostel receptionist, "Did you see anyone wearing bright orange flip-flops?" She laughed and replied, "No, but I did see a guy earlier who seemed to be very 'stylish' in flip-flops."
The mystery deepened. We started to ask other guests, and one by one, everyone had a theory about where my flip-flops could be. The best guess came from a traveler who suggested, "Maybe someone mistook them for a souvenir and took them to the market!"
In the end, my flip-flops were never found. I had to borrow a pair of mismatched sandals from the hostel, and they became a running joke throughout our stay. The flip-flops were never recovered, but they left behind a funny story that we all laughed about for days.
- Công (10/5): The Great Hanoi Taxi Adventure - One day, we decided to venture out to a more remote part of Hanoi, known for its picturesque lakes and peaceful ambiance. After walking around the Old Quarter, we were tired and needed a ride. We flagged down a taxi, and the adventure began.
As soon as we got in, we noticed something odd. The taxi driver seemed to be taking a very roundabout way to our destination. The streets grew narrower and quieter, and we were driving deeper into unknown areas. I turned to my friend, who had been trying to navigate using Google Maps, and said, “I think we might be going in circles.”
After about 30 minutes of winding through alleys, I started to feel a bit uneasy. I looked at my phone’s map and realized that the driver had completely ignored the main route and was taking us through what seemed to be a shortcut. I asked him in broken Vietnamese if we were going the right way.
He smiled and confidently said, “Yes, yes, shortcut!” So, we continued. Finally, we arrived at the destination... only to find that we were much further than we had expected and miles away from where we wanted to be.
Laughing at our "adventure," we realized that the driver had been offering us a sightseeing tour all along — just not the one we had in mind. We paid for the ride, which turned out to be a bit more expensive than expected, but the story of our taxi adventure was worth every penny.
⭐ Overall Rating: 8/10 for the scenic detour, and 3/10 for the confusion.
The "Unseen" Ghost of the Hostel
There are stories about haunted places, but this one is more about an amusing encounter with what we lovingly call "the unseen ghost" of Ubuntu Hostel. It all began when a new guest checked in and claimed to have heard strange noises at night.
The guest said, "I swear, I heard someone whispering in the hallway around midnight. It was like someone was trying to talk to me." The staff and I exchanged puzzled looks. No one had reported anything unusual before.
- Hòa (10/5): The Surprise Vietnamese Cooking Class - During one of my visits to Ubuntu Hostel, I met a local Vietnamese woman who was running a pop-up cooking class at the hostel. The idea was to learn how to make traditional Vietnamese dishes, and I thought it would be a fun way to spend the afternoon.
As we began the class, the instructor handed us ingredients and told us to prepare everything from scratch. We started chopping vegetables, stirring pots, and rolling spring rolls. But things took a funny turn when we had to wrap the spring rolls.
No matter how hard I tried, my spring rolls were falling apart. The rice paper kept sticking to my fingers, and I couldn’t wrap them neatly. A fellow guest, who had never cooked Vietnamese food before, kept laughing and saying, "Mine looks more like a burrito than a spring roll!"
The instructor, a very patient woman, kept encouraging us, saying, "Don’t worry, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about enjoying the process." But as we looked at our disastrous spring rolls, we couldn’t help but laugh. By the end of the class, our "spring rolls" looked more like abstract art than food, but they tasted surprisingly good!
We all shared the food and laughed at our creations. The instructor even said, "Well, maybe next time we’ll just call it ‘fusion cuisine!’"
- Thảo (10/5): The "Great Pho Challenge" - One evening, I was talking with a group of guests at Ubuntu Hostel about the best pho in Hanoi. Naturally, everyone had an opinion, and it quickly turned into a competitive debate about which pho place was the best. One guest, an extremely confident food enthusiast, declared, "I’m going to find the best pho in this city, and I’ll eat it every day until I do!"
We all laughed at his bold claim, but soon, he actually set out on the "Great Pho Challenge." He visited pho shops all over the city, trying a different bowl every day. After a week, he came back to the hostel with a dramatic sigh and exclaimed, "I have tasted them all, and I must say… the best pho is right here at Ubuntu Hostel!"
We were all curious, so we followed him to the tiny pho stand across the street. We ordered bowls of pho, and sure enough, it was the most flavorful and satisfying pho any of us had ever tasted. We all agreed that the pho was amazing, but the real fun was watching him claim victory in his "great pho challenge."
- Ninh (10/5): The Great Hanoi Taxi Adventure - One day, we decided to venture out to a more remote part of Hanoi, known for its picturesque lakes and peaceful ambiance. After walking around the Old Quarter, we were tired and needed a ride. We flagged down a taxi, and the adventure began.
As soon as we got in, we noticed something odd. The taxi driver seemed to be taking a very roundabout way to our destination. The streets grew narrower and quieter, and we were driving deeper into unknown areas. I turned to my friend, who had been trying to navigate using Google Maps, and said, “I think we might be going in circles.”
After about 30 minutes of winding through alleys, I started to feel a bit uneasy. I looked at my phone’s map and realized that the driver had completely ignored the main route and was taking us through what seemed to be a shortcut. I asked him in broken Vietnamese if we were going the right way.
He smiled and confidently said, “Yes, yes, shortcut!” So, we continued. Finally, we arrived at the destination... only to find that we were much further than we had expected and miles away from where we wanted to be.
Laughing at our "adventure," we realized that the driver had been offering us a sightseeing tour all along — just not the one we had in mind. We paid for the ride, which turned out to be a bit more expensive than expected, but the story of our taxi adventure was worth every penny.
- Sean (1/5): Bad - Smell. Bathrooms smell. I got the private room. Don't bother. I actually stayed in a friend's hostel that night instead of using my room.
- Keryn (4/5): Only just ok - Good location Before you read on, we are very happy to stay in cheap and cheerful places and our expectations are pretty low (the old adage of you get what you pay for)…but this place really was below par.
They asked us to cancel our booking with Booking.com for a 5% discount so they could avoid fees etc. Absolutely disagreed of course.
Our room was not at the address given - our room was 400 metres away (no big deal for us but might be hard for others).
Double bed you could feel the springs right under the sheet - uncomfy!!!
Very strange room - felt like we were in a space between buildings.
The bathroom pipes leaked so the floor was very wet.
Not very clean.
We were glad to only have 1 night there!
- Perle (10/5): "Suitable for backpackers" - Comfortable dormitory, professional tour service. Shared bathroom needs to be cleaned more often.
- Zhang (10/5): "Nice and comfortable rooms" - Modern interior, cozy room design. Noise from the walking street is a bit annoying at night.
- Silvana (10/5): Great location - Center of the old town, easy to explore around. Quite difficult to find for taxis due to no-car area.
- Prudi (10/5): "Cheap, good location" - Very suitable for small budget, right in the city center. Basic room quality, no hair dryer.
- Olive (10/5): "Common living area is very comfortable, but quite noisy at night" - Common living area is very comfortable and friendly but a bit noisy at night because many guests talk loudly.
- Neal (10/5): Room is cozy but a bit lacking in amenities - Room is small but cozy and clean, however I found some amenities lacking such as hair dryer and safe
- Selene (10/5): The staff is very friendly but the room is a bit small - I was impressed with the enthusiastic service attitude of the staff, always ready to help. However, the room I stayed in seemed a bit small, the space was cramped when storing luggage.
- Sue (10/5): Reasonable price but the room is a bit stuffy - The room price is very affordable, suitable for travel budget. However, the room I stayed in had no windows so it was a bit stuffy and lacked natural light.
- Sara (10/5): The staff is extremely friendly and enthusiastic" - The staff is always ready to help and give detailed advice on tours. However, sometimes there are new friends who do not fully understand the service information.
- Prisca (9/5): Memorable experience with attentive service - Clean and airy room, comfortable bed. Location right in the center of the old town, very convenient for moving around. The hostel is located in a walking street, so the lack of parking is a big minus. This is inconvenient for guests with personal vehicles.
- Moore (10/5): I have no complaints at this price. - Don't expect too much, thin mattress, thin blanket. However, the air conditioner is on 24 hours, and the price is super cheap. I have no complaints at this price.I just hope the owner will upgrade the facilities better.
- Rose (9/5): Superb - The owner welcomed us very warmly. He showed me some local places to eat. nothing
- Maria (5/5): Passable -
- Sinead (1/5): Do not book. - The location was good. After booking they move you to their second location which is nothing like what you have booked. He then gets you cancel the booking.com booking so he doesn’t have to pay fees and only offered discount after argument. He did not have correct change so over charged me 14,000k. No running water for half of our stay. Walls have holes in them you can hear everything, terrible sleep.
- Ali (2/5): Very poor -
- Halimo (5/5): Passable - Location There was very minimal space between the beds.
- Scarlat (10/5): Exceptional - Good location, cheap room.
- Klaudia (1/5): I do not recommend - Good location. That's all I can say good about this place. Those rooms have a jail cell vibe.
- It was dark in the room - only desk lamp, no actual lighting
- incredibly small rooms - had a problem to walk between 2 beds with my backpack
- no place to store your belongings in your room - I slept with my backpack
- an awful mattress, super thin - feels like you are laying on wood
- dirty rooms, someones hair on beds
- the shared bathroom was super dirty - I know that shared bathrooms usually are not as clean as private but that one was a different level
- overpriced for this quality
I was asking them about place to work (I had to work till 3am in Asia). They told me that if I pay extra I can have a room for myself. So I did that. Around 1am some guy came to my room, even tho in the room next to my slept only one guy. Obviously I was scammed, I had no proof that I paid extra. I had to cancel my work calls to let my roommate sleep and find new place to stay. I didn't even care about those extra money, I just wanted to leave this place.
- Maurice (1/5): Bad - nothing Extremely uncomfortable bed
Dirty
Smelly
Weird people in the hostel
- Miguel (1/5): Worst experience ever. - The worst experience in many years of traveling. The single room they gave me was a hole. Which while I went out to dinner and it was raining, it flooded, soaking all my belongings. Including clothing and electronic devices. We were able to wash and dry the clothes. The devices, computer were saved, the hard drive does not work. Now let's see if I can recover years of work.
- Sam (1/5): This is worse hostel. That I have been. - Nothing
- Raj (1/5): Bad -
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