Just a stone’s throw across the river from Thailand, the Laotian capital of Vientiane is the gateway for tourists to the country. With rustic beauty and majestic temples, Vientiane is a city that never ceases to dazzle tourists.
From the glimmering golden stupa to intricate temples adorned with stone nagas and buddhas, Vientiane is a city brimming with history and religion!
Are you looking to party on the Mekong River or maintain a state of zen while you are in Vientiane? Depending on how you like to travel, you will need to find that perfect backpacker hostel!
We made finding the best hostels in Vientiane a cinch with this one-stop guide! You can now book with confidence that you will be staying in a hostel which suits how you like to travel!
The gateway to Laos awaits you! As does all of the temples and stupas of Vientiane!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Vientiane
- Best Cheap Hostel in Vientiane – Dream Home Hostel
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Vientiane – Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Vientiane – Barn 1920s Hostel
- Best Overall Hostel in Vientiane – Petit Espace
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Vientiane – Vientiane Garden Hostel
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
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Best Hostels in Vientiane
Vientiane is the capital city of Laos and that means you’ll find plenty of accommodation options. Spread across a lot of locations and areas, there are heaps of cool places to stay in Vientiane.
Below, we’ve reviewed our absolute favorite choices for backpackers to crash a night. Find something that suits and book ahead before some other weary traveller snags your bed.
Dream Home Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Vientiane
If you are looking to party with games and drinks in Vientiane then look no further! Check yourself into Dream Home Hostel! It’s not just the chill vibe which will get the party started, but this backpackers hostel has nightly happy hour specials that include free whiskey!
After you get all liquored up, get ready to dance to the music or take part in one of the many games around the hostel! From billiards to beer pong, the fun will never stop!
After a night of partying, shake off that hangover with a free breakfast. You will be back on your feet and ready for more in no time at this backpackers party hostel!
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View on Osprey View on REISailomyen Cafe & Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Vientiane
Needing a bit of social interaction and chill vibes after a couple of days of excruciating traveling? Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel is where you want to book yourself into if you are looking for a youth hostel where you can kick back, relax, and meet other backpackers!
It’s not just the laidback atmosphere which makes Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel one of the best places in Vientiane for solo travelers, you will have tones of places to spread out in! From the terrace to the coffee shop, there is lots of room to hang out and share crazy adventure stories meet other travelers backpacking through Southeast Asia.
Top it all off with a free breakfast and you have a hostel you will not want to check out of any time soon!!
Barn 1920s Hostel – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Vientiane
Decked out in 1920s decor, Barn 1920s Hostel gives you all the modern comforts mixed with a classic design! But it’s not just the atmosphere while makes Barn 1920s one of the best hostels in all of Vientiane!
At Barn 1920s Hostel backpackers will be hanging out in spacious vintage lounges, relaxing in a gorgeous garden, and even sipping on that famous Southeast Asian coffee in the hostel’s very own cafe!
In the morning, start off your day right with their complimentary breakfast and when it gets dark you will be just minutes away from the night food market!
Petit Espace – Best Overall Hostel in Vientiane
Petit Espace delivers exactly what you need for a chilled stopover in Vientiane. The beds are spacious and ridiculously comfortable, with clean rooms that’ll make you feel right at home. . The changing and washing areas are spotless, and breakfast hits the spot with options like eggs and bread to start the day right.
The location is spot-on, within walking distance of the city’s main attractions. It’s not a particularly social spot, but let’s be real—most people aren’t here for that. Perfect for a low-key night, with friendly staff who go out of their way to help.
Barn Laos Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Vientiane
Barn Laos Hostel is the perfect detox spot after the inevitable chaos of Vang Vieng. From the friendly front desk team to the free breakfast that gets you back on track, this place is all about taking it easy. The Wi-Fi is solid, the dorms comfy and the fully equipped kitchen is a lovely surprise—it’s not every day you see that in a hostel in SEA.
Nestled on a peaceful side street, it’s just a 10-minute stroll to the buzzing night food market. The facilities are modern and spotless, with bathrooms so pristine they might just ruin you for other hostels. Perfect for recharging before diving back into the adventure.
Vientiane Garden Hostel – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Vientiane
Snagging a hostel with a pool in Laos is already a win, but at this price? Absolute robbery (the good kind). The pool is spotless, perfect for a dip after wandering Vientiane’s bustling streets, and the location couldn’t be more central. Happy hour delivers, and the pool table sets the stage for a bit of friendly competition.
Happy hour is a vibe, and the pool table is the ideal icebreaker for making mates or flexing your competitive streak.Dorm rooms are cool and cosy, with privacy curtains, plugs, and lights for every bed. The staff go above and beyond, with one reception guy standing out as especially welcoming. Breakfast hits the spot—cheap, delicious, and the perfect fuel for another day of exploring.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in Vientiane
Vongkham Eco Resort
When you were planning your backpacking trip to Laos, you did not have massive concrete cities in mind. You were planning a romantic getaway with lush jungles, wild animals, and breathtaking sunsets. Let’s take you and your boo a little bit outside of the city of Vientiane and have you cozy up into Vongkham Eco Resort!
Surrounded by fields growing everything from dragon fruit to lychee, this is the idyllic side of Laos you have been searching for! The resort will also hook you up with a mountain bike to explore the extensive trails surrounding the hostel, free of charge!
End each day with an organic meal and a sunset which will truly set the tone for another romantic evening at Vongkham Eco Resort!
My Box Hostel & Cafe
My Box Hostel & Cafe is one of those backpackers hostels that literally checks everything on the list! With its very own bar, coffee shop, and lounges you will always find a place to hang out and drink, day or night! Some of the best nightlife in Vientiane isn’t too far away either.
The dorm beds also stand apart giving guests their very own privacy curtain, practically giving you a pod-style experience at a bunk bed price!
Before you head out every morning to explore the many temples nearby, be sure to first chow down and enjoy an American style breakfast! With great food, drinks, and an amazing night’s sleep, My Box Hostel is sure to be your new home away from home!
Lao Huk Bed & Cafe
Day or night all of the fun starts at Lao Huk Bed & Cafe! With free bikes, tour service, and ticket booking, you will have everything you need to both explore all of Vientiane and beyond!
When the night falls that’s when the party really starts at this backpackers hostel! The welcome drink will help set the tone for your stay, but the bar is where things really get wild! Get ready to hang out and dance the night away at this backpackers hostel!
With a shared kitchen, lounges, a terrace, free bikes, and laid back vibes, the good times don’t stop rollin’ at Lao Huk Bed & Cafe!
BedBox Vientiane Hostel
You are going to feel right at home at this backpackers hostel with its youthful atmosphere and chill vibes. With lounges and and plenty of backpacker-fave travel games throughout the hostel, BedBox is the place to go for travelers looking to just hang out and meet other backpackers!
With a location just a few minutes away from the Mekong River and some of the most beautiful temples in all of Vientiane, you will feel like the city is your oyster. Top it all off with a free breakfast, daily table tennis matches, and a staff that will make you feel like part of the family, BedBox is the kind of hostel you will be extending your stay night after night!
What to Pack for your Vientiane Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
FAQ about Hostels in Vientiane
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Vientiane.
Travel Safety Tips for Vientiane
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Conclusion
Your adventure to Laos starts here! A journey full of temples, towering mountains, leaping monkeys, and lush jungles await you! No matter if you are heading out or just coming back, everything starts and begins in Vientiane!
Vientiane is not just a jumping-off point, you will find loads of temples and museums which will continue to wow you for days to come!
If you are still scratching your head about where to stay in Vientiane, no need to pull out your hair just yet. If you are looking for a memorable backpackers experience in Lao’s capital Barn 1920s Hostel, is our pick for the best hostel in Vientiane
Snap-on your motorbike helmet and get ready to explore! Your Vientiane adventure is just around the corner!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Laos for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Vientiane before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Southeast Asia backpacking guide.
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