Live prices for your dates · free cancellation on many rooms

EN

Hotel · Hanoi · Ha Noi Municipality

Drift Backpackers Hostel - Hanoi

A sociable, adults-only hostel in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, steps from St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the city’s main sights.

  • 200 m from Post Office Hanoi
  • 24-hour reception and security
  • Free breakfast and daily social activities
8 Great 2603 reviews Booking.com 8 · 2603 reviews

About

Drift Backpackers Hostel - Hanoi

Drift Backpackers Hostel sits on Pho Au Trieu, a short walk from St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the pulse of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. With 72 rooms across a multi-level building, the hostel balances a large, energetic atmosphere with the comforts that matter to backpackers: air-conditioned dorms, key card access, and secure lockers.

The hostel runs on community. Guests gather on the plant-filled terrace, around the billiard tables, or in the TV lounge. Daily activities—from family dinners to pub crawls—are organised through a WhatsApp group, and the reception team is known for arranging tours and offering practical advice. A daily breakfast buffet is included, offering both Vietnamese and Western options.

  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Wi-Fi
  • 24-hour reception
  • No pets allowed
  • 24-hour security
  • Adults only

In brief

What works, what to weigh

+

Strengths

4 reasons to book
  • Central location — Within 200 metres of Post Office Hanoi and a short walk from the Opera House and St. Joseph’s Cathedral.
  • Free breakfast with variety — A daily buffet with Vietnamese and Western options, served over three hours each morning.
  • Strong social scene — Daily activities like family dinners, cooking classes, and pub crawls are arranged via WhatsApp, and the terrace, pool table, and board games keep guests mingling.
  • Helpful, friendly staff — Reception is open 24/7, and staff are noted for arranging tours and offering reliable local advice.
–

Worth weighing

4 to weigh
  • Adults-only policy — Children are not accommodated, which may not suit families travelling together.
  • No pets — Pets are not allowed on the property.
  • Check-in window — Reception is open around the clock, but check-in is restricted to 14:00–23:00.
  • Limited room type listed — Only the mixed dormitory is shown in the current room inventory, though reviews mention double beds and private options.

01 — Rooms

Rooms & rates

High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.

Dormitory Room Mixed

  • 1 Bed in shared room
  • Shower
  • Balcony
  • Air conditioning

02 — Amenities

Services & amenities

Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.

General

  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Air conditioning
  • Wi-Fi
  • Key card access

Services

  • 24-hour reception
  • 24-hour security
  • Luggage storage
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Tours/Ticket assistance
  • Paid shuttle service

Common Areas

  • Terrace
  • Garden furniture
  • Leisure/TV room
  • Board games
  • Billiard tables

03 — Reviews

What guests say

Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.

8
Great 2603 reviews

Guest-rated 8/10 from 2,603 reviews

Booking.com · 8 · 2603 reviews
8Verified guest

“Drift Backpackers was spot on for our time in Hanoi. The location is brilliant, really central. The staff went out of their way to help, the beds were comfy, and the shared balcony was lovely. The double beds were a nice upgrade at a fair price. Would definitely recommend.”

8Verified guest

“Superb location next to the cathedral. Reception is open 24/7 and always helpful. Breakfast was tasty with lots of choice. Rooms were spotless and the staff friendly. The terrace has amazing views—a real highlight.”

8Verified guest

“Great spot, big hostel with free parking and a solid included breakfast. There’s heaps of common space to relax in. The international staff set up socials like movie nights, family dinners, cooking classes, and pub crawls. Reuben (from England) runs the place well and actually listens to guests. Kandy, Galden, Matt, and the rest of the team are all friendly and look after you. Would recommend to anyone.”

8Verified guest

“We had a fantastic stay at this hostel right in the middle of the city. The location couldn’t be better—everything worth seeing was within walking distance. Loads of cafes and restaurants nearby, and the breakfast buffet was excellent, with a huge variety served over three hours. The dorm beds were comfy, bathrooms were roomy with hot water and a hairdryer. Reception staff were lovely and even booked tours for us. A great experience overall—would happily come back. Only downside: nothing!”

8Verified guest

“The location was perfect—main sights, shops, and restaurants all close by. Staff were polite and cooperative. Rooms had comfortable beds and air conditioning ran 24/7. Washrooms were clean with reliable hot water. Breakfast was good every morning, and the lounge had a pool table, instruments, and plenty of games. The big second-floor area was great for reading or working, and Wi-Fi was fast and stable in every room.”

8Verified guest

“Fantastic location—walkable to all the popular spots in the city centre. The staff were friendly and gave helpful recommendations for tours and things to do. The hostel ran daily activities through a WhatsApp group, which was a fun way to see the city with other guests.”

04 — Location

Getting around Hanoi

The property sits in Hanoi.

St. Joseph’s Cathedral: A 200-metre walk from the hostel, the neo-Gothic cathedral is a local landmark and a handy reference point in the Old Quarter.

Opera House: The Hanoi Opera House is within walking distance, according to the hostel’s own description, making an evening stroll to the French Quarter easy.

Hoan Kiem Lake: Reviews mention being within walking distance of the lake, a central spot for a morning walk or to watch locals practise tai chi.

38 Pho Au Trieu, Hanoi, Ha Noi Municipality, Vietnam

Open in Google Maps

05 — Good to know

Policies & conditions

Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.

Check-in
From 14:00-23:00
Check-out
By 11:00
Cancellation
Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
Payment
Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
Pets
Not allowed
Property
164 rooms

06 — Questions

Frequently asked

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 14:00 to 23:00, and check-out is by 11:00.

Is breakfast included?

Yes, a daily breakfast buffet is included, featuring Vietnamese and Western options, and it’s served over a three-hour window each morning.

Are pets allowed?

No, pets are not allowed at Drift Backpackers Hostel.

Is the hostel suitable for children?

No—this is an adults-only property, so children are not accommodated.

Does the hostel offer airport transfers?

Yes, a paid shuttle service is available. We recommend confirming details and booking directly with the hostel.

What room types are available?

The current listing shows a mixed dormitory with one bed per booking, which includes a shower, balcony, and air conditioning. Reviews also mention double beds, so check live availability for other options.

Nearby

Other top-rated stays in Hanoi

Want a different style or budget? Here are more highly-rated options in the area.

The bottom line

For travellers who want to be in the middle of Hanoi’s Old Quarter and meet people easily, Drift Backpackers Hostel delivers on location, social energy, and value. The adults-only rule and dorm-focused setup make it best for solo backpackers and couples, not families.

8A reliable, sociable base for independent travellers.

Ready to book Drift Backpackers Hostel - Hanoi?

Tap through and we’ll open our booking partner’s site, with live prices and availability for your exact dates.

No payment on this site — you complete the booking on our partner’s site.