Saigon Friends Hostel

Saigon Friends Hostel is a backpacker hostel at 120/1 Le Lai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A hostel in a Le Lai alley, close to the Pham Ngu Lao area. It is about 0.7 km in a straight line from Ben Thanh Market. It is positioned in Le Lai, District 1, in the south of Vietnam's largest city, where accommodation ranges from international chains to small family-run properties and hostels. The hostel is in an alley off Le Lai Street, about 0.7 km from Ben Thanh Market and close to Pham Ngu Lao and the Bui Vien walking street. It is a small hostel with dorm beds and private rooms, a shared lounge and a sociable feel in a quieter alley than the main backpacker strip. Room options include Dorm Bed and Private Room, with typical rates of 150,000-300,000 VND (~$5.70-11.41) per night; dorm beds at the low end, private rooms at the high end. Amenities listed for the property include wifi, air conditioning and shared lounge; prices and availability vary with season and booking channel, so rates should be confirmed at the time of booking. There is no restaurant, so guests eat at nearby street food stalls and cafes; staff assist with tours and transport, and the atmosphere suits solo travellers. Main sightseeing anchors in central Ho Chi Minh City include Ben Thanh Market, the Reunification Palace, the Saigon River waterfront and the French colonial landmarks around the Opera House, and most can be reached on foot, by Grab or by city bus. Ho Chi Minh City has a tropical climate with a dry season from roughly December to April and a rainy season from May to November, when short afternoon downpours are common. Tan Son Nhat International Airport is around 6-8 km from central District 1, so transfers by taxi or Grab typically take 20-45 minutes depending on traffic. Visitors should keep valuables out of sight near the street, since bag snatching from motorbikes occurs in busy areas.