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Vietnam Homestay Checklist: What to Check Before You Book and When You Arrive

Updated 18 October 2026 · Facts checked against the sources listed below on 18 October 2026. Rules and schedules change, so check official sites before you travel.

A Vietnamese homestay can be the best part of a trip: home cooking, local tips and a real welcome. It helps to know what to check before you book and what to expect when you arrive. Our team includes a family that runs a homestay in Vietnam.

Before you book

Read recent reviews (from the last few months), not just the score. Look for comments on cleanliness, noise, hot water and the host's helpfulness.
Know what kind of place it is. Look at photos of the rooms and the shared areas, so you know whether you're booking a room in a family home, a small guesthouse or a whole house.
Private or shared bathroom? Listings don't always make this clear. Ask.
Air-con, heating and hot water: the south is hot all year. In the north it is cold from late December to March: Hanoi lows reach around 10°C, and Sa Pa sees occasional snow in January. (source: VNAT weather guide) For a northern winter stay, ask about heating or warm bedding.
Exact location: check on a map how far it is from the centre, the station or the beach. Ask the host whether a taxi can reach the door or whether you'll walk the last bit with your luggage.
Check-in times and late arrivals: family-run places may not have a 24-hour desk. Agree a time and keep the host's phone or chat contact.
Payment: many small businesses take payment by bank-transfer QR code, but most can't yet accept foreign visitors' payment apps. Only about 6% of Vietnam's 2.5 million payment points offered cross-border VietQR Global in September 2026. (source: Tuoi Tre News) Ask your host how to pay (card, cash, transfer) and carry some cash.
Extras: breakfast, airport pickup, motorbike or bicycle rental, laundry, tours. Ask what's included and what costs extra.
Light sleeper? Ask the host about noise (street, neighbours, animals) and pack earplugs.

Compare homestays, guesthouses and hotels: search stays on Agoda.

When you arrive: the passport step is normal

Your host will ask to see your passport (and visa or entry stamp). This is a legal requirement, not a sign of distrust. Vietnamese law requires accommodation, including homestays and private homes hosting foreigners, to declare foreign guests' temporary residence to the local police. (source: Vietnam.vn) Under Circular 87/2026/TT-BCA (in force since 24 July 2026), the declaration is made online as soon as you arrive. Paper declarations must reach the commune police within 12 hours (24 hours in remote areas). (source: Circular 87/2026) (source: Immigration Department)

The host records your name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number, visa/residence validity and expected length of stay. (source: Circular 87/2026)
Police guidance tells hosts to check the original passport itself, not just a photo or photocopy. (source: Lâm Đồng provincial police) Once it has been checked and recorded, you can politely ask to have it back.

House manners

Take your shoes off just outside the door when you enter a home. Don't step over ground-level family altars or walk directly in front of them. (source: VNAT etiquette)
Ask before photographing people, including your host family. (source: VNAT etiquette)
Dress modestly, especially outside the big cities. Men shouldn't go shirtless in public, and swimwear belongs on the beach. (source: VNAT etiquette)
Greet the older family members first. (source: VNAT etiquette)
At shared meals, pass dishes with both hands or your right hand. Your host may put the best bits into your bowl as a sign of hospitality. To stop eating, simply say politely that you're very full. (source: VNAT etiquette)

Practical packing list

Plug adapter: Vietnam uses 220 V. Sockets take two flat pins (type A), two flat pins plus earth (type B) or two round pins (type C), and many are hybrids that accept several types. (source: ANWB)
Insect repellent with DEET or icaridin, and clothing that covers your skin. Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue occur in Vietnam. (source: ANWB)
Rain gear that suits your region and month. The north (Hanoi) is rainy June–August. The centre (Huế, Hội An) has its rainy, stormy season from September to around January. The south (HCMC, Mekong Delta) has a May–November wet season with afternoon downpours. (source: VNAT weather guide)
Earplugs and an eye mask.
Some cash in small notes for markets and small shops.
A way to stay connected. A local SIM must be registered with your valid passport. Since 15 April 2026, subscriber checks include face verification, done in an official app or at a carrier's own or authorised counter. (source: Thư viện Pháp luật) Many visitors use a data-only travel eSIM instead; check the provider's terms.
Drinking water: don't drink tap water. Use sealed bottled water or water that has been properly disinfected, also for brushing your teeth, and avoid ice. (source: CDC)

Getting there and around

Flights within Vietnam: compare domestic flights.
Trains, sleeper buses and ferries: book ground transport, or the official railway site dsvn.vn.
Day trips, cooking classes and tours near your homestay: browse activities on Klook, or ask your host. They often know the best local guides.

Questions to message your host before you arrive

What time can I check in, and how do I reach you if I'm late?
Is the bathroom private, and is there hot water and air-con (or heating in winter)?
How do I get from the airport, station or bus stop to you? Can a taxi reach the door?
Do you take card, bank transfer or cash only?
Is breakfast included? Do you offer meals, bike rental or tours?