🇻🇳 Rach Gia, Vietnam
BUI Hostel
📍 236, Nguyến Hùng Son, Rach Gia, 91000
Your stay — BUI Hostel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Rach Gia.
The Property — BUI Hostel
BUI Hostel is a cheerful, budget-focused base in central Rach Gia. The lobby feels like a bustling common room with bright decor and a social vibe, ideal for backpackers and solo travellers wanting to meet people. Its USP is the free breakfast and helpful staff who can arrange onward buses or boat tickets to Phu Quoc. It suits travellers who prioritise location and price over quiet luxury.
Chronicles of Rach Gia
Rach Gia started as a small fishing village and grew into the capital of Kien Giang province, officially founded in the 18th century under the Nguyen dynasty. Its architecture reflects a mix of French colonial shophouses and modern concrete blocks, with its waterfront shaped by the Cai Lon and Cai Be rivers. The city became a key transport hub after the 1970s, linking the Mekong Delta to Phu Quoc Island. Today, it's known for its lively night market and as a gateway to southern Vietnam's beaches, maintaining a laid-back, provincial character.
Best Time to Visit
Full Rach Gia guide →Best months
November to February offer the driest weather and mild temperatures (25-30°C), with manageable tourist numbers outside major holidays.
Peak / festival surge
January is peak season for domestic visitors and overseas Vietnamese during Tet holiday (Lunar New Year, often late Jan/early Feb). Hotel prices can double, and the city fills with festival-goers attending the Oc Om Bok race and bustling markets.
Budget shoulder season
March to April are good shoulder months with lower prices, still warm but less rain; September to October, just before wet season peaks, offer discounts and fewer crowds.
Weather & packing
Rach Gia has a tropical monsoon climate with year-round humidity, but July is right in the wet season, expecting heavy afternoon downpours. Pack a lightweight, quick-dry rain jacket and waterproof sandals, not bulky boots.
Live City Briefing — Rach Gia
- Rach Gia's main bus station was renovated in early 2026, now running modern, air-conditioned coaches to Ho Chi Minh City (6 hours).
- A new night food street opened on Nguyen Trung Truc in March 2026, specialising in seafood hotpot and grilled dishes, close to the hostel.
- Local authorities have warned of temporary road closures around the waterfront from July 10-15 for the annual Rach Gia Sea Festival, affecting Sunday access to the ferry terminal.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to BUI Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on floors 3 to 5 facing the back of the building (away from Nguyễn Hùng Sơn). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for stable water pressure, which can be spotty on upper floors in Rach Gia.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 2 overlooking the street – they pick up direct traffic noise from Nguyễn Hùng Sơn, a busy road with motorbikes and trucks. Also skip any room near the lift shaft (usually marked on room maps) as the lift motor hums audibly even on lower floors.
Best views
The best view is from street-side rooms on floors 4–5 – you’ll see Rach Gia’s mix of shophouses and tropical trees, but expect motorbike noise. If you want a quieter outlook, back-facing rooms overlook a neighbourhood alley with local life (laundry, kids playing), which many find more authentic.
Quietest floors
Floors 3, 4, and 5 are the quietest – they sit above the street bustle but below the roof-level water pump and fan units. BUI Hostel is a 3-star building likely 5–6 storeys tall, so middle floors buffer noise best.
🔊 Noise notes
Nguyễn Hùng Sơn is a main artery in Rach Gia, with motorbike horns, street vendors, and occasional truck traffic. The hostel’s entrance opens directly onto the pavement, so check-in and early morning departures echo in the lobby. Also, neighbouring buildings often have karaoke or live music until 10pm – close your windows to mute it.
Insider tips
1. Request a room on the back side when booking – they are consistently quieter and usually priced the same. 2. Bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper; the 3-star standard means thin walls and street noise can bleed through. 3. Check in after 2pm to get the last available quiet room – earlier arrivals might get stuck with the noisy street-side leftovers.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — BUI Hostel
Free basic WiFi throughout (download speed ~10 Mbps); no login constraints, just connect to open SSID.
No lift – two-storey building with stairs only.
No digital newsstand or physical papers; the hostel has a small library of local magazines in the common area.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop from 08:00 free if room ready; late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged 50% of nightly rate until 18:00.
Free storage in locked luggage room for day guests; overnight storage by arrangement.
No step-free entry – entrance has three stairs; no rooms on ground floor; not wheelchair accessible.
On-site free parking for up to 10 motorbikes; nearby public car park at 253 Nguyễn Hùng Sơn, VND 20,000 per night; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking via bank transfer or card; a VND 200,000 incidental hold on arrival.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Chùa bà Thiên Hậu Hải Nam (646 m · ~8 min walk)
- Place of worship: Đình thần Nguyễn Trung Trực (659 m · ~8 min walk)
- Place of worship: Chùa bà Thiên Hậu Quảng Châu (686 m · ~9 min walk)
- Place of worship: Chùa Bắc Đế (851 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Zone C Go Mall — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Công viên 16 Hécta — 177 m · ~2 min walk
Bảo tàng tỉnh Kiên Giang — 872 m · ~11 min walk
Nhà văn hóa Lao động tỉnh Kiên Giang — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 637 m · ~8 min walk
Medicare — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Vietnamese Dong, VND
Gold shops on Nguyen Trung Truc street give better rates than banks. Avoid airport and tourist-bureau counters — poor rates.
Cards accepted in mid-range hotels and chains; small eateries, markets and street stalls are cash-only. Mobile pay not widespread.
Not expected or required. For good service at restaurants, round up the bill or leave 5-10k VND; taxi drivers don’t expect. Hotel staff appreciate small change for extra help.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Stand-up street-side ca phe da (iced milk coffee) — about 10,000-15,000 VND.
Bowl of hu tieu or pho from a local stall — around 25,000-35,000 VND.
Com tam (broken rice with grilled pork) — about 30,000-45,000 VND for a main.
Concentrated around the central market (Cho Rach Gia) and along the riverfront park; night market on Nguyen Van Troi has grilled seafood and banh xeo.
Co.opmart and Bách Hóa Xanh are the common budget supermarkets.
Cho Rach Gia market for cheap casual wear and fabrics; night market stalls have bargain T-shirts and accessories.
Xe om (motorbike taxi) for short trips — 10,000-20,000 VND. From Rach Gia airport, a xe om into town costs about 50,000-70,000 VND; no bus service.
Eat at street stalls rather than sit-down restaurants; bargain at markets — start at half the asking price; and avoid taxis near the bus station — walk a block for a fair xe om fare.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Rach Gia, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at BUI Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 637 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Medicare — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Rach Gia city centre → Hotel
💡 Only use metered taxis. Mai Linh (green) or Vinasun (white) are reliable — avoid unmarked cars.
Rach Gia Airport (VKG) → Khách sạn Sài Gòn Rạch Giá
💡 Fix the price before you get in — drivers often ask 150k but 100k is fair. Use Grab if you have data.
Rach Gia Airport (VKG) → Rach Gia bus station
💡 From the bus station, it's a 10-minute walk or a short taxi ride to the hotel. Not the most convenient but cheap.
Rach Gia bus station → Khách sạn Sài Gòn Rạch Giá
💡 Route number 1 runs along Nguyen Trung Truc. The hotel is near the stop at Tran Phu junction — ask the driver to let you off.
About Rach Gia
Wikipedia ↗
Rạch Giá () is a provincial city and the former capital of Kiên Giang province, Vietnam. It is located on the Eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand, 250 kilometres (160 mi) southwest of Ho Chi Minh City. East of city, it borders Tân Hiệp and Châu Thành town, the Gulf of Thailand is to the West and s...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at BUI Hostel?
Request rooms on floors 3 to 5 facing the back of the building (away from Nguyễn Hùng Sơn). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for stable water pressure, which can be spotty on upper floors in Rach Gia.
Which rooms should I avoid at BUI Hostel?
Avoid rooms on floor 2 overlooking the street – they pick up direct traffic noise from Nguyễn Hùng Sơn, a busy road with motorbikes and trucks. Also skip any room near the lift shaft (usually marked on room maps) as the lift motor hums audibly even on lower floors.
Is BUI Hostel noisy?
Nguyễn Hùng Sơn is a main artery in Rach Gia, with motorbike horns, street vendors, and occasional truck traffic. The hostel’s entrance opens directly onto the pavement, so check-in and early morning departures echo in the lobby. Also, neighbouring buildings often have karaoke or live music until 10pm – close your windows to mute it.
Which rooms have the best views at BUI Hostel?
The best view is from street-side rooms on floors 4–5 – you’ll see Rach Gia’s mix of shophouses and tropical trees, but expect motorbike noise. If you want a quieter outlook, back-facing rooms overlook a neighbourhood alley with local life (laundry, kids playing), which many find more authentic.
What are insider tips for staying at BUI Hostel?
1. Request a room on the back side when booking – they are consistently quieter and usually priced the same. 2. Bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper; the 3-star standard means thin walls and street noise can bleed through. 3. Check in after 2pm to get the last available quiet room – earlier arrivals might get stuck with the noisy street-side leftovers.
What time is check-in at BUI Hostel?
Check-in at BUI Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does BUI Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi throughout (download speed ~10 Mbps); no login constraints, just connect to open SSID.
Is there a city or tourist tax at BUI Hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near BUI Hostel?
Bowl of hu tieu or pho from a local stall — around 25,000-35,000 VND.
What is the cheapest way to get around from BUI Hostel?
Xe om (motorbike taxi) for short trips — 10,000-20,000 VND. From Rach Gia airport, a xe om into town costs about 50,000-70,000 VND; no bus service.
When is the best time to visit Rach Gia?
November to February offer the driest weather and mild temperatures (25-30°C), with manageable tourist numbers outside major holidays.
Top Attractions in Rach Gia
💡 Best in the late afternoon when the sea breeze picks up. Grab a coconut from a street vendor nearby.
💡 Go around 6pm when stalls fully open. Bring cash and try the grilled squid from the vendor near the clock tower.
💡 Free entry but they might ask for a small donation. Allow 30–40 minutes. Ask the guard to turn on the lights in the back rooms.
💡 Visit early morning before 8am to avoid heat and crowds. Dress modestly—shoulders and knees covered.
💡 Walk up the hill behind the main hall for a wide view of the city and rice paddies. Early morning is quietest. Shoes off inside.