Mad Monkey Hanoi is the Old Quarter base for budget travellers who want to meet people. Part of the Mad Monkey chain of hostels across South-East Asia, it sits at 9 to 11 Ma May Street, one of the most atmospheric lanes of the Old Quarter, about five minutes on foot from Hoan Kiem Lake. It is a hostel in the social style: a sports bar and restaurant on site, open from early morning until late, and nightly events, starting with a daily meet-up in the early evening, make it easy to find company for dinner or a night out. Rooms are dormitories with six, eight, ten or twelve beds, in standard and superior versions, plus female-only dorms with eight and ten beds, and a private six-bed room that works for a group of friends. Reception is staffed twenty-four hours, there are lockers and luggage storage, and a travel desk helps book onward trips, including Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh. The hostel is adults-only, with a minimum age of eighteen. It is the right choice for solo travellers and backpackers on a tight budget who want the Old Quarter on the doorstep.
Location and getting around: Ma May Street runs through the middle of the Old Quarter, so the lake, the weekend walking street, the night market, Dong Xuan Market and the bia hoi corners of fresh draught beer are all within a short walk. Tour pickups for day trips usually cover the Old Quarter, so you rarely need a taxi. From Noi Bai airport, a private car or ride-hailing trip takes around forty minutes.
The rooms: dormitories have bunk beds, air conditioning and access to hot showers, with wifi on every floor. The female-only dorms suit women travelling alone, and the private six-bed room is good value for a group. There is no lift, so be ready to carry your bag up the stairs.
Who it suits: solo travellers, backpackers and groups of friends aged eighteen and over who want a social atmosphere at a low price. Families and light sleepers should look elsewhere, since events run late.
Good to know: breakfast is not included, but the on-site restaurant serves food from 07:00, and the Old Quarter’s street food is on your doorstep. Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out by 11:00. Free cancellation is usually available until twenty-four hours before arrival when booking direct.
Why stay here
- ✓Dorms from six to twelve beds
- ✓Female-only dorms
- ✓Private six-bed room
- ✓Sports bar and restaurant
- ✓Nightly social events
- ✓Travel desk
- ✓Lockers and luggage storage
- ✓24-hour reception
Good questions
Is Mad Monkey Hanoi adults-only?+
Yes, guests must be eighteen or older. It is designed for backpackers and solo travellers rather than families.
Does Mad Monkey Hanoi have private rooms?+
It has one private room with six beds, ideal for a group of friends. All other rooms are shared dorms, including female-only dorms.
Is breakfast included at Mad Monkey Hanoi?+
No, breakfast is not included. The on-site restaurant opens at 07:00, and Old Quarter street food is right outside.