Accommodation

When you participate in ABROADER programs, you are given two housing options: serviced apartment and homestay.  

This guide will provide you with details about each housing option and what you should expect when living in accommodation in our programs.

Type of accommodation available

1. Serviced apartment

We commit to providing a private room at a serviced apartment. It can be either a studio room or a shared apartment depending on the room availability. Below is the standard description. If you have special requests, feel free to let us know.  

The Standard package includes:

Room facilities: Bed, wardrobe, air-conditioner, wifi, lights and other room furniture.

Kitchen: fridge, microwave oven or electric cooker and other cooking utensils (depending on the apartment).

Bathroom: the bathroom is in a smaller room within the apartment.

Laundry: some places will offer free laundry service every week and others ask for an extra laundry fee (US $1-  US $2/kg) 

Electricity payment: You need to check with the program coordinator whether the electricity is covered in the program fee or not. If not, prepare a US $150 – $250/month budget for the electricity bill depending on how much you consume each month. 

Generally, a serviced apartment you will be staying in in Vietnam would look like this:

2. Host Family

Living with the host family is highly recommended if you are really into local life exploration and is an affordable and unique option that anyone studying abroad should consider.

Many of our alumni got along extremely well with their families. Staying with a host family offers a relaxed, fun, yet intensive approach to language learning. Your hosts provide a welcoming environment, support your learning, and offer an authentic window into their culture. You can stay with a local family and do something in return for the family, for example, teaching English to their children.

The families live within or not far away from the center area of the cities so we can make sure you can do both cultural immersion and social activities during your stay.

Basic package includes: 

Room facilities: Bed, wardrobe, air-conditioner, wifi, lights and other room furniture depending on the host family

Kitchen: fridge, microwave oven or electric cooker, and other cooking utensils (depending on the host family). Most of the time, the family will invite you to cook family meals with them when you are at home. 

If you have any special dietary restrictions, let your host family know well. They are willing and capable of adapting to your dietary restrictions and ensure you’re hosted by a family capable of accommodating you. 

If you have no restrictions, expect to eat what your host family eats. It’s just plain rude not to!

Bathroom: The kitchen and (sometimes) the bathroom is shared with other members of the host family. And the bathroom is in a smaller room within the apartment.

Laundry: There will also be a shared space for you to clean your clothes with a washing machine and an open area where you can hang the clothes up to dry, you might choose to wash your own clothes or have it washed with clothes from other members of the house. 

Some families don’t have space to clean your clothes, you will offer laundry service every week and others ask for an extra laundry fee (US $1 – $2/kg) 

Electricity, gas, and water are included in the monthly payment for the host family.

You need to check with the program coordinator whether the electricity is covered in the program fee. If not, prepare a US $90/month budget for the electricity bill depending on how much you consume each month.

Additional fees

You are directly responsible to pay the landlord/host family for any services and fees that are not included in ABROADER’s accommodation package. These additional fees include but are not limited to these items: electricity bills (US $80/month), laundry service (around US $1/kg), drinking water, gas, cleaning, linen and any other additional items and services. You will be directly liable to the landlord for any damage to the accommodation arising from any act of yours. 

Accommodation location

ABROADER would do our best to make sure that your accommodation is located less than one hour by car to your host organization’s location. In the rare event that your commute is more than one hour due to the limitation of resources or safety reasons, you will be informed in advance and provided with clear guidance on how to commute to work.

HAPPY HOUSING – essential rules for a harmonious habitat

When staying either with local families or in a serviced apartment, you are responsible for your room including the appliances, property and shared space. Besides, you are advised to take your housemates and neighbors seriously and regard them with respect. This is usually returned in kind and makes the area a more pleasant place to live for everyone. In general, you would be asked to comply with:

Cleanliness creates happiness

• Keep your room and the shared space tidy, take out your trash and put them at designated places.

Green your lifestyle

• Please NEVER leave the power on, especially the air conditioner while you are away from home. Keep the temperature moderate if you need to have them on when you are sleeping.
• Always turn off the lights when not in use.

Respect your roommates/housemates/host family members

• For homestay: Comply with the family’s curfew time. If you need to stay out late, always notify the host family beforehand. If you need to stay out very late, you might want to stay at another accommodation overnight. Do not take a friend home without asking for permission from the host family first. Click here for our tips when living with a host family in Vietnam.
• Avoid making noise after 10 PM or having parties without consent from the apartment manager or your host family. Do use headphones when listening to music, or keep the volume low if both you and your housemates/roommates agree to have the speakers on.

Safety and Financial Liability

• Do not share the house/room key with anyone except for the landlord (for staying in an apartment) and other family members (for homestay). Before leaving the accommodation, make sure all the doors and windows are closed properly.
• Take good care of properties as well as appliances and furniture at the accommodation. Charges may occur if you are found to be responsible for damages or loss of housing property.

Communication is the key

• If conflict arises, open your heart and share your feelings with your roommates/ housemates/ host family members. We believe talking through instead of suppressing the problem is the easiest way to get it solved. In case you cannot work things out on your own, please keep in mind that ABROADER is always here to support you.

Each accommodation has its own unique features and advantages. We hope you can find a suitable accommodation option, whether you are an individual who loves spending quiet time alone, a social butterfly who loves small talk or a curious soul who is eager to immerse in and learn as much as you can about Vietnam’s familial culture and traditions. Read more on our blog to learn about accommodation for traveling during

Accommodation for traveling during your stay in Vietnam

1. Hotels and resorts

You may choose hotels or boutique resorts for your short trip at weekends. Vietnam is famous for many tourist attractions around the country and there are many choices of hotels and resorts there, from 3-star to 5-star luxury hotels, from boutique and local brands to famous international chain properties. 

2. Motels & Hostels

You may prefer a more affordable accommodation option. 

• Motels (Nha nghi) are very affordable and common even in the countryside in Vietnam. The prices are cheap, you can expect that only standard facilities are offered and English-speaking staff might not be available.
• Hostels are great options for backpackers. You can easily find a hostel in several big cities and tourist attractions such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hue or Da Nang.

3. Tips to search and make an accommodation reservation for your trip

Following the suggestions below to start finding your suitable accommodation:

• Make a list of essential facilities
• Set a budget
• Choose the area
• Stay firm about your requirements
• Read reviews and book on reliable pages such as: Expedia, Booking.com, Traveloka, Agoda, etc.