Sleep boxes, budget dorms gain popularity in Da Nang
Sleep boxes and shared dormitories are emerging as fastest-growing accommodation trends, attracting budget-conscious travellers seeking affordability, flexibility and new connections.
Affordable stays, bigger adventures
For many travellers, a good night's sleep no longer requires a private hotel room. In Da Nang, shared dormitories and compact sleep boxes are emerging as a preferred accommodation choice for backpackers, digital nomads and even local workers seeking affordable, convenient places to rest.
The trend reflects changing travel habits, with visitors increasingly prioritizing experiences over accommodation costs while embracing opportunities to connect with people from around the world.
American traveller Daniel Wilson, who is touring Vietnam as part of a journey across nearly 50 countries, chose a hostel in Da Nang's popular An Thuong tourism area.
For just VND180,000 (about US$7) per night, he shares a six-bed dormitory equipped with air conditioning, a refrigerator and access to communal kitchen and laundry facilities.
I travel to experience different cultures. Dormitories are affordable, but more importantly they allow me to meet people from different countries. That's part of the journey,
Daniel Wilson
Wilson noted that he only books private rooms when he needs complete rest after long periods of travel. The appeal of shared accommodation extends beyond international tourists.
In a similar vein, many local workers are also turning to sleep boxes as a practical housing solution.
Tran Quoc Huy, a 24-year-old ride-hailing driver, has lived in a sleep box near Da Nang's beach area for more than a year. Paying around VND1.8 million (US$70) per month, he values its central location, allowing him to quickly return for a few hours of rest between shifts.
"I only need a clean place to sleep, air conditioning and a shower. Renting a regular apartment here would cost several times more", Huy said.
His personal space measures just over two square meters but includes a mattress, reading light, power outlets, storage locker and privacy curtain.
Daily rates for dormitories and sleep boxes in Da Nang typically range from VND120,000 to VND180,000, considerably cheaper than standard hotels.
Monthly rentals can reduce costs even further, making them attractive to both budget-conscious travelers and temporary workers.
Where strangers become friends
Accommodation operators say the concept has evolved well beyond simply offering inexpensive beds.
Nguyen T. C., who has operated a backpacker hostel near Son Tra Peninsula since 2018, designed his property around large communal spaces featuring barbecue facilities, a café, billiards, books and antiques to encourage guests to socialize.
"Many backpackers deliberately choose shared rooms because they want to meet new people. They value community just as much as affordability", he said.
Guests generally demonstrate strong respect for shared spaces while expecting high standards of cleanliness, friendly staff and English-speaking service.
Another hostel owner, Huyen Tran, has introduced modern capsule-style sleep boxes imported from overseas.
Each unit includes secure lockers and privacy features, allowing guests to switch effortlessly between social interaction and personal space. "As soon as they close the door, they have their own quiet world", she explained.
As tourism continues to rebound, more accommodation providers are combining traditional hotel rooms with dormitories and capsule units to appeal to a wider range of visitors and improve visibility on online booking platforms.
There is growing interest from homeowners converting residential properties into shared accommodation. A single 20-30 square-meter room can accommodate multiple bunk beds or more than 10 sleep boxes, generating significantly higher rental income than conventional room leasing.
Da Nang's dormitories and sleep boxes represent a new style of travel where affordability, flexibility and human connection matter as much as comfort, reflecting the changing priorities of today's global travellers.