Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Tips by richiecdisc

T & T: a convenient and inexpensive area: Pham Ngu Lao

We had found a room our first night in Saigon but were unhappy about the overall cleanliness. So, in the morning, I went room hunting while Doreen slept a couple extra hours. I checked a lot of places but was intrigued by one tailor shop that had a sign advertising rooms for rent. I went in and asked the seamstress about her rooms and she said she had one for $8. I asked to see it and was surprised when not only she took me up three flights of spiraling stairs to see it but also her pretty assistant. Once in the room, it was obvious that my $8 would not only get me a room. It was a nice room so I told her I would take it and they were both perplexed when I said I would be back in an hour with my girlfriend! On my return with Doreen in tow, I was told that the room was now $12. We got a room across the street for aforementioned price.

Unique Qualities: Across the street, we were told they had a room, but it had to be cleaned. We went up to see it anyway and found a “maid” sleeping soundly in our future bed. The owner jarred her from her slumber and told her to move in so many Vietnamese words. She did and we were told the room was ours. Not entirely satisfied with this maid service, we pulled the sheets off the bed and asked for another set. We put them on and still slept in our sleep sacks. Other than that, it was a great room with a very cold air conditioner. The location was great, very close to lots of places to eat and drink. On my scouting expedition, I found the Capital Laundry at 107 Bui Vien that also offered rooms. It was by far the nicest room I saw with a balcony, lots of plants, and was well worth the $10 they were asking. It was full but I would certainly go back there if I was ever in Saigon again.

Address: 63 Bui Vien

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Bui Vien is one of the main streets in Pham Ngu Lao and full of budget places to stay.

Phone: 8378011-0903994320

Price: less than US$20

Theme: Hotel