Ho Chi Minh City

Pham Ngu Lao

The heart of Saigon's backpacker district, Pham Ngu Lao refers to an oblong-shaped area bordered by Pham Ngu Lao to the north and Bui Vien to the south. The namesake street for the entire area is lined with more than 20 mostly flashpacker to midrange hotels. This area gets more than its fair share of traffic noise, yet remains good value and is particularly popular with organised tour groups.

De Tham St is the heart of the Pham Ngu Lao district and is mainly given over to bars, restaurants and travel agents. A few guesthouses and hotels remain, some of which are quite good value. The racket from the street is quieter than either Pham Ngu Lao or Bui Vien and it doesn't get more central than this.

Mini-Hotel Alley runs parallel to De Tham St a block east towards Nguyen Thai Hoc St. More than 30 mini-hotels are dotted along its 100m -- hence the name. A lot less noisy than Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien, this is a good option for those who want creature comforts with a touch of serenity. While prices are comparable place to place, in low season you'll be able to drive rates right down with a bit of bargaining as the glut of rooms creates fierce competition.

Bui Vien St runs parallel to Pham Ngu Lao along the southern end of De Tham and is home to a bunch of budget mini-hotels that have developed into a popular choice for backpackers who can't be bothered walking down to the area around Miss Loi's. Many of these places are tall, with six to seven floors being the norm, but few have an elevator -- if you're off to Nepal next, any place on Bui Vien should provide you with some excellent training.

Lastly, Lung Quynh and Do Quang Dao Sts run parallel to the west of De Tham and, particularly in the case of Do Quang Do St, offer a sleepy alternative to De Tham. The range of guesthouses is more varied, and the traffic noise not too bad at all. Neither of these streets are packed with mini-hotels, and both have a slightly more local feel to them.

Midrange
US$20 to 50
90%
5 votes
 

An An Hotel - Outstanding midrange value
40 Bui Vien St, District 1
T: (08) 837 8087; F: (08) 837 8088
An An Hotel is a step above its surrounding competitors. Of course the price is higher, but so it should be. Located on Bui Vien, where Mini-Hotel Alley empties out, the An An is spitting distance ... An An Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
81%
1 vote
 

Saigon Mini Hotel - A more professional sleep
102/1A Cong Quynh, District 1
T: (08) 836 1008; F: (08) 838 9599
Saigon Mini Hotel is close to the central backpackers area but secluded enough to be away from the noise and disturbances. Marketed as a business hotel, Saigon Mini opened in April 2008 and boasts a ... Saigon Mini Hotel complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
80%
1 vote
 

Hong Hoa Hotel - Clean, with complimentary internet
250 De Tham St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 836 1915; F: (08) 837 9109
The Hong Hoa Hotel faces onto both De Tham and mini-hotel alley and has clean and spacious rooms. The rooms are well-kept, though just the one has an open-air veranda. All have a writing desk and ... Hong Hoa Hotel complete profile

Toprange
US$50 to 100
80%
1 vote
 

Vien Dong Hotel - Reasonable midrange value
275A Pham Ngu Lao St
T: (08) 836 8941; F: (08) 836 8812
The slightly higher prices than nearby competitor the Elios, which opened around the same time, must be due to the Vien Dong's slightly more impressive facilities. The rooms themselves are similar -- ... Vien Dong Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
77%
1 vote
 

Bi Saigon - Splash out on suite
185/26 Pham Ngu Lao St, District 1
T: (08) 8360 678; F: (08) 8367 947
Bi Saigon is an interesting guest house with a popular and comprehensive restaurant on the ground floor. The real attraction here comes in the form of some surprising and almost novelty rooms. For ... Bi Saigon complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
75%
3 votes
 

Phoenix Hotel (HCMC) - Allround good choice
74 Bui Vien St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 837 0538; F: (08) 836 9591
The very good value Phoenix 74 is a stand out in the row of mini-hotels on Bui Vien St, due in no small part to its having an elevator. Rooms are clean and have a few extra sticks of furniture thrown ... Phoenix Hotel (HCMC) complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
75%
16 votes
 

Happy Inn - Happy indeed!
Mini-Hotel Alley, 40/13 Bui Vien St, District 1
T: (08) 836 9048;
Happy Inn has two locations on Bui Vien. This one, on Mini-Hotel Alley, has 10 rooms. The guesthouse lobby actually looks like a real hotel, suggesting you may have successfully avoided a 'backpacker ... Happy Inn complete profile

Toprange
US$50 to 100
75%
3 votes
 

Elios Hotel - Just what Pham Ngu Lao needed
231-235 Pham Ngu Lao St, District One, Saigon
T: (08) 838 5585; F: (08) 838 5583
Opening its doors in 2007, the Elios could well be what the area was screaming for -- midrange options that aren't run down. This is the kind of place found in Nha Trang or Mui Ne, not the backpacker ... Elios Hotel complete profile

Backpacker
Under US$10
70%
1 vote
 

Phi Long - A techie's spot
38 Bui Vien St, District 1
T: (08) 836 4897; F: (08) 920 2343
The rooms at Phi Long are backpacker standard and the hotel itself is in need of a paint job. The bathrooms are just okay, but they do include bathtubs -- one single has a huge corner bath. You pay ... Phi Long complete profile

Toprange
US$50 to 100
70%
1 vote
 

Que Huong-Liberty 4 hotel - Three star quality, inflated rates
265 Pham Ngu Lao St, District 1
T: (08) 836 4556; F: (08) 836 5435
The ever inflated prices of Saigon hotels may lead you to question the value of your room at the Liberty Four, considering some of the excellent mid-range options elsewhere in Saigon, but if you're ... Que Huong-Liberty 4 hotel complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
68%
5 votes
 

Thai Nhi Mini Hotel - Tiny verandas
Mini-hotel alley, 40/4 Bui Vien St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 837 7480;
The walls are hardly scuffed at this smart and clean mini-hotel, which features baby blue and white trim throughout. The Thai Nhi has well-kitted out bathrooms complete with bathtub, but the balcony ... Thai Nhi Mini Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
68%
1 vote
 

Orient Hotel - Popular choice with tour groups
274-276 De Tham St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 920 3993; F: (08) 836 9886
This large hotel, situated at the northern end of De Tham Street, has very Chinese-style furnished rooms with ornate heavy wooden doors and fittings throughout. Very popular with tour groups and ... Orient Hotel complete profile

Backpacker
Under US$10
67%
2 votes
 

Vinh Guest House - Very friendly, basic lodgings
269 De Tham St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 836 8585; F: (08) 836 8787
Vinh Guesthouse is associated with the larger Le Le Hotel on Pham Ngu Lao St. This friendly guesthouse has reasonable value budget rooms for the location, which while not new are clean and well ... Vinh Guest House complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
66%
12 votes
 

Kim Hotel - Friendly and family-run, quite new
Mini-Hotel Alley, 40/18 Bui Vien St, District 1
T: (08) 3836 7495;
Kim Hotel is one of the newest on Mini-Hotel Alley, but that isn't saying much seeing how old some of the others are. It's run by friendly Mrs Kim who is more than happy to help with queries. Small ... Kim Hotel complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
65%
1 vote
 

Quyen Thanh - Something a little different
212 De Tham St, District 1
T: (08) 836 8570; F: (08) 836 9946
Quyen Thanh is housed above a handicrafts souvenir shop run by the hotel owners. All rooms face onto the street and open onto balconies that run around the length of the building -- from where you ... Quyen Thanh complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
65%
1 vote
 

Tram Anh - Wasted verandas
Mini-hotel-alley, 185/24 Pham Ngu Lao St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 837 1004; F: (08) 836 7339
Set towards the northern end of mini-hotel alley, the large verandas at this family-run mini-hotel are unfortunately taken up by two large and clunky air-con units, so don't plan on lounging around ... Tram Anh complete profile

Backpacker
Under US$10
64%
2 votes
 

The Trinh - Excellent value
28/2 Do Quang Dao St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 836 8311;
The Trinh is set about half-way down Do Quang Dao and has immaculate, pastel-coloured rooms with spotless bathrooms, TV and a choice or air-con or fan. The fan rooms are set on the corner of the ... The Trinh complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
63%
3 votes
 

Phan Lan Guesthouse - Popular
70 Bui Vien St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 836 9569; F: (08) 836 9569
As with most of the mini-hotels on Bui Vien, the Phan Lan has reasonable-sized rooms that are clean and well-furnished -- the streetside rooms cop a lot of noise, the back rooms are quieter. The Phan ... Phan Lan Guesthouse complete profile

Backpacker
Under US$10
62%
6 votes
 

Yellow House Hotel - Labyrinth with a youth hostel
31 Bui Vien St, District 1
T: (08) 836 8830; F: (08) 836 8829
Yellow House has an all-round great service for the needy traveller. Based over two locations, this is the Bui Vien building. The lobby contains a foreign exchange desk, a tour/travel desk including ... Yellow House Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
60%
2 votes
 

Giant Dragon Hotel - Badly in need of a refurbishment
173 Pham Ngu Lao St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 836 1935; F: (08) 836 7279
It's difficult to pick the biggest selling point here: the giant plastic red tree in the superior rooms, the plastic hanging gardens in the standards, or perhaps the sprawling chandeliers in both. ... Giant Dragon Hotel complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
53%
2 votes
 

Ngoc Dang Hotel - Excellent streetside terraces
254 De Tham St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 837 1896; F: (08) 836 9419
The real attraction at the Ngoc Dang Hotel is the large garden terrace attached to each of the rooms overlooking De Tham. While the furnishings throughout the hotel are no great shakes, what swings ... Ngoc Dang Hotel complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
50%
1 vote
 

Le Trung Hotel - Long climb to the top
62 Bui Vien St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 836 4852;
The Le Trung hotel thankfully has a winch set-up to lift your bags to the higher floors -- what a crying shame they don't have a similar set-up for the guests, as it is a long climb to the higher ... Le Trung Hotel complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
50%
1 vote
 

Hai Ha Hotel - Good for groups
76-78 Bui Vien St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 836 7256; F: (08) 920 5143
Hai Ha Hotel, like its neighbours, has standard issue, featureless, rooms with Ikea-style furniture that are more than adequate but nothing that will leave you shedding a tear when the time comes to ... Hai Ha Hotel complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
49%
2 votes
 

Hoang Linh Hotel - Long running and popular
256 De Tham St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 836 8372;
Owner Mr Hoang has a seemingly endless supply of glowing recommendation books, and with his collection of 16 spotless rooms, it is easy to see why. The rooms are no-frills, with Ikea-style ... Hoang Linh Hotel complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
48%
2 votes
 

Duna Hotel - Frumpy rooms
167 Pham Ngu Lao St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 837 3699; F: (08) 837 6606
The Duna Hotel has frumpy rooms with fluorescent blankets and aged pine chipboard furniture. The cheapest rooms have mismatched furniture and are quite poor value. The bathrooms throughout are ... Duna Hotel complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
43%
1 vote
 

Huong Mini Hotel - Huge rooms make this a great choice for groups
Mini-hotel alley, 40/19 Bui Vien St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 836 9158;
If you're travelling in a group, the massive streetside rooms at Huong Mini Hotel could swing the deal as the standards easily sleep four, if not eight to a dozen in a squeeze. Spacious verandas ... Huong Mini Hotel complete profile

Central Saigon

The busiest area of District One is also Saigon's luxury hub -- bordered by the Saigon River to the east, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia to the west and Le Duan to the north. Aside from top hotels, there's also a bounty of fine eating, shopping and sightseeing to be had. While the bulk of the accommodation is in the higher price bracket, a few bargains can be had.

Luxury
US$100+
90%
1 vote
 

Park Hyatt Saigon - Quite simply Saigon's best hotel
2 Lam Son Square, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 824 1234; F: (08) 823 7569
Quite simply, the Park Hyatt is Saigon's best hotel. Opened in 2005, the Saigon Park Hyatt was a decade in the making and it was certainly worth the wait. Everything from the wooden plantation ... Park Hyatt Saigon complete profile

Luxury
US$100+
90%
1 vote
 

Hotel Majestic - A great spot -- oozes charm
1 Dong Khoi St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 829 5517; F: (08) 829 5510
Dating back to 1925, the Majestic sits on what was once Rue Catinat (now Dong Khoi St) and Quai de Belgique Street (now Ton Duc Thang St) -- an area both historic and very well suited for ... Hotel Majestic complete profile

Luxury
US$100+
80%
1 vote
 

Sofitel Plaza Saigon - Good choice - excellent staff
17 Le Duan Blvd, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 824 1555; F: (08) 824 1222
The Sofitel Plaza Saigon stands on the lovely tree-lined Le Duan Boulevard. As with the Caravelle and Renaissance, there's little in the way of a nod to colonial charm in this glass and brass ... Sofitel Plaza Saigon complete profile

Luxury
US$100+
80%
1 vote
 

Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers - One of Saigon's top hotels
88 Dong Khoi St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 827 2828; F: (08) 827 2929
Named Best Business Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City 2006 by Business Traveller Magazine, the Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers is one of the most popular hotels among business travellers to Saigon. After ... Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers complete profile

Toprange
US$50 to 100
80%
1 vote
 

Grand Hotel - A colonial classic -- opt for the old wing only!
8 Dong Khoi St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 823 0163; F: (08) 823 5781
The Grand, along with the Continental and the Majestic, is the third of Saigon's classic colonial-style hotels. Originally dating back to 1930, the hotel was extensively renovated in 1995 and while ... Grand Hotel complete profile

Luxury
US$100+
70%
1 vote
 

New World Hotel Saigon - Tour group favourite
76 Le Lai St, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 822 8888; F: (08) 823 0710
A tour group and mid-range business traveller favourite, the New World Hotel's location is convenient for both Saigon's famous Ben Thanh market and the backpacker area around Pham Ngu Lao St -- it's ... New World Hotel Saigon complete profile

Luxury
US$100+
70%
1 vote
 

Caravelle Hotel - One of the top 100 luxury hotels in the world
19 Lam Son Square, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 823 4999; F: (08) 823 4999
Voted one of the top 100 luxury hotels in the world by the Robb Report, the Caravelle Hotel, set on Lam Son Square opposite the Saigon Opera House, is one of the top properties in Saigon. The ... Caravelle Hotel complete profile

Luxury
US$100+
70%
1 vote
 

Rex Hotel - One of Saigon's best known hotels
141 Nguyen Hue Blvd, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 829 2185; F: (08) 829 6536
One of Saigon's best known hotels, the venerable Rex Hotel is a rambling affair bringing together the best and the not-so-best of Vietnamese hospitality and hotel facilities. Many US officers were ... Rex Hotel complete profile

Toprange
US$50 to 100
70%
1 vote
 

Huong Sen Hotel - Popular with groups
66-68-70 Dong Khoi St, District 1
T: (08) 829 1415; F: (08) 829 0916
Well-located on the corner of Dong Khoi and Mac Thi Buoi Sts, the five-floor Huong Sen Hotel has standard three-star rooms with the pick of the bunch being the street side deluxe rooms which while ... Huong Sen Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
70%
1 vote
 

Thien Hoa Hotel - Best minihotel near Ben Thanh market
313 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1
T: (08) 822 5465; F: (08) 822 0415
Thien Hoa is probably one of the best of the slew of mini hotels that scatter the area behind Ben Thanh Market. Situated on the lower end of Ly Ty Trong and surrounded by motorcycle showrooms, a few ... Thien Hoa Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
66%
2 votes
 

Ordinary - Original
25 Dong Du St, District 1
T: (08) 824 8262; F: (08) 823 8436
Ordinary may lay claim to Saigon's first boutique hotel. It has an outstanding location slap bang in Saigon's poshest area, under a minutes walk to Dong Khoi's art galleries and fashion shops. The ... Ordinary complete profile

Luxury
US$100+
60%
1 vote
 

Continental Hotel - Has but a slither of its past charm
132 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, Saigon
T: (08) 829 9252; F: (08) 824 1772
One of Saigon's historic hotels, the 1880-built Continental is probably best-known for its starring role in the Graham Greene classic The Quiet American. The Continental Shelf has long gone and ... Continental Hotel complete profile

Toprange
US$50 to 100
60%
1 vote
 

Saigon Hotel - Old style Saigon
41-47 Dong Du St, District 1
T: (08) 829 9734; F: (08) 829 1466
The ageing Saigon Hotel dates back to 1968 and if you give the friendly receptionist a chance, she'll rattle off the entire convoluted history of the place. Very much an old-style hotel, the Saigon ... Saigon Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
60%
1 vote
 

Chuong Hoang Yen Hotel - Longer-stay choice
8A/6d2 Thai Van Lung St, District 1
T: (08) 823 8764; F: (08) 823 8761
The Chuong Hoang Yen Hotel / Medal Hotel is well-located for many of District One's bars and restaurants and draws a longer-stay, business-orientated crowd -- many of whom are working in Saigon. ... Chuong Hoang Yen Hotel complete profile

Toprange
US$50 to 100
59%
1 vote
 

Bong Sen Hotel - Looks fine but disappoints
117-123 Dong Khoi St, District 1
T: (08) 829 1721; F: (08) 829 8076
The centrally-located Bong Sen looks like a pretty good deal from outside, with a pleasing street front look, but we found the rooms to be just average. The deluxe rooms are set street side, while ... Bong Sen Hotel complete profile

Midrange
US$20 to 50
49%
3 votes
 

Thang Long Hotel - Good value
48 Mac Thi Buoi St, District 1
T: (08) 822 2595; F: (08) 824 5220
The tall and narrow Thang Long Hotel is one of the cheapest options for those wishing to be just a few minutes from the centre of the action, somehow managing to resist the price hikes that have ... Thang Long Hotel complete profile

Co Giang and Co Bac St

This excellent alternative to the Pham Ngu Lao ghetto houses a cluster of guesthouses which appeal to those looking for a more hassle-free environment, or longer term visitors to Saigon. Still within easy reach of the backpacker district, a growing range of guesthouses have sprung up on this small alley running between Co Bac and Co Giang Streets.

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
84%
2 votes
 

Xuan Thu - The family touch
178/17 Co Giang St, District 1
T: (08) 836 9335;
Stepping into Xuan Thu feels like walking into someone's house, and a cosy house at that. A modern kitchen and a pleasant water feature sit on the ground floor and a squeaky clean staircase leads to ... Xuan Thu complete profile

Backpacker
Under US$10
83%
2 votes
 

Miss Loi - Popular choice
178/20 Co Giang Street, District 1
T: (08) 837 9589; F: (08) 836 7973
Miss Loi was the first guesthouse to open in this area many years ago. A sprawling foyer area works well for casual evening meetings, a game of pool, or some essential planning. The 12 air-con rooms ... Miss Loi complete profile

Backpacker
Under US$10
74%
1 vote
 

Ngoc Son - Moving down market
178/32 Co Giang Street, District 1
T: (08) 836 4717;
Ngoc Son is a family-run guesthouse located in a tall narrow building on Co Giang Street. The eight rooms are all equipped with air-con and fan. Rooms are two to a floor, and everything seems to be ... Ngoc Son complete profile

Backpacker
Under US$10
60%
1 vote
 

Kim Kim - A hostel flavour
178/13 Co Giang, District 1
T: (08) 837 4693;
Kim Kim is housed in a large airy building in a sleepy corner of Co Giang Street. It has a youth hostel atmosphere: services available to guests are limited and no breakfast is provided. Rooms are ... Kim Kim complete profile

Backpacker
Under US$10
50%
1 vote
 

Kim Loan - You get what you pay for
171/1 Co Bac, District 1
T: (08) 836 8351; F: (08) 836 8351
The rooms here smell like mothballs, and the foam mattresses make for very soft beds. Rooms are sparsely decorated and quite small although they do have a fridge and cable TV -- a telescope may be ... Kim Loan complete profile

Flashpacker
US$10 to 20
47%
3 votes
 

California Guesthouse - Light and airy
171A Co Bac, District 1
T: (08) 837 8885;
California Guest House is a welcoming place with a light, breezy lobby area to relax and read the morning newspaper or write emails on the internet provided. The whole house is decorated with a ... California Guesthouse complete profile