Vietnam forum

The key to properties in the Old Quarter / 36 Streets is the word OLD. There are few new properties and all are out of your price range.

Be EXTREMELY suspicious of hotel reservation sites as the owners frequently bump their ratings by posting false positive impressions.

ALSO be aware of some hotels that have multiple names - because their reputations are so bad - which include the Ha Noi Riverside/New Stars/Ha Noi Lotus.

There is the Lucky Eden/Budget Ha Noi/Funky Monkey/Love Planet 1/Love Planet 2/Sinh Cafe Hotel - all the same building at 35 Quan Thanh (also claims 35A an 37). This is a true dump and should be avoided at all costs.

Another bad one is the Ha Noi Blue Sky Hotel which is overpriced at USD$18 and is filthy. A hotel checker acquaintance of mine stayed there and noted that the bathroom was, essentially, uncleaned, one bed sheet chemically tested as previously used and an instant coffee packet was left behind the door from previous occupants. This hotel does NOT like hotels as it depends so much on income from tours, etc.

Another to avoid is the dirty, cavernous Fortuan Hotel whose star rating is under review. Its advertising does not match its physical description.

A half-decent hotel is the Tam Luy (spelling) at 17 HANG GA STREET (correct!) where doubles, with breakfast, go for around USD$15 / night and is family owned (living in the hotel).

Remember that land prices on the NORTH side of the Red River are USD$17,000 per SQUARE YARD - so how much do you expect to pay in DOWNTOWN HA NOI?