Vietnam forum

Posted from within Vietnam.

You are staying at a good hotel, say $45 / night. Your helpful host offers to book a similar hotel for you at the next destination - you pay a 'deposit', usually $10 / night. The next hotel is not quite so good - still OK though. YOu want to avoid hassles at the next place so again you ask the hotel to book ahead - $10 deposit and away you go. The next hotel is basically a rat hole but you are committed and get out ASAP the next day. It's like a chain letter - you donate $10 to hotel keepers and rachet one rung down the accommodation ladder each time. Better to use the legs and find your own hotel.