Vietnam forum

For that price I don't think you can beat the Bich Duyen Hotel in the Pham Ngu Lao backpacker area. For about $18. you get a windowless room w/breakfast and for a few dollars more the room w/window and breakfast. The place is super clean and micro-managed by the wonderful Chanh (a legend in his own time if ever there was a hotel manager!)

A very special place that you will hate to leave!

Sorry Rebecca

Travelfish also addresses Saigon:

http://www.reservations.bookhostels.com/travelfish.org/findabed.php?OrderBy=property_type,%20hostelname&PropType=

But, the comments I said about Hanoi also apply to Saigon. Pre-booking means paying top dollar.

Sometimes, I pre-book one night (to ensure a bed) and then go look for the days I'm there - after booking in. That way, I'm assured of a bed, and can choose what I want after that.

Again, apologies, cheers

Posted from within Vietnam.

Thanks. I don't think it's a good idea to book online. However, frankly I'm not very good at bargaining, either. Moon's suggestions may help.

The Hotel Cathay is a local class 3-star hotel in District 3 just a block or so away from District 1. I have stayed there twice, with my children on both occasions, so it is safe and clean. The set breakfast menu is alright, but you will probably want to go elsewhere if you want really good food.

Most of the points of interest are a close taxi ride away and it was easy for all of the taxi drivers to get us back home. I'm not much of a walker, but I would think that many points are within a reasonable walk. I recall us not paying more than $25 a night - but I think it was closer to $22, and what was nice was for a smaller hotel, the still accepted my credit card. I like playing and then paying.

stanang

I'll repeat the above for you...


Travelfish has a list of accommodation in Saigon:

http://www.travelfish.org/accommodation/vietnam/saigon_and_surrounds/ho_chi_minh_city/ho_chi_minh_city/all


If you go there, you'll see a tag 'Update search', click that and enter your dates.

If you also select by 'type' rather than price, you may find that better.

But, please don't expect the prices listed to represent what the hotel / GH actually wants.

Currently, if you book online, you'll pay top dollar. If you walk up and negotiate, if the hotel is on that day empty, they'll do a deal to get your bum on their bed. So, unless you arrive at 8pm and are really tired, you often have to do some walking around to get a good rate.

cheers

Posted from within Vietnam.

Good idea, Moon.

Posted from within Vietnam.

I stayed at the Thang LOng Hotel in dist 1 , it was on Mac Thu Muoi street , just around the corner from Sheraton Hotel , they have a elevator and breakfast incl in the price , the rack room rates posted in the lobby were 24.00 , and well i booked online thru hotels-in-vietnam.com and paid about 25.00 with tax and credit card fee . They also have a sister hotel across the street , and are actually just 2 blocks from the River . You can stay there and visit all the nice food places that are a few mins walk away . Allot of Australians stay there and even found a couple that decided to stay there for a year , i was only there for 3 nights and got a small room with fan/ a/c and mini bar , with a european bathroom for what i paid . I will stay there again before i leave.