Rough Guide to Vietnam - Jan Dodd [24]
Finally, prostitution is rife in Vietnam, and in less reputable hotels it’s not unknown for Western men to be called upon, or even phoned from other rooms, during the night.
Accommodation |
Types of accommodation
Grading accommodation isn’t a simple matter in Vietnam. The names used (guesthouse, mini-hotel, hotel and so on) can rarely be relied upon to indicate what’s on offer, and there are broad overlaps in standards. Vietnam’s older hotels tend to be austere, state-owned edifices styled upon unlovely Eastern European models, while many private mini-hotels make a real effort. Some hotels cover all bases by having a range of rooms, from simple fan-cooled rooms with cold water, right up to cheerful air-conditioned accommodation with satellite TV, fridge and mini-bar. As a rule of thumb, the newer a place is, the better value it’s likely to represent in terms of comfort, hygiene and all-round appeal.
Accommodation | Types of accommodation |
Budget accommodation
The very cheapest form of accommodation in Vietnam is a bed in a dormitory. Dormitories are not a new concept in Vietnam: many bus and train stations have on-site dorms known as nha tro, but these practically never take foreigners – which is no loss, since they generally have appalling standards of cleanliness and little security.
However, there are a few “backpacker” dorms in Ho Chi Minh City and, to a lesser extent, Hanoi, where you can expect to pay US$3–8 for a bed or a mattress on the floor, sharing common facilities. You’ll generally find these dorms in the budget guesthouses (nha khach) that proliferate around Ho Chi Minh City’s De Tham enclave. In Hanoi, a couple of places in the Old Quarter offer dormitory accommodation. Details are given in the Guide.
Good news for single travellers is the recently established network of youth hostels fully accredited by Hostelling International (www.hihostels.com). You’ll need a current Youth Hostel card, which is generally easiest and cheapest to obtain at home through your national youth hostel association; make sure it’s a full member of Hostelling International. Alternatively, you can join Vietnam Hostelling International (VHI) at any of the hostels.
If you prefer your own privacy, you’ll find simple fan rooms in either a guesthouse or hotel (khach san) costing anywhere between US$5 and $10 (US$10 and under); these are likely to be ensuite, although you might not get hot water at this price level in the warmer south. Add air-conditioning, satellite TV and slightly better furnishings, maybe even a window, and you’ll be paying between $10 and $20 (US$11–20). Upgrading to $20–30 (US$21–30) will get you a larger room with better-standard fittings, usually including a fridge and bathtub, and possibly a balcony. Note that while many hotels advertise satellite TV, which channels you actually get varies wildly, let alone the quality of reception, so check first if it matters to you.
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Accommodation | Types of accommodation | Budget accommodation |
Accommodation price codes
All accommodation listed in this guide has been categorized according to the following scale:
Rates are for the cheapest available double or twin room. During holiday periods, rates are liable to rise, and proprietors may be less amenable to bargaining. Although the law requires prices to be quoted in dong, most hotels give their rates in US$; payment can be made in either currency.
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Accommodation | Types of accommodation |
Mid- and upper-range accommodation
For upwards of US$30 per room per night, accommodation can begin to get quite rosy. Rooms at this level will be comfortable, reasonably spacious and well appointed with decent furniture, air-conditioning, hot water, fridge, phone and satellite TV in all but the most remote areas.
Paying US$30–75 (US$31–75) will