Accommodation in Vietnam
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Vietnam has something for everyone - from the fleapit to the five star - and we cover them all. Most hotels in Vietnam quote prices in a mix of Vietnamese dong and US dollars. In the provinces the lower dong price is usually reserved for locals, while foreigners pay the higher dollar price. Prices are quoted in dong or dollars throughout this book based on the preferred currency.
Talking about budget, we mean guest-houses or hotels where the majority of rooms cost less than US$15. These are usually family-run guesthouses, mini-hotels or, traditionally the least-appealing choice, government-run guesthouses that time forgot. Budget rooms generally come well equipped for the money, so don’t be surprised to find air-con, hot water and a TV for less than 30 bucks.
Moving on to mid-range, you’re looking at the US$15 to US$50 range, which buys some pretty tasty extras in Vietnam. At the lower end of this bracket, many of the hotels are similar to budget hotels but with bigger rooms or balconies. Flash a bit more cash and three-star touches are available, like access to a swimming pool and a hairdryer hidden away somewhere.
At the top end are a host of international-standard hotels and resorts that charge from US$50 a room to US$500 a suite. Some of these are fairly faceless business hotels, while others ooze opulence or resonate with history. There are some real bargains when compared with the Hong Kongs and Singa-pores of this world, so if you fancy indulging yourself, Vietnam is a good place to do it. Most hotels at the top end levy a tax of 10% and a service charge of 5%, displayed as ++ (“plus plus”) on the bill.
Peak tourist demand for hotel rooms comes at Christmas and New Year, when prices may rise by as much as 25%. There is also a surge in many cities during Tet, when half of Vietnam is on the move. Try and make a reservation at these times so as not to gel caught out. During quiet periods it is often possible to negotiate a discount, whether by email in advance or over the counter on arrival, as there is now a surplus of hotel beds in many destinations.
Passports are almost always requested on arrival at a hotel. It is not absolutely essential to hand over your actual passport, but at the very least you need to hand over a photocopy of the passport details, visa and departure card. Most people end up handing over their passports, but make sure il comes back with the yellow departure card.
Accommodation prices listed are high-season prices for rooms with attached bathroom, unless stated otherwise. An icon is included if air-con is available, otherwise, assume that a fan will be provided.
Camping
Perhaps becaso many Vietnamese spent much of the war years living in tents, as either soldiers or refugees, camping is not the popular pastime it is in the West.
Some innovative private travel agencies in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Hanoi offer organised camping trips to national parks, plus camping out in beauty spots like Halong Bay. See under Travel Agencies in Hanoi and HCMC.
Guesthouses & Hotels
Many of the large hotels (khach san) and guesthouses (nha khach or nha nghi) are government-owned or joint ventures. There has also been a mushrooming of mini-hotels -small, smart private hotels that represent good value for money. The international hotel chains are now well represented in Hanoi and HCMC.
There is considerable confusion over the terms “singles”, “doubles”, “double occupancy” and “twins”, so let’s the record straight here. A single contains one bed, even if two people sleep in it. If there are two beds in the room, that is a twin, even if only one person occupies it. If two people stay in the same room, that is double occupancy. In some hotels “doubles” means twin beds, while in others it means double occupancy.
While many of the newer hotels have lifts, older hotels often don’t and the cheapest rooms are at the end of several flights of stairs. It’s a win-win situation: cheaper rooms, a bit of exercise and better views!
Many hotels post a small sign warning guests not to leave cameras, passports and other valuables in the room. Most places have a safety deposit system of some kind, but if leaving cash (not recommended) or travellers cheques, be sure to seal the loot in an envelope and have it counter-signed by staff.
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PRACTICALITIES Electricity: The usual voltage is 220V, 50 cycles, but sometimes you encounter 110V, also at 50 cycles, just to confthings. Electrical sockets are usually two-prong. Laundry: Most guesthouses and hotels have cheap laundry services’, but check they have a dryer if the weather is bad. There are dry-cleaning outlets in every town. Newspapers & Magazines: Vietnam News and the Saigon Times are popular English-language dailies. Good magazines include the Vietnam Economic Times, plus its listings mag, the Guide, and the Vietnam investment Review. Radio & TV: Voice or Vietnam hogs the airwaves all day and is pumped through loudspeakers in many smaller towns. There are seven TV channels and a steady diet of satellite stuff. Weights & Measures: The Vietnamese the metric system for everything except precious metals and gems, where they the Chinese system. |
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