Bich Duyen Hotel

Chanh, the head staff was most welcoming and helpful. He didn't hesitate to assist even towards the end of the day when he was obviously exhausted from the day's work. Sincere and genuine service by all the staff. Apologetic and seemed all out to please - typical Asian culture? :)

Breakfast is free daily with the simple fare of eggs, bananas, bread, juice and coffee. Amenities are few (no toiletries, no drinking water in room) but had fresh towels daily, free internet though not very stable and cable TV (not that you need them really). Overall all within expectations and value for money. Location is near to city centre and at heart of backpackers' district. A safe place generally. Cabs to the city centre range between USD2-5. To airport is USD6-7.

Recommended for couples, independent travellers and small families.

In terms of value-for-money in the Pham Ngu Lao area (HCMC's answer to Bangkok's Khao San Road, although definitely not as much of a foreigner-dominated enclave), it's tough to imagine that it gets much better than the Bich Duyen Hotel. $12 (approx. 190,000 VND) is apparently the going rate for a standard room with a/c, bathroom & tv, but compared to the other places I checked out, the Bich Duyen is way ahead of the game. Everything is newly renovated, and the staff is young, friendly, and extremely eager to please.

Rooms are spotless, reasonably large, and have A/C, fans, pleasant wood furnishings, satellite tv, small refrigerators, comfy beds, and a decent amount of natural light. In the western-style attached bathrooms, there's steaming hot water (not that you really need it in HCMC, but if you're one of those people who like to crank the AC just to remember what winter feels like, it might complete the experience) in the showers, which come complete with shower doors -- in my experience in vietnam an extreme rarity in 'budget' hotels. Plus, there's free (albeit slow) internet access (one computer only) in the spic-and-span marble and wood lobby/reception area.

Rooms are turned down every day (although this can be a negative if you don't like your stuff being handled -- they neaten *everything* in the room, including anything you may have casually tossed around).

Since it's not in the guidebooks (at least not yet), rooms are comparatively easy to come by if you just turn up.

I struggle to find any downsides, but (and this is definitely nit-picking) you don't get free toiletries in the bathroom, and if you come back later than 10:30 or 11:00 PM, you're going to have to wake the guy sleeping by the door to let you in. If those are the worst things I can say about a place, it's good enough for me.

The email address is bichduyenhotel@yahoo.com.