Ho Chi Minh City Hotel

Just go to Bui Vien street in the Pham Ngu Lao area, that's where all the other backpackers are living, drinking, eating, internet surfing, shopping, tour booking, socialising and doing their laundry.

Plenty of single rooms available in all the guesthouses around there.

Head on down to the Pham Ngu Lao and the choices are many, but I like these:

Blue River Hotel (blueriver1126@yahoo.com)
Hong Han Hotel (Honghan_guesthouse@yahoo.com)
Bich Duyen Hotel (bichduyenhotel@yahoo.com)

I've been to the Bich twice and the manager is nothing less than incredible - super service, friendly
the Hong Han is the sister hotel of the Bich, and the Blue River is located next door to the Bich

see http://www.blueriverhotel.com/ for a map of the area

beware of cheap rooms with no window - always inspect before you hand over the passport.

Budget?

District 1 is the epicenter of all things fun and easy.

I'm flying into Ho Chi Minh July 4 & will be there for about five days before heading to Thailand. Traveling alone, never been before, also plan to head somewhere to meet fellow travelers. What country are you coming from & when do you arrive?

I'm coming from England, but won't be arriving until the 22nd July. I can wait :)

safe travels to you. if i get a chance, i'll post some info here for you after i head through ho chi minh.