Hey all!
I just have 10 days to go before leaving snowing Calgary, Canada. Hurray!
From all the posts from you regulars (thanks, by the way!), I think I'm in for a great 3 weeks. I have the tentative itinerary, etc. planned -- On your suggestion, I plan on picking up hostels along the way without pre-booking... However, since I arrive in Ho Chi Minh at 9:30pm, I figure it would be best to pre-book for that night, then make my way from there. I don't mind spending a bit more $ to get a good/quiet place so i can sleep off a bit of the jet lag. I'll probably book online - anyone with suggestions for this kinda place?? It doesn't have to be near the backpacker/hostel district or anything.
Anyone want to relate any great hostels to go to to meet up with fellow solo travelers for afterwards? Anyone want to just say something to get me even more excited for this trip? (that should be easy)
Not a hostel but a hotel, the Indochine is downtown, near the expensive hotels, cathedral, museums markets etc. Staff are friendly and helpful and they offer an airport pickup for not too much more than the regular cabfare (though I can't find anything wrong with the cabs these days). Rooms are clean and comfortable an adequate breakfast is provided and you can book online and pay when you get there (just make sure that they know you'll be arriving late) Rooms go from $20 to $45. Try www.indochinehotel.com
Re: the above. Dont think you'll meet too many solo backpackers there but I think I can guarantee a great night's rest. Suggest that you travel up to the backpacker dist. for travel bookings (it's only 1 or 2 km) and try Kymcafe, Singh or Delta Adventure, all very close together.
I arrived in HCMC pretty much the same time of the day and pre-booked the Novotel. It is relatively close to the airport, has a decent bar / breakfast, nice rooms, massage etc.
I even left my business luggage with the concierge for two wekks while backpacking. Its not really cheap, but its good
I also tried to sleep off my jetlag and was grateful for the 24 hours movie channels at 5 a.m. after some good hours sleep
You are in for a WONDERFUL experience in Vietnam !!!!!!!!!
Happy and Safe travels to you !!!!!!!
ONE LOVE !!
Mike
You will enjoy Vietnam 24/7. The people, the culture, the atmosphere...I miss everything terribly! I did not want to leave....
Enjoy and have fun...
try the Ngoc Thao 241/4 Pham Ngu Lao st phone 08 8370273 e-mail ngocthaohotel@yahoo.com,free breakfast and free internet.Most importantly quiet.Just opened late 06 so everything is new I believe I paid about $10 usd single.Nice family runs the place and the owner even drove me around on his M/c to do some errands at no charge.
I encourage you to follow Froude 1's recommendation. Most of the "name" hotels are either owned by the gov't or someone with connections; and run by a managing partner. Make the connection with Froude 1's referal. I don't know this hotel. but they may even pick you up at the airport if you "schmooze" them. A taxi will cost about $5 to that area from the airport. There shouldn't be a problem if they know you're coming. Don't pursue the hostel route unless paying US$8-10 for a family run tourist hotel is too much. Just look at the room before you commit. Another recommendation: Look for Capt. Dan's Tour Boat on the river front in Hoian. Tell him "Chao" for me. Search "Capt Dan's Tour Boat Hoian". Hoian is great. My 6th trip to Vietnam in 6 years is coming up in Oct. There's always something new. Good Luck! dwight z.
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