Job Discussion Forums

[Coats2Coast]

Hello all,

I am Canadian, and looking for a place to rent when I arrive in HCMC on Dec.2-3. Does anyone have a place for rent or know someone who does?
Please notify me, ASAP.

Thanks in advance,

Colin

[countdown]

Most people start out in the Pham Ngu Lao area in a guest house.I can safely recommend Madame Cucs at 64 Bui Vien St in District 1 - there are loads of low cost places in that area from $7-15 a night.

[Coats2Coast]

Sweet,

Thanks for the recommendation, I would welcome anymore helpful hints.

[Mdbruin]

As a visitor (tourist) it is not likely you would be able to actually rent an apartment or home or even a room in someone's home because of bureaucratic red tape. Ditto what countdown said - take a taxi to the Pham Ngu lao area (like the corner of De Tham and Pham Ngu Lao) for 5-7 USD and find yourself an inexpensive guest house or mini hotel (7-20/Nite USD). Actually, you might want to just tell the taxi driver to take you to your hotel, which in this case tell him the Liberty 3 which will save you the possible trouble of dealing with a taxi driver who wants to take you to his favourite hotel for a commission paid by the hotel. Just tell the driver this is where you are staying. It is on Pham Ngu Lao Street right near the corner of De Tham and Pham Ngu Lao streets. Madame C's is fine. I can certainly recommend the Hanh Chuong Hotel at 175/21 Pham Ngu Lao Street in HCMC (it is actually in an alley/small street off of Pham Ngu Lao that also has some great cafes/restaurants). Very clean rooms w/ hot water shower, a/c and cable tv run between 12-18 USD/Nite. I stayed there in Jan. 2005. You can even reserve a room online with this hotel at www.vngold.com/hcm/hanhchuong or call them (Reception desk people there can speak fairly good English) at 84-8-837-6516 - be sure to dial the international code before this number. You will get a better price if you call the hotel directly. I have also stayed at the Liberty Hotels (they have several in HCMC) but they are overpriced at 29+ per nite as is the Continental in the Dong Khoi area. This area (pham ngu lao) has hundreds of places to stay at very low prices and you are likely to find people hanging around the local travel agencies/cafes (Kim Cafe, etc.) who can point you in the right direction. The street named De Tham has several places like this as does Pham Ngu Lao. Another good start would be to look at a current (7th or 8th Edition) Lonely Planet Vietnam guide book for budget accomodations in HCMC and you will find the names and addresses for at least several good options at budget prices as noted above. Good luck and be sure to post back what you find and how it worked out.

Cheers!

Mdbruin
[/quote]