Job Discussion Forums

alc · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 55

I'm taking the CELTA course at ILA in District 1 starting May 18. I don't arrive in Saigon until May 12 which gives me about 5 days to find a suitable place to stay during the course. The housing information provided by ILA is not really that helpful since it focuses more on people who are planning on living in Vietnam. Can anyone suggest a good guesthouse, hotel, housing agent, etc. in District 1? I'll be staying in Saigon for about 5 or 6 weeks and was hoping to spend around the equivalent of USD $15 per night (private bathroom, AC, desk/chair). Would I be better off just looking for a guesthouse or hotel that offers a discount for long-term guests? I don't really have the time to deal with shady landlords since I need to focus my energy on studying. Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks!

mach114 · Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Posts: 56

You have the right idea. I say look for a guesthouse. It will be much easier and probably would not require a deposit. If you decide you are interested in staying for a longer period of time then you might want to rent a house or apartment somewhere. Try to get near the the center where you plan to do the CELTA, since you'll want to avoid traffic as much as possible. If ILA is doing the CELTA at their main branch on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, then you are not to far from Cong Quynh and PNL area where plenty of guest houses can be found for less than $15 a day with all of the amenities you want. You shouldn't have any trouble with that kind of budget. Shoot for the PASS A on that CELTA.

saigon cowboy · Joined: 24 Apr 2009 Posts: 84

Go to Bui Vien Street District 1. It's walking distance to ILA. You can find plenty of rooms in your stated price range....maybe cheaper.

Bui Vien has restaurants , bars, and many people speak english

Slippy · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 10

Hello all,

I �m also heading to Vietnam to attend the CELTA course at ILA in Saigon, but I won�t get there until October. Alc, I have a favour to ask! Would you let me know how you get on with accommodation, where you eventually decided to stay and how much you had to pay? I don�t think you can PM me because I haven�t posted enough yet, so you�ll have to reply in the open forum

Good luck with the course!

alc · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 55

Thanks for all the info. I can't pm yet either since I haven't made enough posts. I'll be sure to post info. here after I finish the course to let people know where I stayed, cost, etc.

Slippy · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 10

thomas123 · Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 26

I highly recommend Madame Cuc's hotels (guesthouses). www.madamecuchotels.com Rooms start at $15 per night, but you can negotiate a lower price since you staying for a long period of time. Breakfast and coffee is free every day. I stayed for 3 weeks and they did my laundry for free.

Madame Cuc has 3 guesthouses, one is on Bui Vien street and the other 2 are on Cong Quynh, all 3 are in the Pham Ngu Lao area and are within easy walking distance to ILA's disrict 1 and district 3 locations.

Of the 3 guesthouses, request MC 184, its on a very narrow alley off of Cong Quynh, very quiet location. Email them ahead of time, tell them what you are looking for, ask about a reduced price for a long stay. They will pick you up at the airport for about the same price as a taxi, but without the annoyance of taxis.

Check out thier website.

BootOfTheBeast · Joined: 13 May 2009 Posts: 45 Location: SE Asia

What ho,

Thought I'd chip in to mention the ILA CELTA is run from their school in District 3 on Nquyen Thi Minh Khai, not from the District 1 branch near Bui Vien. The addresses mentioned by Thomas are indeed quite convenient for either centre, but I wouldn't recommend walking... a very sweaty start to the day and often you will be teaching at 9am. Get a Xe Om for 10,000VND instead.

Good luck to all future CELTA victims with your forthcoming ordeal Smile

Boot