Job Discussion Forums

[lyonnaisdecoeur]

Hi all,

I'm going to be coming to HCMC in about 2 weeks for the CELTA at ILA. I've done some research online trying to find a place to stay, and everyone basically says that you need to walk around and bargain with the guesthouses in person. That being said, does anyone have any recommendations? All I need is something central, clean and quiet

[Mattingly]

[hot_rock]

No room in Saigon is as quiet as, say, a room in the countryside overlooking a peaceful lake...but to be honest, I've stayed in some cheap places and once your inside noise isn't really a problem. Thankfully the car/bike horns die down at night and though there are many drunken backpackers around they don't seem to go in for the lary singing and shouting you might get back home! Don't pay over the odds becasue you're worried about noise, basically.

Go to Mui Bien, the street which has the big buffalo sign at the end (do NOT drink in the bar but do use it as a landmark!!). There are alleyways leading off Mui Bien with lots of guesthouses. For a single FAN room, you will be able to negotiate $8/9 a night if you're staying a month, definately. DO NOT BELIEVE PEOPLE WHO SAY YOU NEED TO PAY $20 A NIGHT FOR ANYTHING DECENT, THEY ARE CLUELESS. I know someone who paid $30 a night whilst doing his CELTA; this is a huge waste of money. It may be a long time before you get paid so save, save, save.

I actually negotiated $7 a night in one of these gueshouses a month ago, and the room had two fans, a double bed, ensuite bathroom, window (not a given!) and cable TV.

You may well be approached by guesthouse staff as soon as you get off yuor bus; in this situation you have the upper hand so haggle hard.

[shanewarne]

Co bac is a good street for guest houses. There you can get deals where you pay $200 per month which includes electricity, wi fi, water. They usually come fully furnished with a tv, air conditioner and a fridge.

[Kawika]

Many people stay at Ms Loi's Guest House. There are different types of rooms at different prices, but very reasonable and comfortable with a rooftop deck to relax.