Ho Chi Minh City's BEST River View 1-Bedroom Apartment! You WON'T Believe This!
Ho Chi Minh City's BEST River View 1-Bedroom Apartment! You WON'T Believe This!
Okay, buckle up, because we're diving headfirst into a review of Ho Chi Minh City's BEST River View 1-Bedroom Apartment! You WON'T Believe This! And honestly? They're not wrong… mostly. Prepare for a whirlwind of opinions, scattered thoughts, and, hopefully, some genuinely helpful information. This is gonna be messy, but real.
First Impressions & Immediate Reactions: The Hype is… Mostly Real?
Alright, so I saw the ad, right? "BEST River View!" Okay, okay, I'm cynical. Hotels always exaggerate. But the photos? WOW. Seriously, wow. The website promised a tranquil oasis, a sleek urban retreat, and well, let's just say my inner travel snob was cautiously intrigued.
First, the accessibility – a HUGE win right off the bat. The website mentioned facilities for disabled guests and an elevator, which is always a massive green flag. This is vital for anyone with mobility issues. And, bonus points – everything I saw seemed designed with ease of movement in mind.
Accessibility: 10/10 (Important!)
- (Wheelchair accessible): The website does mention some form of accessibility features so I'll assume a yes.
- (Elevator): Absolutely, and it was smooth and quick! Getting Around (Very Important in HCMC!)
- (Airport transfer): Yes! I used it, and it was prompt, comfortable, and, dare I say, stress-free. A lifesaver after a long flight.
- (Car park [free of charge] / [on-site]): Not sure about the charge, but there was definitely parking! And while traffic is bonkers in HCMC, having somewhere to park, even if you're not driving, is a win.
- (Taxi service): Abundant. They’re everywhere.
- (Car power charging station): didn't see it, but wasn't looking, so no harm no foul.
The Check-In Chaos (and a Saving Grace!)
The check-in… okay, let's be honest, it wasn't the seamless, James Bond experience I'd hoped for. (Maybe that's just me with the Bond fantasy). A tiny delay (hey, they were clearly busy), and then… BOOM I was in. However, it was fast and easy and it was easy going as I just needed to provide a number. The staff (especially the one at the desk who clearly loved their job) went above and beyond. So, while the opening act was a little clumsy, the rest was pretty faultless. Contactless check-in/out is a bonus, even though with a little bit of a personal touch is the superior option.
Cleanliness and Safety – The Modern Traveler's Mantra
This is HUGE for post-pandemic travel. So…
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Checkity-check.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: I'm assuming! Everything smelled clean, which is a good sign.
And they had hand sanitizer everywhere. Seriously, it's like they were trying to beat the world record for hand sanitizer stations. I'm not complaining, I was happy to see it (even if I'm trying to wein myself off of it just a little bit). The staff trained in safety protocol, it definitely gave me peace of mind.
Cleanliness and safety: 9/10 (Can always be better!)
The Apartment Itself – The "River View"… Is it REALLY a River View?!
Okay, this is where it gets good. Walking into that apartment was like… whoa. The photos DID NOT lie. The "river view" was, in fact, SPECTACULAR. You could easily lose hours just staring at the river, watching the boats glide by, and soaking in the city’s energy.
Available in all rooms:
- (Air conditioning): Crucial in the HCMC heat and humidity!
- (Alarm clock): Thankfully digital, which isn't always a given, and there was a good quality radio!
- (Bathrobes): Yep. Plush ones. Don't mind if I do!
- (Bathroom phone): Who actually uses these anymore? But, yes, it was there.
- (Blackout curtains): Absolutely necessary for catching up on sleep.
- (Closet): Plenty of space to hide my "I packed too many clothes" embarrassment.
- (Coffee/tea maker) / (Complimentary tea): Essential. The Nespresso machine was a nice touch.
- (Daily housekeeping): Spotless. Truly.
- (Desk) / (Laptop workspace): Perfect for, you know, pretending to work while actually, you know, watching the river.
- (Extra long bed): YES! I'm tall, and hotels often forget about us giants.
- (Hair dryer): Functional, but not the best. Bring your own if you're picky.
- (High floor): The views, baby!
- (In-room safe box): Always a plus.
- (Internet access wireless / Internet access – LAN): Fast and reliable.
- (Ironing facilities): Iron and ironing board!
- (Linens): High quality.
- (Mini bar): Well-stocked, but pricey.
- (Mirror): Big ones, everywhere. Good for selfies, y'know.
- (Non-smoking): Praise be.
- (On-demand movies): Eh, I never use 'em.
- (Private bathroom): Of course.
- (Reading light): Excellent for late-night bookworms.
- (Refrigerator): Useful.
- (Satellite/cable channels): Good TV package
- (Seating area): Comfy sofa.
- (Separate shower/bathtub): Luxury.
- (Shower): Powerful water pressure.
- (Slippers): Nice touch.
- (Smoke detector) / (Fire extinguisher): Safety first!
- (Socket near the bed): Crucial for charging phones.
- (Sofa): Cozy.
- (Soundproofing): Pretty good. I didn't hear much noise.
- (Telephone): Meh.
- (Toiletries): Decent quality.
- (Towels): Fluffy.
- (Umbrella): Handy.
- (Visual alarm): The website mentions it but not sure if there was one.
- (Wake-up service): Used it, worked perfectly.
- (Wi-Fi [free]): A massive win, and it was fast.
- (Window that opens): This is a big deal for me! I like fresh air.
The River View - 10/10 (Seriously. Stunning.)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Food, Glorious Food!
Okay, here's where things got really interesting (and delicious). The restaurant situation was extensive. I could write a whole separate essay on the food alone.
- (A la carte in restaurant): Yes!
- (Asian breakfast): Yep, and fantastic. The pho was incredible.
- (Asian cuisine in restaurant): Abundance.
- (Bar): Great cocktails, although can get pricey.
- (Bottle of water): Provided.
- (Breakfast [buffet]): Huge selection.
- (Breakfast service) / (Breakfast in room): Both available.
- (Buffet in restaurant): The breakfast buffet was a major highlight, though I've been to a few places, including, ahem, the hotel next door: the breakfast spread here was far better
- (Happy hour): Yes!
- (International cuisine in restaurant): Plenty of options.
- (Poolside bar): Lovely.
- (Restaurants): A few to choose from.
- (Room service [24-hour]): Crucial after a long day of exploring!
- (Salad in restaurant) / (Soup in restaurant): Plenty of healthy options (if you're into that sort of thing).
- (Snack bar): Nice, but overpriced.
- (Vegetarian restaurant): At least some vegetarian-friendly options.
- (Western breakfast) / (Western cuisine in restaurant): Available.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: 8/10 (Room for improvement on some of the price points, but the quality was top-notch.)
Things to Do, Ways to Relax – Did I Spa or Just Sleep?
This is where, for me, things went slightly wonky. The advertising promised a full spa experience. And yeah… they had a spa.
- (Body scrub) / (Body wrap) / (Massage) / (Spa): All there. But.
- (Fitness center) / (Gym/fitness): Did not use, but looked swanky.
- **(Pool with view) / (Swimming pool
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into a week of utter, glorious, Saigon chaos. My HQ? A 1-bedroom apartment with a "stunning river view" in, you guessed it, Ho Chi Minh City. Let's see how well this plan actually pans out… because, honestly, I have a feeling it's going to be a glorious, messy, hilarious journey.
Pre-Trip Ramblings (because I can't help myself)
The Obsessive Packing: I swear, I packed like I was going to colonize a new planet. Sunscreen? Check. Bug spray? Double check. A travel journal I'll probably barely touch because I'm too busy living? Triple check. And don't even get me started on the "emergency snacks" (mostly chocolate) I’m convinced are essential for surviving any foreign country.
Pre-Trip Anxieties: My biggest fear: getting "lost in translation" in the most embarrassing way possible. Picture me, accidentally ordering a whole live chicken instead of a simple pho. Or worse, accidentally offending someone with a clumsy phrase. Hopefully, the phrasebook download was worth the cost.
Day 1: Arrival - The City Swallows You Whole
Morning (6:00 AM): Ugh. Jet lag. My internal clock is screaming, "STAY IN BED!", but the sun is already blazing. Officially, I should be at the airport. But first, a brief period of chaos because I oversleep.
Morning (9:00 AM): Touchdown Tan Son Nhat International Airport. The humidity hits you like a wet blanket. Immediately I love Ho Chi Minh, the heat is a challenge, but I'm here for it. The taxi ride to the apartment is a sensory overload. Motorbikes whizzing by inches from the car, vendors hawking everything imaginable, buildings crammed together like Tetris pieces. My initial reaction? A mix of exhilaration and pure, unadulterated terror.
Afternoon (12:00 PM): Unpack – or, attempt to unpack – in the apartment. "Stunning river view," they said. It is stunning. And thankfully, the air conditioning works. Immediately I need a coffee, and food.
Afternoon (2:00 PM): The pho hunt. This is crucial. Research suggests Banh Mi Huynh Hoa because of its iconic and tasty reputation. My attempt? Get utterly lost in a labyrinthine alleyway, accidentally buy a weird pink tropical fruit from a lady who barely speaks English, and eventually find the pho place after a solid hour of wandering. Was it worth it? Absolutely. The broth was a perfect symphony of flavor. The only drawback? My inability to use chopsticks gracefully. I’m pretty sure I splashed broth all over myself.
Evening (7:00 PM): Wander through the Ben Thanh Market. The sheer volume of stuff is overwhelming. I'm immediately targeted by vendors, but their persistence starts to frustrate me. My first foray into haggling is a complete disaster. I end up paying WAY too much for a knock-off "Saigon" t-shirt. Lesson learned: breathe, smile, and walk away.
Evening (9:00 PM): Rooftop bar. Saigon by night is breathtaking. The city lights, the river shimmering below, and a surprisingly strong cocktail. Feeling pretty good… until I realize I left my phone charging back at the apartment. Face palm.
Day 2: History, Coffee, and a Near-Miss with a Scooter
Morning (8:00 AM): Finally, the apartment's coffee machine is put to work! Refueled by the delicious aroma of Vietnamese coffee, I decide to go explore District 1.
Morning (10:00 AM): War Remnants Museum. Heavy stuff. The exhibits are incredibly powerful and moving. I'm utterly humbled by the resilience of the Vietnamese people. Definitely need a palate cleanser after this.
Lunch (12:00 PM): A proper banh mi feast. This time, I know what I'm doing (kinda). Still managed to get a bit of the filling on my face but I won't let that stop me from really enjoying it.
Afternoon (2:00 PM): Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. Tourist trap status? Maybe. But the architecture is beautiful, even if the crowds are dense.
Afternoon (4:00 PM): Coffee shop crawl. Vietnam and coffee are inseparable, just like I am and my phone. Tried a ca phe sua da (iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk) at a local cafe. Heavenly. Then, a strong Vietnamese black coffee at another spot. Almost vibrating with caffeine now!
Evening (6:00 PM): Near-disaster. Crossing the street. It seems simple, but it's a high-stakes sport in Saigon. I’m about to be run over by a scooter. Panicked, I freeze. Fortunately, the driver swerves at the last second. My heart rate still hasn't settled down. Remind myself that I am not, in fact, invincible and to look both ways AND anticipate the way, every time.
Evening (8:00 PM): Dinner: I want to try Vietnamese hotpot. The experience is a communal affair, shared between friends. I end up at a restaurant that also seems to attract many tourists and can't help but be a little disappointed. However, the broth is delicious. Still, note to self: next time try a local's recommendation.
Day 3: Into the Mekong Delta - A Detour, A River Adventure, and Sticky Rice Woes
Morning (7:00 AM): Early start! Off to the Mekong Delta for a day trip. The tour guide seems friendly enough, but I have a feeling this is going to be a slightly cheesy experience.
Morning (9:00 AM): First stop: a coconut candy factory. It's adorable, but feels a bit staged. Sampled the coconut candy. Sticky, sweet, and surprisingly addictive. I buy a bag, but then a woman offers me a bite from her own bag, and I feel like she is judging me.
Morning (11:00 AM): River cruise. The scenery is genuinely stunning. The air is thick with the scent of fruit and the calls of birds. For a moment, I forget about the staged-ness and simply absorb the beauty.
Lunch (1:00 PM): Lunch on an island. The food is plentiful, but a bit bland (except for the fried elephant ear fish, which is surprisingly delicious). I also find a lady selling sticky rice. I buy one, and after struggling to take a bite, I am immediately embarrassed because there's a mountain of it left.
Afternoon (3:00 PM): Back on the boat, heading back to the city. The journey back is filled with drowsiness and the constant reminder of the city's noises and smells. I swear, I start to feel like I'm developing an allergy to the city.
Evening (6:00 PM): Back in Saigon, exhausted.
Evening (8:00 PM): Ordered street food in the neighborhood, eating it as I watch the city bustle.
Day 4: The Artistic Scene (and a Lost Wallet)
Morning (9:00 AM): Wander through the art scene. The art is a mix of traditional and contemporary, and the energy is electric. I feel inspired, and actually consider buying a painting… until I see the price tag.
Morning (11:00 AM): A museum visit. I end up getting lost in the exhibits.
Lunch (1:00 PM): A small restaurant in the neighborhood. I don't know what I ordered.
Afternoon (3:00 PM): Oh dear. I realize I've lost my wallet. Panic stations. I retrace my steps, ask around, and my blood pressure is going through the roof. I am absolutely certain I will never see it again.
Afternoon (4:00 PM): Surprisingly, someone finds it! A local shopkeeper. My faith in humanity is restored, slightly. I buy them a gift as a thank you.
Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner at a local restaurant. I'm too paranoid to pay much attention to the food.
Evening (9:00 PM): Reflect on the day. The near-disaster adds color to the itinerary, and a reminder of the perils and the kindness of
Okay, Fine. Let's Talk About That Apartment. You Know, The One with the River View... The "BEST" One? Ugh.
(Brace yourselves, it's not all sunshine and rainbows... mostly.)
So, is it really *that* good? The "Best" River View? Seriously?
Okay, look, **"BEST"** is a loaded word, alright? My therapist would have a field day with the over-inflated expectations I set for… everything. And the *view*... yes, it *is* pretty spectacular. You get this sweeping panorama of the Saigon River, which, let's be honest, is surprisingly cleaner than I expected! (I'm talking clean-ish, people, don't go swimming). The sunrises? Forget about it. They'll make you a romantic. Me? I'm a cynical coffee-fueled human. But even *I* was like, "Woah, that’s… pretty."
But... there's a catch. You know there's always a catch. The balconies are TINY. Like, you can barely fit yourself, let alone a decent chair for a morning coffee. And the sound of the boats? Some days it's a pleasant murmur. Other days? Sounds like a symphony of car horns and industrial belching echoing through the concrete jungle. Honestly, sometimes I just want to throw something. (I don't. I'm not *that* stressed... usually).
What about the apartment itself? Is it actually livable?
Livable? Ha! That depends on your definition of "livable." It *is* functional. The kitchen isn't falling apart (yet). The bathroom... well, the hot water *mostly* works. I’ve had some mornings where the water pressure was like a toddler dribbling… *but* the air conditioning is a GODSEND. Especially in the summer. And yes, there's a washing machine. Small, but it does the job. (Unless, you know, you put too many clothes in at once. I've learned the hard way).
My biggest complaint? The storage. Or rather, the *lack* of storage. I swear, I've had to get *creative* with where I put my stuff. Last week I found my socks in the rice cooker. Don't ask.
Tell us about the location. Convenient? Or… not so much?
Location, location, location, right? Well, this place is *mostly* convenient. You're close to District 1, which is great for… well, everything. Food, bars, tourist traps (if you're into that kind of thing). Easy access to taxis and Grab bikes are plentiful. You're also close to a park. The park is awesome for people watching, for walking, and sometimes, when I'm feeling particularly adventurous, for trying to meditate while dodging crazy scooters.
The downside? Traffic. Ho Chi Minh City traffic can be a nightmare. Getting anywhere during rush hour requires the patience of a saint (spoiler alert: I am *not* a saint). And sometimes, the noise… oh, the noise. You get used to it, but sometimes I just want to scream into a pillow.
Laundry? Grocery Shopping? How does that work?
Laundry is... fine. There's a washing machine in the apartment, as mentioned. But good laundromats are plentiful in the area. The problem is finding one that *doesn't* shrink your favorite t-shirt. I had to say goodbye to my favorite one, a souvenir. Gone, but not forgotten. Gone.
Grocery shopping? Okay, honestly? This is a delight. You can head to a big supermarket (like VinMart or Co.opmart) for the usual stuff, or you can explore the local markets. The markets are where the *real* adventure begins. The sights, the smells, the vendors yelling… it’s a sensory overload in the best possible way. You can find fresh produce, amazing street food ingredients, and things you didn't even *know* you needed. You'll also find yourself haggling for everything (it's expected), so brush up on your negotiation skills. It took me a while to become proficient in even the basics! I had to learn how to say "too expensive" in at least three different tones of voice!
What's the deal with the internet? Reliable? 'Cause that's important.
Ah, the internet. The bedrock of modern life, the source of my income, the bane of my existence. The internet here... it can be a bit like a moody teenager. Sometimes it's lightning fast, letting me binge-watch Netflix with no issues. Other times? Well, let's just say I've developed a *very* intimate relationship with the "buffering" icon.
I *have* been trying out different internet providers. I think it's generally pretty reliable, but you absolutely *must* test it out during peak hours. If you're planning to work from home, make sure you have a backup plan. Or a very understanding boss. Or both.
Okay, let's say I'm sold... anything *REALLY* bad about living there? Anything I should know?
Alright, real talk time. There's a downside, and it's BIG. THE CONSTANT CONSTRUCTION NOISE. The building beside mine is being worked on... and the next building... and the one across the streets... it's a constant jackhammer symphony. It's enough to drive you absolutely BONKERS.
I once tried to work from home during a construction day. It was a Friday. The noise was so horrendous, so piercing, that I ended up leaving my apartment to work at the mall. The mall! I was surrounded by screaming children and the beeping of arcade games. The coffee was terrible. I ended up coming back to the apartment out of spite and took an entire bottle of ibuprofens. It's not ideal. Buy earplugs. Seriously. Invest in the best noise-canceling headphones you can find. Consider moving completely to a completely quieter building. Do it, I beg of you.
And one more thing… the occasional power outage. Happens to the best of us! Get a good flashlight.
Alright, one last thing... Would you recommend it? Honestly?
Ugh. This is a tough one. Okay… on the one hand, the view is incredible. And I do actually enjoy living here. I love exploring the streets, eating the food (once you get past the understandable hesitation of street food). And the people? Generally amazing.
But. Construction. Traffic. Tiny balcony. Let's be real. It's not perfect. It's an experience. It's an adventure. It's a sometimes stressful, often noisy, occasionally amazing way to live.
If you're prepared forLow Price Hotel Blog
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