This is another overdue post. My family, friends and myself have been staying at Sao Nam Hotel on and off for the past 2 years. It's a nice and decent budget hotel and cost between USD20 to 25 per room per night. You can't find it on the internet (unless you come across a posting by me or someone else). It is conveniently located in Pham Ngu Lao (backpackers' area) in District 1.
Hotel Sao Nam
175/5 Pham Ngu Lao
District 1
Tel : +848 3920 6471
The 2 main reasons why it is my preferred hotel :
1. Clean and well-equipped for the price we pay - refrigerator, air-con, cable TV, sheets are changed everyday, attached toilet and there's a lift in this budget hotel so that you don't need to lug your heavy luggage up. Even if there isn't, the staff will still help you with your luggage.
2. Convenience - it is less than 10 minutes walk from Ben Thanh Market and 15 minutes walk to reach town. Sinh Cafe, the budget tour company that I always use when I travel out of HCMC to nearby destinations, is 5 minutes walk away. Restaurants and cafes are all within 5 seconds to 10 minutes walk - western, Italian, Mexican, Vietnamese, vegetarian, halal, Thai and even Singapore noodles (which can never be found in Singapore) - you name it, they have it in Pham Ngu Lao. Lots of shops to while your time and money away too. What more can you ask for?
3. Nice staff, nice boss - Ms Thi and Ms Phuong are 2 of the nicest Vietnamese receptionists that I've met in HCMC. They speak English well so no problem with language, and they're always so polite and willing to help. Mr Hiep, the boss, is a nice and humble man who has managed to send his children for overseas studies - that speaks loads of how hard he has worked.
Here are some pix of the hotel :
For those who must see a satellite photo, here it is
A closer view
