Ngoc Linh Hotel

Housed in a skinny building on a small alley, the Ngoc Linh is popular among backpackers and young couples on a budget. The lobby is tiny, with a few traditional wooden chairs and a table crammed into a small space one flight of stairs up from the street level. There is a vending machine selling water and sodas, a small front desk, and a shared computer that guests can use for free -- but little else in the way of amenities. The rest of the space is taken up by narrow, steep stairs leading to the hotel’s 14 rooms. While decor is neither stylish nor contemporary, everything is kept clean and in good shape, and the hotel offers exactly what it promises: a clean bed in a central location, and great freebies. Free breakfast is served every morning in the lively breakfast room located on the ground floor.

The hotel is located on a narrow side street off one of the neighborhood’s main drags. It is poorly lit and may feel a little intimidating to some at night, but this location is central and convenient for seeing the main attractions. This part of District 1 is known for being home to hotels and bars catering to backpackers, and there is a variety of cheap dining and drinking options nearby. Some of the city’s most popular attractions -- including Ben Thanh Market, the Fine Arts Museum, Huynh Thuc Khang street market, Notre Dame Basilica, the War Remnants Museum, and the Independence Palace -- are all within walking distance. Xa Loi, the largest pagoda in HCM, is a five-minute drive away, and the airport can be reached by car in 20 minutes.

The hotel only features 14 rooms, including singles, doubles, twins and triples. All units are clean and pleasant, but decor is basic, with dark wood furniture and little artwork on walls. Cute painted wall paper, red bed runners, and matching cushions over crisp white linens add some character to the otherwise simple rooms. Bathrooms are smallish but clean, and feature either wet room-style showers or small tubs, as well as basic toiletries. Some rooms are a little tight, and a couple don’t have windows, but for the price the amenities offered are great: flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, modern air-conditioning units, and free Wi-Fi. 

The hotel is barebones in terms of amenities. There is a small breakfast room on the ground floor where a basic but filling spread made-to-order is served daily. Eggs, coffee, tea, juice and baguettes are all there is on the menu, but guests can also order pho (Vietnamese soup). The shared computer is located in the lobby and it is free to use. Free Wi-Fi and airport pick-up service (for a fee) are also available. Tours and bus and train tickets can be booked at the front desk.