Hoang Huong Guest House

In a land where things seem to cost the independent traveller more than they should, the Hoang Huong Guest House is excellent value at US$2 per night for a dorm bed. The dorm itself is windowless, but large doors can be opened to let in the morning sun. There are 4 beds in it, two are doubles, and all have excellent mosquito nets.

It's quiet and peaceful setting down a side alley is only one street away from the lively DMZ Bar and a whole hoast of Internet cafes. In that particular region expect to pay about 50-70c per hour, but is you look around you can find places for no more than 10c per hour or less. Most are on ADSL, but check first.

The hostel staff are friendly and helpful, but you've got to accept that they will try and force feed you with trips to the DMZ, which really aren't worth a day out of your life for unless you are REALLY keen to see a small patch of grass that used to have some fighting on it. The staff are mixed in their ability to speak English, ranging from just about OK with hand signals, to fluent. The owners are the fluent ones, are always happy to see you and greet you with a nice smile in the morning.

Street food in the near viscinity is good value and you can stuff yourself for about 70c, even at the elevated tourist prices. Keep good humoured when haggling!!

Depending upon where you're dropped when you get here, the guest house is easy to find. There are a million and one people trying to tout their own places, but if you say, 'No, I'm going to Hoang Huong', most of them will even show you the way.

The dorm has two en-suite bathrooms (as close as you can get in a dorm anyway). Both are kitted out with excellent showers and very clean toilets. The guest house even provides you with a towel and toilet paper.

— Exklusive Hostelz.com Ãœbersicht
January 2004