Vietnam Accommodations

Most of Vietnam’s lodging comes in the form of hotels and guesthouses, which are run similarly; the major distinction between the two tends to be in price. At the high end of the price spectrum are Western-style hotels with perks (like pools) and a comprehensive range of amenities. At the lower end are guesthouses run by live-in owners and hotels without private bathrooms, air-conditioning, and the like. Traveling in numbers is cost-effective; the prices of guesthouse rooms usually stay fixed regardless of how many people are staying in them. A couple might spend US$8 on a room that would cost an individual traveler US$7.

Small splurges tend to be worth it—quality can increase dramatically by the dollar. Generally speaking, the cheapest rooms will cost US$3-6 (50,000-95,000) and have a bed, shared bath, and little else. US$6-10 (95,000-160,000) can get you air-conditioning, breakfast, and a higher standard of cleanliness. TVs, private bath, and other guilty pleasures are yours for US$10 and up. Except for more upscale hotels, reservations are hardly ever necessary (and not often accepted). Call ahead the day of your arrival to make sure your chosen guesthouse has vacancies; in the unlikely event that it doesn’t, other similar options will.

Booking Cheap Hotels Online. One of the easiest ways to ensure you’ve got a bed for the night is by reserving online. Click to the Hostelworld booking engine through www.letsgo.com, and you’ll have access to bargain accommodations from Argentina to Zimbabwe with no added commission.

Hospitality Clubs

Hospitality clubs link their members with individuals or families abroad who are willing to host travelers for free or for a small fee to promote cultural exchange and general good karma. In exchange, members usually must be willing to host travelers in their own homes; a small membership fee may also be required. The Hospitality Club (www.hospitalityclub.org) is a good place to start. An Internet search will find many similar organizations, some of which cater to special interests (e.g., women, gay and lesbian travelers, members of certain professions). As always, use common sense when planning to stay with someone you do not know.

Long-Term Accommodations

Renting an apartment in Vietnam is the way to go for travelers planning on extended stays. US$160-200 per month can get you a decent room in someone’s house, and US$400-600 is good for a well-located, multiple-room suite in Hà Nÿi or HCMC. Cheaper options exist for the less exacting. Reputable realtors with sufficient English abilities are not difficult to find in bigger cities. However, exercise caution—don’t agree on an apartment until you’ve visited it, and be sure you understand all the requirements of the lease agreement. Asia Xpat (http://vietnam.asiaxpat.com) is one place to start looking; the classifieds in Vi_t Nam News and the boards of expat bars in major cities are also littered with apartment offers. Also search through www.hanoirealestate.com and www.hochiminhcityrealestate.com.

Camping

Camping is generally only sanctioned in national parks, and then often only with the permission and accompaniment of local officials. Campgrounds do not really exist outside of protected areas. Travelers who try to camp elsewhere in Vietnam without official sanction will be arrested by the police when found doing so. RVing in Vietnam is virtually unknown.

Leave No Trace. Let’s Go encourages travelers to embrace the “Leave No Trace” ethic, minimizing their impact on natural environments and protecting them for future generations. Trekkers and wilderness enthusiasts should set up camp on durable surfaces, use cookstoves instead of campfires, bury human waste away from water supplies, bag trash and carry it out with them, and respect wildlife and natural objects. For more detailed information, contact the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, P.O. Box 997, Boulder, CO 80306, USA (☎800-332-4100 or 303-442-8222; www.lnt.org).