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I just messaged my accommodation to advise them of my arrival time tomorrow and got a message back saying the apartment is no longer available.
I’ve found a couple of options I like, but they’re in district 7, and on previous visits I’ve stayed in D1.
Does anyone have a favourite place they’d recommend? I prefer small characterful places with plenty going on around, and like to wander rather than needing to get taxis everywhere.
I’m so annoyed I’m having to take the time to sort this when I’d spent ages researching and deciding months ago.
Hey ho ……..
Thanks for any input guys.
Trisha
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Instead of taxis how about the bus?
I’m not planning to stay in D1. I’m staying D4, D5 and maybe Binh Thanh. My D4 place is only about 2kms from Ben Thanh market, not that l’m interested in that market.
Thanks everyone for your responses.
Apologies for the delay in my replying. I’ve been out and about and can’t sign in on my phone.
@#1 Thanks for the recommendation Simon; looks ideal and that’s about what I usually pay. No availability unfortunately. It doesn’t help that I’m looking for 6 nights. Incidentally, I’ve booked the ferry to get back to HCMC. 👍
@#2. Yes Jay, it’s so annoying that you can’t post a review stating that they cancelled and not you. The message I got was “no longer available, cancel and find somewhere else”! Of course booking.com are not interested.
@#3. Thank you for that recommendation. Not getting any response from them and I have found an alternative. I’ll keep the details though for future.
@#4 I agree Ray, D7 isn’t where I want to be. It’s tempting because it looks like you get more for your money in that area. The hotels I found looked great, but…………no.
Again, thank you all for your help. I have managed to book somewhere in D1. It’s a mile from Ben Thanh market and a mile and a half from the Cathedral, 2 miles from Greenlines ferry terminal, and I’ve stayed close by before, so I’m ok with the location.
Gets great reviews – but then don’t they all?!
Trisha
Edited: 4:06 am, January 27, 2026
The problem is you can’t pay for many of these places before you arrive. Maybe best to confirm 2 days before?
There are a number of places available for tomorrow still with decent reviews.
Hi again Trisha.
Just had a look on Agooda and Booking and my place is full tomorrow. It has become popular recently.
For others info, it’s not odd flats let out but a whole block of apartment like rooms, all managed by the owner as hotel. Phew, glad I got my nights booked.
What sort of budget and place are you looking for?
Homestay or apartment?
Confirmation is iffy in Vietnam, one l had to confirm one by WhatsApp, which l did not have, managed to get it now and confirm.
D7 is a bit far out, have a look at D4, more interesting area.
Edited: 3:18 am, January 27, 2026
We stayed at the Ben Thanh Retreats Hotel a number of times on our recent trip. It is in D1 , but down a hem (alley), so a bit quieter. The best room we had was one with a balcony, the worst, a double with a tiny window with no view. However, even the worst was a reasonable size and clean. There is no availability on booking.com for the 28th, but the WhatsApp number is +84938251174, to see if they have had any cancellations or if they could recommend somewhere nearby. There were other homestay in the Hem. The staff are very helpful.
Sorry to hear this, same happened to me last year, with 2 of the 4 apartments I’d booked through Agoda & booking.com telling me no apartment available when I actually arrived on the day, despite being confirmed bookings.
The old bait & switch, offer you something worse in a location you didn’t want to be in. The worst thing is that if you don’t accept the inferior accommodation (I didn’t) , you can’t leave a review on either site, warning people about these dodgy property owners.
Be very wary of booking apartments in Vietnam in my opinion.
Hope you get something you like for a decent price at this late stage in a location you want to be in.
Budget?
This isn’t a small charecterful place, it’s modern serviced mini apartments, but it’s in a very traditional street.
CityHouse – Lighthouse SaiGon
Available on Agoda for 850k-ish.
I stay cos it’s got a garage for my bike and they have space to store my box.
It’s well above my normal price but didn’t fancy the slums of D1 I used to use.
Also not to far from ferry.
I just messaged my accommodation to advise them of my arrival time tomorrow and got a message back saying the apartment is no longer available.
I’ve found a couple of options I like, but they’re in district 7, and on previous visits I’ve stayed in D1.
Does anyone have a favourite place they’d recommend? I prefer small characterful places with plenty going on around, and like to wander rather than needing to get taxis everywhere.
I’m so annoyed I’m having to take the time to sort this when I’d spent ages researching and deciding months ago.
Hey ho ……..
Thanks for any input guys.
Trisha
I just messaged my accommodation to advise them of my arrival time tomorrow and got a message back saying the apartment is no longer available.
I’ve found a couple of options I like, but they’re in district 7, and on previous visits I’ve stayed in D1.
Does anyone have a favourite place they’d recommend? I prefer small characterful places with plenty going on around, and like to wander rather than needing to get taxis everywhere.
I’m so annoyed I’m having to take the time to sort this when I’d spent ages researching and deciding months ago.
Hey ho ……..
Thanks for any input guys.
Trisha