Unbelievable Vien Ngoc Xanh 2 Hotel Deals in Ho Chi Minh City!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Unbelievable Vien Ngoc Xanh 2 Hotel Deals in Ho Chi Minh City! and it's going to be a wild ride. Forget the polished, perfectly packaged reviews. This is the real deal – the good, the bad, the potentially questionable decisions I made while experiencing this place.
First, The Basics (Because We Gotta): Accessibility, Internet, and Cleanliness (aka the Stuff That Matters, Mostly)
Right off the bat, let's talk about the grim stuff. Accessibility is… well, it's hit or miss. They say they have facilities for disabled guests, but I'd recommend a direct phone call to confirm exactly what that entails. Don't just take my word for it, especially if mobility is a concern. And wheelchair accessibility? Honestly, I'd investigate that very thoroughly before committing.
Internet access: Praise be to the Wi-Fi gods! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And thankfully, it actually worked when I needed it. They also offer Internet access - LAN, if you're some sort of digital dinosaur who hasn't embraced the wireless revolution, which is fine.
Cleanliness and Safety: Okay, this is where Vien Ngoc Xanh 2 really tries. They've got the whole COVID-19 safety checklist down, at least on paper. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer everywhere… they actually had me feeling slightly less paranoid. They also have the Hygiene certification, but you know how these things go… Still, I appreciate the effort. Rooms sanitized between stays is a big plus. And the staff are trained in safety protocol.
Now, the real test is the… ahem… Rooms sanitized between stays thing. I didn't have a microscope to check, but I did give the desk a good wipe down as soon as I entered the room. You know, just in case.
Rooms:
My room? Air conditioning, a mini-bar (that I may or may not have raided), a safe (that I may or may not have actually used), and a comfortable bed. And the all-important Free Wi-Fi. I really liked that they had a hair dryer. But don't expect anything fancy; this isn't the Ritz. But hey, it’s got more pros than cons.
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The Fun Stuff (Or, The Stuff That Could Be Fun): Things To Do, Ways to Relax, and Eating
Alright, let's get to the good stuff! Things to do? They have a swimming pool (outdoor, thank goodness!), a fitness center/gym, and a spa. Now, the spa is a draw. I didn't experience it but if you like massage, sauna, steamroom, body scrub and body wrap, this is your jam. The pool with view is supposed to be lovely. So, on paper, this place seems to have some potential for relaxation.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: This is where it gets exciting (and potentially messy). They have a restaurant (or restaurants, plural… maybe?), with Asian and International cuisine. Breakfast [buffet] is on offer, which can be a mixed bag. I'm a buffet person, but I've learned to approach them with caution. Room service [24-hour]? Bless their hearts! That's always a win. Coffee/tea in restaurant and coffee shop for when you’re not in your room. Poolside bar…Yes, absolutely yes.
Now. My food observations…
- A la carte in restaurant
- Alternative meal arrangement
- Asian breakfast
- Asian cuisine in restaurant
- Bar
- Bottle of water
- Breakfast [buffet]
- Breakfast service
- Buffet in restaurant
- Coffee/tea in restaurant
- Coffee shop
- Desserts in restaurant
- Happy hour
- International cuisine in restaurant
- Poolside bar
- Restaurants
- Room service [24-hour]
- Salad in restaurant
- Snack bar
- Soup in restaurant
- Vegetarian restaurant
- Western breakfast
- Western cuisine in restaurant
Services and Conveniences (The Stuff You'll Actually Use)
They've got your standard conveniences: Concierge, currency exchange, dry cleaning, elevator, laundry service, luggage storage, and all that jazz. Daily housekeeping is a godsend, and air conditioning in public areas is a necessity in Ho Chi Minh City. They also have a convenience store, which is always handy for grabbing snacks and essentials. They got the doorman standing by, always nice.
- Air conditioning in public area
- Audio-visual equipment for special events
- Business facilities
- Cash withdrawal
- Concierge
- Contactless check-in/out
- Convenience store
- Currency exchange
- Daily housekeeping
- Doorman
- Dry cleaning
- Elevator
- Essential condiments
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Food delivery
- Gift/souvenir shop
- Indoor venue for special events
- Invoice provided
- Ironing service
- Laundry service
- Luggage storage
- Meeting/banquet facilities
- Meetings
- Meeting stationery
- On-site event hosting
- Outdoor venue for special events
- Projector/LED display
- Safety deposit boxes
- Seminars
- Shrine
- Smoking area
- Terrace
- Wi-Fi for special events
- Xerox/fax in business center
For The Kids (If You're Bringing Tiny Humans)
They mention Babysitting service and that they're Family/child friendly. Which, hey, is a great start.
- Babysitting service
- Family/child friendly
- Kids facilities
- Kids meal
Getting Around (Because You'll Need To)
Airport transfer? Most likely yes. And a taxi service. They have car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], but don’t rely on it.
- Airport transfer
- Bicycle parking
- Car park [free of charge]
- Car park [on-site]
- Car power charging station
- Taxi service
- Valet parking
Getting Around (Because You'll Need To)
Airport transfer? Most likely yes. And a taxi service. They have car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], but don’t rely on it.
The Honest Truth: The Quirks and Imperfections
Now, for the juicy bits. This place, like life, isn't perfect. Don't expect the Four Seasons. There were slight imperfections. The soundproofing could be better, but that's not a major issue. The rooms are comfortable, but not luxurious. The staff tried very hard to be helpful and friendly, but there were moments where the language barrier made communication a little… interesting.
The Anecdote: One morning, at the breakfast buffet, there was a small incident involving scrambled eggs and a questionable display of bread-related acrobatics that I won’t bore you with the details. I won't say the food was *Miche
Escape to Paradise: Oceanfront Hot Spring Suite in Toucheng, Yilan!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your sanitized travel brochure itinerary. This is… my itinerary. And trust me, it's gonna be a ride. This is based in the Vien Ngoc Xanh 2 Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, because, well, that's where I'm supposedly starting from. Let’s just hope I remember to use it.
Day 1: Saigon, You Spicy Little Fireball! (Or, the Day I Melted in the Humidity)
- Morning (8:00 AM -ish): Wake up… eventually. Jet lag is real. The Vien Ngoc Xanh 2 Hotel room, well, it's… functional. The aircon’s chugging like a rusty old tractor, but hey, it’s blasting out cold air, and that's all that matters right now. Scrabbling for the little breakfast buffet - mystery meat, some kind of vaguely recognizable fried dough and, coffee that tasted vaguely of burnt rubber. Oh, Vietnam, you enigmatic temptress. Trying to remember what I actually packed. This feels like a fever dream already.
- Mid-Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Attempting to explore the neighborhood. "Go find the Ben Thanh Market, they said." Ah, the intrepid explorer. I swear I sweat more than I drink water. The heat hits you like a physical force, a giant, humid hug. The chaos! Motorbikes zipping past like angry bees, the constant honking symphony… My senses are overloaded! Found the market eventually, and immediately got grabbed by a woman trying to "help" me. She was very nice, offered some really great deals, and i was probably scammed. I bought a silk scarf. A beautiful silk scarf that will likely end up gathering dust, because I can't pull off silk scarves.
- Lunch (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM): Found a little pho place tucked away on a side street. The broth, the herbs, the slippery noodles… heaven. Tears of pure, delicious joy streamed down my face (probably also from the humidity). I ordered the biggest bowl possible, and devoured it like I hadn't eaten in days.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Stumbled into a cafe. Chilled off for an hour or two. The caffeine saved me. Watched the city go by, and found some peace, even when people tried selling me all sorts of junk.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Okay, here's the thing. I really wanted to try some street food. And I did. Found a stall with sizzling skewers and some kind of… mysterious green pancakes. The pancakes were delicious, by the way. I'm pretty sure my stomach is going to hate me, but honestly, it was worth it.
- Night (9:00 PM onwards): Collapsed back at the hotel, vaguely regretting the entire day. But also feeling a strange mix of contentment and exhilaration. Vietnam, you sly dog. Still trying to find the remote to the tv, but so far, it's lost. Probably in my bag with the silk scarf.
Day 2: A Temple, A River, and a Deep Dive into Chaos (And Maybe Getting a Little Scared)
- Morning (8:30 AM - 9:30 AM): Okay, committed to the "early start". This is already a lie. More of that questionable coffee, but I'm getting used to it. I think. Planned to actually visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. I'm picturing myself, Indiana Jones-ing through the jungle. I looked up a location, but I’m also quite lazy.
- Late Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Well, the Cu Chi Tunnels got delayed. I ended up on a meandering exploration around the city. Found a quiet temple. The incense smoke, the chanting, the peacefulness… it actually made me emotional. Didn’t understand a word, but I kind of got it.
- Lunch (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM): Found some banh mi - a Vietnamese baguette sandwich. Seriously, how can something so simple taste so good? Ordered two. Definitely a repeat tomorrow.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Tried to get to the Saigon river – and got completely and utterly lost. I got on the wrong bus (twice). Hopped off, and got back on, and got confused. Found myself in a bustling market. This is where I really felt lost, but also, completely alive. The energy, the smells, the sheer volume of people… it was a sensory overload in the best possible way.
- Evening (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Finally (finally!) found a boat tour on the river. Beautiful sunset. The city looked different from the water. Calming, then immediately after, went to a cooking class.
- Night (8:00 PM onwards): Cooking class was cool. But oh god was there chilli. It was a disaster. My food was burnt, and tasted like everything, but also not a lot. Slept early because I probably needed to detox.
Day 3: The Tunnels, A Coffee Obsession, and the Realization I Need More Laundry Done
- Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Cu Chi Tunnels finally. Okay, it was hot, seriously hot, underground. Claustrophobia and sweat are not a good combo. I kind of freaked out. But I made it through. Saw the traps. Realized the history. Respect for the people who fought here.
- Mid-Morning (10:30 AM - 12:00 PM): Back in the city. The realization hits: I've drunk more coffee in the last two days than I have in my entire life. I'm addicted. Seriously, the Vietnamese coffee is like crack, but in a cup. Went to a cafe, ordered a ca phe sua da (iced coffee with condensed milk) and watched the world go by.
- Lunch (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM): You guessed it. More pho. And some spring rolls. I’m going to gain a lot of weight.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Laundry! The real world has intruded on my vacation. My travel clothes are starting to resemble something that has been dragged behind a motorbike for a week. Went for laundry, then a massage.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Back at the hotel room. Reflecting. Thinking about how to actually make the best memories, the best experience.
- Night (9:00 PM onwards): The night life in district 1 is amazing. Walked along the river, I tried to take photos, but realized my phone has run out of battery.
Okay, Time to Depart…
This is a mess. It’s messy, it’s real, it's probably not going to win any awards. But it's my experience. And that, I realize, is kind of beautiful. The best of the best, and the worst of the worst. Vietnam, you've officially stolen my heart and my sanity.
Malagón's BEST Kept Secret? Your Private Pool Paradise Awaits!
Unbelievable Vien Ngoc Xanh 2 Hotel Deals in Ho Chi Minh City: Your Questions Answered (and Some Rants Thrown In!)
Okay, so what's the *real* deal with the Vien Ngoc Xanh 2 Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City? Is it actually worth it? My wallet is currently weeping...
But here's the thing: Saigon is *intense*. It's a glorious, chaotic assault on the senses. You're out all day: dodging motorbikes, inhaling pho fumes (heavenly!), getting lost in markets, and then you stumble back to the hotel, utterly exhausted. My expectations dropped quicker than my stomach after a bowl of Saigon street food, the hotel just needed to be clean, the bed comfortable enough to pass out on, and the AC blasting. And on that level, Vien Ngoc Xanh 2 delivers. Don't go expecting a spa or room service, but do go expecting a place to crash and recharge, and for the price, it was amazing.
Plus, I saw a FAMILY of 4 in the tiny little room (that's not ideal, I thought! ) . Which, you know, speaks to the budget-friendly nature. So, judge for yourself, based on your needs. A word of warning! Don't expect luxury! Its not a Palace, if you're expecting it, you'll be disappointed!
Do they actually have "deals"? Like, real ones? Or is it all just marketing fluff? (I'm a sucker for a good deal.)
Here's a tip: Check the reviews *before* you get too excited about a deal. One time, I found what looked like an INSANE discount, enough to make me giddy. But the reviews mentioned bed bugs. BED BUGS! Nope. Hard pass. Trust the internet, its usually right and definitely read the bad stuff before signing your life away.
I also found the Hotel itself has a great online booking system too. Don't be afraid to check the hotel's own website directly. Sometimes they offer a better deal than the booking sites! I once snagged a rate that was about 20% less than what I saw on a major travel website. Pure. Bliss. Okay, maybe not *pure* bliss, but definitely satisfying, like finding a ten dollar bill in an old jacket. Also, if they offer deals without breakfast, you're losing out! Get the breakfast, then you can go to the local amazing Pho places!
What's the location *really* like? Is it close to anything fun, or am I going to be stuck in a taxi all day?
It was walkable to some local restaurants and shops, but I had to use a taxi or ride-sharing to get to the major attractions like the War Remnants Museum or the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Pro Tip: Download Grab (the local ride-sharing app). Seriously. It’s a lifesaver. Taxis can sometimes try to rip you off. With Grab, you know the price upfront. And it's cheap! Just make sure you're aware of what you're looking for in the city .
Let's talk about the rooms. Are they clean? Because I have standards (sort of).
One time, I did see a tiny little… well, let's just say a tiny *something* on the wall. I pretended it wasn’t there. Ignorance is bliss, right? It wasn’t a cockroach. Thank goodness. So, yeah, they're cleaned, but it's not the kind of place where you're going to be able to eat off the floor (please don't try that!). Check the reviews for specifics about the particular location's cleanliness, though. They vary.
If cleanliness is absolutely paramount for you, and your peace of mind relies on it, maybe spring for something a bit pricier. Otherwise, bring some antibacterial wipes and settle in!
What about the breakfast? Is it worth getting, or should I just hit the street food stalls? (Because… pho.)
Honestly? Unless the breakfast is included in the price, or you're really, REALLY not adventurous, skip it. Saigon's street food game is STRONG. For the same price as the hotel breakfast, you can get the most amazing banh mi, pho, or whatever your heart desires, from a nearby street stall. The atmosphere! The smells! The buzz! It's part of the experience. Trust me – go explore. Don't get stuck eating lukewarm eggs.
One time, at the buffet - and this is a true story - the "fruit" was definitely not fresh. I won't go into detail, but let's just say it didn't end well. Seriously, hit up the street food. You won’t regret it.
Are there any hidden fees I should be aware of? Because I HATE hidden fees.
