Hotel Name: Hien Guesthouse II
Address: 106/3 Phan Dinh Phung, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho, Vietnam.
I stayed at the Hien Guesthouse II in Can Tho, Vietnam. I booked online at the rate of 250,000 VND ($10.80 USD) per night and picked it for its price and location.
The Hien Guesthouse II is in the old part of the city and within walking distance to the touristy riverfront area. The guesthouse is down a small alley (hem) off Phan Dinh Phung. When I arrived by taxi I initially couldn’t find it, but there is a clearly-marked sign at the alley entrance.
It’s a small alley with just enough room for a single bike and it reminded me of parts of Saigon with small alleys. I checked in and was shown to my room.
I booked a double room with a private bathroom, and I made sure the room had a window. My window had a balcony (facing another wall), and the corner room meant that I had windows on two sides.
The bed was comfortable, and it had a USA flag blanket. I faced a picture of the Great Wall of China with what I thought looked like American Eagles. I enjoy the randomness of guesthouse decorations, totally unrelated to any imagery of Can Tho and the Mekong Delta.
There is free wifi at the guesthouse, and I had a good reception in my room. The room also had the option of a fan or A/C. I liked the remote holder for the A/C.
Like the buildings of Vietnam, the bathroom was long and skinny. It was clean and the hot water system worked but there was not enough room for a sink, so that was next to the bed. And continuing with the random decoration theme, there was also a picture of a lady at the beach in a wet t-shirt imprinted on a tile.
When I arrived I thought the room would be as dark and dingy as the alley, but my room was brilliantly lit with natural light. I couldn’t believe that this building that is packed in so tightly in a small alley was still able to catch so much light.
There is no breakfast service here so I went to an excellent banh mi place nearby at 2 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai. At night the sign pointing to the alley is brightly lit making it look more like an alleyway in Tokyo.
The man at reception was very friendly. I’m not sure if that was just him or if I was experiencing a different level of friendliness in Can Tho compared to the big cities. He arranged for my bus ticket to Saigon with the FUTA bus company, where they have a shuttle bus that picks you up at the hotel.
Overall this was good as a budget room. No frills to be had here, but if you just want a cheap place to lay your head at night then this will suffice.
Book the Hien Guesthouse II online, or search for more hotels in Can Tho.
If you’re visiting for the first time then read my guide on where to stay in Can Tho.
