Country Information

Tourist facilities have vastly improved and most towns have small hotels and guest houses. In the major towns, there is a full range of accommodation to suit all budgets. Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have excellent standard hotels and international chains such as Hilton (www.hilton.com) Sofitel (www.sofitel.com) and Movenpick (www.moevenpick-hotels.com) with the facilities expected in 4- to 5-star hotels such as air conditioning, room service, swimming pool, health club and good restaurants. Even in budget accommodations, for less than US$20 a night you can expect a TV and air conditioning and a very clean room.

There are also a number of beach resorts with deluxe hotels in excellent locations - the most well known is the Nam Hai near Hoi An (www.thenamhai.com). Most towns frequented by tourists have at least one good standard hotel, although it may not always have facilities such as swimming pool or room service.

Grading: There is no formal grading of hotels, but usually the price gives an idea of the standard. However, make sure you look at the rooms and shop around there are some superb deals to be had, particularly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where quality budget hotels are sprouting up everywhere. They will also be able to organise trips and excursions.

There are very many value-for-money guest houses, or mini-hotels, across the country, mainly without air conditioning and some with shared bathrooms or without hot water. Generally they are simply furnished but usually very clean.

There are no campsites in Vietnam. Some travel companies arrange camping for organised groups on treks, and all the camping equipment is supplied.