SPOT ON 723 Hai Dang Homestay

The family was rude and barely acknowledged us. Not speaking English isn’t the problem, but they wouldn’t read the messages when we tried Google Translate, so communicating was really difficult. When we arrived, nobody was around; I had to find a phone number on Google and message someone to get checked in. They seemed unsure how to handle check-in, and we ended up guiding them. The room was very basic, just two beds and a bathroom, and oddly, there wasn’t a mirror. The shower drain seemed never to have been cleaned, and the smell filled the room. Towels and sheets were stained and dirty. At 9 a.m. staff tried to unlock our door without knocking or calling out. We went out for the morning and came back to find someone had entered again and locked us out, and we didn’t have a key. They hadn’t cleaned, either. It looked like they’d switched off the air con at the circuit, so we had no more air con. I can’t say anything about breakfast because I didn’t want to go near it. The downstairs kitchen smelled awful, and food was left out in the heat.

The rooms are basic, but ours had comfortable beds, cold air con, hot water, a TV, and a balcony. It was clean, they cleaned every day, and there was no bad smell, despite what other people have said. This is a Homestay in a traditional multigenerational Vietnamese family’s home, not a hotel or hostel. The grandparents, husband, wife, and two children live on the main floor, with guest rooms upstairs. The mother speaks very good English and is incredibly kind, hardworking, and keen to help. She’s the backbone of the family and the Homestay. The grandmothers don’t speak English and may not be able to read or see well, so Google Translate doesn’t work with them. It’s best to communicate through the mother. I found the grandmothers lovely. If you smile, acknowledge them, and make an effort, they respond warmly; if you don’t, they’ll carry on with their day and may seem to ignore you. Breakfast is included: a freshly made fried egg and Banmi each morning, when you come downstairs and ask. It’s a kind gesture. We ate in the backyard overlooking the river, and the host often joined us to talk. She taught us a lot about the traditional structure of Vietnamese families, and I came to understand how hard she works. If she’s away at the market, the grandmothers try to help, but you may have to wait for her to return. She was always cheerful and willing to help and make us happy. The front and back gates are locked at night, but you get a key and she’ll accommodate late nights if you let her know. She also let us park our motorbike on the front porch inside the locked gates. There weren’t security issues, but it was a nice gesture. For the very reasonable price, this place offers a lot of value, and she’ll work with you. I think most negative reviews come from misunderstandings caused by poor communication and unfamiliarity with the family’s cultural dynamics. You can’t expect people who don’t speak your language and may not read or see well to communicate exactly as you’d like. Given the chance, they’re pleasant and kind. If I’m in Hoi An again, I’ll stay with her. You won’t be disappointed.

The hosts were welcoming, and the room was lovely, clean, and had fresh towels and air conditioning. We stayed four nights and would definitely return. I’d recommend staying here if you’re in Hoi An.

I was bitten by your dog and wanted the owner to handle it sincerely. I didn’t even ask you to pay my hospital or vaccine bill. Under WHO rules, I asked for a picture of the dog to check his condition, but she didn’t send it or give me a clear answer until I texted repeatedly. I eventually got a picture and video, thank you. She should have responded sincerely, quickly, and diligently. If you can’t keep your puppy trained and under control, you shouldn’t let him run around the guesthouse. He can get right up to the rooms and shared bathroom and try to enter, and you know he bites and scratches guests. You take money from guests, so I believe you’re responsible for keeping their stay safe, including preparing his vaccination certificate. I still don’t understand why they treated something life-threatening so lightly when dozens of people die from rabies every year in Vietnam. When he bit my leg, nobody apologized; they just said it was fine. I do appreciate that she disinfected my small wound. I’ve lost time and money and had to cut short my sightseeing. This was a disappointing experience in Vietnam.