CCentral Hotel De Tham

The rooms are clean, the AC gets cold, the water is hot, and the elevator works and moves fast. But bars nearby play loud music for 10-12 hours a day. You’ll need to be very drunk to sleep, or be okay staying awake until 6am.

I had dinner next door on New Year’s Eve, and spent a long time watching a male employee help the guests. He was kind, responsive and never intrusive. Even with people who were very drunk, he stayed as polite and tactful as he could. It’s a shame I’m at another hotel and leaving tomorrow. Otherwise, I would have moved here. Your guests are lucky!

Cubicity Hotel feels more like a spa-style sleeping pod setup than a hotel. The upper and lower bunks reinforce that impression. I expect a hotel to have a 24/7 receptionist, drinking water provided each day, towels without a limit, a phone to reach reception, and daily cleaning without having to ask. Cubicity has none of those. You have to communicate through WhatsApp or Zalo. Minju does send someone when a problem comes up, so things work operationally. But hospitality also means making people feel welcome, and that part is missing. The staff and Minju herself feel about as warm as a malfunctioning air conditioner: functional, but not comforting. When the restroom door locked itself, I told Minju and she sent someone to fix it. I asked why it happened, and she just said, “I don’t know.” That was unnecessarily rude and didn’t answer my question. I have the WhatsApp message, but I won’t share it because I value privacy and professionalism. The street is narrow and chaotic, full of vehicles, and the nightlife is loud enough to wake even heavy sleepers. It’s not a place for anyone seeking peace or a restful night. It might suit travellers who like constant noise and the excitement of near misses with motorbikes. A hotel should help you feel at home for a while and enjoy your stay. Here, the rules, instructions and general coldness keep reminding you that relaxing isn’t welcome. The rules are necessary, but they’re presented like warnings in a dangerous laboratory: break this and pay, stain that and pay more. The consequences may be logical, but the tone feels intimidating rather than helpful. The door lock deserves a paper of its own. You push from inside and pull from outside. There’s no smart lock, digital code or even a conventional key system that works in a predictable way. It’s needlessly complicated. Minju is a paradox. She replies quickly, fixes problems and runs things efficiently, but becomes robotic and formal when speaking with guests. I’ve seen her laugh and talk comfortably on the phone, so she can be warm. When I tried to chat or ask questions, though, she was stiff to the point of discomfort. The day before I checked out, she asked, “Was everything good?” It felt procedural, not like real concern. A host or manager should check that guests are comfortable during the stay, not just at the last moment for a formality. I wouldn’t recommend staying here. It’s the cold service, missing hotel features and noise, along with an area that doesn’t feel especially safe. The cramped streets, chaotic traffic and constant sound make it hard to feel comfortable or at peace. Choose a better location if you want a restful stay in Ho Chi Minh City. If you’re ready to give up comfort for a small budget, go ahead, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

We found quite a few little ants in the room, but they weren’t a problem. The hotel itself would be okay, but it’s right beside a very noisy party street. Every day from 7 PM until 2-3AM, loud music from several bars comes through. It feels like there’s a concert in your room, no exaggeration. They provide earplugs, but they barely help. I wouldn’t recommend staying here if you want to sleep at night. If you’re planning to be out partying anyway, it could work well.