LaLaHouse Riverside Residence

I liked the Binh Thanh area and used to live there, so I booked a one-bedroom apartment at LalaHouse Riverside Residence months ahead. I messaged them to confirm I’d get the place shown in the pictures, and they confirmed through Agoda, well before Tet. They didn’t contact me again until after charging my card, when they asked for my WhatsApp so they could say the apartment was double booked. That wasn’t my fault. They could have told me a month or two earlier, or at least before charging me, that the apartment wasn’t ready. They offered a room for two days with a window facing a wall, or a rooftop room, maybe an apartment, with a very old AC, a moldy bathroom, and whatever kitchen supplies were left on the roof. They said it hadn’t been cleaned because of Tet. I was tired and accepted a poor discount, though they also offered a full refund and I wasn’t sure it would happen. To compromise, I asked for drinking water for the week and said I’d carry it up myself. A 20 liter bottle costs $3 to deliver in Vietnam, but they wouldn’t provide one. They said I could move into the apartment early on the day it was meant to be ready, but I couldn’t. A light bulb had to be changed, something they could have done after regular tenants checked out by 12pm. I got in close to 2pm after complaining. They also left a used jug with about 5 liters of water from the previous tenant and told me, "We left this for you". I didn’t appreciate how I was treated or that I paid months ahead and didn’t get what I booked. If you do stay, the rooms are clean, the one-bedroom apartment is really nice but doesn’t match the pictures, and the Wi-Fi is just okay. There are stairs, not elevators, despite what some websites say. Hot water is solar. Ask for pictures of your actual place: the photos I saw on Agoda and Expedia were the same and didn’t match. Maybe they’ve been updated now. The one-bedroom apartment is great.

I stay here whenever I’m in Saigon, and this time I’m here for a month. It’s quiet enough for me, with lots of western food nearby, all within a 5 minute walk: Mexican, Japanese, an Aussie pub, and what I think are the best burgers in SE Asia. It’s like a mini Tokyo. It’s easy to ride a motorbike to District 2 for great restaurants, or over to District 1 for things to see, do, and eat. The staff are helpful and responsive, rooms are clean and comfortable, and the value for money is the main draw. I’m paying 9 million directly for 30 nights, without Agoda or another middleman, with a 4.5 million deposit and electricity at 5K/kwH. There’s good Wi-Fi, free washing machines, and motorbike parking in the basement. The road in front of the property is covered in trash and litter, which I find disgusting and sad. Vietnamese people need to learn to stop littering everywhere in their country. It’s like a national past time, throwing trash on the ground.

Clean, private rooms and bike parking in the basement. The location is convenient, and the service is great for an affordable price compared with other homestays. Very reasonable overall!

Mây took such good care of me on my first trip. She’s the loveliest person, helped me a lot, and was patient when I made mistakes. She made me feel comfortable. The location is superb, close to attractions and good restaurants, but tucked away enough to be peaceful. I’d recommend it, especially if you’re traveling solo. You’ll be well looked after.