Tam Coc Riverside Homestay

We left feeling disappointed. With clearer procedures, better coordination, and more professional communication, this situation could have been avoided. We booked Tam Coc River View Hotel in Ninh Binh through Agoda for two nights, 7-8 March 2026. After a week of smooth Agoda bookings in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi, we were surprised to be told on arrival that the property did not accept Agoda. Our app showed the reservation as “confirmed and paid,” and the hotel’s listing was still active and accepting bookings. Staff said they had stopped taking Agoda reservations two years earlier, which left us wondering why the listing remained available. At first, a staff member showed us the room and let us settle in. Shortly afterward, another receptionist said it was only “confirmed,” not booked, and claimed we had not paid. We showed the status and booking ID several times, but no one tried to verify them. Staff kept repeating that they did not take Agoda bookings, in a way that felt unnecessarily confrontational. Agoda support tried calling the hotel but said no one answered. Reception staff continued to say we’d have to pay again. We then booked the same room again through Agoda right there. It went through immediately, and a staff member holding the hotel’s booking phone received the notification, yet the claim that they did not accept Agoda continued. Agoda eventually said we could cancel for a refund. Only then did staff change their tone and say we could book the room again and stay immediately, despite having just treated our reservation as invalid. Future travellers may want to be cautious until the property sorts out its booking platform issues and communicates more clearly with guests.

We arrived in Tam Coc and booked one night over the counter. The price was good, and the room was nice. The main room was a good standard, while the bath was okay. For what we paid, it was a pleasant surprise. The food was good and the view was nice, too. Can recommend.

I came by every day for coffee and smoothies, though I didn’t stay overnight, so I can’t comment on the rooms. The service was great, and the smoothies were among the best I had in Vietnam, nice and thick. The facilities looked good as well, so I don’t think you’d be disappointed if you stayed.

We stayed two nights at the Homestay. Hieu and his family were very friendly and helpful with information. They gave us breakfast and bikes, and even treated us to a cup of tea while we sat by the lake. When we continued our journey early in the morning, they went the extra mile to sort out breakfast and transport for us.