Hai Lua Homestay (Lotus Lake Homestay)

I come here for lunch pretty often, mainly for the genuine Mekong dishes and fair prices. The huts sit above a lotus field, so the scenery is a big part of the appeal. There are familiar choices like chicken, and if you're feeling adventurous, snake or rat too. Weekends can get loud with karaoke, so I'd skip them if that's not your thing. I only eat here, so I can't say anything about the homestay.

The scenery is beautiful, but be prepared to camp: there was no shower or other facilities. We also had trouble leaving after 5pm. The owners wouldn't let us go, and we were stranded across the canal without any resources. They charged us for the room even after we showed that it had already been paid for. It was an interesting place to spend one night, but I felt the owners were taking advantage of foreigners.

We arrived in the dark, so I had no idea what the place looked like until morning. It was an impressive stay, unlike anywhere I've been before. The facilities could be in much better shape, but I'd recommend trying it for a night.

A night out among the lotus fields was lovely. It's a great fit if you're after somewhere authentic. You can sleep in a hammock or on a blanket on the floor, and either option was enough for a decent night's rest.