Hoa Tieu Hotel

The sea, mountain, and city views from the rooms are fantastic, and the location makes it easy to get around with lots of places to eat nearby. The building isn't new, but that means the room is roomy, and even the balcony is as large as some hotel rooms I've stayed in.

Ha Long street puts you near seaside cafes, parks, restaurants, and plenty more. The rooms have broad views over the city and sea, with spacious interiors and big balconies, so the price feels fair. The furniture is dated, though; the hotel is quite old and used to be reserved for sailors and ship captains.

I kept extending my stay at Hoa Tieu Hostel. I had planned to spend a week in Vung Tau before heading to Dalat, where I'd stayed for months before, but ended up booking a whole month here before returning to Melbourne. From the 7th floor, the views include both the sea and the mountains. Ask for a room from 704 to 708. The room quality and service also impressed me.

The elevator has that real fast skyscraper feel, and the doors close in about 5 seconds. The rooms have a nostalgic late 90s look, and the view is the best.