Start your first night in Ho Chi Minh City with drinks at the Rooftop Bar at the Rex Hotel, when The Five O'Clock Follies are on for a couple of hours. The Follies started back during the "American War" when correspondents gathered on the terrace to drink beer and swap stories about the day's events. There's a great selection of beers which come served quite cold with a plate of nuts which is replenished with every order. There's a great view of the city (try to get a table near the edge of the terrace). The food is pretty good too. There's usually some form of entertainment, generally live music, but one of the nights my son and I were there the audience was kept guessing by a fantastic young magicianr. After paying a total of $20 for eight beers at this five star hotel in the centre of the city we walked a few hundred metres to Lemongrasss for one of the best meals my son,a head chef in Australia, said he'd ever had in Vietnam.

Don't miss the rooftop dining ! Across from the French Opera House and Bak Minh Square on Nguyen Hue Blvd. Visit the Classic Old Saigon French Style Post Office where paper stamps are supplied with glue to attach them to your letter! Great little restaurants hidden everywhere. If possible visit Saigon Phu Quoc Resort on Phu Quoc Island in the Gulf of Thailand. Great Value, tremendous sunset views.

We had a premium room which was located in the new wing. It was quiet, comfortable, with good bed and shower. I missed a magnifing mirror in the bathroom. We used their laundry and the clothes were back on the same day. The breakfast is very good and the chinese restaurant is good as well. Many luxury stores like Rolex, Bulgary, Salvatore Ferragano and Cartier are in the hotel building. It is located in the city center, in front of the City Hall and near of everything. We arrived on the last day of the New Year celebration, so we could see the beautiful decoration on the streets, with flowers, dragons and many lights.
The hotel provides free wifi Internet.

Stayed in the new wing (Governors Suite) which was very nice. Comfortable bed, a full bathroom plus a half bath off the living area. Located in the heart of District 1, within easy walking distance to all the major attractions and good restaurants. Breakfast buffet included with room rate with very good with wide selection and good quality. The rooftop bar was a favourite of mine, althought pricey by Vietnam standards, a bargain by North American.

Nice fitness facilties, which we were allowed to use to freshen up in lieu of a late check out.

Complaints - they were stingy with the towels (only two provided) and the bottled water (two small bottles provided each day). When asked about a late check out (we were going on a tour departing at 7:00 a.m. and would be back by 1:00 p.m.) we were provided the options of paying 50% of rack rate to keep the room till 6:00 or check out at 7:00 a.m. store bags and use the fitness centre. We opted for the later.