A room at the Liberty Central Hote. Photo via libertycentralhotel.com.

In the process of planning a fall trip to Vietnam, I’ve done some research on lodging options in Saigon (a.k.a. Ho Chi Minh City) and have found a couple nice mid-range hotels that offer more comfort than backpacker spots and a lower price tag than the five star mega hotels like Park Hyatt:

Sanouva Hotel: This District 1 hotel (near all the major tourist sights) offers simple, clean and modern rooms with all the amenities you’d expect, including air conditioning, flat screen TV, free internet access and complimentary breakfast buffet. Rates span an affordable range of $60 – $100 per night.

Liberty Central Hotel: Also conveniently located in District 1, Liberty Central is a new-ish hotel with amenities similar to Sanouva, plus a few extras such as a (small) rooftop pool and a range of rooms/suites that feature a contemporary design sensibility. Rates are a bit higher (ranging from $75 to $180 per night), but the overall vibe is a bit more upscale so I still think it’s a good value.

Keep in mind: If keeping costs down is your top priority, there are many less expensive options in Saigon (consider the Green Suites Hotel or the even cheaper Long Guesthouse). A couple other things to remember when staying in Vietnam–hotels typically hang on to your passport at the front desk (though you can sometimes get away with leaving a copy), and it’s illegal for a foreigner to share a hotel room with a Vietnamese citizen if they’re unmarried.

Bonus tip(s): If you don’t mind being away from the hustle and bustle of District 1, Ma Maison Boutique Hotel in District 3 is a really cute place to stay. If peace and quiet are important to you, this place is just the ticket, as it’s located in a more residential area.