OnTheRoad

Ha Giang (pronounced Ha Zang) is far up north, near the Chinese border. The appeal here is the scenery further north, as the city itself has little to offer other than overpriced hotels. Getting guides can be difficult; there is apparently a tourist agency here, but it's impossible to find, so there might as well not be. My hotel was able to arrange a guide, who attempted to charge me 950,000 for two days. Not a good deal, by anyone's standards.

I stayed at the Huy Hoan, in the cheapest rooms. At 120,000 they represent the worst value of any room I've stayed in during my time in Vietnam, although they do come with aircon (which I don't want, or need) and hot water (likewise). I've had better, bigger rooms for half the price.