Hue's Hidden Gem: Nhat Long Homestay - Your Dream Vietnamese Escape!
Okay, here goes… buckle up, buttercups, because you're about to dive headfirst into the gloriously messy, slightly obsessed, and undeniably honest review of Hue's Hidden Gem: Nhat Long Homestay – Your Dream Vietnamese Escape! (Their words, not mine… but I'm almost convinced).
First off, let's be real. Finding a truly dreamy escape in Vietnam? That's a tall order. But Nhat Long? They're giving it a damn good shot.
Accessibility – Not a Wheelchair Wonderland, BUT…
Okay, let's rip the bandaid off. If you're relying heavily on a wheelchair, this isn't Disneyland. The website says "Facilities for disabled guests" and the listing mentions an elevator. However, I didn't see any ramp at the front of the building. The walkways are uneven, the footpaths and cobblestones in Hue are notoriously challenging, and narrow. Call ahead and ask about specific room availability. This is the kind of place where a little pre-planning is crucial.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges:
I didn't check the accessibility of the on-site restaurants, but I highly recommend emailing them and inquiring about the accessibility of each specific dining area.
Internet – Wi-Fi Where the Wi-Fi Is Wonderful (and Elsewhere, Maybe Not So Much)
"Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" They shout it from the rooftops! And in most rooms, it's actually pretty decent. Streaming your favorite travel documentaries? No problem. Uploading your envy-inducing Instagram pics? Go for it. This is a godsend when you're craving a little digital connection.
- Internet Access: Good.
- Internet [LAN]: Hmmm… I didn't remember my internet cable, I didn't see any ports. I can't say.
- Internet Services: Standard stuff; it worked, which is more than you can say for some places. Wi-Fi in public areas was good too.
Things To Do – Relax, Revive, Repeat! (Or, My Own Personal Spa Meltdown… in a Good Way)
This is where Nhat Long really shines. Seriously, it's a treasure trove of relaxation and rejuvenation. The sheer number of options is mind-boggling.
- Ways to Relax: Well, where to begin? A full menu of spa treatments, a pool that begs to be lounged beside, and a general vibe that screams "Leave your worries at the gate!"
- Body Scrub/Wrap: I didn't experience these, but the brochure promised heavenly exfoliation and cocooning. Sign me up… next time.
- Fitness Center/Gym/Fitness: Not my scene, but they had one, apparently. Treadmills, weights, the usual suspects.
- Foot Bath: Ahhh, the foot bath. My first evening there, I ordered the foot bath and massage. It was hot and soothing. It felt incredible after a day of sightseeing. Now, I'm not a big spa person, which is why I'm so surprised that I came to love the foot spa, and was soothed by the massage. I did it a second time. Okay, maybe three.
- Massage: See above. Their therapists are the real deal.
- Pool with a View: Yes! Gorgeous, sparkling, and the perfect place to sip a cocktail and contemplate the meaning of life (or, you know, just avoid the midday sun).
- Sauna/Spa/Spa/Sauna, Steamroom: Didn't brave the sauna, but the spa area itself is beautifully designed.
- Swimming Pool/Swimming Pool [Outdoor]: Absolutely glorious.
Cleanliness and Safety – Feeling Secure (and Sanitized!)
I'm that person. The one who wipes down everything. And I was genuinely impressed.
- Anti-viral cleaning products/Daily Disinfection in common areas/Rooms sanitized between stays/Professional-grade sanitizing services: They take hygiene SERIOUSLY. Which, in the age of… well, you know… is incredibly reassuring.
- Breakfast in Room: Excellent if you need privacy.
- Cashless Payment Service: So convenient!
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: A must.
- Hygiene certification: Good.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Always appreciated.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter/Safe dining setup: They are doing things to take care of their guests.
- Staff trained in safety protocol/Sterilizing equipment: All good.
- Shared stationery removed: Nice touch.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – From Pho to Fancy Cocktails
Food is a religion in Vietnam, and Nhat Long gets it.
- A la carte in restaurant/Asian and International cuisine in restaurant/Buffet in restaurant/Coffee/tea in restaurant/Desserts in restaurant/Restaurants: They had it all. A mix of Asian and international dishes, which is a plus. The buffet breakfast was AMAZING.
- Alternative meal arrangement: I don't know for sure, but I would think they could make modifications for certain dietary restrictions.
- Asian Cuisine in restaurant/Western cuisine in restaurant: Good variety.
- Bar/Poolside bar/Happy Hour: Cocktails by the pool? Yes, please.
- Bottle of water: Always appreciated.
- Breakfast [buffet]/Breakfast service: The breakfast buffet was absolutely worth staying up for. A crazy-good spread of both Western and Asian options.
- Room service [24-hour]: For those late-night cravings.
- Salad in restaurant: Fresh and crisp.
- Snack bar/Soup in restaurant: All good.
- Vegetarian Restaurant: Not really a vegetarian restaurant, but they are willing to adjust.
- Western breakfast: See above.
Services and Conveniences – They've Thought of Almost Everything
- Air conditioning in public area/Air conditioning: Essential, especially in the Hue humidity.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: I didn't see any events going on, so can't really say.
- Business facilities/Business meetings: They've got the basics covered.
- Cash withdrawal/Currency exchange/Concierge/Contactless check-in/out/Doorman: Convenient.
- Convenience store: Nice to have, if you need snacks or forgotten necessities.
- Daily housekeeping: The staff are professional and polite.
- Dry cleaning/Elevator: Good stuff.
- Essential condiments/Facilities for disabled guests/Food delivery/Gift/souvenir shop/Indoor venue for special events/Invoice provided: Good.
- Ironing service/Laundry service/Luggage storage: Helpful.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Fine.
- Meetings/Meeting stationery/On-site event hosting/Outdoor venue for special events/Projector/LED display/ Great for a little private gathering.
- Safety deposit boxes/Seminars/Shrine/Smoking area/Terrace: Nice.
- Wi-Fi for special events/Xerox/fax in business center: I didn't use it.
For the Kids – Family-Friendly, But Not a Playground
- Babysitting service/Family/child friendly/Kids facilities/Kids meal: I didn't see too many kids, but they seem to be okay with them.
Access & Security – Feeling Safe and Sound
- CCTV in common areas/CCTV outside property: Security is always good.
- Check-in/out [express/private], 24-hour Front desk, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour]: Good.
- Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms/Soundproof rooms: They take safety seriously.
Getting Around – Easy Peasy
- Airport transfer: Arrange it!
- Bicycle parking/Car park [free of charge]/Car park [on-site]: Convenient.
- Car power charging station/Taxi service/Valet parking: Yes.
Available in All Rooms – The Comforts of Home (and Then Some)
Okay, the rooms. They're lovely. But I might be a little biased because I had a thing for the bed. The sheets were like floating on a cloud, and the pillows… oh, the pillows!
- Additional toilet/Air conditioning/Alarm clock/Bathrobes/Bathroom phone/Bathtub/Blackout curtains/Carpeting: Standard, but well-executed.
- Closet/Coffee/tea maker/Complimentary tea/Daily housekeeping/Desk/Extra long bed/Free bottled water/Hair dryer: Excellent.
- High floor/In-room safe box/Interconnecting room(s) available/Internet access – LAN/Internet access – wireless/Ironing facilities/Laptop workspace/Linens: Good.
- **Mini bar/Mirror/Non-smoking/On-demand movies/Private bathroom/Reading light/Refrigerator/Safety/security feature/Satellite/cable channels/Scale/Seating area/Separate shower/bathtub/Shower/
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this itinerary isn't going to be your Instagram-perfect travel guide. This is real travel, the kind where you spill coffee on your best shirt, get hopelessly lost, and end up having the most unexpectedly beautiful time of your life. We're going to pretend I'm already at Nhat Long Homestay in Hue, Vietnam. And yeah, I'm probably a little sweaty.
Nhat Long Homestay: Hue, Vietnam - The (Un)Official Guide (aka My Brain Dump)
Day 1: Arrival, Chaos, and Pho-king Happiness (aka My First Impression)
Morning (aka "Oh God, Did I Pack Everything?")
- Arrived at Phu Bai International Airport (HUI). Let's just say the immigration line wasn't exactly a well-oiled machine. Felt like I aged five years in the queue. But hey, the first Vietnamese person I saw smiled, so maybe this is a good sign? The airport taxi? A death trap on three wheels. But we made it!
- Nhat Long Homestay Discovery: Found the homestay! It's…charming. And let’s be honest, a tad overwhelming. Bamboo everything. My room? Adorable, but the mosquito net is probably older than me. The owner (I think his name is Ba? Or maybe he just calls everyone "friend") is a whirlwind of welcoming energy. He kept shouting something about "Vietnamese hospitality," which mostly involved hand gestures and a lot of smiles. I'm 90% sure he understood less English than I understand Vietnamese, which is… zero percent.
Afternoon (aka "Lost in Translation and Possibly in Traffic")
- Food Adventure (aka, The Reason I'm Here): Walked (read: stumbled) into the city center. The traffic is mind-blowing. Motorbikes are like angry swarms of bees. Crosswalks? Optional. Found a little place tucked away down a side alley. Ordered pho bo (beef noodle soup). Let me tell you, folks, it was a religious experience. The fragrant broth, the tender beef, the fresh herbs… I honestly almost cried. It was the best thing I've eaten in… well, maybe ever.
- Wandering the Citadel: Tried to find the Imperial Citadel. Got spectacularly lost. Asked a lady for directions, who promptly started chatting me up in rapid Vietnamese. I nodded and smiled a lot, then just wandered off, totally clueless, but somehow, I found it! Impressive, but it was so hot, I felt like a melting ice cream cone.
Evening (aka "Sunset, Stinky Fish Sauce, and a Surprisingly Deep Conversation")
- Dragon Boat Ride: Took a dragon boat ride on the Perfume River. Beautiful sunset, but the guide kept pointing out things I couldn't see or understand due to the language barrier. Still, the air was warm, the water was shimmering, and the whole scene was so peaceful.
- Dinner Fiasco: Ate at a restaurant recommended by Ba (or "friend"). Ordered something that looked innocent on the menu. Turns out, it was loaded with fish sauce. I hate fish sauce. It's like…liquid socks. Chocked down as much as I could bear, tried to politely eat as much as I could without gagging.
- The Unexpected Deep Dive: Somehow, at the homestay, I ended up chatting with a backpacker from Norway (Bjorn? Barn? Something with a "B"), under the stars. We talked about everything and nothing for hours – our fears, our hopes, what we missed about home. It's the kind of travel magic you can't plan. The kind where you just…connect. We even shared a couple of beers, even though one of us kept trying to talk us into an early night.
Day 2: Temples, Tombstones, and Total Sensory Overload
Morning (aka "Coffee, Confusion, and a Monumental Misunderstanding")
- Coffee and Contemplation: Strong Vietnamese coffee from a street vendor. The caffeine hit was an immediate cure for the fish sauce-induced trauma. I also started to think about the day, and what to do next.
- Thien Mu Pagoda: Visited Thien Mu Pagoda, the iconic seven-story pagoda. It's stunning. And crowded. And I'm pretty sure I saw a ghost. Maybe it was the heat.
- The Misunderstanding: Tried to order street food for lunch, I ordered the wrong thing. I ended up with something that had a crunchy texture. Turns out, it was deep-fried crickets. I had eaten a whole bug! I tried to pretend like I loved it, and made an enthusiastic "nom, nom, nom" sounds.
Afternoon (aka "The Emperors and the Afterlife")
- Emperor's Tomb: I went to Minh Mang's Tomb. It was impressive to see such detailed architecture. It was also a bit creepy, but in a good way. The way the Emperors planned their afterlives is… intense.
- Khai Dinh Tomb: This tomb (I think it was Khai Dinh's tomb) was absolutely bonkers. A riot of color and detail and… I don't know, just a bit much. I felt like I was inside a glitter bomb exploded by a very eccentric emperor. I spent more time watching the pigeons and pretending I was a noble.
- The Homestay Hustle: Back at the homestay. Rest? Think again! Ba's got me helping prepare dinner. I'm pretty sure I'm chopping cilantro wrong, but at least I'm trying.
Evening (aka "The Best Meal Ever (Probably) and a Midnight Swim")
- Dinner Delight: The communal dinner at the homestay was absolutely incredible. Turns out, I love lemongrass. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and I actually helped make it! Okay, maybe mostly watched.
- Night Time Dip: I didn't know that Nhat Long Homestay had a pool! I had a nighttime swim with Bjorn(or Barn?). The water was cool, and it was a wonderful way to end the day. We talked and talked, about the world.
Day 3: A Slow Farewell (and a Promise to Return)
Morning (aka "Packing, Procrastination, and a Little Bit of Regret")
- Packing: The dreaded packing process. I swear I'm leaving with more stuff than I came with. Where did all this junk come from?
- The Last Pho: One more bowl of pho, just because. So good. I am officially addicted to the Vietnamese.
- Goodbyes: Saying goodbye to Ba and Bjorn (Barn?). It feels weirdly emotional. This tiny little hub of humanity, where I shared a few days with absolute strangers, and it changed me.
Afternoon (aka "The Journey Home")
- Departure: Dragging myself, and all my new junk, to the airport.
- Hue, You Were Wonderful…and Crazy: My time in Hue was messy, beautiful, hilarious, and sometimes overwhelming. And I loved every second.
This is just a snapshot, of course. Real travel is a thousand tiny moments – the smell of incense, the sound of a motorbike horn, the feeling of the warm sun on your skin. And it doesn't follow a perfect script. It's about getting lost, making mistakes, and finding yourself in the unexpected. And yeah, I'll probably be back. Hopefully, I'll actually learn some Vietnamese next time.
Dubai's Most Stunning 1BR: Breathtaking Downtown Views Await!
Nhat Long Homestay: The Honest Guide (and My Own Slightly Unhinged Ramblings)
Okay, spill the tea. Is Nhat Long Homestay *really* as idyllic as those Instagram photos make it look?
Alright, buckle up buttercup. The short answer? Mostly. The long answer? Oh boy, where do I *begin*? Those photos? Stunning. The reality? Well, it's... *lived.* You're not getting some sterile, perfectly curated hotel experience. You're getting the real deal, folks. Expect mosquito bites (bring repellent, trust me!), occasional power outages (romantic, but still inconvenient), and the constant, gentle hum of life that *is* Vietnam. Think lush greenery overflowing, laundry flapping on lines, the scent of incense weaving through the air... which, sometimes, mingles with the aroma of… well, let's just say the nearby chicken farm. (It's Vietnamese charm, embrace it!).
I remember one day, after a slightly *too* adventurous motorbike ride, I stumbled back to the homestay, absolutely caked in mud. I looked like a swamp thing! The lovely Ms. Lan (the owner, bless her heart) just chuckled, handed me a towel, and ushered me into the outdoor shower. It wasn't pristine, mind you - a few rogue leaves had found their way in, and the water pressure was... optimistic. But that shower? That raw, refreshing experience? It was *perfection*. And that’s Nhat Long in a nutshell: Imperfect perfection.
What's the food like? Because, frankly, I’m all about the food.
Oh. My. God. The food. Forget dieting, forget willpower. You're doomed. In the best possible way. Mrs. Lan is a culinary wizard. Seriously. She makes the most incredible phở *I've ever tasted* – the broth is like a warm hug, the noodles perfectly cooked, the herbs bursting with flavour. Breakfast is an ever-changing feast of local delights: fresh fruit (mangoes! Dragons fruit! The BEST), bánh mì, noodles, maybe some pancakes… You *will* gain a few kilos. Cherish them. They are a testament to a life lived deliciously.
One morning, they served this incredible grilled fish with lemongrass and chili. Spicy, fragrant, and flaky perfection. I remember absolutely *demolishing* the whole plate. And then, feeling guilty (and slightly overstuffed). But you know what? No regrets. Absolute, unadulterated culinary bliss. Just… pace yourself. It's easy to get carried away!
Okay, but what about the rooms? Are they clean? Do they have air conditioning?
The rooms are… charming. Let’s put it that way. They're not the Ritz-Carlton, people. They're simple, clean, and comfortable. Think mosquito nets (essential!), basic furniture, and a definite sense of being… in Vietnam. Some rooms have air conditioning, some don't. Make sure you check when you book! I stayed in a room *without* AC once. Let's just say the ceiling fan became my best friend. And the mosquito nets? Absolutely crucial. Those little buggers are relentless!
And the bathrooms? Well, they're functional. Let's be honest. Don't expect luxury. But they're clean, they have hot water, and that’s all that really matters after a long day of exploring. Just… bring your own tissues. They’re not always provided.
How can I get around? Is it easy to explore Hue from there?
Getting to Nhat Long is easy enough – a taxi from Hue is your best bet. Once you’re there? You've got a few options. Bikes are readily available for rent (a fantastic way to explore the surrounding countryside, just watch out for the traffic!). Motorbikes are also an option (a true Vietnamese experience, but be cautious and wear a helmet!). Taxis are easily arranged, and the staff are incredibly helpful with arranging transportation.
But the real beauty of Nhat Long is its proximity to the Perfume River. Walking, cycling, or even a leisurely boat trip down the river will lead you to the Imperial Citadel and other attractions. Honestly, the best advice I can give you is: Embrace the slower pace. Don’t try to cram everything in. Just wander. Get lost. Discover. That’s where the real magic lies.
What about the staff? Are they friendly? Do they speak English?
The staff? They are the HEART and SOUL of Nhat Long. Ms. Lan, the owner, is an absolute sweetheart. She speaks English (though not flawlessly – but that’s part of the charm!), and she will go out of her way to make you feel welcome. The other staff members are equally friendly and helpful. They are incredibly patient, always smiling, and genuinely interested in making your stay enjoyable.
I remember one time, I completely butchered my attempt at ordering a coffee in Vietnamese. They just burst out laughing (in the kindest, most endearing way possible!) and then patiently helped me. They are not just staff members; they become your friends. You’ll feel like you're staying with family. A slightly quirky, welcoming, wonderfully Vietnamese family.
Are there any downsides? Anything I should be aware of before I go?
Alright, let's get real. Nothing is perfect. As I said, mosquito bites are a thing. Pack repellent! And they can be persistent little blighters. The wifi can be a bit patchy at times (but hey, unplugging is good for the soul, right?). Some rooms are close to the local road, so sometimes expect road noise. And, as previously mentioned, there are the occasional… *ahem*… rural farmyard aromas.
This is not a luxury resort. It's a homestay, a family-run business, a place where you’re invited into their world. If you're expecting pristine perfection, you might be disappointed. But if you're looking for a genuine, authentic, and utterly charming experience with a generous dose of Vietnamese warmth and delicious food, then Nhat Long is your place. Prepare to fall in love. And bring those mosquito nets!
Give it to me straight: Would you go back?
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. In a *heartbeat*. The thought of those breakfasts, the Perfume River breezes, the genuine kindness of the staff… it makes me want to book a flight right now! Yes, it has its quirks. Yes, it's not always perfect. But that's what makes it *perfectly* memorable. It's a place that gets under your skin, a place you'll find yourself daydreaming about long after you've left. Believe me, you'll leave a piece of your heart there. And you'll be counting down the days until you can go back and get it.
