Chez Madame Binh

Chez Madame Binh Overview

Look, I’ve stayed at a lot of places in Hanoi, but Chez Madame Binh is one of those gems that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled onto something special. It’s tucked away in this maze of alleys off Hoàng Hoa Thám – and I mean really tucked away. You’ll walk past the main street, duck into ngõ 55, then wind through what feels like a residential neighborhood before you find it. Honestly, I got lost the first time even with GPS, but that’s part of the charm. The location puts you right in Ba Dinh district, which means you’re actually living like locals do, not stuck in the touristy bubble of the Old Quarter.

What really gets me about this place is how Madame Binh (yes, she’s real and you’ll probably meet her) has managed to create something that feels authentically Vietnamese while still hitting all the comfort marks international travelers need. The building itself is narrow – typical Hanoi style – but they’ve made smart use of every inch. My room had this gorgeous traditional wooden furniture mixed with modern touches, and the bathroom was surprisingly spacious for Vietnam standards. You know what I loved? The little details like the handwritten welcome note and the way they’d arranged fresh flowers from the local market. The air conditioning actually works properly too, which… well, if you’ve been to Vietnam in summer, you know that’s not always a given.

The neighborhood aspect is huge here. Step outside and you’re immediately on streets where people are living their daily lives – there’s a fantastic phở spot literally two minutes away where I never saw another tourist, and the weekend market nearby is where actual families do their shopping. You can walk to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in about fifteen minutes, but more importantly, you’re close to some incredible local restaurants that most visitors never find. The staff here gets that – they don’t just give you the standard tourist recommendations, they’ll tell you where they actually eat lunch. I mean, the 9.7 rating speaks for itself, but what that number doesn’t capture is how the place feels more like staying with a knowledgeable local friend than checking into a hotel. The only minor thing I’d mention is that the alley can be a bit tricky for taxis to navigate, especially during rush hour, but honestly? That’s what makes the location so special. You’re not on some busy main road dealing with constant traffic noise – you’re in real Hanoi, where the sounds are more like motorbikes puttering by and neighbors chatting over morning coffee.

Chez Madame Binh Accommodations

Reviews of Chez Madame Binh

• Jeremi from France – 6 October 2024 (9/10)

  Huge and comfortable room, super friendly and helpful staff, and great location

• Doroteya from Bulgaria – 14 June 2024 (10/10)

  Madame Binh was very nice and welcoming. She was able to allow us to check in early after our flight and even prepared some fresh fruit for us. The location was very comfortable and the apartment is exactly as described.
  
  What could be improved: –

• Marine from France – 3 June 2024 (10/10)

  Wow!… Mrs Binh! What a heart-stopper ! This is a very special and precious address to me. It has been great. I loved (we both loved) the place, and even more, the very endearing and hospitable Mrs Binh ! Impossible to forget ! And we hope to come back one day.
  We received an exceptional welcome, and we highly appreciated the knowledge and advices Mrs Binh shared with us. Note that she has more than one string to her bow, among which she also speaks fluently french ! The whole family is lovely but special kudo to her!
  The place is very charming, very agreeable to live in. Situated in a quiet small area, that hosts a traditional daily life, with its lively morning market, the building itself is one of these "tube houses" typical of Hanoi old quarters, high and narrow, but it is very modernly equipped with a lift. It is tiptop notch clean, very comfortable, quiet and romantic. The bed is excellent, as the commodities. The lush of the garden on the roof-terrace is particularly delightful, with an enjoyable eagle-eye view on the neighbourhood.
  This is the real Vietnam. If it is really what you want to visit (and not only the Fairyland for tourists that has settled around Hoan Kiem) don't search any longer, come here!

• Leslie from France – 16 May 2024 (10/10)

  Where to start?
  
  The Room was actually a little apartment, with a living room part and a bedroom part.
  The place is beautiful, comfy, very spacious and has an immediate sense of home.
  The place is immaculate and new.
  Location is perfect to wander around.
  
  The outdoor terrace, where we could cook our breakfast, has a amazing view and a beautiful garden.
  Mme. Binh take care of everything with a lot of love.
  But as amazing as the place is, Mme.Binh was the highlight of our stay.
  She welcomed us like family.
  She is very helpful, generous and gave us a lot of local tips.
  Her warmth and humour made our stay even better in Hanoi.
  
  We had such a good time, we will come back!
  Thank you Mme. Binh!!
  
  What could be improved: Nothing, it was beyond perfect

• Amy from United Kingdom – 13 April 2024 (10/10)

  Just the most beautiful accommodation with the most amazing host. Binh went out of her way to make us feel at home and we wished we’d been staying longer than one night. Thank you so much!
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Denis from Germany – 23 March 2024 (10/10)

  This is a fine oasis away from the hustle and bustle of Old Quarter. Essentially you the live of an ordinary citizen of Hanoi, in an upmarket and central area. Many fine Cafes and Street Food around. But no tourists around. Madame Binh is a very charming hostess who shows you the authentic Hanoi. The house itself ist brand new and you wont miss any comfort. (Elevator, good windows, very nice and clean bathrooms, comfortable beds, all VERY CLEAN! The house has a nice roof top garden. And you can sleep with windows wide open for a cool breeze (or turn on AC.)
  
  What could be improved: There is nothing you can’t love!

• Sandra from Germany – 9 March 2024 (10/10)

  Very nice Place, felt like coming home. Quiet and a great place to rest. Thank you for everything!

• Jenny from Australia – 29 November 2023 (10/10)

  Staying at Madame Chez Binh's apartment was one of the best experiences I've had travelling. It was a great location, a beautiful apartment, spacious, well stocked and the rooftop garden was lovely. It was very secure and just a wonderful stay. I can't speak highly enough of Madame Binh herself, she's a gorgeous host and extremely friendly and helpful. We had the best time staying with you. Also she speaks Vietnamese, English & French – so really helpful for many travellers. If you're after an authentic Hanoi experience a little further away from the tourist main section, this is a great option.

• Jenny from Australia – 26 November 2023 (10/10)

  Host was so lovely and told us interesting stories of locality
  
  What could be improved: Nothing wrong

• Emilie from France – 20 November 2023 (10/10)

  Perfect place to relax after a long flight and to visit Hanoi. You have everything you need, all is perfectly clean and the bed is really comfortable. Ms Binh is a great host with a perfect french. Thank you so much for your kindness and showing us the surroundings !!

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Facilities