The Vissai Hotel (Formally Star City Saigon) Last Update Jan 2020
The Vissai Hotel is situated to the South East of the airport. A report from our well travelled correspondent Paul Moiser is shown below. There is also additional information of further viewing facilities nearby as well as how to obtain your visa.
I came across a few hotels which were just over a mile from the airport, and I emailed everyone of them asking if the airport could be seen from their higher floor rooms, and all the hotels replied back saying the airport could not be seen due to the hotel not facing that direction etc apart from one hotel which did reply back with a very positive response being the Star City Saigon Hotel basically saying I have been up to the highest floor and had a look for you and can confirm you can see the planes taking off, but not from the runway.
After I got my passport stamped and after collecting my luggage I was greeted by a very nice Vietnamese lady holding a board with my name on it. She took me to my driver who was waiting for me to take me to the hotel. At check-in I was given the promised upgrade to the executive floor in room 1120 on the 11th floor. From the room you have an amazing view of the busy business district below as well as downtown. Also in view is the airport control tower and I only had to wait less than 2 minutes before I could see a plane taking off and much to my surprise part of the runway and taxiway could also be seen so I knew I had made the right choice in the end. As the distance looking out towards the airport is just over a mile away, the traffic is a little too far away to actually read off easily, so if you plan on staying here you will need your SBS. Between the hotel and the airport there are numerous buildings in the way, however you can clearly see the control tower, and part of the runway and taxiway in between the buildings so if your happy using your SBS you can easily make out all the traffic once landed or on departure. Included in the room rate is free breakfast and free wireless internet.
Following Report from Andy Kelly 2016
Just recently returned from staying at the Vissai hotel ( formerly Star city Saigon hotel). First of all if you want to visit Vietnam now is a good time because if you are a British passport holder you don’t need a visa, just 6 months validation on your passport but this might end in June 2017 where they will review it.
Secondly there is an office construction next to the hotel, I don’t know how high this building is going up but its up to the 6th floor of the hotel. It might stop there or go even higher. I had a room on the 8th floor and could see the aircraft departing no problem but you do need tracking equipment or laptop, tablet etc with flight radar. Aircraft are to far away to read off with binoculars.
The hotel itself is great value, food is great, staff very welcoming. I asked for a high floor room facing the airport and it wasn’t a problem. There is a supermarket about a 10 minute walk away for all your snacks drinks etc.
Third and last is the moonlight café lounge on the 11th floor of the CT PLAZA SHOPPING CENTRE is now shut down and closed as I found out when I got there but if you get a high floor room you no need to go there. I just just went there for different scenery from my room, 2-3 days is enough there, well worth a visit if you get the time.
This hotel can be booked through Booking.com If the price is good please book through the links supplied as the small commission received helps us maintain the site.
**Update Office Construction work was taking place near to the hotel in 2018 which may obscure views, any updates would be appreciated
Below : View from room 1120 of The Vissai Hotel. Credit Paul Moiser-see more pictures from his worldwide trips here
The Ibis Saigon Airport Last Update Jan 2020
Is a relatively new airport hotel from which we are receiving great reports.
The hotel has a rooftop pool with views over to the runway which is ideal for chilling out whilst watching the action. You have a great view over the terminal building and all line ups, and landing can be seen when 25 L/R are in use. You wont miss any traffic . 100-400 will do for photographs. Good light from the morning until afternoon in winter time. The pool opens at 0700 and the bar at 1000 and closes at 0100 in the morning. Rooftop pool access is available to residents only, a room key is required to activate the lifts.
Many rooms have views similar to those from the pool, ask for an airport facing room on reservation or check in. Rooms ending *18-*26 9th floor and above have great views. The hotel has a free shuttle bus from the airport. The King Bed suites are located on the higher floors (floor 15) and have great views.
The rooms are not as elevated as the pool area so the views are slightly restricted. When 25 is in use you only see the fins of the aircraft as the taxi out, however they can be easily seen once airborne. Inbounds are easily seen on the approach and over the threshold. If 07 is in use, the aircraft can be seen when in the air so nothing is missed. The pool area however has much better views and is highly recommended.
A long lens is required for photography and heat haze is a problem here but shots should be possible at times from the rooftop pool area.
The hotel rooms are available from around 50 Uk pounds per night.can be booked through Booking.com If the price is good please book through the links supplied as the small commission received helps us maintain the site. If the price is good please show your appreciation and book through these links as the small commission received helps us maintain the site.
Below: View from the pool area at the Ibis. High level rooms will also have the same views.
