Unbelievable Vietnam Homestay: Happytime Awaits!
Unbelievable Vietnam Homestay: Happytime Awaits! - A Review That's Been Through the Laundry
Alright, buckle up buttercups because I'm about to spill the (Vietnamese) tea on Unbelievable Vietnam Homestay: Happytime Awaits! and let me tell you, after staying there, I'm still kinda recovering. It was…an experience. An honest one. And hopefully, this review will be the same.
First Impressions & Accessibility (or, The Great Staircase Debacle)
Okay, so 'Unbelievable' is a bold claim, right? Well, the accessibility…yeah, that was an experience. While the website claims it has facilities for disabled guests, and I definitely saw an elevator (praise the heavens!), navigating the place felt a bit like an Indiana Jones adventure. The entrance itself had a few steps, and my poor friend with a wonky knee almost took a tumble. They did have a tiny ramp, barely noticeable, but the whole thing felt like a bit of an afterthought. This is something they REALLY need to improve. More on this later but It's pretty important to note that, it is not the most wheelchair-accessible place I've ever seen. This is a heads-up.
Speaking of accessibility - Internet access was a life-saver because I needed that Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and in the Wi-Fi in public areas. I've got a job to do and I needed to get some work done, so thank God for the Internet [LAN] access in my room, not just the internet itself. It was speedy and reliable, which is more than I can say for my own internet back home. I got my work done!
The Safety Dance (Cleanliness, Security & the Pandemic Shuffle)
This is where Happytime really shined. They took the whole Cleanliness and safety thing seriously. I mean, seriously seriously. They’re practically swimming in Anti-viral cleaning products. They're disinfecting like their life depended on it! There was a Daily disinfection in common areas, and my room was sparkling. They also had Professional-grade sanitizing services going on after every guests. You could even opt-out of the Room sanitization opt-out available, which, okay, cool.
They were also rocking the Cashless payment service, which is great. The food was all served up with Individually-wrapped food options because, you know, pandemic life. And the staff? Trained to the gills in staff trained in safety protocol, wearing masks and distancing. They were really, really careful.
The Safety/security feature was pretty good. They had CCTV in common areas and outside the property so you can be sure your car is well looked after in Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site]. The Fire extinguisher was there, the Smoke alarms were humming, and the Front desk [24-hour] that provided security 24-7. You felt like a safe space.
I saw tons of Hand sanitizers everywhere you turned, and the first aid kit made me feel like I can relax.
Food Glorious Food (And My Unrealistic Expectations)
Oh. My. Gosh. Okay, food. This is where I had a bit of a…learning curve. I was expecting the world. I had read reviews and my mouth was watering.
So, let’s start with the good: The Asian cuisine in restaurant was incredible. I mean, seriously, the pho? To die for. They had Asian breakfast and Western breakfast depending on your mood, and both were delish. The Breakfast [buffet] was extensive. But… I ordered room service one night (Room service [24-hour]), and let's just say my expectations were slightly higher than reality. The a la carte in restaurant was pretty good, and if you want to order a Bottle of water, they are happy to provide.
The Coffee/tea in restaurant was…okay. It's worth mentioning they had a Snack bar, and that the Bar was well-stocked. The Poolside bar was the highlight - cocktails in the sun? Yes, please. I could always go for a good Desserts in restaurant and they did not disappoint.
The one big bummer (and I'm being honest here) was they didn't have a Vegetarian restaurant.
Now, a rambling anecdote about the buffet I can't help but share:
One morning, fueled by a mild hangover and a burning desire for comfort food, I went hog wild at the buffet. I loaded up on…well, everything. Noodles, spring rolls, even that stuff that looked like a green swamp creature (turned out to be surprisingly tasty). I piled it all on my plate. Then, halfway through, I realized I had no idea what anything was. I’m staring at my plate, wondering if it was even real. And then…disaster. I knocked over my glass of orange juice. It went everywhere. Mortified, I slunk back to my table, sure the entire dining room was staring at me. But guess what? The staff just smiled, cleaned up my mess, and brought me a fresh glass of juice. That’s service. That's how you do it.
Relaxation Station (Spa, Pool & My Personal Zen)
Okay, so, the Swimming pool [outdoor] was gorgeous. Seriously Instagram-worthy. And the Pool with view made it even better. The water temperature was perfect.
They had a Spa/sauna on site. While I didn't get the chance to try all of the spa treatments, the Massage was fantastic. I was transported to some kind of blissful land where my shoulders were knot-free. They had a Steamroom also. They had a Foot bath and the Body wrap was another treat. I also saw a Fitness center and a Gym/fitness, but I was too busy eating spring rolls to work out.
Rooms, Rooms, Glorious Rooms! (And Some Minor Frustrations)
The Available in all rooms were pretty great, like the Air conditioning (thank god! Vietnam is HOT.), the Hair dryer, the Bathrobes, the Coffee/tea maker, the Free bottled water, and the Mini bar. The Additional toilet was a bonus. The Bathrooms were equipped with a Bathroom phone. And, of course, the Wi-Fi [free]. I would’ve been lost without it. They kept things tidy with the Daily housekeeping.
And… I loved the Blackout curtains. It made sleeping SO much better in that very bright country. The Desk area was perfect for the small amount of work that I did.
Services & Conveniences (The Good, The Bad, and The Laundry)
The usual suspects were there: Concierge, Currency exchange, Dry cleaning, Laundry service, Luggage storage. They had a Convenience store because let’s face it, we all need snacks at 3 AM. I did not use Doctor/nurse on call. I did not use the Baby sitting service.
They had Meeting/banquet facilities and Indoor venue for special events if you need them. And they have Outdoor venue for special events. I did not use any of them, but cool that they are there.
What I am not sure of is the Car power charging station.
For the Kids (Maybe Bring Your Own Fun)
They had a Babysitting service and a Family/child friendly atmosphere. They also had Kids meal. I don't have kids, so I didn't really pay much attention to this part of the hotel.
Getting Around (Mostly Smooth Sailing)
They offer an Airport transfer, which I highly recommend. The taxi situation in Vietnam can be…chaotic. They had Taxi service available and Valet parking if you are feeling fancy. They also had Bicycle parking and Car park [on-site].
The Overall Verdict (And My Personal Takeaway)
Look, Unbelievable Vietnam Homestay: Happytime Awaits! has its imperfections. They're not perfect. They're probably not unbelievable. But, they're doing a good job, and generally, I had a great time.
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Gram Hotel South Korea: Unbelievable Luxury Awaits You!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this Happytime Homestay Vietnam itinerary? It ain't gonna be all Insta-perfect sunsets and blissed-out yoga poses. Consider this a warning. Prepare for a glorious clusterfuck of delicious food, questionable decisions, and enough mosquito bites to make you question your life choices. Here we go…
Happytime Homestay: The Unfiltered Vietnam Adventure (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Banh Mi)
Day 1: Arrival and Mild Panic (aka, "Where the Heck is My Ride?")
- 14:00: Arrive at Hanoi Airport (HAN). Ha, “arrive.” More like stumble off a plane looking like a wilted lettuce and praying I haven’t forgotten how to breathe in a humid climate. Found my luggage. Victory! Now, where in the holy hell is the pre-arranged transfer to the homestay? Five minutes. Okay, maybe I'm overreacting. I'll give it ten.
- 14:30: Fifteen minutes. Nobody with a sign that looks even remotely like my name. Started picturing myself wandering the Hanoi streets forever, alone, haunted by the ghost of a forgotten travel guide. Then! A dude with a slightly crazed look and a sign with my name misspelled (typical) rescues me. Turns out, he was stuck in traffic. I swear, the traffic here is a sentient being, just laughing at my plans.
- 16:00: Finally, at the Homestay! Happytime Homestay. It looks like a postcard! Except, you know, real. The view from my balcony is breath-taking. Immediately, I want to sleep for a week. But the lady, Mai, the owner, is so warm and welcoming, and the iced coffee…OH. MY. GAWD. This coffee alone deserves a Michelin star.
- 17:00: The "Welcome Dinner" – supposed to be a communal affair. I'm awkward as hell in these situations. Tried to make small talk, which devolved into me accidentally spilling fish sauce all over the table. Mortified. The soup was delicious, though. Ate the whole darn thing.
- 19:00: Attempted to take a shower. The water pressure was, shall we say, spirited. Ended up wrestling with the tiny shower head and feeling like I was being waterboarded. Eventually gave up and decided to embrace the slightly sticky, mosquito-bite enhanced state.
- 20:30: Bed. Exhausted. Jetlag is a vicious beast. But… the happy, content feeling. This is good.
Day 2: Cyclo Craziness and the Quest for the Perfect Pho
- 07:00: Woken by the sound of what I believe to be a thousand mopeds, and a rooster who clearly has rock and roll dreams. The beauty of this life, honestly.
- 08:00: Breakfast. Banh Mi. This, my friends, is what life is all about. Crispy baguette, amazing fillings… I'm pretty sure I could live on this alone. (Probably not. I'd miss the coffee.)
- 09:00: Cyclo tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter. This was supposed to be a romantic, cultural experience. It was, at times, terrifying. I clung to the seat, silently praying the driver wouldn't plunge us into oncoming traffic. We made it. Barely. The buildings are gorgeous, the smells are intoxicating, and my knuckles are still white.
- 11:00: Attempted to cross the road. Another near-death experience. It’s like a real-life game of Frogger, only with more angry motorbikes. I am never going to master this.
- 12:00: Pho hunt! The quest for the perfect bowl of pho begins. Wandered aimlessly, lured by the delicious aroma of spices. Tried a few different places, and each was more fantastic than the last. The broth, the herbs, the perfectly cooked noodles… I seriously need a PhD in Pho.
- 14:00: Back at the homestay. Slept for a while, which was so much needed in my life.
- 16:00: Cookery class. I’m not usually one for these things, but Mai’s got a good laugh and a way of making you feel like a culinary genius. We made spring rolls. Mine were… rustic. Let's call them "artisan."
- 19:00: Dinner. The spring rolls were actually not half bad! Mai, bless her heart, pretended to be impressed by my creations. The actual dinner, though? Divine. Still, I had the most delicious beer, and the aftertaste was… I never knew beer was so good
- 20:30: Reading on the Balcony, taking in this life.
Day 3: Halong Bay – Dreams and Dramas
- 06:00: Wake up, prepare to go to Halong Bay. I'm excited. It's supposed to be otherworldly. Also, hoping there's an actual toilet on the boat, because my digestive system is still adjusting.
- 07:00: Bus Pick up. The bus ride was… let's say "vibrant". The driver loved his horn, the speakers blasted Vietnamese pop music, and the scenery whizzed by in a blur of rice paddies and small towns.
- 11:00: Halong Bay! Oh. My. God. The karsts rising from the emerald water… it's truly breathtaking. It's like walking into a painting. I could get used to this.
- 12:00: Onboard the junk boat. Lunch was served – a huge buffet of seafood and Vietnamese specialties. I ate everything. EVERYTHING. I had to. They even had a whole grilled fish. I still can remember the taste.
- 13:00 - 16:00: Kayaking through the bay. Pure magic. Paddling through the turquoise water, surrounded by those majestic karsts… it was serene. And then! A downpour hit. Seriously, like the heavens opened up and decided to hose us down. We were soaked. Freezing. And laughing hysterically.
- 17:00: Back on the boat, drying off (sort of) and getting ready to watch the sunset. If there was one. It's was overcast but what the heck.
- 19:00: Dinner. Again, incredible food. The people on the boat? Wonderful. Shared stories, shared laughter, shared a few beers.
- 20:00: Attempted karaoke. My voice is a crime against music. But everyone was too drunk to care.
Halong Bay: Doubling Down on the Good Stuff.
Okay, so Halong Bay was amazing. But let's not kid ourselves: it wasn't all smooth sailing. There were hiccups. The toilet on the boat was… well, let's just say I developed a deep appreciation for public restrooms on the mainland. And the other tourists? A mixed bag, ranging from genuinely lovely people to the ones who loudly complained about the "lack of Western comforts." But the memories, the feeling: it was magical. The view from my balcony, the wind, the sea. That’s what I want to remember.
- Morning, On the way back: Breakfast on the boat, one last look at the Halong bay.
Day 4: Back to Reality (and More Banh Mi)
- 08:00: Woken up by the same thousand mopeds and the rooster. But now it's… comforting?
- 09:00: Return to the Homestay! I felt happy, I was so happy to come back to this homestay
- 10:00: I spend the morning with Mai, chatting and making plans.
- 12:00: Lunch again! Another Banh Mi. The best one yet.
- 13:00 - 16:00: The afternoon, spent by the pool, reading a book, and just enjoying the slow pace.
- 17:00: Trying to pack, it’s a mess. Trying to figure out what to do with all my stuff.
- 19:00: Farewell dinner with Mai. She gave me a small gift and it made my heart melt.
- 20:30: Bed, and sleep.
Day 5: Departure and the Bitter Sweet
- 08:00: Have the last breakfast, with a heavy heart. I also took some banh mi to go.
- 10:00: Say goodbye to Vietnam. The Happytime Homestay. It was more than a place to stay, it was home.
- 11:00: Heading to the airport. I'm not ready to leave. I'm going to miss the chaos, the smells, the food, the people.
- 14:00: Leaving on a plane.
- 17:00: Arriving back in home.
Final Thoughts:
This trip was… imperfect. There were moments
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Unbelievable Vietnam Homestay: Happytime Awaits! – FAQ… Yeah, Maybe?
Okay, so… "Happytime Awaits"? Is that, like, the *brand*? Sounds… optimistic. Tell me everything, the *good* and the… well, the not-so-good.
Alright, buckle up, buttercup. "Happytime Awaits" is… yeah, it’s the brand. And honestly? It’s a *lie*. (Kidding! Mostly.) It’s a family-run homestay, nestled somewhere in the Vietnamese countryside, and *they* definitely work hard to please. Honestly, it's a genuine attempt to be welcoming and a good experience. Think… chickens. And a LOT of rice. And maybe, just maybe, a few moments so hilariously awkward you’ll be telling the story for years. So, the good? The FOOD. Oh, the food! Home-cooked Vietnamese, authentic, and they’ll happily stuff you until you burst. The family is genuinely lovely… most of the time. The views? Stunning. Rolling hills, rice paddies, the whole shebang.
But… (and there’s always a but, isn’t there?)… the "Happytime" bit is a *tad* ambitious. Like, the mosquitoes are *relentless*. You will become a walking buffet. Pack the DEET, seriously. And the Wi-Fi? Pray for it. Seriously. I once downloaded a picture of a cat, and it took, like, an hour. (And I *needed* that cat picture!) And the shower… well, let’s just say it’s a very "Eastern plumbing adventure." Don't expect a spa day. But if you're looking for an experience? It's all there.
Speaking of which, tell me more about the food! Is there veggie/vegan options? Or are we talking primarily meat and rice? (And will I be going to the toilet every 2 hours?)
Okay, the food. This is the *good* stuff. Forget your diet, whatever it is. The matriarch of the family, Auntie Hoa (not her real name, but close enough), is a culinary goddess. And YES, they can *mostly* accommodate veggie/vegan requests. You may need to over-communicate. Like, picture yourself miming a cow and then shaking your head vigorously while pointing at a plate. Then smile and look hopeful. They got the point across. It was delicious too. They’ll make amazing tofu dishes, stir-fries bursting with vegetables, and noodle soups that'll make your soul sigh with happiness.
Now, the “bathroom situation” is a valid concern. It definitely depends on your constitution and how much they’re feeding you. Be prepared for a lot of rice, a lot of deliciousness, and yeah… potentially a lot of trips to the loo. (Pack some Imodium, just in case. I’m not judging.) Also, and this is important, remember that they use the squat toilets. You might need to practice your form. And, be ready for the possibility of a small, friendly chicken hanging out while you do your business. (Yes, it happened to me. Don't ask.)
The Wi-Fi! You mentioned the Wi-Fi. How bad are we talking? Can I actually *stay* connected, or am I going off-grid? Because, honestly, that picture of the cat is *important*.
Oh, the Wi-Fi. Prepare to embrace your inner Luddite. We're talking dial-up speeds in a 4G world. Think of it as a forced digital detox. Which, actually, might be a good thing. But… that cat picture? Prioritize it. Or even download a whole bunch of stuff before you go, like, Netflix, all the memes, etc. Try to download them the day before as it will take ages. You might get lucky and snag a fleeting connection in the morning, but otherwise… embrace the silence. Embrace the boredom. Embrace the fact that you won't be able to immediately upload your Instagram story of that amazing rice paddy view. Because, trust me, it's amazing. And you *will* be tempted.
And here’s an even better tip, one of the daughters of the family, Trang, has an okay grasp on English, but she has the Wi-Fi password. So, if you can, befriend her, and she might give you a code that actually works. But don’t count on it. Bring a book. Or a friend. Or both. Because, honestly, you'll need it. That or learn to appreciate the sound of the cicadas.
Okay, mosquitoes and the bathroom. What *else* should I be worried about, other things that the Tripadvisor reviews *conveniently* "forgot" to mention?
Ah, the unvarnished truth. Besides the obvious (mosquitoes, plumbing quirks, Wi-Fi misery), let’s get real. The language barrier. It *is* there. Even with Trang. Lots of pointing and smiling. Google Translate is your friend (if you can get the Wi-Fi to cooperate). Also, you need to understand that you are in someone's *home*. They will be around. There is no real privacy. And you will be privy to all sorts of family shenanigans. It's charming... eventually. But at first, it’s like being thrust into a real-life Vietnamese soap opera.
Then there is the "surprise guest". The family loves to entertain. Prepare for unexpected visitors. Like, a very excited cousin who speaks *no* English and wants to teach you Vietnamese card games. Or the neighbor who shows up with a karaoke machine at 10 PM. And it's LOUD. Oh, it is loud.
And finally… the roosters. They are EVERYWHERE. And apparently, they think 4 AM is a perfectly reasonable time to start crowing. Bring earplugs. Seriously. And maybe a sense of humor. And a LOT of patience.
Tell me about one specific experience you particularly liked or hated. Lean into the emotion here. Get real with me!
Okay, fine. Here's a memory that refuses to leave my brain: The karaoke night. Oh, the karaoke night! We'd had a lovely dinner, mountains of spring rolls, the beer was cold, and I thought, "This is the life!" Then, the karaoke machine came out. It was like a scene from a Vietnam War film… but with more off-key singing.
The neighbors arrived, looking, shall we say, *festive*. One of them grabbed the microphone, looked straight at me, and belted out a power ballad in Vietnamese, which I understood *none* of. But the *passion*! The sheer, unadulterated *passion* emanating from that man… it was something else. I'm pretty sure my ears were bleeding.
Then, it was my turn. I’m not known for my vocal prowess. I attempted a very, very badly translated rendition of, "I Will Survive." (The only English song I knew at the time). The song of defiance sounded terrible. But the family and neighbors were *delighted*. They clapped, they cheered, they offered me more beer. I thought I’d die of mortification. Honestly, at the time time, I hated. I wanted to run and hide. But, once the moment had passed, I found myself smiling too. Because, in the midst of the chaos and the bad singing, I had a fantastic and unforgettable memory. It was a horrible, wonderfulNomadic Stays
