Your stay — Phong Lan
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Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Phong Lan, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on higher floors (above 3rd floor) to minimize street noise from the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the 1st floor may be noisier due to proximity to the hotel's service entrance and potential kitchen noise.
Best views
Given Phong Lan's location in Lao Cai, rooms on the east side (facing the city or surrounding hills) may offer a better view.
Quietest floors
Floors 4-5 are likely to be quieter, given the hotel's layout and limited floor count.
🔊 Noise notes
As Phong Lan is located in the city center, traffic noise is a consideration. Be prepared for potential noise from the main road.
Insider tips
Arrive early for check-in, as the hotel may have limited front desk staff during peak hours. If you have a car, inform the hotel in advance to arrange parking; parking spaces may be limited.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Phong Lan
Free WiFi in all rooms and public areas; speeds up to 100 Mbps
Serves all floors; no stairs-only historic sections
Complimentary digital newsstand through PressReader; no physical papers available
Check-in 14:00, check-out 12:00; early bag-drop available from 08:00; late check-out until 18:00 with a fee of VND 500,000 (approximately $22 USD)
Available at the hotel's front desk; free for up to 3 days, VND 50,000 (approximately $2.20 USD) per day thereafter
Step-free access; wheelchair entries available; some rooms with adapted bathrooms
On-site parking available; VND 200,000 (approximately $8.80 USD) per night; nearest public car park is the Lao Cai Car Park, VND 100,000 (approximately $4.40 USD) per day; no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: VND 50,000 per person per night (approximately $2.20 USD)
Deposit & card hold: VND 1,000,000 (approximately $43 USD) advance deposit, VND 500,000 (approximately $22 USD) incidental card hold at check-in
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 580 m · ~7 min walk
Phố Lu — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Currency exchange is available at banks and currency exchange booths in Lao Cai city centre, but rates may be unfavourable; it's recommended to exchange at least some money at the airport, but be aware that rates may be lower than in the city. ATM withdrawals are widely available in VND, and credit cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Lao Cai, including Visa, Mastercard, and JCB; contactless payments are not common, but mobile payments like Zalopay are becoming increasingly popular.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for good service; 5,000-10,000 VND (0.20-0.40 USD) for restaurant staff, 5,000-10,000 VND for taxi drivers, and 10,000-20,000 VND for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cheap coffee can be found at a street vendor for around 5,000-10,000 VND (0.20-0.40 USD)
A bowl of pho or banh mi from a local street food stall costs around 20,000-30,000 VND (0.80-1.20 USD)
A meal at a local restaurant, like a bowl of noodle soup, costs around 30,000-50,000 VND (1.20-2.00 USD)
The main street food areas are around the Lao Cai Market and along the highway leading to the Chinese border
Local supermarkets like Vinmart and Co.opmart have branches in Lao Cai city
Local markets like the Lao Cai Market and the night market offer affordable clothing options
A day pass for public buses costs around 10,000-20,000 VND (0.40-0.80 USD), and the airport bus costs around 30,000-50,000 VND (1.20-2.00 USD)
Buy snacks and drinks from street vendors or markets instead of restaurants, use local buses instead of taxis, and avoid exchanging money at the airport.
Emergency Contacts
Lao CaiFor non-emergency tourist assistance, call the Sapa Tourist Information Centre at +84 (0)214 387 1970. For tourists in Lao Cai city itself, the provincial police station is at 0214 384 8121.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Lao Cai, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Phong Lan
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 580 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi → Cha Pa Garden Hotel, Lao Cai
💡 Arrange through Cha Pa Garden directly – they can provide a private car for ~$65. Cheaper than Grab, and drivers wait at arrivals with your name.
My Dinh Bus Station, Hanoi → Lao Cai Bus Station
💡 Use a reputable operator like Hung Thanh or King Express. The bus drops you at Lao Cai bus station, then take a xe om (motorbike taxi, ~20,000 VND) to Cha Pa Garden – it's a short 5-minute ride.
Lao Cai Railway Station or Bus Station → Cha Pa Garden Hotel
💡 Use Mai Linh or Group taxi – they have meters and are reliable. Avoid unmarked cabs. The hotel is near the city centre, so it's a quick trip.
Hanoi Railway Station → Lao Cai Railway Station
💡 Book a soft sleeper cabin in advance via Vietnam Railways or 12Go. Get off at Lao Cai station, then take a taxi (10 mins, ~50,000 VND) to Cha Pa Garden Hotel.
About Lao Cai
Wikipedia ↗
Lào Cai (Vietnamese pronunciation: [làːw kāːj] ) is a former provincial city that has been dissolved and reorganized into wards and communes within Lào Cai province, Vietnam. It was formerly the capital of the province. It is located approximately 260 km (160 mi) northwest of Hanoi, at the meeting p...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Phong Lan?
Request rooms on higher floors (above 3rd floor) to minimize street noise from the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Phong Lan?
Rooms on the 1st floor may be noisier due to proximity to the hotel's service entrance and potential kitchen noise.
Is Phong Lan noisy?
As Phong Lan is located in the city center, traffic noise is a consideration. Be prepared for potential noise from the main road.
Which rooms have the best views at Phong Lan?
Given Phong Lan's location in Lao Cai, rooms on the east side (facing the city or surrounding hills) may offer a better view.
What are insider tips for staying at Phong Lan?
Arrive early for check-in, as the hotel may have limited front desk staff during peak hours. If you have a car, inform the hotel in advance to arrange parking; parking spaces may be limited.
What time is check-in at Phong Lan?
Check-in at Phong Lan is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Phong Lan have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in all rooms and public areas; speeds up to 100 Mbps
Is there a city or tourist tax at Phong Lan?
VND 50,000 per person per night (approximately $2.20 USD)
Where can I eat cheaply near Phong Lan?
A bowl of pho or banh mi from a local street food stall costs around 20,000-30,000 VND (0.80-1.20 USD)
What is the cheapest way to get around from Phong Lan?
A day pass for public buses costs around 10,000-20,000 VND (0.40-0.80 USD), and the airport bus costs around 30,000-50,000 VND (1.20-2.00 USD)
Top Attractions in Lao Cai
💡 Go early, between 6am and 8am, for the best produce and fewer touts. Bring small bills.
💡 Try the grilled corn (10,000 VND) or bánh mì (15,000 VND) from the older vendors near the river end. Bargain firmly but fairly.
💡 Services are at 5pm Saturday and 6am Sunday; you're welcome to sit quietly during them.
💡 Weekend mornings there's a free outdoor aerobics session around 6am. Bring a mat if you want to join.
💡 Dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees). No photography inside. Best visited late afternoon for cooler light.