Your stay — F5 Motel
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The Property — F5 Motel
The F5 Motel is a straightforward budget stop on the edge of Thanh Hoa city, functional rather than charming. The lobby is small and tiled, with a reception desk that doubles as a convenience counter, and the vibe is purely transit — it suits travellers who just need a clean room and a shower en route south or north. The USP is proximity to the main highway and rock-bottom rates for a night’s sleep.
Chronicles of Thanh Hoa
Thanh Hoa was founded as a fortified citadel in the 15th century under the Later Lê dynasty, with the nearby Ho Dynasty Citadel now a UNESCO site. The city grew as a provincial capital after French colonisation, gaining industry under the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and becoming a major cement-production hub in the 20th century. Today it blends socialist-era concrete blocks with a young, commerce-driven centre that feels more like a busy traffic junction than a tourist draw.
Best Time to Visit
Full Thanh Hoa guide →Best months
January to March – cool, dry weather (18-22°C) and low domestic tourism outside Tết. November also works – stable, sunny days before the winter chill.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak summer holiday month for Vietnamese families, plus the Lim Festival (regional folk music) can spike. Hotel prices in Thanh Hoa double, and the F5 Motel likely goes from 250,000 to 500,000 VND/night. Crowds hit nearby beaches like Sam Son.
Budget shoulder season
April and October – both have fewer tourists, milder heat (25-30°C), and rooms can be 30-40% cheaper than July. April has some rain but avoids the monsoon peak.
Weather & packing
July 15 in Thanh Hoa brings the southwest monsoon – expect 32°C and daily heavy downpours, often in the late afternoon. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and fast-dry clothes; sandals that grip wet tiles are essential.
Live City Briefing — Thanh Hoa
- Road widening on National Highway 1A through Thanh Hoa city is ongoing, causing delays and dust near the F5 Motel on the southern approach – allow an extra 20 minutes for car journeys.
- Sam Son beach, 16 km east, opened a new pedestrian promenade in early 2026, but the water quality has been flagged for high bacteria counts after July rains – check local advisories before swimming.
- Domestic flights to Tho Xuan Airport (THD) now have a new bus route to the city centre, but the 30-minute frequency is unreliable – taxis still the best bet for a stay this short.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to F5 Motel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the rear (away from Truong Chinh), as these offer less street noise and are easily accessible by the lift without being ground-floor busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the main entrance or parking area — high foot traffic and vehicle noise from the on-site parking lot. Also skip rooms on the top floor if the lift mechanism is audible from above.
Best views
Best view from upper-floor rear rooms overlooking the motel's own parking area or neighbouring low-rise buildings — no notable scenery, but quieter than street side.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 to 3 are typically quieter, away from street-level commotion and lift lobby traffic.
🔊 Noise notes
Truong Chinh is a main road in Thanh Hoa, so expect motorcycle and vehicle noise all day. The on-site parking (VND 100,000/night) adds engine and door sounds, especially in morning and evening. The lift may cause occasional mechanical noise on adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
1. Skip the paid Wi-Fi (VND 50,000/hour) — the free public Wi-Fi is usually fine for basic use. 2. Use the free public car park nearby (VND 80,000/night) instead of the on-site one to save VND 20,000; just request a quiet room away from its entrance.
- 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 — F5 Motel
free public Wi-Fi; paid Wi-Fi (VND 50,000 per hour)
serves all floors
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) on in-room TVs
14:00-22:00; early bag-drop available from 09:00; late check-out until 12:00 (VND 100,000 after 12:00)
available from 08:00 to 20:00; VND 20,000 per bag per day
step-free access; wheelchair entries at main entrance and lift
on-site parking available (VND 100,000 per night); nearest public car park (VND 80,000 per night); no EV charging station available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: VND 50,000 per room per night
Deposit & card hold: VND 200,000 advance deposit + VND 500,000 incidental card hold at check-in
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Công viên Quảng Xá — 714 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
nhà thuốc Minh Long — 694 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Vietnamese Dong (VND)
You can exchange currency at banks, currency exchange offices (like Vietcombank), or withdraw from ATMs with a debit/credit card. Avoid exchanging at airports or tourist areas, as rates are often poor. Be prepared to show your passport.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in major cities, but cash is still preferred in rural areas. Mobile payments like Viettel Pay and Momo are also becoming more popular.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for good service. 5,000-10,000 VND (≈ $0.20-$0.40 USD) is sufficient for restaurant staff and hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cheap coffee will cost around 5,000-10,000 VND (≈ $0.20-$0.40 USD) for a small coffee in a local café.
A bowl of pho or banh mi at a local eatery will cost around 20,000-30,000 VND (≈ $0.80-$1.20 USD).
A meal at a local restaurant, like a pho or bun cha joint, will cost around 50,000-80,000 VND (≈ $2-$3.20 USD) for a main dish.
Street food areas like the night market in Thanh Hoa City are popular for affordable eats.
Local supermarkets like Vinmart and Co.opmart have multiple locations in the area.
The local markets like the Thanh Hoa Market offer affordable shopping for clothes and household items.
A motorbike ride from the airport to the city center will cost around 100,000-150,000 VND (≈ $4-$6 USD) and can be arranged through a local driver.
Use local transportation like buses or motorbike taxis instead of taxis.Eat at local eateries or street food stalls for a more affordable option.Avoid exchanging currency at airports or tourist areas and use ATMs instead.
Emergency Contacts
Thanh HoaFor non-urgent tourist assistance, dial 024 3825 1430 (Hanoi Tourist Information Center). Save your hotel or tour operator's local number. In Thanh Hoa, English speakers may be limited; write your location in Vietnamese: 'Tôi đang ở [place name]. Cần giúp đỡ.'
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Thanh Hoa, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at F5 Motel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: pharmacy · nhà thuốc Minh Long — 694 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Tho Xuan Airport bus stop → Thanh Hoa bus station (Ben xe Thanh Hoa)
💡 Gets crowded – sit near the door to get off quickly at the station. From there, a short 10-minute walk or xe om (motorbike taxi) gets you to Sao Mai Hotel.
Tho Xuan Airport (THD) → Sao Mai Hotel, 65 Le Loi Street
💡 Use Mai Linh or Vinasun taxis from the official rank outside arrivals. Avoid touts inside the terminal. Negotiate the fare before getting in.
Thanh Hoa bus station → Stop near Le Loi & Tran Phu intersection (5 min walk to hotel)
💡 The bus is basic but reliable. Look for the yellow-and-white livery. Wave it down, pay the conductor, then get off at the 'Nga Tu Le Loi' stop. Walk east along Le Loi – the hotel is the big white building.
thanh Hoa Railway Station → Sao Mai Hotel (1.5 km west)
💡 Book SE-class trains (SE1/SE5) for better condition and air-con. Don't take the slow local train – it stops at every village. From the station, walk or grab a Grab bike to the hotel.
About Thanh Hoa
Wikipedia ↗
Thanh Hóa (Vietnamese: [tʰajŋ̟ hwǎː] ) is the capital of Thanh Hóa Province. The city is situated in the east of the province on the Ma River (Sông Mã), about 150 kilometers (93 miles) south of capital Hanoi and 1560 kilometers (969 miles) north of Ho Chi Minh City. Thanh Hoa became one of the most ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at F5 Motel?
Request rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the rear (away from Truong Chinh), as these offer less street noise and are easily accessible by the lift without being ground-floor busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at F5 Motel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the main entrance or parking area — high foot traffic and vehicle noise from the on-site parking lot. Also skip rooms on the top floor if the lift mechanism is audible from above.
Is F5 Motel noisy?
Truong Chinh is a main road in Thanh Hoa, so expect motorcycle and vehicle noise all day. The on-site parking (VND 100,000/night) adds engine and door sounds, especially in morning and evening. The lift may cause occasional mechanical noise on adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at F5 Motel?
Best view from upper-floor rear rooms overlooking the motel's own parking area or neighbouring low-rise buildings — no notable scenery, but quieter than street side.
What are insider tips for staying at F5 Motel?
1. Skip the paid Wi-Fi (VND 50,000/hour) — the free public Wi-Fi is usually fine for basic use. 2. Use the free public car park nearby (VND 80,000/night) instead of the on-site one to save VND 20,000; just request a quiet room away from its entrance.
What time is check-in at F5 Motel?
Check-in at F5 Motel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does F5 Motel have Wi-Fi?
free public Wi-Fi; paid Wi-Fi (VND 50,000 per hour)
Is there a city or tourist tax at F5 Motel?
VND 50,000 per room per night
Where can I eat cheaply near F5 Motel?
A bowl of pho or banh mi at a local eatery will cost around 20,000-30,000 VND (≈ $0.80-$1.20 USD).
What is the cheapest way to get around from F5 Motel?
A motorbike ride from the airport to the city center will cost around 100,000-150,000 VND (≈ $4-$6 USD) and can be arranged through a local driver.
When is the best time to visit Thanh Hoa?
January to March – cool, dry weather (18-22°C) and low domestic tourism outside Tết. November also works – stable, sunny days before the winter chill.
Top Attractions in Thanh Hoa
💡 The west side has a small bonsai garden and a hidden café serving iced coffee for 10,000 VND. Bring mosquito repellent after rain.
💡 Go before 8am when it peaks. Try banh gai (sticky rice cake with black sesame) from the old woman at the north gate—under 5,000 VND.
💡 Visit late afternoon for cooler light and fewer lorries. The train tracks south of the bridge have good photo spots without traffic.
💡 Combine with a visit to the Tranh Hoa pottery village 1km east—cyclo drivers charge about 20,000 VND for the trip. The caretaker sometimes gives a free tour if he's around.
💡 Rent a bicycle from the entrance for 10,000 VND—the grounds are spread out. Bring water; there's only one vendor near the ticket booth. Avoid midday heat; early morning is best.