Franz Eliz
I made a quick trip to Ninh Binh in 2022 sometime in November to explore Tam Coc and visit a friend. Using Booking.com, I found Hang Mua Happiness Homestay. I mainly chose this hotel due to its affordability and excellent location.
Formerly Known as Ninh Binh Village 1990 Homestay, Hang Mua Happiness Homestay is a homestay in Ninh Binh, about only 1 km by foot from Mua Caves. Despite being a budget accommodation, Hang Mua Happiness Homestay is highly rated amongst tourists. Spending a night here is recommended.
Keep reading as I’ll discuss my experience at this lovely homestay. I’ll also share my rating for this accommodation at the end of this article.
A Small and Cosy Homestay Near Mua Caves
Tourism was still quite slow in 2022. So even though it was almost the end of 2022, the prices of many hotels in Vietnam (including Ninh Binh) were still quite low.
I didn’t want to spend too much money during my trip to Ninh Binh. So, I wasn’t very picky about my hotel. Cheap hotels didn’t bother me much as long as they were value for money. That was when I found Hang Mua Happiness Homestay. The rate for a night was only (MYR45 or about US$9). I got a King room with a Garden view. Since the booking was cheap, cancellation was non-refundable. That was fine by me.
I was sceptical at first upon seeing the cheap price. However, since the homestay had good reviews, I decided to book a room there through Booking.com.
Close to Mua Caves
Hang Mua Cave Happiness Homestay is only 1 km by foot from Mua Caves, a popular local attraction in Ninh Binh. So, tourists who want to stay closer to Mua Caves but don’t want to stay in Mua Caves Ecolodge (a nice resort closest to the caves) may opt for cheaper accommodation like Hang Mua Happiness Homestay. I travelled with Trang An Limousine from Hanoi. The driver dropped me right at the homestay.
Good Customer Support
Initially, I wanted to stay for two nights but ended up cancelling one night. I only spent one night in Ninh Binh. The hotel cancellation was easy. Also, when I needed to ask questions, the property owner was very friendly, responsive, and helpful.
Restful Night
I got a King room with a garden view. The room was spacious, with a traditional swing main door, clean sheets and pillows, and a big blanket.
There were two rattan chairs and a small table. I noticed the bed facing towards the main door; usually, I don’t prefer my bed to face the door. But it was something I could look past during this trip.
In the evening, the area seemed quite noisy. I could hear noises from kids running, farm animals like chickens and pigs, and people talking. While the room isn’t soundproof, I still managed to sleep well at night. At night, the homestay was very quiet.
There are curtains in my room that I can close especially when I want to nap. The room is quite bright in the afternoon when the curtains are not closed.
Good Facilities
My bathroom was spacious, and I liked that. I was given the usual things, such as soap, shampoo, toilet paper, and a towel. There were cold and hot water available, too. I don’t remember getting water bottles, but the hotel provided ceramic cups and a water boiler so that I could make drinking water and hot drinks.
Other facilities available at the homestay are a hairdryer, slippers, Internet, and more. The Internet worked pretty well, so I was able to stream YouTube videos without any interruption. Laundry and photocopying services are also available.
My stay included breakfast, but I woke up late so I can’t comment on it. However, I had Vietnamese coffee with my friend Jay who came over in the morning to pick me up from the homestay. We petted a dog (presumably the property owner’s pet) while having coffee. It was friendly but a little shy. I featured the dog in my Tam Coc video:
Fun Tours and Activities
If you’re looking for a local tour for your trip to Ninh Binh, you can check out the tours offered by Hang Mua Happiness Homestay. Check out their bike tours, walking tours, or tours of local culture. There are also fun activities like cooking lessons, themed dinners, playing pool, and hiking for you to participate in.
If you like, you could consider their spa services to help you unwind after a long day of exploring. You can also hang out in the garden near your room. There are chairs, a coffee table, and a swing there.
Tolerance for Late-Night Entries
While the check-in (from 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.) and check-out (5:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) hours are fixed, the hours for entering the homestay are flexible for guests who’ve checked in.
I went out with my friends at night and came home after midnight. Of course, I informed the property beforehand. The property had someone watching the gate in case I or other guests returned from a night out.
Only Cash Payments
You can pay for your room upon check-in. However, the property only accepts cash payments, meaning you can only pay by cash when giving a deposit, dining, or requesting special services at the property. That said, get your cash ready.
Do I Recommend Hang Mua Happiness Homestay?
I recommend Hang Mua Happiness Homestay. It’s a quaint homestay in the Vietnamese countryside not far from Mua Caves. If you plan to stay near Mua Caves, this homestay is worth considering. It’s not a fancy accommodation, but it’s value for money.
The place is quiet, the people there are warm and friendly, and you can have a more local experience by staying in a local home. There’s a restaurant if you’re thirsty or hungry, and BBQ facilities if you want to barbecue with friends. Since the homestay is pet-friendly, guests are welcome to bring their pets along (upon request).
There are nearby restaurants if you want to dine elsewhere, like Tôm Bôp Bar. I had lunch there and the food was lovely.
Final Thoughts
Would I return to Hang Mua Happiness Homestay? Absolutely, yes. Pricing-wise, a night at the homestay is fairly affordable. It was very cheap when I checked in. The prices are higher now, but I’d say that the rooms are still value for money.
