I am not a first time traveler...
I am not a first time traveler to Vietnam. This hotel was clean, the staff was helpful and very polite. My room was scheduled to be redecorated during my stay, so it may be a little nicer now. It was clean and simple with a nice balcony. More than adequate.
The location is an area more frequented by back packers and other western budget visitors. It is a noisy street with more seedy street characters than in other parts of HCMC. I was not bothered by this, but would not stay here with my children.
It is about on par with the typical American motel you would find near an airport with the addition of a more curteous staff and a decent restaurant.
Considering it was a third to one sixth the price of a 4-5 star "western" hotel it is a great value for a decent hotel for someone who does not require all the extras of the very fancy hotels.
It had everything I need for a visit or a business trip.