Vietnam is a stunning country, filled with breathtaking archaeological sites, limestone islands and awe-inspiring mega cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Its a place to escape, contemplate and to revitalise the senses. Ancient constructions and sleek skyscrapers are all part of the national architectural make-up and the colourful culinary offer is like nothing else on earth. Whether you’re travelling through on a large-scale Asian odyssey, or honing in on Vietnam as an adventurous holiday destination, it’s important to choose great hotels that will enhance your experience. And here are some of the best ones to book.
Ho Chi Minh City
The Reverie Saigon
Conveniently located in District 1, within the high-rise Times Square Building, this hotel is palatial. At lobby level, you’ll find an enormous 24-carat gold carriage clock. Climb to the rooftop and you can swim in the pool with views of the river. Everything here is ostentatious, with displays of champagne and caviar, heavy silver candelabra, polished marble services, heated toilet seats, expensive art pieces and ornate rococo ceilings. It’s the opposite of simplicity, embracing its guests with contemporary opulence. Two formal and two casual restaurants, a two-floor spa and a fitness centre are also found within the impressive skyscraper.
Park Hyatt Saigon
Built in a French Colonial style, this hotel also exudes an Americana luxury alongside Vietnamese touches incorporated into the room decor. The large, gleaming white building sits opposite the Opera House, with a glamorous pool and sunbathing area at the ground floor level of the rear, providing an idyllic outlook for many of the 245 bedrooms. Guests can drink and dine on authentic Italian cuisine at Opera, Vietnamese and European dishes at Square One, indulge in a classic afternoon tea in the Park Lounge and party the night away at 2 Lam Son. Treatments inspired by traditional Vietnamese beauty rituals using locally sourced ingredients are available at Xuan Spa.
Caravelle Saigon
This hotel dates back to 1959 and has served as a landmark on the city horizon ever since. Now rising to 24 stories, it commands some of the best views in the city. In fact, back in the 1970s, the hotel’s Saigon Saigon bar was used by US journalists to keep an eye on the front line. Now it’s a super place to view the city’s lights. The five-star property has a glitzy pool area, a spa and five varied eateries/bars. Higher grade rooms include Sealy Posturepedic beds, pillow menus, Appelles Black range toiletries and balconies.
Hotel Sofitel Plaza Saigon
Displaying a distinctly French ambience and found on Le Duan Boulevard (across from the French embassy), is Hotel Sofitel Plaza Saigon. Guests can unwind at the RESET Private Club, work out in the Sofitel Fitness centre and swim in the stunning rooftop pool — found on the 18h floor and decorated with Indochine tiles, it’s a glamorous spot. A bar-restaurant is also located beside the pool, or guests can dine in Mezz Restaurant, Le 17 Bistrot, T Lounge and Club Millésime (the latter is for Club Level guests). The Ministry of Men is the hotel’s vintage-European bar, open till late.
Mia Saigon – Luxury Boutique Hotel
Many of the luxe hotels here are large, grand affairs. However, Mia Saigon offers something more intimate. Found in the riverside district of Thu Duc city, the 52 bedroom residence welcomes guests by boat, as well as by car and on foot. The property is nostalgic for the French Art Deco era, with effortless chic vintage decor and a wonderful wellness centre, Ô Spa. Madame Lam is the hotel’s fine restaurant, with Kitchen by the River offering unpretentious yet on-trend dining and Gin on 8 (referring to its beverage speciality and floor), providing imbibers with epic views.
The Myst Dong Khoi
An uber-modern skyscraper accented by leafy green foliage jutting from countless crevices on the building’s exterior, The Myst Dong Khoi is a design lover’s delight. Vietnamese homes have served as the inspiration here, with interiors (that wouldn’t be out of place in an arty magazine) featuring objets d’art, polished hardwood flooring, stained glass and wrought-iron hardware. And like the outside, there are plenty of plants and exotic plants inside. Attracting a fashionable set, its facilities include the KL Spa, two restaurants (Ery and The Nest), Bason cafe and Bar Bleu. A highlight is the cocoon-like outdoor pool area; a long thin strip of underlit water that’s especially magical after dark.
Hanoi
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
A Neo-Classical exterior houses this former railway hotel that’s been a longtime favourite with iconic celebrities — Charlie Chaplin honeymooned here. Part of the city’s French Quarter, it’s filled with ceiling fans, attentive staff wearing traditional silk garb, hardwood floors and striking furnishings. Several restaurants serve French, Italian and local fine fare. Bedrooms are located in two wings, one offering a more modernised style, the other with a vintage leaning. Outside, there’s a swimming pool, bar, restaurant and terrace with a tropical feel. Upgrade to Club Level for a private lounge and butler service.
Lotte Hotel Hanoi
Where the Old Town meets the New, the Lotte Hotel and Evian Spa is found at the top section of a 65 storey complex. Its height affords excellent views to the 318 bedrooms and suites, with interiors by HBA and Wilson Associates. Tim Ho Wan is the hotel’s lauded restaurant, the first Michelin starred Dimsum house in Vietnam, plus there’s Grill 63 and Pharaoh`s Bar & Upper. Those of all ages can stay active in the swimming pool, in the yoga room, at the indoor golf range, on the basketball court, on the jogging track, at the kids play centre and via a 24-hour gym.
The Oriental Jade Hotel
Boasting views across Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi Cathedral and Hanoi Old Quarter, The Oriental Jade Hotel is well placed to explore the historic centre. Part of the Oriental Hospitality Group, it has an East meets West design and approach. The property features the O’Spa Lotus, with Vietnamese style treatments, a 12th-floor outdoor pool and the impressive Sixteen Sky Bar with epic panoramas. The hotel’s 120 guest rooms have a timeless elegance and come with a 24-hour contactless concierge. A sophisticated coffee lounge and the Thang Long Signature Restaurant, serving delicious authentic cuisine, complete its amenities.
Hoi An
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai
Perched on the perfect white sands of Hà My Beach, this exotic property is surrounded by lush tropical gardens with over 4000 coconut trees. Guests are accommodated across 100 villas, some with pools, private courtyard entrances, butler-service and spacious outdoor areas. The world-class resort offers many activities with children’s programmes, a cookery school, tennis courts, a library and watersports. The Heart of the Earth Spa has treatment rooms perched on lily ponds and a paradisical infinity-edge pool is flanked by palms and loungers. There are multiple dining options, including Asian tapas, fusion cuisine, seafood and theme nights.
Anantara Hoi An Resort
Beside the Thu Bon River, the Anantara Hoi An Resort is a low rise development. Each of the 94 bedrooms has space for two adults and two children, with its own balcony or terrace including an outdoor daybed, a living area and original Rehahn artworks; the colour palette employs bright teals, whites, greys and dark wood. The brand provides personalised spa and wellness journeys and river cruises offered from the hotel’s private jetty. The main restaurant overlooks the water, but guests can also eat at art space (a modern bistro cooking up wood-fired pizzas), in the private dining pavilion, take breakfast at Lanterns and enjoy light bites at the pool bar.
Palm Garden Resort Hoi An
This suburban resort benefits from its own private area of the beach and is surrounded by vast landscaped gardens with over 400 types of palm (hence the name). Pretty teak wooden bridges pass over large lily pad covered ponds and the soft green grass runs all the way down to the sand. Guests are accommodated in 216 rooms and bungalows – all with balconies or terraces – displaying an ancient architectural style. All bookings include daily breakfast at the Terrace Restaurant, welcome drinks, flowers and treats, as well as access to a free shuttle into town. Table sports and tennis can be played onsite and there’s a gorgeous swimming pool.
Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort and Spa
This resort echoes the experience of visiting the country’s leading UNESCO listed town, with Japanese, French and Vietnamese accents, little streets, ponds and accommodation finished with clay-tiled roofs. Interiors are colonially inspired, while the exterior revolves around a large pool, overlooking the ocean. International cuisine is served at L’Annam Restaurant, with live music in the Cham Bar, sports in the Elephant Bar and beachside refreshments in the Faifo Bar. Guests have access to complimentary bike and bodyboard hire, a kids’ club, airport transfers and sidecar rides into the ancient town.
Nha Trang
Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang
Located on Hon Tre Island, Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang comprises of luxury beachside villas offering guests a wonderfully tranquil holiday experience amidst the natural beauty of Vietnam. There are a range of villas; pool-side, garden view, beachfront and duplex each of which has been designed to reflect the natural beauty of one of Vietnam’s most stunning islands and those villas with a private pool offer an even more secluded stay. The resort spa, Akoya Spa, is operated by world-renowned Mandara Spa and is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Amongst the many facilities here, perhaps the most stunning are the ‘overwater salas’ which is a must for any guest to experience. For more active days, there is the nearby Vinpearl Land Theme Park for thrill-seekers and for ball games there is the Vinpearl Golf course or resort tennis courts. Guests can also enjoy water-sports including kayaking, snorkelling and water aerobics. With five different restaurants and bars onsite guests can enjoy a taste of Vietnam in a variety of settings and menus.
Nha Trang
Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang
The Evason Ana Mandara has the distinction of being one of the only true beachside resorts on the main stretch of Nha Trang. A series of luxurious bungalows, the resort is very private and offers second to none service that caters to your every vacation need. If immediate access to a beach is high on your list of priorities, then look no further than the Evason Ana Mandara.
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
With a dramatic bay on one side and the impressive rock formation mountains on the other, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay truly offers the best of both worlds. With white sand beaches nearby and towering hillsides overlooking, the resort possesses a real sense of privacy and intimacy that adds to the luxury of your stay. You will be able to enjoy an architectural style that incorporates lots of traditional Vietnamese culture.
Fusion Resort Nha Trang
Located on an exquisite strip of beach between Cam Ranh and Nha Trang, the Fusion Resort is perfect for a luxury vacation for the entire family. With an all-inclusive spa, oceanside cocktail bar, and indoor and outdoor activities for guests of all ages, every member of the family will feel catered for in a special and luxurious way. It is the kind of resort where you can be as inactive or active as you wish.
InterContinental Nha Trang
One of the more recent additions to the Nha Trang resort scene, the InterContinental is a luxury resort located right in the beating heart of the region. Sitting right on the blue sea bay, the hotel possesses the perfect mixture of luxury hospitality and service whilst retaining an important air of traditional Vietnamese charm and culture. World-renowned spas and restaurants will feed both your body and your soul, and the resort’s unique ‘In The Know’ programme ensures that guests are provided with all the information they need to get the most out of the city they are visiting.
Da Nang
Vinpearl Luxury Da Nang
The winner of the ‘Leading Beach Resort in Vietnam’ at the World Travel Awards in 2017, the Vinpearl Luxury Da Nang enjoys a serenely beautiful setting. Sitting on a private white sand beach, the 200 rooms and 39 garden villas are spacious and comfortably luxurious. There is plenty to do here and guests can make use of the five swimming pools, outdoor tennis courts and fully equipped gym or simply take some time to kick back and relax at the Akoya Spa, inspired by the classic beauty of the Akoya Pearl. With a choice of two high-quality restaurants, the Terrace Café and two bars guests can enjoy al fresco dining, gourmet dinners, cocktails or a quiet coffee courtesy of the resort’s talented team.
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort
A luxurious resort on a private beach and in lush gardens, this hotel offers rooms in the main building or villas nestled among giant boulders at the foot of a mountain. All accommodations are luxuriously decorated, many with private balconies. As well as the beautiful beach, there is a large indoor swimming pool. Other leisure activities are a spa, gym, yoga classes, cycling, fishing, and organised walks. Two restaurants and two bars provide excellent food and beverage options.
Naman Retreat
Ideal for golf lovers as it’s nestled between the Montgomerie Links and Greg Norman’s Da Nang Golf Club, The Naman Retreat is as peaceful as its name implies. The hotel style reflects Vietnamese heritage with exquisite interiors featuring lots of bamboo. The conjuncture of spa and resort is achieved, and the retreat has a beautifully serene vibe. Accommodation is in spacious, luxurious rooms and villas and guest facilities include a spa, sauna, and fitness centre. The restaurant serves traditional Vietnamese food while the lounge serves Asian-fusion light meals and snacks. A beach bar and coffee club keep you nourished throughout the day.
Fusion Maia Da Nang
The 5* villas of this resort sit on beautiful My Khe Beach. Each spacious villa is set in a private courtyard and has huge windows to make the most of the views of the stunning sunsets. As well as an outdoor pool with waterfall, Fusion Maia has one of the largest spa facilities in Central Vietnam and includes saunas and steam baths. Dining is in a fusion restaurant or a poolside restaurant and the bar also serves Vietnamese style tapas. Other facilities include a fitness centre, cinema, and in-house boutique.
The Ocean Villas
One of the largest resorts in Central Vietnam, the Ocean Villas stands next to the Greg Norman Golf Course. The luxurious villas are well spaced out and overlook a pristine beach on the East Sea. The resort has two open-air swimming pools, a beach club, and an outdoor kids’ playground. The spa has a full-service menu including a range of healthy drinks and juices. The restaurant faces the ocean and serves international and traditional cuisine, and there’s a poolside bar. Dining can be arranged in your villa or on the beach and cooking classes are available.
