Travellers wanting to explore Vietnam from the comfort of luxurious hotels and resorts, are well served. In this list, I've narrowed down our recommendations to a couple of options in each destination - but there are plenty more to choose from.
Most of my favourite Vietnam luxury hotels and resorts have been around for a few years now - and some date back to colonial times.
You can check Rusty Compass for more hotel and resort recommendations.
The hotels and resorts recommended here have been selected with leisure travellers in mind. Business travellers may also find the selection of interest though. The recommendations take account of design, atmosphere, history, location, service and amenities.
Like all recommendations, they’re completely subjective.
I've been to all these places, stayed in most and photographed them myself. As the internet becomes clogged with travel information written by people who've never visited a destination, or others who've passed through on a sponsored junket, this stuff's important to us.
No money changes hands for inclusion in our recommendations.
Hanoi
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel
If you’re only planning to splash out once in Vietnam, this is probably the place to do it. The name might be a mouthful but everything else works a treat at this 1901 colonial masterpiece, located in the heart of Hanoi’s French Quarter.
Read our full review of the Metropole here.
Did we stay here? Yes, we have many times.
Photo: Mark Bowyer Metropole Hotel, Hanoi
Photo: Mark Bowyer The original wing, Metropole Hanoi
Photo: Mark Bowyer Wedding season outside Hanoi's Metropole Hotel.
Photo: Mark Bowyer Bold colours - 1990s Opera Wing, Metropole Hotel, Hanoi
Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake
A perfect contrast to the Metropole, the Intercon is all modernity and looks over Hanoi’s West Lake, away from the old city streets. Set over large grounds, it has a resort feel and resort amenities - a nice change for a big city hotel. It’s located between the city centre and the restaurants and bars of the flourishing West Lake aka. Ho Tay area. The resort thing works especially well in the warmer months. In winter, the West Lake area is an atmospheric shade of grey.
Read our full review of the Intercon Hanoi here.
Did we stay here? No. Many visits but we’ve never stayed here.
Photo: Mark Bowyer Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake, Hanoi
Photo: Mark Bowyer Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake, Hanoi
Photo: Mark Bowyer Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake, Hanoi
Hue
La Residence Hotel and Spa
Hue’s a city rich in history, so the former residence of the French Resident Superieure, makes a great base for exploring the city’s turbulent past. The original art deco complex has been expanded across generous manicured grounds and features resort amenities and views across the famed Perfume River.
Read our full review of La Residence here.
Did we stay here? Yes, once.
Photo: Mark Bowyer La Residence Hotel and Spa, Hue
Photo: Mark Bowyer La Residence, Hue
Photo: Mark Bowyer La Residence Hotel, Hue
Danang
Intercontinental Sun Peninsula Resort
The central coast sports some of Vietnam’s most dramatic coastal scenes and the Intercontinental Sun Peninsula calls an especially beautiful slice of that coast home. Designed by Bill Bensley, this extravagant creation is more an escape from, than an experience of, Vietnam. A good spot for a break as you travel between the north and the south.
Read our full review of the Intercon Danang here.
Did we stay here? Yes, once - as a guest of the resort.
Photo: Mark Bowyer Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort.
Photo: Mark Bowyer Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort.
Photo: Mark Bowyer Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort.
Hoi An
Anantara Hoi An Resort
It might be a little step back in terms of luxury, but it’s the only deluxe hotel in Hoi An’s World Heritage Listed old town. Set on the Thu Bon River, the Anantara recreates the old world feel of nearby streets in shophouse style blocks and adds a relaxed vibe and bright colours.
Read our full review of Anantara Hoi An here.
Did we stay here? Yes, many times.
Photo: Mark Bowyer Anantara Resort, Hoi An
Photo: Mark Bowyer Anantara Resort, Hoi An
Photo: Mark Bowyer Anantara Resort, Hoi An
Boutique Hoi An Resort
During Hoi An’s long hot extended summer months (May - September), a seaside resort can be a very good base. Hoi An Boutique is not the most luxurious on the strip and rooms are a little flat, but it won us over with its beach, its spacious green grounds and its easy access to Hoi An.
Read our full review of Boutique Hoi An Resort here.
Did we stay here? Several visits but never stayed.
Photo: Mark Bowyer Boutique Hoi An Hotel
Photo: Mark Bowyer Boutique Hoi An Hotel
Photo: Mark Bowyer Boutique Hoi An Hotel
Nha Trang
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
Nha Trang has earned a reputation for crass overdevelopment. Six Senses Nha Trang is neither crass nor overdeveloped. About 40 minutes north of town on stunning Ninh Van Bay, and only accessible by boat, the rustic minimalism, glorious, remote, setting and fantastic staff make this place a standout.
Read our full review of Six Senses Nha Trang here.
Did we stay here? Yes, once. And have visited several times too.
Photo: Mark Bowyer Six Senses Resort, Ninh Van Bay
Photo: Mark Bowyer Six Senses Resort, Ninh Van Bay
Photo: Mark Bowyer Six Senses Resort, Ninh Van Bay
Saigon
Caravelle Saigon
The Caravelle has a place in Saigon history as the base for many of the Vietnam War’s most well-remembered correspondents. Once the preferred venue for watching firefights across the Saigon River over a gin and tonic, these days it looks out across the city’s fast changing skyline. There’s a new lobby but room hardware feels a tad tired. The cosy feel and friendly staff more than compensate.
Read our full review of the Caravelle here.
Did we stay here? Yes. Several times.
Photo: Mark Bowyer Caravelle - right by the Opera House
Photo: Mark Bowyer Caravelle Saigon Hotel
Photo: Mark Bowyer Caravelle Saigon Hotel
Park Hyatt
The refurbished Park Hyatt Saigon may be a recent creation, but it’s going all out to recreate old world charm - and doing a fine job too. With a perfect location in the frenetic heart of Vietnam’s biggest city, there’s a blissful calm about this place - especially the spacious central courtyard and pool area.
Read our full review of the Park Hyatt here.
Did we stay here? No. We’ve visited many times.
Photo: Mark Bowyer Park Hyatt, Saigon
Photo: Mark Bowyer Park Hyatt, Saigon
Photo: Mark Bowyer Park Hyatt, Saigon
Con Dao Islands
Six Senses Con Dao
Con Dao Island has been transformed since its colonial era days as Vietnam’s most brutal prison. Now its rugged, pristine coastline, is one of the country’s most prized luxury travel destinations. And the luxury travel part is on the back of the Six Senses Resort and its cool, stripped back, bungalows on a glorious beach.
Read our full review of Six Senses Con Dao here.
Did we stay here? Yes, once.
Photo: Mark Bowyer Six Senses, Con Dao
Photo: Mark Bowyer Six Senses Resort, Con Dao
Photo: Mark Bowyer Six Senses Con Dao
Phu Quoc Island
La Veranda, Phu Quoc
La Veranda was the first international resort to land on Phu Quoc Island. Many developments later, it’s still a standout. The design has a colonial plantation feel to it, with distinctive tiles, poster beds, French shutters, and high ceilings. They’ve managed to pack quite a lot into the grounds, but lush tropical gardens, airy rooms and common areas, and the beach frontage, give a surprising sense of space.
Read our full review of La Veranda Phu Quoc here.
Did we stay here. No. But have visited many times.
Photo: Mark Bowyer La Veranda Phu Quoc
Photo: Mark Bowyer La Veranda Phu Quoc
Photo: Mark Bowyer La Veranda Phu Quoc
Luxury travel and the environment in Vietnam
Vietnam’s luxury hotels and resorts seem to set a fairly low bar for environmental friendliness. When we last asked about environmental initiatives, focusing on water and renewables, we mostly received fairly stock answers that hotels and resorts followed local laws and requirements - which means they’re not likely to be doing much of consequence. It also means your carbon footprint as a luxury traveller in Vietnam, is likely to be pretty high. If you know more, or wish to let us know of important environmental initiatives in Vietnam’s luxury travel sector, send us an email. And if you want to make a difference, when you're travelling, ask hotels what they're doing for the environment and make a point of listing environmental initiatives - or lack of them - in your comments and reviews.
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