Vietnam’s best hotels: from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi

When in Ha Long Bay, the obvious accommodation choice is something which overlooks the scenic bay. Hotel Novotel promises this, along with a whole lot of other great facilities. Rooms are adorned in exquisite Asian textures and offer air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a relaxing tub to unwind in after a big day. Panoramic windows also give guests the chance to overlook either the bay or the city, but if you’re looking for a 360 kind of view, head to the outdoor pool and terrace. Make use of one of the sun lounges, sip on a freshly-concocted drink, and soak up the spectacular surrounds.

Novotel also offers several tours throughout the region, including the Ha Long City Tour, which is a great chance to discover this enchanting town on foot with the trusted enrichment of a trained guide. If you’d rather get out on the water and see Halong Bay’s stunning rock formations up close, kayaking tours are also available.

We’re not going to lie to you, Ho Chi Minh City can get a little crazy now and then. So for a chance to unwind and appreciate some comforting attention to detail, a stay at The Alcove Library should be pencilled in your itinerary. As the name would suggest, the hotel lobby proudly displays a rich and varied library, so when you first enter this sanctuary you can be certain to find a quality piece of prose for your stay.

Located in a quiet neighbourhood street – yes they exist! – The Alcove Library is a boutique, four-star hotel that offers a sprinkling of elegance to your stay in Ho Chi Minh. The upscale rooms all come with ensuite bathrooms featuring rain showers, flat-screen TVs, and bedding resplendent in quality linens.

If glitz and glamour resonate well with you, then a stay at EdenStar Saigon will satisfy your hotel expectations superbly. The four-star hotel which is conveniently situated in the centre of town and only a five-minute walk from Ben Thanh Market boasts 129 guest rooms that are simple and elegant in design. All rooms feature Wi-Fi, LED TVs, dark-wood furnishings, and large floor-to-ceiling windows creating an abundance of natural light.

For a spot of relaxation, head to the outdoor rooftop swimming pool and bar, grab a freshly prepared cocktail and marvel at the sweeping city views of Ho Chi Minh. Alternatively, if relaxation is at the top of your holiday wishlist, book a therapeutic treatment at the hotel spa – the hot stone massage is great for reviving tired muscles!

If the thought of a vacation to Vietnam evokes images of an idyllic beachside paradise with sun-lounges and a cocktail in hand, Vinpearl Resort & Spa is likely to turn your fantasy into reality. This luxurious five-star resort is so upscale it’s even situated on its own separate island! Considered one of the leading hotels and resorts in Vietnam, Vinpearl offers a range of air-conditioned rooms, including the deluxe which comes with Wi-Fi, a bathtub, and a shower.

As tempting as the rooms are, it’s essential to head to the resort’s swimming pool as it gleefully holds the title of being the most modern and largest swimming pool in South East Asia! Following your relaxing pool float, get pampered with a face, body, or hair treatment at the hotel’s spa.

As well-facilitated as the resort is, if you want to see a bit of the mainland, there is unlimited travel by cable car, speed boat, or ferry to and from the island to the mainland. Sounds ideal, right?

So after all that bus, train and plane hopping you’re probably looking for somewhere fabulous to roll into bed. Nha Trang offers many excellent accommodation spots, but nothing quite surpasses the rooftop infinity pool at Hotel Alana. Located on the spectacular foreshore of Nha Trang beach, the hotel offers a mix of modern rooms, which are all resplendent in elegant tones and quality fabrics. It also features some pretty fancy bathrooms to get dolled up in!

As night falls, head to the rooftop bar and marvel at the city skyline with a freshly-prepared drink. If a hearty authentic meal is at the top of your agenda, the hotel’s restaurant, Cinnamon, serves a distinguished menu that cleverly blends Vietnamese and Western flavours. Word has it that the Alana stir fried shell crab is absolutely not to be missed!

For a truly unforgettable experience in the Can Tho region, treat yourself to a night at the Victoria Can Tho Resort. This luxury hotel combines colonial architecture with Vietnamese décor to create a serene experience for the active traveller. Each of the 92 rooms comes with balconies boasting stellar views of either the river, internal garden, or swimming pool. Dark-wood floors and neutral tones adorn the rooms, and Wi-Fi is provided throughout.

To cool off after a long day visiting the sites, take a dive in the refreshing swimming pool or go one step further with an indulgent massage at the hotel’s spa. For some tasty tucker you could hit the streets, or simply make use of the hotel’s in-house restaurant, which specialises in a fusion of French and Vietnamese fare.

Travelling can sometimes wear you out, particularly in a country as vibrant and active as Vietnam. So for a reliable and comfortable pit stop, head to Can Tho West Hotel. This modern establishment caters to your needs from start to finish, offering a total of 80 air-conditioned rooms. Guests can appreciate tasteful decorations, accompanied by modern facilities including LED flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are also appointed with quality complimentary toiletries, so you can be certain to start the day’s travel adventures well prepared.

For a relaxing sojourn in, make use of the hotel’s stunning outdoor pool and deck which overlook the picturesque skyline of Can Tho. Alternatively, stock up on energy at the in-house restaurant which serves a flavoursome mix of Asian and Western cuisine.

Hoi An is renowned for many things, including its well-priced, quality tailoring and delicious cheap food. So with all of these savings, why not splash out a little for your night’s stay here? For something truly luxurious, try the Golden Sand Resort & Spa. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs and balconies overlooking either the sea or interior garden.

If indulgence is key, go for a suite and you might score yourself a private pool! Pool or no pool, each of the rooms are appointed in quality linens and boast elegant decorations that voice authentic Vietnamese culture and tradition.

During the day, float in the serene 150-metre pool which is positioned directly beside the pristine beach and gives the illusion that it floats directly into the sea. Otherwise, roll across to the beach and bask in the tropical sun from a private sun lounge and umbrella. Quite simply, it’s an island paradise bundled up into one hotel experience!

Hoi An boasts a plethora of UNESCO world heritage sites, including its charming old town which reveals a labyrinth of pint-sized canals and colourful colonial buildings. Fortunately, Muong Thanh is within easy reach of many of these endearing destinations, making it a popular choice for people coming to Hoi An.

Ideally positioned between the river and ocean, each of Muong Thanh’s 159 guest rooms boast magnificent aquatic views of either location, and all are appointed with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs.

For a lavish gourmet experience, the in-house restaurant serves tasty continental grub, and the best part is that you only need to travel back upstairs after dining! Before leaving Muong Thanh, it is of course essential to book yourself a pampered treatment at the hotel’s elegant spa and wellness centre.

Hanoi is the country’s capital and is well-renowned for its glamourous architecture and French influence. At Sofitel Legend Metropole, both of these aspects are celebrated to create a true experience for the guest. Set in an exquisite French colonial-style building with wrought iron detail, this stately hotel has welcomed the rich and famous for decades. Think Charlie Chaplin, Mick Jagger, and Jane Fonda, just to name a few.

The upscale rooms are reminiscent of 1920s France, featuring wooden floors and bold mahogany furnishings, and all are tastefully offset by Vietnamese touches including plush silks. To initiate your holiday in style, grab a cocktail upstairs at the Bamboo Bar and sip on the hotel’s signature drink, the Graham Greene Martini. Otherwise, pay a trip to Le Spa du Metropole, and indulge in a relaxing aromatherapy massage. If you would like to sprinkle some culture over your vacation, Hanoi’s iconic opera house is only minutes away on foot.

For a characteristic night’s stay in the Old Quarter, book a night at Maison d’Hanoi. This boutique hotel offers a total of 38 rooms, which feature sophisticated design and luxury amenities. The air-conditioned rooms come with quality linen, and an indulgent bathroom with a bath and shower. Each of the rooms also features free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, and all are embellished in Vietnamese décor to provide an authentic hotel experience.

Surely after a big day of travelling, some tasty food is in order. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel far as the hotel’s grand restaurant serves a range of quality Asian and International fare certain to please. Could it be any easier? If you’d rather get straight to the heart of the action, vibrant Dong Xuan market is only 500 metres away on foot, so you can conveniently witness the true essence of Vietnam right on your very own doorstep.