The Best Luxury Hotels in Vietnam

Nestled like a dormant dragon on a hilltop within the protected Nui Chua National Park, Amanoi’s villas stand tall above the deep blue waters of Vinh Hy Bay. These luxe residences have private living and dining pavilions (complete with infinity pools) hemmed in by expansive wooden decking and panoramic views of the bay. Enjoy spa treatments and yoga classes next to a peaceful lotus lake. Head downhill, and you’ll find a private white crescent of sand separating Amanoi’s earthly delights from the perfect underwater reef.

As the only five-star resort in the southwestern archipelago of Con Dao, there’s much to love about this secluded collection of 50 villas facing the sapphire sea. Each private residence is fashioned as though part of a traditional fishing village using sustainable materials such as reclaimed teak panels and sun-bleached bamboo. The wooden floor blends into outdoor decking where infinity pools glitter in front of the sea. Top it all off with superb organic dining at one of several beachfront restaurants; try Vietnamese by the Market, where Con Dao’s native chef No dishes up family recipes spanning zesty Pho Bo (beef soup noodles) and crispy, herb-infused Banh Xeo Tom (Vietnamese pancakes).

Sitting on a bend of the gloriously named Perfume River, Azerai La Residence faces the Unesco-protected Hue’s Citadel. This luxury resort dominates a tropical garden with a 40m (130ft) saltwater pool. The eclectic rooms (some with balconies and river views) have classy colonial-era furnishings such as four-posters draped with silk curtains, dark wooden floors, and French tiles. Le Parfum, the hotel’s brasserie, boasts an opulent old-world hall where you can dig into the best of Vietnamese and European cuisine.

This dazzling white palatial hotel houses 23 rooms and is one of the best riverside residences in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 2. No room is alike in layout or size: the Writers’ Room, with a study table and garden views, is perfect for solo travellers, while couples should try the Villa Suite with its freestanding bathtub, romantic four-poster and large balcony overlooking the Saigon River. Villa Song’s specialty, however, is water. Start by soaking in the saltwater pool (the only one in town) and then have a go at city canoeing or a stand-up paddleboard – or join a river island exploration tour.

Yen Tu in the Dong Trieu mountain range, near the Unesco site of Ha Long Bay, is the birthplace of Zen Buddhism. Inspired by the journey of hermit monk An Ky Sinh to Yen Tu, the concept of this MGallery hotel is to give you a luxurious chance for self-discovery and spirituality. This is available in spades thanks to the serene mountain setting and wisely furnished rooms that blend minimalist Zen features with modern comforts — think plush mattresses, wooden partitions and freestanding bathtubs.

Feel the serenity of Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake from the balcony of one of the Silk Path’s finest suites. Refined parquet floors lend a classy glow to colonial-inspired interiors, floor-to-ceiling windows and freestanding tubs. Silks bar is great for sundowners as you watch the sun dip into the lake right next to the floating Ngoc Son Temple.

Like a checkerboard of home comforts, this JM Marvel Hotel plays on the contrast of black and white. The reception has intricate wrought iron railings and retro tiles while rooms alternate yin and yang dark curtains and curly bed frames against white linens and minimalist white walls. Its location in the Hoan Kiem district of Hanoi is perfect to explore the Old Quarter on foot, and yet it’s quiet at night. To play it up a bit, the rooftop bar has great city views and chilled beers. The Mâm Cơm Việt (Vietnamese rice tray) restaurant has a cosy noir ambience and dishes up traditional Vietnamese home cuisine – which you can learn by taking a class.

Regal, contemporary rooms with warm wooden floors and marble-top furnishings make this intimate boutique hotel a perfect choice to forge romantic memories in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The spa offers soothing treatments ranging from Vietnamese coconut scrub to Thai massage therapy. It’s the Soleil Sky Bar, however, with its 360-degree rooftop views over Hanoi’s pulsating heart, outdoor swimming pool and artisan cocktails that may end up hijacking your nights.

You’ll have a regal stay at this palatial property set around a large swimming pool and within walking distance of most of Hue’s best sights. The warm, pastel-coloured rooms (all with balconies and private living rooms) are a throwback to the city’s imperial past with a smattering of retro memorabilia from former French Indochina. Laze on a sofa as you read below a hanging lantern, or spark up the fireplace if it gets chilly — each room has one. For more stays in this Imperial City, book into one of the best hotels in Hue.