With its historical towns, spicy-sweet food, white-sand beaches, jungle-clad mountains, floating markets and skyscraping cities, it’s not hard to see why Vietnam has become a firm favourite for those travelling abroad.
When it comes to luxury hotels, the country’s upping its game. From onsite theme parks and mud baths on secluded islands, to state-of-the-art fitness studios and jungle pools, there's something for every type of escape. Read on to discover the very best resorts in Vietnam.
Urban List's Top Picks
- Best Overall, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort
- Best Amenities, Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An
- Best Private, Hon Tam Resort Nha Trang
- Best Luxury, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay and An Lam Retreats Saigon River
- Best For Families, Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa and Pullman Danang Beach Resort
- Best Location, Bay Resort Hoi An
- Best New, Capella Hanoi
- Best For Wellness, Azerai Can Tho
Danang, Vietnam InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort
In the late 2000s, a creative architect and interior designer from California by the name of Bill Bensley was challenged to create a one-of-a-kind resort on a pristine peninsula just outside Danang, Vietnam. He did not disappoint. Sculpted into 39 hectares of lush jungle spanning four idyllic levels – Heaven, Sky, Earth and Sea – all connected by a funicular railway and cascading down to a private sandy bay, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is the kind of property you have to see to believe.
Only 30 minutes by car from Danang International Airport, the luxury beach resort boasts over 200 spacious and stylish rooms, suites and villas featuring Vietnamese-inspired décor, lavish bathrooms, state-of-the-art technology and expansive balconies. While you can’t go wrong with any of the room types, our pick would be the One-Bedroom Seaside Villa on the Beach. Stroll off the beach and up a short staircase to return to your stylish abode where you’ll be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves. Your private terrace comes complete with an infinity pool, open-air dining, outdoor showers and a swing seat lounge. Inside, relax in a cool, stylish bedroom with an oversized daybed in the entertainment alcove. There’s even a custom marble bathtub that can easily fit the whole family.
Speaking of families, the hotel’s Planet Trekkers kids’ club is one of the best we have ever seen. Designed for those 12 and under, little ones will find plenty of toys, PlayStations, an indoor slide and activities like arts and crafts and outdoor games to keep them entertained. The older kids will be able to keep themselves entertained with activities like beach volleyball, table tennis, billiards and even family movie showings at the hotel’s very own cinema.
If that wasn’t enough, the hotel has three pools for you to choose from. The L_O_N_G Pool is their signature infinity pool with panoramic, picture-perfect views of the beach. Perfect for laps, with a built-in Jacuzzi area at one end, this pool is quiet, temperature-controlled and for adults only. The Garden Pool is surrounded by greenery and steps away from the beach while the Kids Pool is the perfect place to splash and swim.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options. There’s Barefoot (a casual beachside grill serving up barbequed meats and seafood), Citron (known for its authentic Vietnamese cuisine), L_o_n_g Bar (perfect for cocktails, wine and light bites) and La Maison 1888 (the hotel’s signature Michelin Star dining experience which showcases French cuisine by Michelin-starred Chef Christian Le Squer). Set to open later this year, Tingara is an interactive dining experience by Michelin Chef Yoshida and will be serving up modern Japanese cuisine.
If you are planning a stay at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort (or any IHG hotel for that matter), we recommend signing up to their IHG One Rewards programme. You’ll be rewarded with everything from free hotel perks (like late check out) to complimentary room upgrades and even reward nights.
Hoi An, Vietnam Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An
Who said theme parks are just for kids? It definitely wasn’t Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An, which has an epic one, VinWonders Nam Hoi An, onsite. Here, river cruises take you past Bengal tigers, white lions, giraffes and elephants, high-adrenaline rides and water shows bring the thrills, and the craft village unveils original architecture from communities of the past.
There’s also a beachfront pool overlooking the 1.3km Binh Minh Beach, an 18-hole golf course to drive and putt through and six restaurants and bars to stroll between, offering everything from authentic Korean flavours to Vietnamese fine dining.
Hon Tam, Vietnam Hon Tam Resort Nha Trang
Barefoot island luxury may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Vietnam, but Hon Tam Resort Nha Trang is endeavouring to change that. This palm-fringed drop in the ocean is just a short boat ride from Nha Trang on the serene Hon Tam Island but feels a world away, offering remote tropical bliss across its spacious bungalows and suites, two restaurants and spa.
Hang out by the huge lagoon-style pool, sip on cocktails by the sea at Sea Breeze Restaurant or rejuvenate at the Hon Tam mud baths, complete with a jacuzzi mineral pool, majestic waterfall and herbal baths.
Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
Luxury knows no bounds at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, a multi-award-winning resort on a private cove across the bay from Nha Trang. Channel your inner James Bond as you arrive by speedboat to your private pool villa in the treetops or on the beach, each complete with its own wine cellar. Use the complimentary golf buggies to zip between yoga classes, treatments at the jungle-clad spa and games on the tennis courts.
Four incredible restaurants will leave you wanting for nothing – dine on prime cuts and seafood overlooking Ninh Van Bay at Dining by the Rocks, or snack on lighter bites throughout the day at Dining at the Pool.
Thuan An, Vietnam An Lam Retreats Saigon River
Butler service, a jungle spa and a riverside champagne bar: where do we sign up? Currently ranked in the top 10% of properties worldwide by Tripadvisor, An Lam Retreats Saigon River blends beautifully into the surrounding tropical jungle, while less than 30 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City, offering the best of both worlds. Relax with yoga, sound healing and time-honoured spa treatments, savour farm-to-table dishes with sweeping river vistas at Sen Restaurant and indulge in a sunset tipple or two at Treehouse Bar.
Ready to explore? Race along the Mekong Delta via speedboat and step back in time with a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels (or, simply let the palm-fringed pool beckon you).
Danang, Vietnam Pullman Danang Beach Resort
On the stunning white sands of Vietnam's Bac My An Beach, Pullman Danang Beach Resort is a vibrant oasis of activity and relaxation.
Only 15 minutes from Danang International Airport and just a short drive from world-class golf courses and a range of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the luxury Accor property boats 186 elegantly appointed guest rooms and cottages, all with private balconies overlooking the beach, infinity pool or tropical gardens. Although you can’t go wrong with any of the rooms, if you’re looking for a little extra space, you can’t beat the One-Bedroom Cottages which come with an open-plan living area, self-contained kitchenette, landscaped garden with sun loungers, outdoor shower and even a stunning stone bathtub for a relaxing soak.
As for hotel facilities, you can look forward to an onsite spa with sauna and steam rooms, tennis courts, a gym, two swimming pools (the pools are actually connected but there’s a separate shallow area for little ones), pool toys, a playground on the beach, water activities like surfing and paddle boarding, yoga classes and a kids’ club where they offer everything from balloon shaping to origami, face painting, kite making and hair braiding. There are even on-call nannies available should you need one.
Dining options include Restaurant Epice which is the property’s signature restaurant and showcases local delicacies and gourmet Vietnamese cuisine, Azure Beach Lounge which sits directly on the soft white sands of Danang’s shores and offers everything from pizza to pho, and last but least, Infinity Bar which is perfect for afternoon tea or an evening cocktail.
Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa
Sheraton luxury speaks for itself, but this haven between Nha Trang Beach and the city takes it to new heights (literally). The sixth-floor, ocean-view infinity pool is a dreamy spot for relaxing on a floating sun lounger, before venturing up to Altitude Rooftop Bar for 270-degree views of the cityscape below, cocktail in hand.
Experience wok-fired Asian fusion at Steam n’ Spice, or five-star pampering at Shine Spa, where treatments are inspired by both East and West traditions. Little ones aren’t forgotten about either, with a kids’ pool, kids’ club, cooking school and game room for hours of entertainment.
Hoi An, Vietnam Bay Resort Hoi An
Despite its location in the heart of the action on the Hoai River, opposite the UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town, Bay Resort Hoi An emphasises taking it slow. Start your morning with reflexology or an Ayurvedic massage at Breathe Spa, sip cocktails beside the riverside pool and explore the city with complimentary bike hire, and by evening, savour Mediterranean flavours at Olive Tree Restaurant.
When it comes to the rooms, expect Asia-meets-Europe, heritage-inspired decor that harks back to the golden age of Hoi An’s trading port days.
Hanoi, Vietnam Capella Hanoi
The roaring twenties meet the modern-day at the ultra-luxurious Capella Hanoi, a city haven by the best hotel brand in the world (as crowned by Travel + Leisure in its 2023 World’s Best Awards). Hotel architect-du-jour Bill Bensley’s French-inspired storytelling is evident throughout, from the operatic inspiration of the Art-Deco rooms to the opulent basement Auriga Spa.
When you’re not eating and drinking your way through the palatial building (Hibana by Koki is Michelin starred), splash around in the glitzy La Grotta indoor pool, or get the blood flowing in the reviving sauna and steam rooms.
Cần Thơ, Vietnam Azerai Can Tho
Wellness warriors, listen up: your next Zen-inducing retreat awaits along the Mekong Delta at Azerai Can Tho. Set amid eight lush hectares on a private island on the Hau River, this is a true escape from the everyday, with rooms and pool villas offering serene views over the lotus-flecked lake or Hau River.
A state-of-the-art reformer Pilates studio, Hatha yoga pavilion and riverside tennis court allow you to keep your body moving, while the calming infinity pool encourages days spent not moving much at all. Plus, the floating markets or Pitu Khosa Rangsay Pagoda, one of the most important places of worship in the area, are just a short ferry ride away.
Image credit: InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort | Supplied
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