A country of astounding natural beauty and cultural complexity, Vietnam offers much to lure travellers, from dynamic, bustling cities to heavenly, secluded shores.

A gap year stalwart, Vietnam has long held a place on the well-worn South East Asia backpacking trail. However, with a host of world-class hotels and resorts to choose from, the country is increasingly gaining recognition as a luxury destination as well. So, whether you’re looking for temples of wellness, blissful beachfront resorts, riverside retreats or city escapes, here are some of the most incredible hotels in Vietnam to stay in if you’re venturing to this country.

Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai

Uniting Hoi An’s heritage with impeccable Four Seasons flair, The Nam Hai is an ode to coast, culture and community, perched on a private half-mile stretch of the pristine Ha My Beach. Its proximity to key UNESCO sites will lure the culturally curious, while water sports, a cooking academy and chic, opulent beachfront villas will delight even the most discerning of travellers. Whatever your intentions, you’ll enjoy faultless service from the get-go.

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay

Accessible only by water and surrounded by lush mountains, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay exudes ultimate seclusion. With stunning hilltop, rock pool and beachfront villas (each with their own private pool), a spa that’s a sanctuary for every sense, sumptuous fresh local seafood and even a wine cave, it’s hard to imagine why you’d want to leave. If you are keen to explore though, you’ll be spoilt for choice, with everything from scuba diving to voyaging down the nearby Cai River for a mud bath.

Anantara Hoi An Resort

Designed in chic French colonial style, this chic, charming boutique retreat is set on the banks of the Thu Bon River, a mere stone’s throw from both the beach and the charming town of Hoi An. With lantern making and cookery classes, you can soak up culture as well as sun – if you can move from the scenic pool set in lush tropical gardens, that is. Think riverside relaxation with authentic Vietnamese flavour, all carried off with Anantara’s signature brand of luxury. Bliss.

The ultimate choice for those seeking a spa break in Vietnam, Amanoi epitomises off-the-grid relaxation, overlooking the secluded south eastern shores of Vinh Hy Bay. Impeccable in accommodation and chic, authentic design, it is Amanoi’s spa that stands out. Set on a tranquil lake dotted with lotus blossoms, the extensive menu of treatments includes everything peace-seekers could wish for, including individually tailored ‘Wellness Immersions’, which include personalised holistic spa treatments and nutritional plans.

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

Nestled in the heart of Son Tra Peninsula Nature Reserve in Danang City, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort matches it dramatic setting with distinctive design. Conceived by luxury hotel architect Bill Bensley, the sprawling retreat is set over four levels – ‘Heaven, Sky, Earth and Sea’ – and linked, charmingly, by a funicular train. For foodies, culinary artistry is in no short supply; one of six restaurants on offer, La Maison 1888 serves haute French cuisine from world-acclaimed chef, Pierre Gagnaire.

Azerai, Can Tho

An unmissable addition to the country’s hotel scene, Azerai unveiled its first Vietnamese outpost in January 2018, bringing with it a new calibre of affordable luxury. Set on its own private islet and accessible only by boat, this hotel is special. Its 60 simple yet chic pavilion-style rooms merge seamlessly with their surroundings, making this the perfect riverside retreat from which to explore Vietnam’s timeless Mekong Delta. Azerai is particularly good at organising trips, from visits to Can Tho’s famous floating market to sunset cruises down the Mekong’s charming hidden canals. There’s ample relaxation on offer too, including a world-class spa run by a manager who’s done stints at Six Senses spas across the globe. If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, don’t miss a stop down south for this.

Six Senses Con Dao

Truly breathtaking in location, Con Dao exhibits Six Senses’ talent for seeking out remote areas of outstanding natural beauty. The first five-star resort in Vietnam’s untouched archipelago islands, this eco-luxe retreat is inspired by a traditional fishing village, with 50 rustic wooden villas complete with private infinity pools and unbeatable ocean views. 24-hour ‘Guest Experience Managers’ are on hand to cater to your every whim – whether you fancy s

Fusion Maia Da Nang

At this beachfront boutique hotel, all spa treatments (from massages to manicures) are included in the room rate, making it the perfect spot for pampering. Dedicated to the art of relaxation, the unique all-villa resort unites simple, chic design with down-to-earth, five-star service, perfectly positioned near to Hoi An. And forget morning cut-off times – at Fusion Maia Da Nang, breakfast is served any time, any place.

Anantara Mui Né Resort

With intimate cabins set behind the quietest end of Mui Né’s idyllic white sandy beach, this will delight couples and families alike. Anantara’s second Vietnam outpost, the Mui Né resort is a tropical paradise. Its impressive spa exudes total indulgence, while four dining venues provide ample choice – with traditional Vietnamese fare as well as fantastic fine wine available in the resort’s own wine cellar. From deluxe, dark wood-adorned doubles to two-bedroom beachfront villas, the great range of rooms will suit any party.

Mia Resort, Nha Trang

A secluded beach resort nestled in the cliffs of the Nha Trang coastline, Mia Resort is equal parts charming and luxurious. Impeccably stylish, the condos, suites and villas are bright, chic and perfectly positioned within manicured grounds so that you can enjoy uninterrupted ocean views. By day, the resort’s secluded private beach is a blissful place to unwind, mere steps from each room. When the sun sets, bonfires, beach BBQs, cocktails and music offer something a little more lively – without sacrificing the serenity this resort is renowned for.

Hôtel Des Artes Saigon

At the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, this suave, gallery-like boutique hotel – Hotel des Arts Sài Gòn is designed on Feng Shui principles, with intriguing paintings and antiques adorning the light-filled spaces. A 10-minute walk from restaurants and the city’s key sights (including the War Remnants Museum), this conveniently located hotel is a mecca for the trendy, complete with a buzzing bar and glass-walled pool on the roof.

Evason Ana Mandara

Surrounded by mountains, this beachfront resort – Evason Ana Mandara is located near the bustling coastal town of Nha Trang, offering the perfect balance of the secluded and the sociable. Each stylish room comes with its own Jacuzzi, while a Six Senses Spa provides serene speciality treatments, using only natural products. As well as relaxation, the resort offers tennis, beach volleyball, a PADI dive centre and an array of excursions for your more adventurous moments.

The Reverie Saigon

Bold and beautiful, The riverie Saigon glittering steel and glass hotel (the highest in the city) is ideally located in Ho Chi Minh’s commercial centre, District 1. Decidedly decadent, the design is an ode to Italian chic, with statement furniture, vibrant tapestries and dazzling details at every turn. Enviable views from floor-to-ceiling windows come as standard, not to mention five-star service and six restaurant options.

An Lam Retreats Ninh Van Bay

A luxurious all-villa resort, this calm and collected spot – An Lam Retreats Ninh Van Bay is accessible only by boat, making total and utter relaxation blissfully unavoidable. The striking, lotus-like wood-panelled restaurant is the resort’s centrepiece, offering panoramic views of the majestic Ninh Van Bay and, just as you’d hope, fresh seafood served with authentic local flair. The eco-luxe wooden villas resemble ultra-stylish tree houses – expect infinity pools, alfresco rain showers and chic, minimal décor.

Source: standard.co.uk