Gracing the vision boards and bucket lists of travelers worldwide, a vacation to Southeast Asia is often the stuff of office daydreams. People spend years dreaming and planning this bucket list vacation, but only a few make it off the Pinterest boards.
I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the region full-time for the last seven years, chowing down on Malaysia’s street food one week and riding through the rice fields of Bali the next, living the bucket list dreams of so many. However, there’s one country that keeps me coming back time and again.
Vietnam is a bewildering blend of buzzing culture, addictive dishes, soft sand beaches, and smoky mountain vistas. What travelers might not realize is that Vietnam is also home to some of the region’s most beautiful hotels at a fraction of the price of tourist-teeming Thailand, offering a luxurious vacation at a more achievable price.
So, maybe it’s worth avoiding the post-White Lotus effect and begin daydreaming of planning a trip to Vietnam, which includes a visit to these six dreamy Vietnamese hotel destinations instead.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
On the palm-fringed outskirts of Hoi An, this Four Seasons’ beach property is a taste of The White Lotus, without the murder and drama. Centered around several massive infinity pools steps from the sand, this hotel’s 100 standalone villas have been treated to a facelift in recent years. Dark teak wood, traditional Vietnamese lanterns, a dreamy outdoor shower, and the sound of the ocean are perfect for unwinding after a day spent sightseeing.
Just a 15-minute taxi ride from Hoi An’s UNESCO World Heritage Ancient Town, it’s easy to pop into town for linen clothes made at LiMe or a world-famous bánh mì at Madame Khanh — The Banh Mi Queen.
While the Four Seasons’ restaurants are among the best in town, especially their Japanese omakase chef’s table, Nayuu, ask the concierge to book your party a reservation among the rice paddies at the restaurant tok.
Capella Hanoi, Hanoi
Vietnam’s capital city is as charming as they come. Lined with blooming trees, covered with coffee shops and vestiges of its French colonial history, Hanoi stays with you long after you’ve left.
Capella Hanoi channels all of it into an over-the-top, maximalist five-star hotel across from the famous Hanoi Opera House. Designed by beloved Thai-based designer Bill Bensley, its 47 rooms and suites are clad in red velvet furniture, hand-painted murals, silk tassels, and Art Deco style. Breakfast here is unmatched, with a bánh mì station and a phở recipe from a local grandma.
When you’re not sipping on egg coffee or slurping noodles on a tiny plastic stool, wander the Old Quarter’s alleys and streets. Iconic sights like St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the Temple of Literature are worth a visit. Afterward, grab a whiskey cocktail at Capella Hanoi’s rooftop bar, The Hudson Rooms, followed by a Michelin-star Japanese teppanyaki dinner at Koki.
InterContinental Da Nang Sun Peninsula Resort, Da Nang
Follow the winding road outside of the coastal city of Da Nang, past the towering white Lady Buddha statue, to the InterContinental Da Nang. Perched on Monkey Mountain, this hillside resort slopes down to pristine Bai Bac Bay. Totaling 189 rooms, villas, and suites, its striking black and white color scheme is mixed with colorful monkey-clad rugs and sweeping views of the emerald bay below.
Among the resort’s many fun touches are the upside-down conical hat tables in its all-day dining restaurant. Guests can take a funicular from “Heaven” to “Sea” level, snapping pictures of the local monkeys as they descend. And its palatial, sunken spa pods offer super soothing treatments, while its private Hollywood-themed karaoke rooms are the perfect place to belt out your go-to song.
Namia River Retreat, Hoi An
In Hoi An, this luxury wellness resort is the new kid on the river. Sitting along the Thu Bon River, this serene hotel has 60 all-pool villas made using local materials, artwork, and textiles. A stay here is centered on wellness. Free daily yoga and Tai Chi classes are on offer, but the best part is the daily hammam treatment followed by a 60-minute traditional Vietnamese therapy — all included in a stay.
Travelers can take one of the resort’s complimentary bikes and cycle around the golden-colored Old Town or the swaying rice paddies. Other cultural activities on offer at the resort include a local coffee-tasting experience, a swanky sunset river cruise, and a secret cocktail tour around town.
Park Hyatt Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, aka Saigon, is the country’s most populous city. You might want to hide away from all those people at the top five-star hotel, the Park Hyatt Saigon, located in jam-packed District 1. After recently undergoing a renovation, its sophisticated chandeliers have some serious sparkle, and so do its 245 rooms and suites, decorated with European-style furniture, ornate floral rugs, and all the latest tech.
When you’re ready, navigate your way through a sea of honking motorbikes and sit down for a bowl of steaming phở, then head back to the hotel and relax by its courtyard pool or its new Xuan Spa. Later, hop on the back of a Vespa for an evening of street food followed by a Vietnamese-flavored cocktail at one of its award-winning bars, like Telephone Bar or BOO SG.
Regent Phu Quoc, Phu Quoc
Famed for fish sauce, pearls, and some of the country’s best beaches, Phu Quoc has long been a beloved Vietnamese island getaway. The Regent Phu Quoc is the island’s top resort, with 302 colossal villas and suites surrounded by infinity pools, Koi-filled ponds, and a long stretch of sand. Clean lines, elegant minimalist decor, and whimsical custom-designed bathrobes decorate each room.
Days here are spent lounging by one of its football-field-sized pools, snorkeling off the Regent’s catamaran, or Zen-ing out in its large spa. Finish the day by soaking in the sunset with a G&T at its rooftop bar, Fu Bar, followed by fresh-caught Phu Quoc lobster at Ocean Club and a nightcap at the resort’s moody speakeasy, Bar Jade.
Visting Vietnam
Did we convince you to change your daydreams from thinking about Thailand to thinking about Vietnam?
Overall, no matter what hotel you choose, you’ll find luxury and a world that will be the epitome of all of your daydreams. Here’s to seeing your dreams come true and hoping you enjoy a vacation in Vietnam.
<p>The post Why Vietnam — And Its Hotels — Should Be on Your Bucket List first appeared on Travelbinger.</p>