The best hotels in Vietnam
Vietnam is moving from strength to strength as a travel destination. Its fast-growing economy, large youth population and foreign business investment have all provided fantastic opportunities for the hotel industry. Traditionally, Vietnam has never offered the same amount of super high-end luxury that nearby Southeast Asian countries could. There was a limited choice of ‘crème de la crème’ accommodation; Four Seasons Nam Hai, Six Senses Con Dao and the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi being three stand out properties. This is all changing and I’m very excited to share news about five of the most anticipated openings this year.
Orchid Cruise
A pioneering new Halong Bay experience, Orchid Cruises have a unique route through the UNESCO heritage limestone karsts. The launch point is only a one and a half hours from Hanoi rather than the usual four hour car drive so you can maximise your time at sea, taking in the breath-taking views from the comfort of your cabin. The journey takes in the classics: Halong Bay itself, along with lesser visited areas, including: Bai Tu Long – a beautiful region further east and Lan Ha Bay – much less crowded than Halong with great kayaking opportunities and a monkey mountain home to endangered macaques. With top notch service and all the latest fittings in the luxury cabins to boot, it’s the perfect choice for the discerning traveller.
JW Marriott Phou Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
What to do when you don’t have a hook for a hotel? Invent one. The JW Marriot hotel is a rather unusual resort on the idyllic sandy shores of Phu Quoc. Designed by the renowned architect Bill Bensley, he’s taken inspiration from the famous french naturalist Jean Baptiste Lamarck in the form of a ‘University Lamarck’ style resort. Built in the French Indochine-style, its underlying (fictitious) story is the task to renovate an old 19th Century Vietnamese University. Drawing upon the country’s real history, the story goes that war and political unrest left the resort in disrepair and only now has it been renovated. A convincing story some may say, you would be forgiven thinking it was true. Bensley says ‘it’s the best big hotel’ he’s ever designed and we certainly think the series of Hoi-An style buildings constructed like a small village is rather spectacular.
Lak Tented Camp
The first of its kind, situated in the stunning countryside of central Vietnam, lies Lak Tented Camp. Overlooking the idyllic Lak Lake, the largest natural lake in the country, surrounded myth and legends of Cu Yang Sin genies in the surrounding mountains – it’s a wonderful and unusual addition to a holiday. There’s a huge range of activities to be had on site, from fishing, to kayaking, to cycling to farming, to spotting stars at night, to hands-on handicraft classes, to cooking classes, there’s lots to do. Accommodation is in luxurious stilted safari tents, with spectacular views. Wooden bungalows also include beautiful sitting rooms with panoramic windows onto the surrounding countryside. I hope more places like this appear in the years to come.
Poulo Condor Boutique Resort and Spa
Located on the historic island of Con Son, the largest of the Con Dao archipelago, Poulo Condor offers a quiet and luxurious place to relax. The first settlement on the island was founded by the English East India Company who named it ‘Pulu Condore’. It later fell into the hands of the French who used it to house political prisoners and later the Vietnamese. Now, the island has been put to better use. It’s home to some pristine shores and Paulo Condor is perfectly situated to access 750 metres of private white sand beach. Accommodation is in French Indochine-style bungalows, with spacious interior and exterior living areas. The swimming pool is surrounded by beautiful mountainous landscapes and at only an hour flight from Ho Chi Minh, it’s an easy access, secluded spot away from the bustle of the city.
L’Alyana Ninh Van Bay
A 15 minute speedboat ride from Vietnam’s mainland, LAlyana Ninh Van Bay is located on an island within the Hon Heo peninsula near Nha Trang. It’s a development of the former An Lam Villas property, with new ambitious designs, upgraded facilities and a higher level of service. Situated with prime views across the sea and surrounded by tropical forest, it’s a perfectly serene and romantic place to stay. Accommodation is in private villas with plunge pools, wooden terraces and sweeping thatch canopies. The restaurant and bar are surely the resort’s ‘pièce de résistance’. Whilst the food is absolutely mouthwatering, a mix of Vietnamese and Western-style dishes, the views of the ocean and surrounding mountainous landscapes are simply breath-taking. It’s a truly unique experience.
By Sam Clark, CEO of Experience Travel Group.