Six Senses is a well-known quantity in the world of luxury accommodations and its property on the shores of Con Dao Island doesn’t disappoint.
Situated about 45 minutes by flight from Ho Chi Minh City, Con Dao Island is one of the southernmost points of Vietnam. The surrounding waters are home to an array of marine life: including endangered green sea turtles, dugongs, and dolphins.
The Six Senses property here enjoys a protected national and marine park as its backdrop, with 50 reclaimed teakwood villas and residences (each kitted out with private pools) available. The resort is modelled on a traditional Vietnamese fishing village, with each villa enjoying a blend of rustic charm and modern comfort; offering stunning ocean views, private infinity pools, and direct beach access.
Beyond world-class snorkelling, hiking up the spectacular Lo Voi Mountain, and expeditions to turtle habitats, you can also expect a spa & wellness centre and an outdoor Yoga and Meditation Pavilion. Two restaurants offer Vietnamese and international dining, as well as two bars — one of which, of course, overlooks the main pool.
It’s one of the more expensive resorts in Vietnam, but certainly not your average tropical island resort. Expect the same level of faultless service that Six Senses offers around the globe.
Situated on a resort island that can only be described as a postcard tropical paradise, the Regent Phu Quoc marks the revival of the Regent brand under IHG group stewardship.
Simply put, it’s one of the finest resorts in Vietnam, with a world-class interior, impeccable service, and a location that cascades down to the island’s white sand beaches and warm turquoise waters. There are seven different villa and suite types to choose from, ranging from the luxurious garden pool suite to the palatial seven-bedroom beach pool villa with two separate living spaces, four panoramic infinity pools, and two plunge pools.
The Regent Phu Quoc also boasts a spa, wellness centre, yoga pavilions, and a gym, as well as dining and drinking options that span three restaurants and two bars. You could stay for a night or a month, but you’ll enjoy every minute you spend here.
Located in the landmark Times Square Building in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, The Reverie Saigon opened its doors in 2015 after a ground-up 7-year-long renovation.
Covered in Italianate splendour, The Reverie Saigon is a real ‘no expense spared’ operation: furnished with Italian marble floors and walls, vibrant floral mosaics, and plush carpets.
For some, it’ll be a bit much, but for those willing to indulge in a little Baroque brilliance it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh. The hotel contains 286 suites ranging between 43 to 313 sqm in size (including 89 full-service residential-style apartments), four restaurants, and a two-level spa & fitness centre.
Of the restaurants inside The Reverie Saigon, Long Trieu is the stand-out: with a focus on Cantonese cuisine which garnered it a Michelin Star in 2024. Expect a world-class experience from the moment you step through its doors.
Located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hoi An old town, Anantara Hoi An occupies prime real estate on the banks of the Thu Bon River.
Comprising a handful of classic French Colonial buildings, lush gardens, and a central courtyard pool, it’s an oasis of calm from which to escape the heat and bustle of one of Vietnam’s most interesting cities.
There are a total of 93 suites across four different room types, each of which has a balcony or terrace that enjoys views of the manicured gardens or river below. Other facilities include a spa & wellness centre with five treatment rooms and a range of restorative experiences, two restaurants serving international and Vietnamese cuisine (the latter of which overlooks the river), a pool bar, and cooking classes.
If you find yourself in Hoi An, a weekend-long stay here comes highly recommended.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, Hanoi
The French Colonial-style Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi first opened its doors in 1901 and is widely regarded as one of the best hotels in the Vietnamese capital. It enjoys a storied history, with former guests including Charlie Chaplin (who honeymooned there in 1936) and Somerset Maugham (who wrote part of The Gentleman in the Parlour during his stay). Ho Chi Minh — Vietnam’s first president and most famous revolutionary — formerly used it as a location to meet dignitaries.
Traditional in the best sense of the word, the Metropole contains 358 rooms and suites, with highlights including the perfectly preserved Heritage Wing and elegant neo-classical Opera Wing. As far as dining, expect a killer wine list and contemporary French haute cuisine at Le Beaulieu, while Spice Garden serves up classic Vietnamese dishes in an intimate setting.
There are no less than three bars on the premises, including the New World cocktail bar Angelina, a classic lounge called Le Club Bar, and poolside Bamboo Bar. The Metropole has been a fixture of Hanoi’s high-end hotel scene for more than a century for good reason; delivering on the elevated service and attention to detail you’d expect from such a well-established hotel.
If you’re visiting Ho Chi Minh City and keen to get away from the action a little, An Lam Retreats Saigon River is an excellent option: delivering a restful retreat just half an hour from the airport. Located around 15km north of the city centre in Binh Duong province, the resort is also accessible via a 25-minute boat ride.
With just 35 spacious villas and suites to choose from the emphasis here is on privacy, helped along by its intimate scale and stunning views of the Saigon River. While it is smaller, it doesn’t miss out on any of the refinements you might expect: including a spa with three treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna, jacuzzi, and space for meditation and yoga.
The dining on offer is also something you’d expect from a larger hotel, with the main venue being the Sen Restaurant overlooking the river; Veranda Sông in the open air, and even treehouse dining if you prefer your meal with a view.
The ’boutique hotel’ category still has plenty of room to grow in Vietnam, but if there’s one currently setting the standard An Lam Retreats Saigon River is it.
The Anam Mui Ne, Mui Ne
The Anam (not to be confused with Anam) is a boutique hotel operator based in Vietnam that fields two resorts: one in Cam Ranh, and this majestic destination in Mui Ne.
Located around three hours drive from Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne is a beachside resort town. It’s especially popular with windsurfers from around the globe thanks to its perfect conditions.
Contained within a French Colonial-style compound, it’s been designed to fuse the best of old-world Indochine elegance with rustic artwork, vivid interior detailing, and excellent service.
Boasting 127 rooms and suites across 6 size categories, there’s also a wellness spa, kid’s club, two restaurants, and bar.
Hue is a popular city to visit if you’re a tourist with a knack for exploring local culture. Its rich history includes a near-150-year stint as Vietnam’s capital, with the 19th-century Đại Nội Citadel a popular tourist attraction. Conveniently, it’s a 10-minute drive away from the aNhill Boutique hotel.
Akin to a palatial private residence more than a public hotel (encompassing more than a hectare of perfectly manicured gardens and koi fish ponds) it succeeds in making you to feel right at home.
There are 29 suites on-site, as well as an additional five villas, two communal pools, a wellness spa, and plenty of activities on offer throughout the day.
AMA restaurant serves both Vietnamese and international cuisine and has a breathtaking garden terrace to take your meals on. Meanwhile, the Sunset Bar is the perfect spot to enjoy an afternoon cocktail. Even if you’re just visiting for a night or two, aNhill Boutique is well worth your time.
Azerai Can Tho, Hau River
The Mekong Delta is a dream destination for many seasoned Southeast Asia travellers and, for our money, Azerai Can Tho is one of the best hotels in the region.
Set amid the lush Con Au Islet, a private island on the Hau River, your most straightforward mode of getting there is via car — two-and-a-half hours from Ho Chi Minh City, followed by a quick boat ride.
Azerai Can Tho enjoys a total of 60 suites — with an additional five private villas with pools — while the heart of the property is the enormous infinity pool flanked on one side by a lilypad-filled lagoon. There’s also a gym, wellness spa, pilates studio, tennis court, and three restaurants serving international cuisine and Vietnamese dishes.
If you’re interested in exploring everything the Mekong Delta has to offer, Azerai Can Tho can serve as the perfect base from which to begin your adventure.
Author: Võ Thị Vân
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