Best luxurious resorts in Vietnam

Accommodation in Vietnam ranges from simple dorm accommodation in backpacking hostels to world-class resorts, both in large cities and in popular coastal and rural destinations.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Situated right outside the very center of Hanoi, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is within a 10-minute walk to Hoan Kiem Lake and the National Museum of Vietnamese History. The hotel offers an outdoor heated pool. Wellness facilities include a Turkish steam bath, a jacuzzi and a spa bath and a relaxing massage session can be requested. Family-friendly rooms are available, big enough to accommodate guests traveling with kids.

Park Hyatt Saigon

The Park Hyatt is situated on Lam Son Square in Ho Chi Minh City providing guests with easy access to such attractions as the Saigon Opera House and the Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater. The 252 guestrooms available at the Park Hyatt Saigon include amenities such as air-conditioning, cable television, and high-speed Internet access. Guests can also enjoy a swimming pool, a fitness center and a full-service spa, which offers a selection of massages and beauty treatments.

See more: 4 romantic getaways in Vietnam

Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang

Situated at Nha Trang’s beachfront, the Evason Ana Mandara offers stunning views of Nha Trang Bay. Featuring luxury, elegant design and decor, the luxury resort offers guest rooms that are either situated in the lush tropical gardens or with spectacular views of the sea. Each unit is provided with a Jacuzzi and has free internet access. There are several dining options, from the Pavilion Restaurant that offers Vietnamese and International specialties to the Beach Restaurant where visitors can taste freshest local seafood by the infinity swimming pool.

Bai Tram Hideaway Resort

Properly, peaceful hideaway Bai Tram is a place of such rare beauty you can't believe that you haven't heard before. A sandy bumpy track leads past shacks within roofs aflame with bougainvillea, past a wide mouth of blue water and a rickety bamboo bridge; past shrimp farms and velvet-eyed cows. The road ascends to the entrance, where you climb out of the car to take in the view: a 100-hectare sweep of creamy white sand and green bush encircled by hills, remote and stunning.

See more: 5 most luxurious resorts in Quy Nhon

Pilgrimage Village

The Pilgrimage Village is located 4 miles from Hue’s city center and offers guests a rustic village setting. The luxury resort was renovated in 2007 and offers a blend of local culture, modern art concepts, and traditional Vietnamese style elements. A total of 99 accommodation units are available including 72 deluxe units, 15 honeymoon bungalows, 5 honeymoon pool huts, and 3 traditional Vietnamese pool houses.

Princess d'Annam Resort & Spa

Facing a century-old French lighthouse and placed in a picturesque surrounding amidst magnificent sceneries, the Princess d’Annam Resort is Vietnam’s first all-villa luxury boutique resort. The hotel is situated on the pristine bay of Ke Ga about a 4-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh city. Overlooking the South China Sea, it is features stunning mountains, red canyons, sand dunes and a rich ecosystem. Guests can participate in a wide range of outdoor activities from four-wheel exploration on dirt roads or spectacular mountain raids, to playing at one of Vietnam’s best golf course.

La Residence Hue Hotel & Spa

Located in the heart of Hue, the La Residence Hue Hotel is made up of 122 spacious guestrooms. All of these accommodations are gracefully appointed with a wide array of modern amenities. Enjoyable local, regional, and international cuisine can be appreciated in hotel’s restaurant and guests can sip on their favorite drink at the cozy bar. Visitors can work out in the gymnasium, take a dip in the swimming pool, soak in the sauna or enjoy a variety of spa services.

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A walk down to Old Sai Gon

More and more glorious skyscrapers nowadays make Sai Gon become modern like other cities in Asia. However, beautiful things of Sai Gon in visitor's eyes are old architectures which were built over 100 years and marked a fascinating history of Vietnam. 

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Sai Gon

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Sai Gon is a cathedral located in the downtown of Sai Gon. Established by French colonists who initially named it Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Saï Gon, the cathedral was constructed between 1863 and 1880. Aside from its status as one of the Sai Gon's most prominent attractions, Dame Cathedral still serves as a religious institution for the local population. 

Sai Gon Central Post Office

Ho Chi Minh City Post Office or the Sai Gon Central Post Office is a post office in the downtown Ho Chi Minh City, near Notre-Dame Cathedral. The building was constructed when Vietnam was part of French Indochina in the late 19th century. It counts with Gothic, Renaissance and French influences. It was constructed between 1886-1891 and is now a tourist attraction.

Although the experience is a fascinating glimpse into history, the fact that this is still a functioning post office makes the experience even sweeter. There are two wings branching out from the main office, selling souvenirs, postcards and lacquerware but the prices are inflated and the same products can probably be found elsewhere for a better price.

Sai Gon City Hall

It was built in 1902-1908 in a French colonial style for the then city of Sai Gon. Beautiful by day, stunning by night, Saigon City Hall is another excellent example of French colonial architecture in Ho Chi Minh City. The building was originally called Hotel de Ville de Saigon. Since 1975, the building has been the headquarters of the Peoples Committee in Ho Chi Minh City and is unfortunately not open to the general public. Only civil servants and cleaners are allowed.

The building was designed by a French architect. It has a main hall, rectangular wings and manicured trees decorate the facade. The famous bell tower, a feature common to many European town halls, sits on top on a pyramid-like pedestal and imparts style and elegance to the structure.

Sai Gon Opera House 

The Municipal Theatre, otherwise known as the Saigon Opera House is also an example of French colonial architecture in Vietnam. The surrounding area could be in one of Europe’s finest cities were it not for the usual crazy traffic on the surrounding streets. The Municipal Theatre was originally built to entertain Saigon’s burgeoning middle class in French Colonial times. A number of French Architects were involved with the creation of the original building that was completed in 1897. 

Unless you are attending a performance of some sort you can’t get very far into the building but that shouldn’t be an issue if you really want to get inside. The Municipal Theatre hosts the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera and therefore a variety of traditional and classical performances are staged there. These include plays, concerts, ballets, opera, and Vietnamese traditional dance.

Ben Thanh Market

Ben Thanh Market is a large marketplace in central. The market is one of the earliest surviving structures in Sai Gon and an important symbol of Hồ Chí Minh City, popular with tourists seeking local handicrafts, textiles, áo dài, and souvenirs, as well as local cuisine.

Thuong Tho Palace 

Built in the 1860s, Thuong Tho Palace is now the headquarters of the Department of Information and Communication and the Department of Industry and Trade. In the 1860s the French put up Thuong Tho Palace, which was at the time only second to what is known as Independence Palace in importance, later utilized as offices by the colonial and former South Vietnam administrations before 1975.

Hotel Continental Sai Gon

It was named after the Hôtel Continental in Paris and is located in District 1, the central business district of the city. The hotel is situated on Đồng Khởi Street by the Sai Gon Opera House and was built in 1880 during the French colonial period. The hotel has undergone refurbishments over the years, while still maintaining the essence of its original architecture and style. The hotel is owned by the state-owned Sai Gon Tourist.

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Have you ever tried these Sai Gon's signature dishes?

Street foods in Sai Gon are very tasty and abundant. There are more hundreds of kinds of street foods but here are the best signature dishes you cannot miss when traveling to Sai Gon and you can be addicted to those dishes.

One of the densest populations cities in Vietnam, Sai Gon is not only a financial center but also a place gathered most of the unique street food both tasty and reasonable. Most street food stalls usually serve foods with simple recipes. You just simply sit in a plastic chair, hold a pair of chopsticks and enjoy the street foods.

Com tam (Broken rice) 

Com tam is literally translated to ‘broken rice’ in Vietnamese and is traditionally served with diced green onions and a variety of toppings. Toppings options include barbecued pork chop, shredded pork skin, fried eggs, and steamed pork and an egg patty. Com tam also comes with a side of pickled vegetables, cucumber slices, and specially prepared Vietnamese fish sauce. While it’s a popular choice for breakfast or lunch, it can be enjoyed any time of the day as it is relatively inexpensive.

Pha lau (Offal stew)

Pha lau, an exotic street food commonly found in Sai Gon, is an offal stew filled with pig or cow innards and cooked with herbs and seasoning in a way similar to curry, although not as spicy. What makes this dish unique is the chewy pieces which are yet soft enough to melt in your mouth.

If you are wondering, “Would the taste or smell of the organs is too strong for me?” Then do not worry since the long cooking process had eliminated any unpleasant taste and odor. Each vendor will have its unique way of flavoring the broth. You can also order some bread to eat along with this rich broth. Locals also dip the organs into a fish sauce with minced chilies to enhance the flavor.

Banh cuon

Bánh cuốn is a type of Vietnamese steamed fermented rice batter dish, filled with a mixture of cooked seasoned ground pork, minced wood ear mushroom, and minced shallots. It's usually eaten with a dipping sauce which is a specially made fish sauce or you can add some chả (Vietnamese sausage) or bánh tôm (Vietnamese shrimp tempura) as a side dish.

Goi cuon (Vietnamese spring rolls)

A Vietnamese traditional dish consists of pork, prawn, vegetables, bún (rice vermicelli), and other ingredients wrapped in rice paper. Contrary to popular belief that they are from China, the fresh spring roll's origin is from Vietnam since the ingredients are different. Due to its subtle flavor, goi cuon is usually dipped into ground chilies and a hoisin-based dipping sauce topped with crushed peanuts. These rolls are considered to be a very popular appetizer in Vietnamese restaurants. 

Another popular variant is the summer rolls (known as Chả Giò), which is a deep-fried egg roll made with a combination of mung bean noodles, minced pork, and various spices.

Sup cua (crab soup)

Fresh stripped crab meat is the star of this delicious dish. Crab soup is a perfect comfort food that many Vietnamese are familiar with. The soup has crab, tapioca starch, shitake mushrooms, snow mushrooms, and quail eggs.

One must-try location would be the stall on the Nguyen Du Street corner near the Notre-Dame Cathedral. But you can also easily find this soup at big wet markets such as Thiec, Ho Thi Ky and Pham The Hien.

See more: Eating your way through the streets of Saigon

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