Signature luxury holiday through Vietnam

One of Asia’s true grandes dames, the Sofitel Legend Metropole has been setting the standard for elegance in Hanoi since 1901. Steps from the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, this colonial-era landmark has hosted everyone from Graham Greene to Catherine Deneuve. The hotel’s original wing oozes old-world glamour—white shutters, dark wood, vintage fans—while the newer Opera Wing offers modern comfort with Parisian polish. Take the hotel’s wartime bunker tour for a glimpse into Hanoi’s past, then unwind over cocktails in the courtyard where diplomats, writers and artists have lingered in times gone by.

With its warm hospitality and Ninh Binh’s extraordinary surrounding landscapes, Tam Coc Garden offers a slice of rural Vietnam at its finest. Its low-rise tiled stone cottages house simple but elegant rooms, with handcrafted wood furniture and breezy terraces that open to lush gardens, lotus ponds and sweeping countryside views. Here, the vibe is slow and soulful. Spend your days cycling to hidden pagodas, drifting down the Ngo Dong River or lounging by the pool, before enjoying seasonal farm-to-table Vietnamese dishes.

Overlooking the Perfume River in Vietnam’s former imperial capital, Azerai La Residence is a masterclass in understated elegance. Housed in a restored 1930s Art Deco mansion, the hotel blends colonial charm with clean, contemporary lines. The real draw is its location, minutes from the Hue’s UNESCO-listed Citadel and royal tombs. Rooms are stylish but unfussy, with vintage flourishes and river or garden views. After a day of exploring, unwind with a Vietnamese herbal treatment at the spa or a cocktail on the terrace as dragon boats glide by.

Set along a peaceful stretch of the Thu Bon River, Namia River Retreat is a refined hideaway just outside Hoi An’s historic centre. With its low-slung villas, earth-toned interiors, and breezy, open-air spaces, the design is minimalist yet rooted in Vietnamese tradition. Days start with riverfront tai chi or a sunrise boat ride, followed by hands-on cooking classes and village visits that take you beyond the tourist trail. The spa leans into local herbal therapies, while the restaurant serves elevated Vietnamese cuisine using ingredients from its own garden.

Set among rice paddies and tropical hills on a peaceful stretch of coastline in Central Vietnam, Zannier’s Bai San Ho resort blends understated luxury with deep cultural roots. Its spacious villas draw from local stilt houses and fishermen’s huts, to create an inviting but stripped back atmosphere. The beach is long, quiet, and uncrowded; the coral bay ideal for snorkeling. Three restaurants range from street food–inspired Vietnamese to refined Indochine dining, while the spa specialises in the use of native botanicals. More than a retreat, this is a serene immersion into one of Vietnam’s least touched corners.

Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, the Park Hyatt Saigon is a study in polished elegance. Housed in a French colonial-style building just steps from the Opera House, it delivers old-world charm with a sleek, modern edge. Rooms are refined—pale wooden floors, hand-crafted furniture, and marble bathrooms—while service is sharp and discreet. The pool is a rare urban oasis, ringed by frangipani trees, while the spa offers a chance to reset from the city’s hectic noise before enjoying elevated Vietnamese cuisine at the wonderful Square One restaurant.