Vietnam is a country with proud traditions and arresting beauty that easily combines the tranquillity of a bygone era and the hustle and bustle of modern life. Its landscapes consists of soaring peaks, verdant forests, stretches of unspoiled beaches, and the Mekong Delta in the south to the Red River Delta in the north. Add in fresh, delectable cuisine with incredible cultural diversity and a fusion of local staples and French-colonial influences.

Highlights
Stay in the most lavish Vietnam luxury hotels and resorts in the country
Get a first-hand view of the French influence in the major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Min City
Eat some of the finest dishes in the top restaurants that Vietnam has to offer
Enjoy a picturesque flight over Halong Bay before taking a trip on a luxury cruise ship that drifts among the spectacular limestone islets
Completely relax on the beautiful beaches on the out-of-the-way islands of Con Dao
Visit the ancient port town of Hoi An

Best time to visit Vietnam
The weather and climate in Vietnam can differ with the regions; from the north to south with slight variations in the weather and seasons. Because of Vietnam’s diverse weather, there is always a favourable and pleasant part of the country to visit on the Vietnam holiday at any time of the year - although the north of the country is known to be the coolest. For the winter season (November to February), the temperature throughout the day is quite cool and often damp. Travel in the central regions of Vietnam gives the more pleasant weather from July until October, and starts to cool from November to May. Southern Vietnam has two seasons, which have fairly steady temperatures throughout the year. The dry season is December to May and the rainy season is from June to November.

For the travellers visiting one of the remote beach destinations like the Con Dao islands, May to October is a great time to go because this is the time the turtles are seen nesting on the beaches around the islands. Also, for the dive trips, the waters can be the clearest for the months of February to July with visibility in the region of 20-30 metres.

Luxury travel in Vietnam
Let’s look at a few of the most luxurious destinations, hotels, resorts and retreats to be pampered on the luxury holiday to Vietnam:

Hanoi
A fine place to start the luxury travel in Vietnam is the capital city of Hanoi which is in the north of the country. Hanoi is quite diverse with different areas that have distinctly unique atmospheres and divided into the Vietnamese quarter and the French quarter because of the countries past colonial history.

The French region of the city is about the boulevards and wine and includes the capital’s grandest hotel, the Sofitel Legand Metropole Hanoi, while the Vietnamese quarter is noisy with locals going about their daily life.

Built in 1901, the Sofitel Metropole has over 100-years of history and retains its French colonial-style and charm. This hotel is close to the magnificent Opera House and Hoan Kiem Lake to make it a centrepiece in the heart of Hanoi.

Boasting a classical white façade, wood panelling, original wrought iron detail, green shutters, and a lush courtyard lawn, this is one of the few hotels that date back to this past era.  

Beyond the stunning five-star facilities that include a renowned French chef, three restaurants, spa, and an open-air swimming pool, the hotel also unearthed a former bomb bunker that isn’t likely to be the first thing you expect to see on a luxury holiday, but makes a quite unique attraction and open for Sofitel guests to tour.

Hoi An and Hue
Central Vietnam has two ancient cities: Hoi An and Hue, which are recognized UNESCO World Heritage Sites and well worth a visit on the luxury tour to Vietnam.

Hoi An is an old port town that has benefited from lovely restoration work and still continues as a thriving market town, while Hue makes it possible to appreciate the country’s dynastic history with mausoleum that dates to the last imperial family.

A visit to Hoi An is certain to make its way onto most luxury travellers itineraries for its stunning combination of culture and coastline. It is the base for plenty of the country’s skilled tailors that are willing to make the bespoke suits and dresses in a choice of high-quality fabrics, and created at unbelievable speed and at a fraction of the normal cost. Other great experiences for the visitors to try are the cookery courses that make it a delight to prepare a few of the local dishes.  

For the travellers to Hoi An that really want to relax in complete luxury, it is worth booking one of the private retreats at the Nam Hai, which is just along the coast. The Nam Hai is likely to be the finest beach destination resort in Vietnam, and includes 100 visually striking and private villas that stretch along the pristine shoreline of Ha My Beach. Each of the villas ranges from 1-5 bedrooms with several having their own private temperature-controlled swimming pools.

This is a calm, tropical region with each of the private villas finished with Vietnamese lacquer and the choice is even there to use the services of a private chef to enjoy the in-villa dining experience.

Beyond the palm trees and pools, there are plenty of other facilities at The Nam Hai such as the Kids’ Activities Villa, organic gardens, the tennis court, the library for latest international news and magazines, and a choice of three distinct restaurants.

Ho Chi Minh City
Moving south on the luxury holiday to Vietnam to Ho Chi Minh City gives a quite different feeling and atmosphere. Quite a lot of this city witnessed significant damage during the Vietnam War, which led to rebuilding a modern city that is on a par with the likes of Bangkok. Ho Chi Minh City is now the commercial and energetic hub of modern day Vietnam.

A walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City makes it possible to appreciate some of the Vietnam’s past history with places to see including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the war monuments. Also, a short distance from the city is the Cu Chi Tunnels, which is an underground complex of tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War in the 60’s.

A luxury stay that gives the spirit of the modern-day Vietnamese life in Ho Chi Minh City is at the Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel. This 5-star hotel is located in Lam Son Square, which means it is centrally located and gives easy access to the main tourist attractions, including the Ben Thanh Market, Reunification Palace, and the Opera House, as well as the business district and exhibition centre.

The Park Hyatt has the classic 5-star facilities like spa treatments and the latest modern comforts of the Vietnam luxury hotels to create the urban luxury that blends sophisticated decor and design. Other great facilities include the outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre.

Plus, the dining experience at the Park Hyatt is spectacular with a choice of Vietnamese and Italian restaurants, a stylish bar and a classic lounge.

Nha Trang
Nha Trang is a high-energy coastal resort city that benefits from a stunning setting with its turquoise bay, a sweeping crescent beach, and ringed by hills, and a great place to visit on the Vietnam luxury holiday.

Located in southern Vietnam, Nha Trang has experienced a significant makeover in recent years, and a perfect destination for its offshore islands, diving sites and beaches. Aerial cable cars give easy access to Hon Tre Island, while the Hon Tam and Hon Mun islands have nature reserves which are reached by boat.

A luxurious place to stay is the Six Senses Ninh Van Bay that consists of stunning villas with beachfront views that overlook the East Vietnam Sea, while there are also villas nestled into the island’s rock formations. This resort has a complete list of sporting equipment to use or join one of the organized excursions for a truly unforgettable and unique experience.

Other luxury facilities or services at the resort include the spa treatments such as rejuvenating oxygen facials and customized detox programs. Plus, there a spa retail gallery, hair salon, a gymnasium and yoga pavilions to suit the guest’s needs.

The dining experience at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is a delightful fusion of local and international specialties. A great specialty is the fresh seafood caught daily and consists of fish, king prawns and lobsters.

Con Dao archipelago
For a completely different experience, a stay on the Con Dao archipelago is certain to appeal to those in search of a more isolated region that has a rustic and barren beauty. The archipelago is also one of the finest destinations in Vietnam to visit for the scuba diving adventures with pristine coral reefs rich in marine life.

The Con Dao archipelago is located off Vietnam’s southeast coast and consists of 12 islands. These islands have plenty of history with its past life, including the use as a French penal colony and a US prison that is still present, but in a quite dilapidated state.

The most luxurious place to stay in the region is on Con Son Island, which is home to the Six Senses Con Dao Hotel. This hotel is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, and a region that has benefited from state protection with its marina and national parks. The 5-star Six Senses Con Dao has a contemporary design and the first resort of its type to appear in the archipelago islands,

Fifty villas with unobstructed water vistas and private infinity pool run along a pristine stretch of beach, and vary in size with spacious layouts designed to accept 2 to 8 guests.

Dining options include an appealing selection of Vietnamese and Western dishes with a choice to eat at the main restaurant (specializes in freshly caught seafood with herbs, vegetables, and fruit) with sea views or even organize a private picnic or barbeque at a location of choice.

Beyond the dramatic backdrop of the tropical gardens and the Lo Voi Mountains, there are plenty of activities on offer to entertain guests of all ages, such as discovering nature, hiking, and beach and water sports.

Even thought the Six Senses Con Dao is in a relatively remote region, it is still easily accessible and only a 40-45 minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival at the Co Ong Airport, a short 10 minute drive will have you at the resort.

Mui Ne
Located in the south of Vietnam, Mui Ne is a long coastal strip that stretches nearly 12 km and includes a string of well portioned beachfront resorts.

Once an isolated and sleepy fishing town with little going on, Mui Ne has been transformed into one of the Vietnam’s most popular beach destinations over the last 20 years. It is well positioned at just 4 hours away from Ho Chi Minh City to make it an attractive option for travellers that want to get a break from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Mui Ne has established itself as an upmarket place with more high-end and luxurious resorts opening that complement the swanky shops and swish restaurants.

For the travellers that want to experience the luxuries and comforts of the modern world, the Anantara Mui Ne Resort is a gorgeous, tropical haven in a setting of pure peace and serenity. The 5-star Anantara Mui Ne Resort is just a short walk from the beach and consists of 93 villas, suites and guestrooms that are stunningly fitted out.

The property perfectly blends modern and contemporary design with the local Vietnamese culture and offers a perfect list of spa and massage treatments. Guests get to enjoy facilities like a minibar, in-room safe, extra large stone baths, rainfall showers and pillow menus.

The authentic dining experience at the Anantara Mui Ne Resort can be specially tailored to match the needs of the individual guests who also get to appreciate breathtaking sea views. This resort on the gorgeous sands of the Mui Ne Beach creates an idyllic utopia for the traveller on the Vietnam luxury tour that wants to completely relax while revelling in the cool breeze of the ocean.