Vietnam
Ancient temples, Halong Bay & Aman retreats
Vietnam's luxury hotel landscape has been transformed in the past decade by the arrival of Aman, Six Senses, and Four Seasons — brands that have recognised in the country's extraordinary natural and cultural heritage the conditions for world-class hospitality. Amanoi, on a private bay in Ninh Thuan province, is the most celebrated resort in Vietnam: 36 villas and pavilions set in a national park, with a spa that draws on Vietnamese healing traditions and a beach of extraordinary beauty.
Hanoi's Old Quarter — 36 streets, each named for the guild that once traded there — is one of the most atmospheric urban environments in Asia. The Capella Hanoi, in a French colonial building on Hang Bai Street, is the most celebrated hotel in the city: 47 rooms of extraordinary craftsmanship, with a jazz club that has become the most talked-about venue in Hanoi. The Sofitel Legend Metropole, in operation since 1901, is the most historic address — the hotel where Charlie Chaplin honeymooned and Graham Greene wrote The Quiet American.
Hội An, the ancient trading port on the Thu Bồn River, is the most beautiful town in Vietnam — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Japanese merchant houses, Chinese assembly halls, and French colonial buildings that has been preserved almost intact. The Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, on Ha My beach north of Hội An, is the most celebrated resort in central Vietnam.
Vietnam's coastline — from the limestone karsts of Hạ Long Bay in the north to the white sand beaches of Phú Quốc in the south — offers a range of luxury experiences that is unmatched in Southeast Asia. The country's rapid development has produced a generation of world-class resorts that combine Vietnamese craftsmanship with international luxury standards.
Hạ Long Bay is best experienced on a private overnight cruise rather than a day trip — the bay's 1,600 limestone islands are most extraordinary at dawn and dusk, when the light transforms the karst landscape. Amanoi's private junk is the most exclusive option; the Indochine and Bhaya Classic are the most celebrated cruises.
Hanoi's street food — bún chả, phở, bánh mì — is among the best in the world, and the best versions are found in the Old Quarter at small family-run stalls that have been operating for generations. Your hotel concierge can arrange a guided street food tour; the experience is as important as any restaurant meal.
Vietnam's visa requirements have changed significantly — most nationalities now qualify for a 45-day e-visa. Check current requirements before travel; the process is straightforward but must be completed before arrival.
The Mekong Delta is best explored from Ho Chi Minh City on a private boat — the floating markets of Cái Răng and the orchid islands of Vĩnh Long are accessible only by water. A two-day private boat journey through the delta is one of the most extraordinary travel experiences in Southeast Asia.
Vietnam's climate varies dramatically by region. The south (Ho Chi Minh City, Phú Quốc) is best November–April (dry season). Central Vietnam (Hội An, Da Nang) is best February–August. The north (Hanoi, Hạ Long Bay) is best October–April. The country's typhoon season (May–November) affects the central coast most severely. December–March is the best window for visiting the entire country.
For the most celebrated and most architecturally extraordinary resort in Vietnam, Amanoi — 36 villas in a national park on a private bay in Ninh Thuan — is the definitive luxury address in the country.
For the most atmospheric and most culturally connected hotel in Hanoi, the Capella Hanoi — 47 rooms of extraordinary craftsmanship in a French colonial building, with a jazz club — is the most celebrated contemporary address in the city.
For the most historic and most storied address in Vietnam, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi — in operation since 1901, with a wartime bunker and a literary history that includes Graham Greene and Charlie Chaplin — is the most resonant hotel in the country.
For the most complete beach resort experience in central Vietnam, the Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai on Ha My beach — 100 villas, three pools, and the most considered spa in Vietnam — is the most celebrated resort on the central coast.
