The best hotels in Vietnam: nine places to stay, from Hanoi to Hoi An and Saigon

The colonial hotel from 1901

The Metropole opened in 1901 and is Vietnam's most famous hotel, a white French building close to the opera house and Hoan Kiem Lake. Beneath it is a bomb shelter from the Vietnam War, which you can see on a guided tour.

This is our classic pick, for anyone who wants to stay somewhere historic and walk to most of Hanoi. The rooms in the old wing have the most character, the new ones are bigger. Have a drink at the Bamboo Bar by the pool in the afternoon.

Views of the limestone islands

InterContinental Halong Bay is in Bai Chay in Ha Long city, with modern rooms and terraces facing the bay and its green limestone islands. The hotel is new and has several pools, a spa and restaurants.

It suits you if you want to see Ha Long Bay but would rather sleep on land than on a boat. The city around it is heavily developed. Book a day trip by boat into the bay, ideally to the quieter parts around Lan Ha.

A mountain hotel in Sapa

Silk Path Grand Sapa is in the mountain town of Sapa, with French-style buildings and an indoor pool with glass walls facing the mountains. From here you can walk out to the rice terraces and villages in the valley, and the cable car up Fansipan, the highest mountain in Indochina, is close by.

This is our mountain pick, for anyone who wants to hike and see the rice terraces. It can be cold and foggy in winter. Book a guided walk to the villages in the Muong Hoa valley.

Art deco on the Perfume River

Azerai La Residence is in the former residence of the French governor, a 1930s art deco house on the Perfume River in Hue. It has a large pool in the garden, and you can cycle or take a cyclo to the Imperial City.

This is our pick for history, for anyone who wants to stay in Hue rather than just visit on a day trip. The city is calmer than Hoi An. Book a boat trip on the river to the royal tombs south of the city.

Beach villas near Hoi An

The Nam Hai is on Ha My beach between Hoi An and Da Nang, with villas in long rows under the palms and three terraced pools leading down to the sea. Many villas have their own pool, and the hotel has a cooking school and a big spa.

This is our beach pick, for anyone who wants luxury and calm after the cities. Hoi An's old town is a short taxi ride away. Borrow one of the hotel's bikes and cycle through the rice fields into town.

A small luxury hotel near the old town

Allegro Hoi An is right by the old town, with rooms in colonial-style buildings around a long pool. You can walk to the Japanese Bridge, the market and the river in a few minutes, and the hotel has its own spa.

This is our pick in central Hoi An, for anyone who wants to go out in the evening when the lanterns are lit. There is no beach, but the hotel runs a shuttle. Go down to the river at full moon, when the old town turns off its lights and lights lanterns.

On the Thu Bon river

Moire Hoi An sits on the Thu Bon river, with buildings in yellow Hoi An style and views across to the old town. It has a pool, a spa and a restaurant by the water, and the bridges into the centre are a short walk away.

It suits you if you want to stay close to the old town but a little quieter than right in the middle. There is a lot of boat traffic on the river in the evening. Take a lantern boat on the river after dark.

Pool villas by the beach

Fusion Resort & Villas is on the beach south of Da Nang, towards Hoi An, with pool villas and a tower of suites. It has a big spa, several pools and a kids' club.

It suits families and friends who want space and a private pool for less than The Nam Hai. The beaches here have waves on some days. Visit the Marble Mountains, a short drive away.

Japanese service in the big city

Hotel Nikko Saigon is a large, modern hotel in District 1, on the edge of the centre. It has big rooms, Japanese and Vietnamese restaurants, a pool and a huge breakfast.

It suits you if you want a comfortable, quiet base in a hectic city. Ben Thanh Market and the main sights are a short taxi ride away. Book a day trip by boat to the Mekong Delta.