Best hotels in Vietnam

Having won the title of Vietnam's most cosmopolitan metro, Ho Chi Minh City is a seamless melange of art, enterprise and history with timeless Saigon at the centre. With its imperial facade and whimsical interiors, punctuated by over-sized oil paintings, the Park Hyatt fits right in. Bringing a touch of glamor to everything it does, the hotel hosts cocktail evenings beneath crystal chandeliers and butler service at the poolside cabanas. From one of its many balconies, the hotel boasts a view of Saigon's illustrious Opera House and just down the boulevard, you'll find art galleries and powerful war monuments.

Hanoi is an inimitable city, branded by its world-renowned cuisine, striking history (told in its many quarters), and the constant beep of mopeds. Along the iconic Hang Be street in the Old Quarter, La Siesta is a glitzy, stylish and inventive hotel. If you don't believe us, check out the rooftop Lighthouse Sky Bar; it certainly does the trick, with walls of glass that take the shape of a ship 'moored' on the 10th and 11th floors in homage to the vessels that were once sold on the street. Inside, the suites are slick and refined with views over the bustling lanes below. Just the place to return to after a day out in Vietnam's capital.

Buried deep amongst the terraced, shamrock-green crops and mountains of the 'Tonkinese Alps', Topas provides an idyllic gateway to the area's famous trails. Scattered like pebbles along the hillside, the bungalows are all built from white granite carved out of the mountains, giving them a bucolic, natural feel. The lodge's foundations lie in travel that benefits and protects the environment and local community and it has even received accolades from the National Geographic as one of the best eco lodges in the world. After a day of footing it into the mountains, return for a cocktail in the pure, alpine air at sunset - they're exquisite!

Perfume River winds like a ribbon through the ancient city of Hue and sitting pretty at its side is La Residence. Once the governor's mansion, the hotel has an aristocratic air and its sweeping verandas look across the water to the Imperial Citadel. Before the city draws you in, the hotel boasts a lovely saltwater pool to rinse off your travels along with a cooling cocktail. In true Vietnamese style, the city of Hue is a delightful amalgam of old and new, a combination reflected in La Residence's design. With the scent of frangipani drifting through the air, there's morning yoga on the vine-wrapped terrace before a day spent in the presence of timeworn temples and tombs.

One of Vietnam's most charming spots, Hoi An comes with the promise of cobbled lanes, rural excursions and more history than you'll know what to do with. With its French colonial design and picturesque setting, Anantara fits right in. Not much separates it from the idyllic Thu Bon River except for a few lazy palms and you'll have every chance to enjoy the view at morning yoga in the garden or over the specialty Hoi An Burger (a patty in a hot dog bun served with Vietnamese camembert!). It's the kind of place where the staff always remembers your name and you might just want to move in.

On a deliciously quiet stretch of Vong Beach, Poulo Condor takes its promise of R&R very seriously. On arrival, you might think you're the very first person to set foot on Con Dao Island, before spying the whitewashed villas amongst the swathes of tropical trees. By day, the well-sheltered infinity pool provides a cooling oasis, the Yen Spa soothes your muscles (and your cares), and the gardens make for an idyllic stroll. Of course, Con Dao isn't short on action by any means - hike into the foothills of Chua Mountain, snorkel its mesmerising coral reefs, and discover its secluded beaches. Lonely Planet dubbed them among the most mysterious in the world after all...

Ho Chi Minh City has long been the stage for era-defining history and glitzy go-getters mingled with perfumed temples. Hotel Des Arts was at once seamlessly stylish - combining a taste of the 1930s with romantic suites and an artistic flair that runs like a fine thread throughout. In the lobby, chandeliers hang like curled ribbons, open bird cages act as decor and tea trays, and an exquisite array of artwork lines the walls. In the heart of Saigon (the energetic city centre), a walk down the sweeping boulevards reveals grand architecture and monuments that recall a sobering past.

Sitting pretty in Hanoi's dapper French Quarter, Hotel de l'Opera strikes a graceful figure. Its pristine walls of white and mirror-like windows are just the beginning, concealing interiors that are theatrical, plush, and all-around gorgeous. From the gold-gilded lobby to the lantern-lit, nine-storey atrium and the jewel tones and pink velvet couches in the suites, Hotel de l'Opera is a feast for the eyes. And, with the iconic Opera House on its doorstep and the scenic Turtle Lake a short walk away, it's in prime position for enjoying the historic sights of Hanoi.

Living homages to Hue's art, architecture and history, the Garden Houses were once the homes of nobility. Having been lovingly restored, each house is inspired by a specific marker of life in Hue during the Nguyen dynasty. You might see the royal, floral motifs in one and the grand fashions in the next, while another is a museum to Hue's musical traditions or its most famous poets. As you can tell, this is no 'cookie cutter' hotel and nestled next to the sweet-smelling Perfume River, it feels timeless. The Garden Houses aren't far from Hue's Imperial Citadel, so a deep-dive into its history is a must.

Not far from the paper lantern-lit lanes and historic architecture of Hoi An's old town, La Siesta pays homage to Vietnam's original port city. Set across two wings, the decor and character spans multiple generations, from the hanging basket buffets to the stone statues that pour water into the pools (there are two). Yes, La Siesta may be mod and well-manicured but it remembers its roots well. Enjoy snoozes on the day beds and coffee body wraps at the spa before seeing the sights of Hoi An - the town centre is just a short walk away and you'll be rewarded with stellar street food.

Vietnam's Mekong Delta is a mesmerising maze of waterways, floating markets and emerald-green palm groves – but most visitors only scratch the surface. These private sampans, sized to navigate the narrowest tributaries, take you somewhere entirely different: canals too slim for commercial boats, villages untouched by tourism, and encounters with rice paper makers, coconut farmers and brick artisans who've honed their crafts for generations. Recognised as a Lonely Planet 'Top Choice', the experience is refreshingly intimate – a dedicated crew of four or five looks after everything from five-course dinners to cycling excursions through the countryside. It's slow travel at its finest, drifting through Ben Tre's legendary 'Coconut Kingdom'.