Halong Ginger

With an (almost) 360° view of the bay, the glass-walled restaurant and bar has a menu of varied tastes and every dish is made in the sizzling open kitchen. The wrap-around veranda is a top choice for watching the sunset! Occupying most of the stern, the spa offers traditional revitalising treatments. Decorated with antiques from across Asia, the cosy library lounge has a great selection of books to sink into. Sitting above the rooftop deck, the heated stone pool comes with jacuzzi jets and a killer view.

There are just a dozen suites, each superbly designed with finely-embroidered decor, ornate wooden partitions and hand paintings in dark ink. The bathrooms are sleek with clawfoot tubs, walk-in showers and marble countertops. Floor-to-ceiling windows open onto a balcony with views stretching across the bay. Named Blue Phoenix and White Crane, the most spacious suites have a separate lounge with glossy tea cabinets and a roomy jacuzzi.

Enjoy on-board cooking classes with the chef, movies on the deck and the always-eventful squid fishing in the evenings. Over one or two nights, the Ginger drops anchor off Cat Bat Island for a scenic cycle to Viet Hai village and cruises 'Frog Lake' before stopping for a dip or a kayak in the turquoise water. On the second day, visit a nearby floating village and hike through lush forests where you might spot a chattering macaque.