Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa

Set inside one of the largest traditional houses in Central Vietnam, Junrei restaurant is held up by giant jackfruit columns, and serves a medley of Vietnamese fusions and local specialties. Breakfast is available in an airy spot by the lily lake and drinks are served at the pool hut or intimate Lobby Bar. Surrounded by green, the exquisite Slope pool is a whopping 48m-long, whilst the shapely Peanut pool lives up to its namesake. For a dash more art, a mini gallery can be found near the entrance.

The rooms at the village are a tad more contemporary-looking than the colonnaded villas, which have a more authentic style. Decorated with painted scenes and bright cushions, each comes with a large bed, lounge area and simple but well-appointed bathroom. The interiors have a muted colour scheme with a mix of shiny wood panels and facebrick walls. The Traditional Vietnamese House has a mirror-smooth infinity pool, furnished deck, a dining room, kitchen and outdoor shower in a private garden. Other amenities include a desk, TV and minibar.

It's worth a trip into Hue to see the UNESCO-recognised Forbidden City where a moat protects streets of temples, palaces and grand residences. Visit Dong Ba Market and follow your nose to find tasty street food like banh khot (savory pancakes) before picking up a carefully-made handicraft. If you fancy seeing the sights from the water, a boat ride along Perfume River provides a pretty interlude. A little more out the way, Bach Ma National Park is a natural beauty with rare orchids and 'scarlet-limbed' langurs.