A welcoming and personal boutique hotel in a rural-but-convenient province beyond the town, the Hoi An Chic marries contemporary style with an eco-friendly ethos and careful attention to detail.

This property is definitely somewhere to relax and retreat a little, surrounded by Vietnam’s iconic countryside. Tai chi is available every morning and there’s a rooftop pool with interesting views over the surrounding area. Everything about this hotel exudes a sense of place, from the natural materials used to build it to the views at breakfast of water buffalos working in the rice paddies. While the more rustic setting may not be everyone's cup of tea, Hoi An Chic serves up a well balanced platter of local life and serenity - a grand combination in our opinion.

Presented by the chic MGallery hotel group, Hotel des Arts stands out from the crowd, boasting a wow factor that stretches far beyond its rooftop infinity pool. With a nod to Vietnam’s Indochine heritage, room interiors are timeless and elegant - havens of calm in contrast to the modern city skyline that can be viewed through the large picture windows. The king size beds look wonderfully comfortable, and so inviting that missing breakfast is a serious possibility!

The Social Club rooftop restaurant and bar is the ideal place to relax in the breezy air, in the company of fashionable Saigonese and fellow travellers, and gaze at the sweeping skyline views. A luxury hotel isn’t complete without a spa, and Le Spa des Artistes is suitably sumptuous and indulgent. To top it all (quite literally) there’s that rooftop pool and essential swim-up bar...

Chic and superbly situated at the heart of Hanoi’s historic quarter, this luxury boutique property offers the perfect first landfall if you’ve just arrived in Vietnam, and an ideal springboard for exploring the city. Its rooms are styled in a soothing palette of slate greys and soft, chalky whites, with touches of avocado green and duck-egg blues and greens. Floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the light, opening on to balconies furnished with tables and chairs where you can relax while gazing across the surrounding rooftop to Hoan Kiem Lake in the distance.

The Cloud Nine restaurant and rooftop Sky Bar have even more expansive panoramas and are particularly alluring after dark. For families and honeymooners, we recommend the hotel’s funky, split-level duplexes or more spacious and flexible suites. There’s a lovely spa on site, but no pool.

Oozing Indochina chic, this is the smartest option on the island’s famous ‘Long Beach’, with an old-world elegance created by its butter-yellow exteriors, paddle fans and deep, sea-facing verandas. The rooms are simple and airy, opening on to lush tropical gardens where there’s a generous sized pool (try the heavenly sorbets served straight to your sun lounger). Nicest of all, and closest to the waves, are the detached ‘Deluxe Villas’, which boast their own four-posters and breezy terraces

We love this hotel for its peaceful rural location just outside the hustle and bustle of Hue. Surrounded by lush tranquil gardens, the resort is warm and welcoming with its traditional and charming Vietnamese style. The rooms and bungalows all come with a balcony and have a garden, pool or lake view.

There are two swimming pools to choose from, one being smaller and more intimate than the other, and a peaceful spa blending traditional and western therapies, as well as a daily complimentary wellness programme including yoga and tai chi. The restaurant, Junrei, is one of Central Vietnam’s largest traditional houses, crafted with authentic jackfruit wood imperial columns, and where you can dine on sumptuous Vietnamese food and the specialities of Hue

Zannier Bai San Ho (Vietnamese for ‘bay of corals’) is a sophisticated resort situated on one of Vietnam's more untouched private beaches, which offers a genuinely Vietnam-centric stay. Providing guests with a tangible, local experience is at the heart of the resort’s ethos; the suites and villas, divided into 3 architectural categories, each represent a different tradition in Vietnam, allowing you to encounter a distinct part of the country’s heritage during your stay.

The main restaurant serves as a vibrant meeting place, offering the chance to gaze out at the stunning views over the bay, before swinging by the secluded and intimate cocktail bar - the perfect place for after-dinner drinks. A particular highlight of the resort is the rice paddy in the centre, where guests can help plant and harvest the rice served in the restaurants and get a flavour of local life.