Boutique hotels in Vietnam

Vietnam stretches nearly 2,000 kilometers from the Chinese border to the Mekong Delta, and its boutique hotels reflect the variety. French colonial villas, converted townhouses, bamboo ecolodges and secluded beach resorts all offer a more personal stay than the large chains.

The cities

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City each have small hotels in their central districts, with rooftop bars and generous breakfasts. Hue's imperial history and Hoi An's lantern-lit old town offer more intimate stays, often with pools in courtyards.

Coast and islands

Da Nang, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon and Mui Ne run along the central coast, with beach resorts of every size. Phu Quoc and Con Dao are the main islands, and Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba offer limestone seascapes best seen from the water.

The mountains and countryside

Sapa, Ha Giang and Mai Chau suit travelers who like walking among rice terraces and villages. Ninh Binh's karsts, Phong Nha's caves and the Mekong Delta's rivers each reward a night or two.

When to go

The north is best from October to April, the central coast from February to August, and the south from December to April. Typhoons can affect the coast from September to November.