We explored the very best beachfront resorts in Vietnam. You could visit any of the luxury beach resorts mentioned as a fantastic way to celebrate your honeymoon or a landmark birthday, or just as a truly decadent vacation treat.
Sipping a cold cocktail on a white sand beach, with a dense jungle at your back and the lapping of the tide gently soothing your senses – what could be better? Vietnam’s luxury beach resorts are some of the best in Asia, with luxurious accommodation available at affordable rates all along the country’s 3,200 kilometers of coastline.
Fantastic Vietnamese food and the sunny warmth of both climate and its people make this a great choice for relaxing and unwinding in stunning surroundings.
Who stays here? You mean, aside from Brad and Angelina? The Hollywood couple stayed here once in 2011 putting Six Senses Con Dao firmly on the luxury travel map.
What makes it such a great beach resort? It takes less than an hour to reach by charter plane, directly from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao Island, where a Mercedes van picks you up and drops you off at the resort.
Situated on one of, arguably, the best beaches in Vietnam, with flat, firm sand that stretches out for a few kilometers and inviting blue water, the private villas all come with an infinity pool and butler. Films are projected nightly in the open air, while the food and drink options are second to none. The service is finely-tuned, leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of a pleasurable stay for the customer.
With a hefty VND12 million price tag per room, it should be no surprise that the service is immaculate, but there are plenty of other aspects which go beyond the basics and may surprise even the most well-travelled luxury-aficionado. A pre-check-in list offers anything you might need on the house, from razors to nail clippers to scented pillows to snorkelling gear. Guest can even specify the music they want playing upon entering their private villa for the first time.
The island is a beautiful and scenic attraction in itself, but if you prefer some more activity in your day then there are options to suit most tastes. For the history buff, there is a (now-decommissioned) prison which makes for an interesting visit.
For experienced and inexperienced divers alike there are abundant opportunities to explore what is widely known as Vietnam’s best scuba diving location, while those who prefer to stay above the surface can rent a catamaran for the day.
How long should you stay? As one of the most desirable and delightful resorts in Vietnam and with an outlay of around USD100 all but unavoidable for the charter plane, you’d be missing out if you didn’t spend at least four days here soaking in the atmosphere.
Offers: Six Senses Con Dao offers discounts ranging from 10% to 28% for early, non-flexible and extended stays.
Who stays here: Families with kids in search of some luxury treatment.
What makes it such a great beach resort? A short distance from Phan Thiet, Princess d’Annam is around a 3-hour trip by car from Ho Chi Minh City, making it the nearest beachfront resort on our list to Vietnam’s largest city. If you have young kids in tow then Princess is probably the best option. And it’s on the lower end of the luxury price spectrum (around VND5 million for a private villa).
The hotel is peaceful, secluded and stylish. For your money you get immaculate 24-hour service and some beautiful sights: the East Sea, rolling sand dunes and an unspoilt local village where you can pick up local fruit and coffee on the cheap.
What marks Princess out as a top spot for families is its excellent kids club – with a raft of activities on offer. That’s not to say adults will feel left out though, with cooking classes, karaoke and surfing all available at your request.
How long should you stay? Three or four nights. In such a small and secluded area you might consider taking a taxi trip into Phan Thiet to check out the city for something to do.
Who stays here? People who want to balance the beach with some lively city life.
What makes it such a great beach resort? Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang is for beach lovers who don’t want to be too far away from Nha Trang, the busiest coastal city in Vietnam. It’s also the only resort in town that’s actually on the beach, instead of across the road.
This idyllic beach resort is a delightful hideaway despite how close it is to the city. The noise is low enough not to disturb your stay, while the gardens, the exclusive beachfront and the inviting swimming pools all boost the peaceful atmosphere.
Six Senses, known for their world-class spa facilities, are the managing company behind Evason Ana Mandara so do yourself a favor and make use of the facilities here.
How long should you stay? If you want to explore the bustling city of Nha Trang, which has plenty of landmarks to check out, then around five days will be sufficient. If you’re all about that beach then stick with two or three nights only.
With a voucher you can get each night in the lower-priced rooms for under VND5 million. For the more luxurious options the cost is almost double.
Who stays here? The luxury-minded older crowd, no loud partying but plenty of fun.
What makes it such a great beach resort? With more than 1,600 reviews the Nam Hai has five bubbles on TripAdvisor – that’s no mean feat. When we visited we spotted a few things that made this beach resort stand out: the rooms are beautifully decorated with a nice view of the beach meters away; lounging by the pools is idyllic; and the beach sand is spotless. Of all the hotels in Vietnam, this place is easily one of the best.
Service in general is straight out of the top drawer and the price tag matches this (USD500 and up). Every villa comes with its own butler, ready to oblige your every whim, and small but significant details like the low-emission, low-noise electric buggies and bicycles used by the staff give the Nam Hai a push over the edge into veritable 5-star territory. This is the place for world-class treatment, rest assured.
How long should you stay? At least two nights. If you can afford more, go for it. Two nights to a week is best.
Who stays here? Luxury travellers in search of peace and seclusion.
What makes it such a great beach resort? The peace and tranquility of An Lam Ninh Van Bay Villas marks it out as a truly special spot to get away to. Whether you’re an expat based in the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, or on your way through Nha Trang as part of a tour of Vietnam, you’re going to want to make time for a visit to this truly special spot.
The dense trees and jungle in which the villas are situated helps to build up the sense of privacy and serenity, despite the near proximity of other holidayers. You may not be the only ones here, but it’ll certainly feel that way.
With a private butler for every villa, you’ll find that your merest whim is indulged almost as soon as it enters your mind – this is a place to leave behind any memories of the outside world and submit yourself to total indulgence.
The breakfast at An Lam Ninh Van Bay Villas stood out as extra-special – not only is it a la carte, but you can order to your heart’s (and stomach’s) content.
How long should you stay? Situated on a remote and totally private peninsula, the resort is accessible only by boat transfer – this adds a little bit of time to your transfers, and for this reason we’d recommend staying two-three nights here rather than just one.
And that completes our list of the top beach resorts in Vietnam. If you think we’ve missed one off or want to share your experiences at one of the luxury hotels mentioned in the article then please leave a comment! If you’re planning your own trip to the best beaches in Vietnam, check out our top 10 most beautiful beaches in Vietnam.
