Ha Giang Province
This wonderful ecolodge is tucked away in a hidden river valley in the High Song Chau mountains, with simple, solar-powered bungalows set in a riot of…
Must-see hotels in Northern Vietnam
Haiphong
The Manoir serves up just the right amount of classy, colonial French vibe, with brilliant white columns, black-and-white tiled floors and lush green…
Dien Bien Phu
The best deal in Dien Bien Phu is this friendly hotel, down a quiet, riverside alleyway. The 31 rooms are comfortably fitted out with good beds, flat…
Mai Chau
It's hard to beat this collection of thatched bamboo bungalows, backing onto karst cliffs, with balconies overlooking the paddy fields, 2km west of Mai…
Bac Ha
This well-designed place is clearly signposted in a residential district to the north of town and walkable from the centre. The five rooms are immaculate,…
Meo Vac
This is a unique stay in a lovingly restored Hmong house dating from the 19th century, with clay exterior walls, lots of natural timber and a spacious…
Mai Chau
Located on a slight hill surveying the surrounding rice fields is this village-like compound. Step inside the thatched-roof bungalows and you'll find they…
Sapa
Located 3km southeast of Sapa is this charming compound of adobe rooms and bungalows. Perched on a hillside with views of the rice terraces below, its…
Northwest Vietnam
This gleaming new hotel in the north of town is your best choice, whatever your budget. The pokey 300,000d rooms don't have windows but all other rooms…
Bai Tu Long Bay
Spacious, spotless modern rooms and staff that go above and beyond the call make this the top place in town, with a dockside location that's handy for an…
Halong City
The good-sized, modern and super-clean rooms here are excellent value, especially the spacious triples with one large and one small bed. Chuck in the fact…
Northeast Vietnam
This excellent-value hotel has spotless midrange rooms for upper-budget prices. The spacious doubles are better value than the cheaper superior rooms…
Ba Be National Park
The very well-kept Hoa Son Guesthouse is one of the best Ba Be homestay options, with simple but clean rooms, a huge balcony and lake views. Excellent…
Dong Van
Just off Dong Van's main road, and overlooking the Sunday market, the Lam Tung has surprisingly smart modern rooms with soft mattresses, friendly English…
Cao Bang
This well-run place with English-speaking staff features spacious rooms with high ceilings, some with a balcony, and a useful location near the main…
Bai Tu Long Bay
Conveniently close to Quan Lan Town Pier (2km) but walkable to the town (1km), this welcoming, family-run place offers clean, spacious and excellent-value…
Sapa
The spacious, well-furnished deluxe rooms with balcony here are one of the best deals in Sapa, especially given the perfect central location. Helpful…
Ha Giang Province
Nam Dam village near Tam Son has dozens of family homestays, but the most stylish place is this traditional lodge built from wood, bamboo and tamped earth…
Sapa
Located at the edge of a cliff, and offering fantastic views of the valley below, is this fresh, modern hotel. Front-facing rooms with views are the most…
Sapa
Sapa Lodge is a friendly, well-run place with plenty of small-hotel appeal. The smart, light-filled deluxe rooms come with soaring views of the…
Cat Ba Island
This island's prescription for relaxation includes simple but handsome wood-clad bungalows, with some located under looming limestone cliffs, others…
Ba Be National Park
A step up in amenities from Ba Be's homestays, this lakeside place in Coc Toc village consists of lovely sitting areas linking bamboo and wood-panelled…
Cat Ba Island
Rimming the furthest sandy edge of Cat Co 2 Beach, the charming yet dinky stone-and-thatch bungalows of this resort sit within a manicured lawn dotted…
Cat Ba Island
This pretty compound wasn't quite finished when we stopped by, but if the existing rooms are anything to go by, it will be a clever budget choice. Expect…
Ha Giang Province
Run by a friendly family, the central Huy Hoan (pronounced 'Hwe Hwan') offers large, clean, well-kept rooms that represent excellent value. The communal…
Sapa
Overlooking a plunging valley 18km from Sapa, this resort has stone-and-thatch bungalows with front balconies to make the most of the truly breathtaking…
Mai Chau
This tour-group favourite has handsome rooms decked out in local textiles, a refreshing plunge pool and a nice bar area overlooking the local pond. It's…
Northwest Vietnam
Your best bet in Hoa Binh is this rather grandiose hotel just over Hoa Binh Bridge. The modern rooms come decked out in cream and beige, equipped with…
Bai Tu Long Bay
Bright green, brand new and steps from Cai Rong Pier is this perfectly located dockside hotel. 'I think clean is very important,' the friendly, English…
Cat Ba Island
This friendly hostel is fast becoming the heart of Cat Ba's backpacker action. Clean dorms (one with 28 beds, one with 14 beds and two with six beds,…
Northeast Vietnam
The 32-room Grand Hotel is new and modern, with spacious, fully outfitted rooms and helpful English-speaking staff. An excellent midrange choice.
Sapa
An old-school yellow villa with porticos, terrace seating and a garden restaurant, the Auberge retains a vaguely colonial vibe. Rooms are comfortable but…
Cat Ba Island
As the name might suggest, basic Woodstock has some dirt under its fingernails, but if you want a uniquely old-school hippie backpacker crash pad, there's…
Cat Ba Island
Clean, good-value rooms and a quiet but central location away from the busy coastal strip are a great start, but what really elevates this place is the…
Cat Ba Island
Although the wood-and-thatch standard bungalows are tiny for the asking price, and could do with some TLC, the island location and strip of beach are…
Sapa
The hotel attached to the excellent tour agency exists to train locals in hotel management, so be patient. The best rooms enjoy spacious lake views and a…
Haiphong
Maxim's has been going for years, but remains a fine lower-midrange choice. The cheapest rooms come without a window, so it's worth upgrading, but all…
Sapa
Located in a valley, on the outskirts of teensy Nam Cang village, 36km from Sapa, this stylish wooden house with eight minimalist rooms is a collaboration…
Ha Giang Province
This welcoming new guesthouse run by nearby QT Motorbikes & Tours has clean, spacious eight-bed dorms and comfortable doubles (the back-facing twins are…
Cat Ba Island
One of a new breed of modern hostels, this well-run and spotlessly clean place on the western edge of town has dorms and a few comfortable private rooms…
