Sapa
The cosy Botanic stands out mostly due to friendly husband-and-wife owners Minh and Van, who are wonderful hosts. There are only four rooms, brightened…
Must-see hotels in Northern Vietnam
Mai Chau
Ban Van village is only 800m east of central Mai Chau, but is noticeably less developed for tourism. Three or four stilt-house homestays dot the village,…
Bai Tu Long Bay
There are just six comfortable, modern rooms in this well-run homestay in the middle of the island. The location is rural, 4km from the ferry and 2km from…
Cat Ba Island
Whisper of Nature is a simple place where nature lovers can kick back and enjoy some downtime, or engage in hiking and swimming. Little concrete-and…
Bai Tu Long Bay
This strip of rustic, wood and bamboo stilt bungalows is probably the best place near Hong Van Beach, though it's somewhat overpriced. The more expensive…
Sapa
You'll likely feel at home here from the minute you enter the lobby to see the hotel cat dozing in front of the crackling fireplace. Rooms are spacious…
Sapa
This alpine-style hotel gets top marks for its attentive service and charming garden, terrace and restaurant areas decorated with local weavings. The…
Sapa
These rustic, bamboo and adobe bungalows offer some of the most amazing views in Sapa, but given how tight they are, they do feel somewhat overpriced, and…
Ha Giang Province
A popular central hostel that is always full of people embarking on, or returning from, the Ha Giang motorbike loop. It rents a range of motorbikes, books…
Haiphong
This modern hostel hits all the right notes, with a central location, a good rooftop bar, gated motorcycle parking and everything you need from a dorm bed…
Sapa
Up the hill from central Sapa, this well-run hostel has a multitude of six- and eight-bed dorms (with lockers) set around a communal courtyard and lots of…
Sapa
There's plenty of choice at this rambling, family-run spot with comfortable pine-trimmed rooms over nine floors and two wings, with the upper floors…
Sapa
Professional staff, a quiet neighbourhood and stylish interior design give this hotel a reassuring vibe. The 20 rooms are handsome and spacious and come…
Halong City
The Novotel fuses Asian influences with contemporary details, resulting in stunning rooms with teak floors, marble bathrooms and sliding screens to divide…
Mai Chau
For a little more privacy than the neighbourhood homestays, this friendly operation in Lac village offers spacious bungalows with rickety bamboo furniture…
Ha Giang Province
About 800m east of Du Gia is this collection of ramshackle bungalows, some perched romantically in the middle of a pond, and set around a traditional…
Sapa
Amazing might be an exaggeration, but this striking, modern, four-star hotel offers comfortable rooms and impressive views from some of them. A rooftop…
Bac Ha
This place has freshly painted rooms with block-like foam mattresses and white linen. Book room 105, 108, 205 or 208 for floor-to-ceiling windows…
Dien Bien Phu
The 148 rooms in this tour-group favourite aren't as smart as the lobby suggests, but they are comfortable and the outdoor pool (complete with fake karst…
Ha Giang Province
A relaxing place sitting along the bank of the Lo River, 5km north of town, with spacious thatched duplex bungalows set in lush grounds. You'll want one…
Dong Van
A solid choice on Dong Van's main road, the Hoang Ngoc features spacious, sparkling-clean back rooms and older, cheaper, front-facing rooms with balcony …
Bac Ha
Rooms here are a solid budget deal; they are a decent size and are decked out with a few homey touches, with a good ground-floor restaurant for a post…
Dien Bien Phu
At the edge of the Ron River is this characterless but tidy place. By Vietnamese standards, the rooms feel tight (except for the spacious VIP rooms) but…
Cat Ba Island
The Sea Pearl is a solid if somewhat old-fashioned choice. Deluxe rooms are comfortable and spacious and have fine bay views (standard rooms are smaller…
Cao Bang
Directly across from the entrance to Ban Gioc Waterfall is this new-feeling resort – the only accommodation in the immediate area. Rooms are handsome and…
Mai Chau
This small and professionally run place of just six rooms combines the convenience of being in town with rural views of the paddy fields from the…
Sapa
It's no surprise this hotel is a favourite with tour groups, the service here is on the ball and there's a wide variety of rooms on offer. You really want…
Cat Ba Island
At the quieter southeastern end of Cat Ba Town, the towering, three-star Hung Long Harbour has spacious rooms, many with excellent harbour views. Don't…
Haiphong
Modern, reliable and central, though somewhat dull, the Monaco features an imposing lobby with professional staff who speak a little English. The theme…
Bai Tu Long Bay
It's a mixed bag at this tall waterfront structure in Co To Town – two rooms on every floor have great sea views, while the other two have no exterior…
Northwest Vietnam
Excellent value with spotless, colourful rooms and a friendly vibe at reception. The hotel is just a short walk to a strip of restaurants serving Thai…
Meo Vac
Centrally located, opposite Meo Vac's Sunday market, this stately hotel has vast, neat rooms with soft beds and big TVs. A comfortable choice, though…
Northwest Vietnam
Your best choice if forced to overnight in Lai Chau, with spacious, modern rooms and fine views over the city from the upper floors. There's not much in…
Ha Giang Province
Near the Lo River, this place has 42 spotless and spacious rooms with actual separate shower cubicles in the bathrooms – some even have rain shower heads…
Meo Vac
This large guesthouse has spacious sitting areas overlooking the Gam River and is popular with motorbike tours. Choose between the eight new river-facing…
Ba Be National Park
The Hai Dang is raised above the main road in Bo Lu village and so has great views from its terrace towards Ba Be Lake. Rooms are comfortable, some with…
Bac Ha
Right in the middle of all the action in Bac Ha is this tidy, pleasant place. Rooms are clean and inviting, if plain, while the dorms, little more than…
Cat Ba Island
This small family-run place has basically furnished, clean rooms, some boasting four beds (600,000d). Negotiate hard for a front room and wake up to sea…
Meo Vac
This popular hostel has good dorms, a rooftop terrace bar and smart private rooms (some with riverside balconies) a couple of buildings away. The English…
Sapa
This friendly guesthouse has a decent, though dark, dorm and snug private rooms. Motorcycles and bikes can be hired, trekking and transport arranged, and…
