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 Northwest Vietnam
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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 …
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…
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…
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…
