The Perfect First Time Itinerary for Vietnam
I just returned from a scouting trip to Vietnam, and it has earned a spot near the top of my list. Picture extraordinary street food and quiet temples without the crowds of Japan, all set against landscapes that stop you mid sentence. What stayed with me most was the people: genuinely kind hosts who want you to experience their culture as it truly is, and that warmth carries into every hotel. Luxury hospitality here sits about a decade behind Thailand, which is exactly why now is the moment to go, before the rest of the world catches on.
Hanoi | 3 nights
The perfect introduction to Vietnam. Fly into Noi Bai Airport, 45 minutes from Capella Hanoi, Bill Bensley's opera-inspired hotel in the French Quarter. Three nights to wander lantern-lit lanes, ancient temples, and the city's legendary street food.
Ha Long Bay | 2 nights
The 2.5 hour drive from Hanoi is worth the jaw-dropping landscapes you get on a cruise through Ha Long Bay. Pro tip: choose a cruise line that goes through Lan Ha Bay, the quieter area of Ha Long Bay, to get uninterrupted views!
Hoi An | 2 nights
Transfer back to Hanoi for a short 1 hour 20 minute flight to Da Nang, then 30 minutes to Four Seasons The Nam Hai. Private pool villas on Ha My Beach, just minutes from Hoi An's UNESCO listed Ancient Town of yellow shophouses, silk lanterns, and overnight tailors.
Da Nang | 2 nights
A 45 minute coastal drive to the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort. Another Bensley masterpiece, cascading down the jungle hillside of the Son Tra Peninsula to its own private bay, home to the rare red shanked douc langur.
Ho Chi Minh City | 3 nights
A 1 hour 20 minute flight south to Vietnam at full volume. Park Hyatt Saigon faces the Opera House in District 1, with rooftop bars, colonial landmarks, and the country's liveliest food scene at your doorstep. Tan Son Nhat Airport is 30 to 45 minutes away for a seamless departure.
12 nights | Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Hoi An → Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City
Check out where I would recommend staying below!
Capella Hanoi
Think Vietnamese maximalism in the best possible way. This might be the most opulent hotel I’ve seen (and that’s saying something)!
VIP Perks:
Room upgrade (subject to availability, sometimes multiple categories)
Daily complimentary breakfast
$100 food & beverage credit
Early check in / late check out (subject to availability)
Heritage Line - Ha Long Bay
Thousands of limestone karsts rise from emerald water in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and seeing them by overnight cruise is the only way to do it justice. Heritage Line's elegant junk style ships favor the bay's quieter corners, with kayaking, cave visits, and sunrise tai chi on deck.
Four Seasons Nam Hai - Hoi An
Hoi An's UNESCO listed Ancient Town is a preserved trading port of yellow shophouses, silk lanterns, and tailors who can make you a suit overnight. The Nam Hai, set on a private stretch of Ha My Beach with villas and private pools, is consistently ranked among the finest resorts in Asia, and the Old Town is a short drive away.
VIP Perks:
Room upgrade (subject to availability)
Daily complimentary breakfast
$100 food & beverage credit
Early check in / late check out (subject to availability)
Intercontinental Da Nang
This stop might come as a surprise - most visitors do not make it to the Da Nang peninsula but this hotel and terrain were truly jaw-dropping. Tucked into the jungle of the Son Tra Peninsula, this Bill Bensley resort cascades down a hillside to its own private bay. Expect sweeping ocean views, a funicular down to the beach, and a nature reserve that is home to the rare red-shanked douc langur.
VIP Perks:
Room upgrade (subject to availability)
Daily complimentary breakfast
$100 food & beverage credit
Early check in / late check out (subject to availability)
Park Hyatt Saigon
Ho Chi Minh City might be my favorite metropolitan stop on this trip. While I think the luxury hotel market has a way to go here, the Park Hyatt Saigon is definitely your best choice for now. Saigon is Vietnam at full volume: motorbike traffic, rooftop bars, French colonial landmarks, and a food scene that rewards every curious bite.
VIP Perks:
Room upgrade (subject to availability)
Daily complimentary breakfast
$100 food & beverage credit
Early check in / late check out (subject to availability)
