7 Best Hotels in Halong Bay and North-Central Vietnam, Vietnam

A boutique retreat in the heart of the beautiful Ninh Binh countryside, this is a great place to get away from it all; in fact, you may want to forsake the nearby tourist attractions in favor of a day by the pool. The property enjoys a prime location amid emerald green rice paddies, giving it an effortlessly romantic feel. Accommodations are in a cluster of tile-roofed stone houses, designed to evoke an authentic North Vietnamese village. The on-site restaurant is reasonably priced and offers a selection of Vietnamese big-hitters alongside a prudently chosen smattering of Western dishes.

These small but quite nice bungalows lie at the foot of the mountain that houses the Hang Mua or Mua Cave. This guarantees that the area is always quite full of tourists and the hotel accommodates this with tons of selfie-worthy knickknacks. The bungalows have porches as well as outdoor and indoor showers. The restaurants on-site are also reasonably priced and filling.

The bungalows at Mac Lake are possibly the nicest in the park with good facilities including hot water and en suite bathrooms complementing the idyllic surroundings. Serene Mac Lake is one of the prettiest areas of the national park and the accommodations are certainly atmospheric. Adding to the general conviviality of the location is a lively common area. Traditional music is often performed here, and regular bonfires also make for lively gatherings. Dormitory accommodations in a large stilt house are also available for groups. To save energy there's no hot water in the stilt house, so cold showers are the order of the day.

Two stand-alone bungalows, beside a large, algae-green pool, feel far from civilization but are equipped with en suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, and hot water. More basic accommodations are available in a sizeable stilt house, where a single bed costs 130,000d and a twin room is 200,000d. The accommodations in the common area are mixed and there are 10 beds. Electricity is limited to the evenings in Bong, and the stilt house bathrooms are shared. Reservations, which can be made through travel agencies in Hanoi or directly via the park headquarters, are recommended for either location.

Tour operators usually guide people to the facilities at Park Headquarters, which now has a wide range of rooms, from those within detached bungalows and basic accommodations in a large stilt house to deluxe rooms with amenities such as television, air-conditioning, and hot water. Numerous price ranges start at just 400,000d, going up to 1,000,000d per night for the best rooms. Call the park headquarters or visit the park website for information and reservations.

These bungalows offer amazing views, indoor and outdoor bathrooms, live traditional music on Saturday, and an outdoor pool and barbecue garden. This is an excellent choice for couples or groups traveling together. If you have the chance, take a farming tour to better understand the culture and customs in Ninh Binh.

Not for everyone, this bohemian hangout away from the main strip provides great access to the beach and treats guests like family. Run by an ever-changing group of young locals and foreigners, the beach camp has tents, large group rooms, hammocks, and a welcoming nightly family dinner. The restaurant serves Western and Vietnamese favorites and fabulous views of a mostly tranquil bay.