25 Best Hotels in The South-Central Coasts and Highlands, Vietnam

On a hill 5 km (3 miles) from downtown Dalat, this charming resort is a collection of 17 French-colonial-style villas (some actually dating back to the 1920s, others as recent as 2005), each with three to five rooms boasting all the modern conveniences. The quiet, expansive pine-filled property reminds guests of what drew the French to vacation in Dalat. 

More than 250 paintings by Vietnamese artists plus local Cham-inspired details adorn Mui Ne’s most luxurious resort, where Indochine of old has been given a chic modern update with rooms that feature pretty antique-style floor tiles, claw-foot bathtubs, and high thread count linens on sumptuously comfortable king-size beds. The resort makes the most of its 1.5 hectares, in an area of beach that hasn’t disappeared due to erosion. There is both a salt-water and fresh-water pool, loungers on the sand underneath palms, a small gym, and two restaurants, including beachfront Lang Viet, which almost exclusively uses locally sourced ingredients. For a five-star resort, the spa is good value; a 60-minute massage starts at 1,700,000d. It is the only hotel in Vietnam part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

When staying at this boutique resort on Bai Dai beach, there's no need to leave your luxurious beachfront villa, a private haven featuring floor-to-ceiling glass doors, a pool, cabana, bathtub, and both an indoor and outdoor shower, though you may be tempted to venture out to enjoy one of the daily wellness activities such as yoga and martial arts, to be social with sunset cocktails by the main pool, or get pampered at the Anantara brand's signature Thai spa. An added perk: guests at Anantara can use the facilities at its sister property Avani, which has a kids' club and restaurant overlooking the entire Bai Dai Beach.

A sleek urban resort across the road from the beach, the InterContinental has fabulous sea views on the upper floors, professional attentive staff, and every modern amenity you'd expect for this caliber of hotel, including a fitness center, kids' club, on-site spa, and an enormous swimming pool on the second floor. Rooms are sleek, stylish, and very comfortable, and ocean view rooms have balconies overlooking Nha Trang Bay.

Thirty minutes south of Nha Trang, this beautiful resort is chiseled into cliffs that shelter a private beach with an infinity pool that seems to meld into the sea. Manicured grounds are groomed by 40 gardeners who water, trim, and mow by hand in order to eliminate any noise pollution. Cream silk curtains drape king-size beds, and double sliding doors open to private gardens with chaise lounges, hammocks, and ocean views. The resort offers diving, yoga, spa treatments, a kids' club, and language courses. Three shuttles head daily to Nha Trang.

A stylish, tranquil boutique resort with a youthful, beachy vibe, Sailing Club Resort Mui Ne has beautifully designed, contemporary rooms, all with their own private terrace, set in spacious tropical gardens. Choose from rooms, free-standing bungalows (some of which have outdoor showers), or the four-bedroom family villa. The service is attentive, especially at the pool and beach, and the in-house dining at Sandals Restaurant is some of the best in Mui Ne. Book ahead; the longstanding resort is perennially popular.

Located 15 minutes north of the main tourist area by car, this private beach retreat has spectacular views of the bay, as well as elegant villas, each with its own private terrace and outdoor bathroom. Try to stay in a villa, as the less expensive deluxe rooms, which are in a building far from the restaurant and main area, seem like an afterthought and feel out of touch with the rest of the resort. That building aside, the resort has a private white-sand beach set between rocky outcrops.

Located right on Bai Dai (Long Beach) on the northern Cam Ranh Peninsula, the classy Anam has rooms, suites, and villas across 12 palm-shaded hectares, with a choice of garden, sea, or pool view, as well as villas with their own private pool. Among The Anam’s jaw-dropping facilities are three swimming pools, four restaurants, a spa, a bar, yoga studio, fitness room, and even a movie theater.

Attentive, welcoming service is a hallmark of this beachfront resort, which boasts beautifully landscaped grounds (including a lotus pond), an infinity pool with a swim-up bar, Anantara's signature Thai-style spa, and an exceptionally wide beach by Mui Ne standards, though the interior style and rooms are beginning to feel dated and heavy compared to new resorts. The entry-level Premier rooms are lackluster. There are four dining options, including The Wine Room, open for private tastings with a degustation menu.

It's possible to truly get away from it all at this hideaway on Bai Dai, one of Vietnam's best-kept secrets, which has comfortable rooms, all with private balconies overlooking the beach and East Sea. The pool, restaurants, and bar are perched upon the rocks, affording a vantage over the beach; plus, there's a kids' club and range of interesting activities on offer, including excursions and sunrise yoga.

The Azerai brand’s signature minimalist design, refined interiors, beautiful surroundings, and luxurious details—all without an over-the-top price tag—are what draw guests to this serene resort, which boasts immaculate tropical gardens and several swimming pools, including a kids’ pool and infinity beachfront pool. The resort's suites each have an indoor and outdoor living area, writing desk, and standalone bathtub. Located 33 km (20 miles) south of Phan Thiet, Azerai Ke Ga Bay also has a gym, spa, water-sports center, elegant bar and lounge with board games, and both indoor and water-view dining.

Set on an unusually wide property by Mui Ne standards, Blue Ocean Resort has not one thing out of place from the reception area to the lawn, so it's no surprise that their rooms and bungalows are tidy, clean, and well-appointed. The resort has a large kidney-shape pool with plenty of loungers, beach umbrellas, and a restaurant.

This intimate, private paradise has tidy thatched-roof bungalows, some with sea views, set within a lush 2½-acre garden of coconut trees, orchids, tropical plants, and Cham-style sculptures. The air-conditioned villas are roomy and well-appointed. An open-air spa, pretty pool, beach bar, on-beach loungers, and thatch umbrellas, as well as on-site garden restaurant and a German restaurant at the street all add to the feeling that despite the resort's modest size, you never have to leave.

This historic property plays up the splendor of a bygone era with 15-foot ceilings, ornate fireplaces, artworks, manicured grounds, afternoon tea, and spacious rooms with claw-foot bathtubs and original moldings. A newer wing offers a heritage feel without the squeaky wood floors and dim lighting. Originally called the Langbian Palace when it opened on the shores of Xuan Huong Lake in 1922 as the city's first health retreat, it was designed to draw Saigon's high society to Dalat's mountain air.

This privately owned lodge is located on the north bank of the Dong Nai River, making it, along with the park-run hotel-campground, one of the few accommodations inside the national park itself. It offers tents and lodges with up close and personal views of the Ben Cu rapids and forest. Though basic and in need of some care, all accommodation options come with a bathroom and large balcony with a view of either the forest canopy or the rapids.

Opened in late 2022, the rooms at this city hotel feature surprisingly flashy amenities such as illuminated bathroom mirrors and a panel that controls different lighting presets and electric curtains, which you'll definitely use when staying in an ocean view room; from bed, open it up in the morning to reveal a truly spectacular view of the entire bay. The hotel rooms are from the 29th floor and up (below are apartments), so this hotel isn't for people who are afraid of heights.

Each of the 15 clean, modern apartments boasts an equipped kitchenette, laundry machine, and living room, providing a homey, central base while in Dalat.

On the north shore of Lak Lake, choose from glamping tents with en suite bathrooms, bungalows with private balconies, a dorm, and a campground; though this place has grown a little tired, it commands stunning views of the water. There are bikes, kayaks, and a gong performance, but there's not much else to do except dine at its restaurant "Y Lak," an ornate longhouse, which has a terrace over the water.

Dalat's newest hotel gives French-colonial architecture a contemporary gloss, with a modern-meets-Art Deco lobby and restaurant, and feminine, fresh feeling rooms. There are plans to add a swimming pool in 2025.

This low-key, full board resort has 23 rooms of all different sizes, configurations, styles, and views, but whichever you choose, you are steps from Doc Let's white sand and blue water, with a sweeping view of the bay, which is spectacularly lit on full moons. Paradise can arrange trips on a local fishing boat for swimming and snorkeling (highly recommended), beach barbecues, and kayaking.

A Champa-inspired hillside resort, Poshanu Resort has just 24 spacious rooms in a garden bursting with pink bougainvillea, the sight of which makes navigating all the stairs a little less arduous. The resort has a large swimming pool and private beach, which is regularly cleaned. The resort is not suitable for people with mobility issues.

The 30-story Sheraton Nha Trang is an older hotel, but it's still a solid pick as it has stunning views of Nha Trang's famous crescent bay, a resort-like infinity pool on the sixth floor, a well-equipped fitness center, kids' club, and on-site cooking school. The rooms are comfortable, albeit a little dated in style. The hotel has its own private area on the beach across the road, as well as one of Nha Trang's highest bars, Altitude, on the 28th floor.

On a white sandy beach, backed by towering mountains, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay has 59 villas, each with two rooms, a garden terrace, private pool, and ocean views. Rustic luxury is prominent in the wooden tubs, bamboo shades, thatched roofs, and plank floors—and the beds draped in white silk are a lovely touch. Meals can be served on the beach, by the pool, or in a wine cave nestled in the rocks. The resort offers plenty of activities including tennis, biking, kayaking, a library, gym, kids' club, and a spa that incorporates organic products from the region. The rock and hilltop villas are somewhat more private than the beach villas.

There are only 15 rooms and cottages at this small resort, including some that are mere steps to one of the property's two swimming pools; Sukhothai, Sunsea's excellent waterfront Thai restaurant, is a bonus. Like many resorts in Mui Ne, their beach is gone, but they have set up loungers and sitting areas under palms at the edge of the property, overlooking the ocean.

Villa Aria is a contemporary, comfortable boutique accommodation on the Mui Ne strip, and its lush gardens make it feel secluded even though it's a narrow strip of land in the middle of the tourist area. The country-style rooms, which are in blocks of four, are clean, spacious, and in calm, neutral tones—all have a small terrace or balcony, including two suites with a sea view. The palm-tree-shaded infinity pool overlooking the water is the place to relax.