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

With an exterior dripping in green plants and a lobby fabulously decorated in turn-of-the-century Indochina-style opulence, it's no surprise that this boutique hotel's rooms also have eye-catching details that jazz up the modern, comfortable rooms.

The run-down hotel, which claims to be four-star, is one of the best options in town, which isn't saying much. It is, however, a suitable base for exploring the My Lai site—local buses leave from the bus depot across the road to the memorial site, a 30-minute journey. The staff speak limited English and the pool is crowded in the afternoons. Keep your expectations low to avoid disappointment.

"Resort" is a misnomer since there are no resort-type facilities, but this hotel, part of the Trung Nguyen coffee empire, is a dated albeit functional place to stay for a night just over 2 km (1 mile) from the center. Some rooms are much better than others, so check before committing to one. Next door is Trung Nguyen Coffee Village, a café with a large garden.

The bizarreness and kitsch factor at this tourist attraction is turned up so high it's almost off the scale, and unsurprisingly, the same goes for its 10 wildlife-theme guesthouse rooms. The cheapest rooms (the Bamboo and Termite Rooms) are quite small, but still fun for those with the right sense of humor. The Bear Room has a life-size bear with eyes that light up when you turn on the lights and a small fireplace in its belly.

The eight-story Indochine Hotel has large, comfortable, somewhat basic rooms, of which the higher floors have great views. It's worth paying a little more for a room with river views.

Located at the tapering end of the strip toward Mui Ne village, about 1 km (½ mile) from the tourist center, La Marina is a modern guesthouse for budget-conscious travelers who don't mind the two-minute walk to a more local section of the beach; the seaview rooms are a good deal. The staff are a delight and the beds are incredibly comfortable.

In 2014, two British guys fell in love with the small fishing village of Bai Xep and opened a rustic homestay, which has grown to include a range of accommodations, from a 12-bed air-conditioned dorm room and glamping to deluxe rooms with private bathrooms, all on a secluded beach. Fill your days with beachside relaxation, exploring the local village and the nearby waterfall, or going fishing with locals. End the day with a communal dinner and bonfire on the beach.

Phan Thiet's lack of decent accommodation options means this boutique hotel and its modern rooms are worth considering despite its isolated location in a sparse new development area behind Ocean Dunes Resort. The hotel is only accessible by taxi or your own vehicle, as there is nothing in the immediate surrounds except the beach, which is walking distance.

A centrally located, flashy urban addition to Buon Ma Thuot, this hotel chain uses the concept made popular by Wink Hotels: compact, tech-smart rooms designed to maximize space, featuring a capsule bathroom, king bed on a built-in platform, and services accessible via the app. The rooms are tight for two people but are designed for rest and ablutions; there's an enormous common space with a bar for lounging and co-working.