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

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.

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.

An easy 2½ km (1½-mile) bicycle, motorbike, or taxi ride from downtown Kon Tum, this charming family-run operation in Konklor Village has clean, spacious rooms with large private bathrooms in a series of bungalows, each a few steps from the central lounge area. The friendly owner, Ms. Lieu, is an English teacher and is very helpful when it comes to local information. It's a great base for exploring Central Highlands village life.

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.

A project initiated by World Wildlife Fund, the traditional Ma ethnic bamboo longhouse is a great base for adventurous travelers to experience all that Cat Tien National Park has to offer, all while supporting the local ethnic minority communities; 30% of the rate goes to a community development fund. The accommodation is communal, with individual sleeping areas comprising of a comfortable mattress, quality linens, and mosquito nets (bamboo screens can be installed for extra privacy). The two communal bathroom blocks have modern showers, and tasty set meals are served in a covered outdoor dining hall. The longhouse, managed in collaboration with local Ma, S’tieng, and Tay communities and WWF offers a range of activities, from kayaking, mountain biking, bird-watching, trekking (including an early morning gibbon trek), and tours to local villages, lakes, and wildlife rescue centers.

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.

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.

Boasting a terrific location across from the beach, Anya Premier is generally well maintained and you can feel it in their clean, modern city-hotel-style rooms. Quy Nhon is developing quickly, but its location means that nothing can be built in front blocking its view.

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.

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.

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.

Built in 1932, Du Parc pales in comparison to nearby Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel, which is under the same ownership, but it does have almost 100 years of history and a location walking distance to the lake. 

Pleiku lacks top range accommodation, but this budget hotel is fine for the night and is good value. Rooms are decently sized and comfortable and the staff is helpful.

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.

This family-run place is a beachfront guesthouse with a pool rather than a boutique resort per se, but you can expect a stupendously warm welcome and comfortable clean rooms. It's worth it to get a seaview room, not only for the fantastic breezy vantage over the ocean from the balcony, but also because a newer building blocks the garden rooms.

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.

Across the river from the national park, the family-owned Green Hope Lodge has basic but comfortable bungalows, either brick or wood, with mosquito nets, spacious clean bathrooms, a good restaurant, and a range of tours and excursions in the park. The helpful and kind staff can arrange bus tickets or private transfer to/from nearby cities Dalat and Ho Chi Minh. The hammocks by the river are perfect for recovering from jungle adventuring.

Located on the beach in the fishing village of Bai Xep, Haven underwent a major renovation in 2020 and now offers clean, comfortable rooms, many with sea views and balconies, and a minisuite. Their beachfront Big Tree Bistro is the perfect hangout to meet other independent travelers and take in the local scenes at its doorstep. They helpfully can arrange boat tours with a local boat, motorbike rental, transfers, and bus tickets.

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.

Though not a boutique size, L'Amor certainly has a boutique-flair and character with stylish French touches such as ornate wallpaper, art, fashionable furniture, and bathrooms with contemporary finishings.