Must-see hotels in Northeast Vietnam

  • Manoir Des Arts Hotel

    Haiphong

    The Manoir serves up just the right amount of classy, colonial French vibe, with brilliant white columns, black-and-white tiled floors and lush green…

  • Starlight Boutique Hotel

    Bai Tu Long Bay

    Spacious, spotless modern rooms and staff that go above and beyond the call make this the top place in town, with a dockside location that's handy for an…

  • Light Hotel

    Halong City

    The good-sized, modern and super-clean rooms here are excellent value, especially the spacious triples with one large and one small bed. Chuck in the fact…

  • Song Long Hotel

    Northeast Vietnam

    This excellent-value hotel has spotless midrange rooms for upper-budget prices. The spacious doubles are better value than the cheaper superior rooms…

  • Hoa Son Guesthouse

    Ba Be National Park

    The very well-kept Hoa Son Guesthouse is one of the best Ba Be homestay options, with simple but clean rooms, a huge balcony and lake views. Excellent…

  • Nam Phong Hotel

    Bai Tu Long Bay

    Conveniently close to Quan Lan Town Pier (2km) but walkable to the town (1km), this welcoming, family-run place offers clean, spacious and excellent-value…

  • Namcat Island Resort

    Cat Ba Island

    This island's prescription for relaxation includes simple but handsome wood-clad bungalows, with some located under looming limestone cliffs, others…

  • Mr Linh's Homestay

    Ba Be National Park

    A step up in amenities from Ba Be's homestays, this lakeside place in Coc Toc village consists of lovely sitting areas linking bamboo and wood-panelled…

  • Cat Ba Beach Resort

    Cat Ba Island

    Rimming the furthest sandy edge of Cat Co 2 Beach, the charming yet dinky stone-and-thatch bungalows of this resort sit within a manicured lawn dotted…

  • Lan Homestay

    Cat Ba Island

    This pretty compound wasn't quite finished when we stopped by, but if the existing rooms are anything to go by, it will be a clever budget choice. Expect…

  • Luc Xoan Hotel

    Bai Tu Long Bay

    Bright green, brand new and steps from Cai Rong Pier is this perfectly located dockside hotel. 'I think clean is very important,' the friendly, English…

  • Cat Ba Central Hostel

    Cat Ba Island

    This friendly hostel is fast becoming the heart of Cat Ba's backpacker action. Clean dorms (one with 28 beds, one with 14 beds and two with six beds,…

  • Mong Cai Grand Hotel

    Northeast Vietnam

    The 32-room Grand Hotel is new and modern, with spacious, fully outfitted rooms and helpful English-speaking staff. An excellent midrange choice.

  • Woodstock Beach Camp

    Cat Ba Island

    As the name might suggest, basic Woodstock has some dirt under its fingernails, but if you want a uniquely old-school hippie backpacker crash pad, there's…

  • Cat Ba Tropicana Homestay

    Cat Ba Island

    Clean, good-value rooms and a quiet but central location away from the busy coastal strip are a great start, but what really elevates this place is the…

  • Monkey Island Resort

    Cat Ba Island

    Although the wood-and-thatch standard bungalows are tiny for the asking price, and could do with some TLC, the island location and strip of beach are…

  • Maxim's

    Haiphong

    Maxim's has been going for years, but remains a fine lower-midrange choice. The cheapest rooms come without a window, so it's worth upgrading, but all…

  • Central Backpackers Hostel

    Cat Ba Island

    One of a new breed of modern hostels, this well-run and spotlessly clean place on the western edge of town has dorms and a few comfortable private rooms…

  • Coto Center Homestay

    Bai Tu Long Bay

    There are just six comfortable, modern rooms in this well-run homestay in the middle of the island. The location is rural, 4km from the ferry and 2km from…

  • Whisper of Nature

    Cat Ba Island

    Whisper of Nature is a simple place where nature lovers can kick back and enjoy some downtime, or engage in hiking and swimming. Little concrete-and…

  • Coto Life

    Bai Tu Long Bay

    This strip of rustic, wood and bamboo stilt bungalows is probably the best place near Hong Van Beach, though it's somewhat overpriced. The more expensive…

  • May Hostel

    Haiphong

    This modern hostel hits all the right notes, with a central location, a good rooftop bar, gated motorcycle parking and everything you need from a dorm bed…

  • Novotel

    Halong City

    The Novotel fuses Asian influences with contemporary details, resulting in stunning rooms with teak floors, marble bathrooms and sliding screens to divide…

  • Sea Pearl Hotel

    Cat Ba Island

    The Sea Pearl is a solid if somewhat old-fashioned choice. Deluxe rooms are comfortable and spacious and have fine bay views (standard rooms are smaller…

  • Hung Long Harbour Hotel

    Cat Ba Island

    At the quieter southeastern end of Cat Ba Town, the towering, three-star Hung Long Harbour has spacious rooms, many with excellent harbour views. Don't…

  • Monaco Hotel

    Haiphong

    Modern, reliable and central, though somewhat dull, the Monaco features an imposing lobby with professional staff who speak a little English. The theme…

  • Coto Hotel Group

    Bai Tu Long Bay

    It's a mixed bag at this tall waterfront structure in Co To Town – two rooms on every floor have great sea views, while the other two have no exterior…

  • Hai Dang Lodge

    Ba Be National Park

    The Hai Dang is raised above the main road in Bo Lu village and so has great views from its terrace towards Ba Be Lake. Rooms are comfortable, some with…

  • Thu Ha

    Cat Ba Island

    This small family-run place has basically furnished, clean rooms, some boasting four beds (600,000d). Negotiate hard for a front room and wake up to sea…

  • Fancy Hostel

    Halong City

    A very central location, cheap laundry and a free bottle of beer are sweeteners at this newly built hostel, and the dorm rooms are clean and spacious. It…

  • Kim Thanh

    Haiphong

    A rambling mansion-like building holding a variety of rooms, most of which appear tidy and comfortable, if somewhat conservative. A good budget choice,…

  • Hai Long Hotel

    Cat Ba Island

    A new-ish-feeling place with 60 rooms, neither huge nor sexy, but entirely capable. Opt for the more expensive rooms, which have more leg room, natural…

  • La Paloma Hotel

    Bai Tu Long Bay

    Imposing, bright-white and brand new. The rooms here are spacious, if lacking in character, and it's probably the best place within walking distance of…

  • Ann Hotel

    Bai Tu Long Bay

    The well-run Ann Hotel, in the centre of town, offers spacious rooms with gleaming bathrooms. The best rooms at the back have balconies with ocean views.

  • Song Da Ngoc Vung Hotel & Resort

    Bai Tu Long Bay

    The island's best accommodation, this resort takes the form of a few vast, home-like bungalows in a manicured compound at the edge of a wide beach.

  • Happy Hostel

    Halong City

    A lively, eclectic lobby leads to a handful of rather tight but tidy six-bed dorm rooms. Your tariff includes breakfast and a beer.

  • Cat Ba Eco Lodge

    Cat Ba Island

    This resort boasts a rural location 12km from Cat Ba Town and 2km off the main road. Spacious, simple and somewhat overpriced wooden stilt houses sit…

  • Ancient House Homestay

    Cat Ba Island

    Located around 3km from Cat Ba Town, down an unmarked alley in the village of Ang Soi, this heritage house was carefully moved here from the outskirts of…

  • Cat Ba Mountain View Guesthouse

    Cat Ba Island

    Removed from the hustle of town, this collection of roadside bungalows and basic hilltop cabins made from pallets offers simple accommodation but great…

  • Cat Ba Sea View

    Cat Ba Island

    The fake-flower decor here is an an attempt to jazz up the slightly faded rooms. All are spacious, though the seafront ones, which can sleep up to four…