Vietnam re-invents itself as an upscale tourist destination

Today you are just as likely to come across classy hill station retreats and luxurious beach resorts as you are budget digs in Vietnam. The accommodation scene has been revolutionised, with the country set to become a regional leader in value-for-money hotels that don’t cut corners on opulence or character.

This comes as a surprise to many, especially those who have grown up with images of Vietnam as a struggling war-torn country. That it is even a viable tourist destination is still inconceivable to some. Yet determination and resilience have seen the nation thrive, and today it is proving a worthy rival to the likes of Thailand.

Nha Trang was once the stomping ground of backpackers but nowadays it offers great examples of increasingly sophisticated Vietnam hotels. Beachfront spa hotels offering total privacy make this South China Sea resort a firm favourite with honeymooners and even royalty. But you don’t need to have deep pockets to enjoy the great hotel offerings here.

If Nha Trang’s notorious jellyfish population gets to you, head for the cool hill station of Dalat, where colonial charm isn’t a thing of the past. This is where the French used to hang out when things got too hot in Saigon, and a mini Eiffel Tower is testament to this. While Dalat may not live up to its nickname, ‘Little Paris’, it does have some fantastic, and surprisingly affordable, Vietnam hotels that are throw backs to the 1920s.