Vietnam’s MICHELIN Key Hotels Mark a New Era of Luxury Travel

Vietnam’s luxury hotel scene has reached a defining moment. After months of on the ground assessment by MICHELIN Inspectors, the country has officially entered the global spotlight with its first ever MICHELIN Key hotel selection. The timing could not be better. As travelers plan spring and summer escapes, Vietnam now presents a curated collection of hotels that reflect not only elevated service and design, but also a deep connection to place.

Much as MICHELIN Stars identify the world’s most exceptional restaurants, MICHELIN Keys celebrate hotels that deliver stays of rare distinction. In Vietnam, that distinction comes in many forms. From remote islands and sun soaked beaches to historic capitals and cloud kissed mountains, the inaugural 2025 selection reveals a country whose hospitality ambitions have come fully into focus.

A Landmark Debut for Vietnam

Vietnam’s first MICHELIN Key selection includes 13 hotels across the country. Two properties receive the coveted Three Key distinction, three earn Two Keys, and eight are awarded One Key. Together, they offer a sweeping portrait of a destination where world class hospitality now spans coastlines, cities, and highlands with equal confidence.

Island Escapes and Coastal Icons

Vietnam’s southern waters set the stage for some of the country’s most transportive resorts. On Phu Quoc Island, Regent Phu Quoc signals the return of a legendary luxury name. Once synonymous with the highest echelon of hospitality in the 1970s and 1980s, Regent has reemerged under the IHG banner with renewed ambition. The Phu Quoc resort leaves little to chance. Set along a flawless white sand beach, it reflects an uncompromising approach to luxury, where every detail feels intentional.

There are no standard rooms here. Every accommodation is a suite or villa, designed to be spacious, elegant, and supremely comfortable. Many include private pools, while others open directly onto the resort’s lagoon pools that weave throughout the grounds. All are positioned just steps from the sea. Guests can unwind at the expansive spa, charter the resort’s private yacht Serenity, or explore a dining program that ranges from Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine to a Japanese French concept at Oku. Evenings often end at Fu Bar, where cocktails are served beside a rooftop pool with sweeping ocean views.

Farther south, Six Senses Con Dao occupies a pristine island in Vietnam’s southern archipelago. Known for its commitment to sustainability and privacy, Six Senses focuses exclusively on private pool villas, never high rises or pared down bungalows. The result is a resort that feels deeply integrated with its surroundings while offering modern comforts in a setting that feels wonderfully remote.

Each of the resort’s fifty villas comes with personal butler service, allowing guests to shape their experience as privately or socially as they wish. Interiors are airy and restrained, lined with local teakwood and furnished with canopy beds and unobtrusive décor. Open plan indoor outdoor designs maximize airflow and capture cooling breezes from the East Vietnamese Sea. Single level villas provide ample space for couples, while four bedroom duplex villas easily accommodate families.

Dining is entirely personalized. Guests can enjoy meals delivered discreetly to their villas or join chefs for daily cooking classes using locally sourced ingredients. Creations can then be enjoyed during a moonlit dinner on the beach. Con Son Island lies approximately 230 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City and is served by Co Ong Airport, with a flight time of about 45 minutes. Visa requirements may apply depending on nationality, and VIP transfer services can be arranged in Ho Chi Minh City.

Heritage and High Design in the Capital

In Hanoi, luxury takes on a distinctly historical character. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi remains one of Southeast Asia’s most storied hotels. Dating back to 1901, the property conveys a rare sense of continuity. The original structure now forms the Heritage Wing, carefully restored to preserve its original character while subtly incorporating modern comforts. It is complemented by the Opera Wing, where contemporary classic interiors strike a harmonious balance between past and present.

Rooms and suites are decorated in classic Indochine style, offering impeccable comfort across all categories. The addition of six new Metropole Suites complements the historic suites named for former guests such as Somerset Maugham, Charlie Chaplin, and Graham Greene. Guests enjoy shared access to a spa, fitness center, and outdoor swimming pool, along with one of the city’s most impressive dining lineups. Le Beaulieu anchors the culinary offerings with contemporary French cuisine, joined by Vietnamese flavors at Spice Garden and cocktails at Angelina, which doubles as a whisky lounge and restaurant.

Just moments away, Capella Hanoi offers a more intimate but equally theatrical expression of luxury. Designed by Bill Bensley as a tribute to the nearby opera house, the hotel channels old world glamour through meticulous detail. With just 47 rooms, it feels deeply personal yet lavish, with tributes to opera stars woven throughout guest rooms, the Backstage restaurant, and Diva’s Lounge.

Mountain Elegance in the North

In the northern highlands, Hotel de la Coupole introduces a bold sense of glamour to the mountain town of Sa Pa. The French Indochine inspired property is the region’s first modern luxury hotel and a member of the MGallery collection. Its striking visual identity is supported by professional service and thoughtful amenities, including the Nuages spa and an ornate indoor pool perched high on the seventh floor, overlooking misty valleys.

The Three MICHELIN Key Hotels

Capella Hanoi stands among Vietnam’s highest ranked hotels.

In Khanh Hoa Province, Amanoi represents a milestone for both the Aman brand and Vietnam’s high end tourism scene. Set within Nui Chua National Park along Vinh Hy Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the resort occupies a dramatic hillside overlooking forest, beaches, and sea. Spread across one hundred acres, the property blends modern architecture with indigenous influences in Aman’s signature minimalist style.

Villas are richly appointed, featuring spa like bathrooms, open plan living spaces, and private pools in select accommodations. Facilities include expansive pools, a restaurant pavilion, and a comprehensive wellness complex. Guests can explore the national park, spend time on the water, or retreat into quiet seclusion while enjoying contemporary Vietnamese cuisine. Amanoi is approximately a 70 minute scenic drive from Cam Ranh Airport, which offers domestic and international connections.

The Two MICHELIN Key Hotels

Along China Beach near Da Nang, Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai underscores Vietnam’s emergence as a serious beach resort destination. One hundred minimalist villas stretch along the palm lined shoreline, each designed for privacy. Forty include private plunge pools, while interiors feature freestanding tubs, rain showers, flat screen televisions, and Bose sound systems. Villas range from one bedroom layouts to expansive five bedroom residences suitable for families or celebrations.

Beyond the villas, the resort offers a spa with eight private suites, three pools, four tennis courts, facilities for basketball and badminton, and multiple dining venues serving Vietnamese, international, and seafood focused menus.

Banyan Tree Lang Co, located between Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An, transforms what was once a fishing village into a refined coastal retreat. All eighty nine villas feature private pools and interiors inspired by the elegant garden houses of Hue. Design elements include lacquer work, oil paintings, calligraphy, silk embroidery, artisanal ceramics, and royal purple accents. Guests are encouraged to explore through curated experiences led by resident guides, ranging from heritage walks in Hue to cycling tours and national park excursions. The resort also offers a crescent shaped beach, water sports, a Nick Faldo designed golf course, a renowned spa, and dining that ranges from Italian seafood at Azura to modern Thai cuisine at the hilltop Saffron.

Zannier Bãi San Hô in Dak Lak Province spans 240 acres along a secluded peninsula. With 73 villas, it is the largest property in the Zannier portfolio, yet it remains tranquil and private. Villas draw inspiration from indigenous architecture, featuring handcrafted details, plunge pools, and beach facing views. Facilities include a spa, tennis courts, yoga programs, a children’s club, and three restaurants. Experiences focus on the surrounding landscape and seascape, from temple visits to snorkeling, sailing, and surfing.

The One MICHELIN Key Hotels

Azerai Ke Ga Bay reflects Adrian Zecha’s philosophy of transformation through restraint. Set along Vietnam’s southeastern coast, the resort pairs modern minimalist design with local influences, emphasizing space, light, and calm. Accommodations vary in size and layout, with select villas offering private pools, but all are designed for comfort without excess. Guests enjoy an immersive spa, yoga and meditation spaces, three pool areas, and dining venues that range from the al fresco Terrace to the more formal Dining Room and the Living Room cocktail bar.

Legacy Mekong occupies a small islet in the Hau River near Can Tho, accessible only by boat. The separation creates an immediate sense of escape. Accommodations range from garden and river view rooms to a five bedroom villa with a private pool, all blending classic and contemporary design. Dining spans the Grill, Café, and Lounge and Bar, each highlighting local flavors through modern techniques. Wellness facilities include an infinity pool, yoga pavilion, Pilates studio, tennis court, and spa. Excursions focus on the Mekong Delta, including visits to the Cai Rang floating market.

Six Senses Con Dao appears again within the One Key category, reaffirming its reputation for sustainable luxury and deeply personalized service.

In Hanoi, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi earns additional recognition for its accommodations and amenities.

Ho Chi Minh City is represented by Park Hyatt Saigon, whose colonial inspired façade anchors Lam Son Square. Inside, modern classic interiors are accented with references to French era Saigon, including period details and black and white photography, paired with first class facilities and in room amenities.

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, accessible by boat from Nha Trang, occupies a lush mountainous peninsula. Each of its fifty eight villas is self contained, featuring plunge pools and outdoor garden showers. Higher category villas include hillside settings, expansive layouts, dedicated butler service, and in the case of the Presidential Villa, a private spa room. Guests share access to a comprehensive spa and a wide range of dining options.

Regent Phu Quoc and Hotel de la Coupole in Sa Pa round out the One Key selection, reinforcing Vietnam’s position as a destination where luxury is defined not only by indulgence, but by setting, story, and a strong sense of place.

Together, Vietnam’s MICHELIN Key hotels offer a compelling invitation to explore a country whose hospitality has arrived fully formed, confident, and ready for the world’s most discerning travelers.