By aussiematesvietnam 
G’day, Fellow Wanderers!
Crikey, where did the time go? One minute you’re saving for a house deposit, the next you’re eyeing off retirement and wondering if those superannuation statements look healthy enough to fund your travel bucket list. Well, I’m here to tell you that Vietnam deserves a top spot on that list, and not just any Vietnam – I’m talking luxury Vietnam.
After decades of hard yakka, why settle for backpacker hostels and street-side plastic stools when you can experience this fascinating country in style? Vietnam has transformed itself into a destination that caters beautifully to those of us who’ve earned our travel stripes and prefer a bit of pampering with our cultural immersion.
On my recent three-week journey through this Southeast Asian gem, I discovered a country that perfectly balances authentic experiences with five-star comforts. From cruising Halong Bay on a boutique ship to sipping cocktails overlooking rice terraces, Vietnam offers luxury experiences that won’t break the bank (especially compared to European or North American equivalents).
So grab a cuppa, settle in, and let me walk you through a luxury Vietnam itinerary that will have you checking flight prices before you reach the end. Trust me, this isn’t your kids’ gap year Vietnam – this is Vietnam for grown-ups who’ve earned every indulgence.
Hanoi: Where Ancient Meets Opulent
Touch down in Hanoi, and you’re immediately enveloped in a symphony of sounds, scents, and sensations. This ancient capital balances its 1,000-year history with modern luxuries in a way that’s utterly captivating.
For accommodation that sets the tone for your luxury journey, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is unbeatable. This colonial-era grande dame has hosted everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Jane Fonda. The history seeps from its walls, yet the amenities are thoroughly modern. Splurge on their butler service – after the long-haul flight from Australia, having someone unpack while you recover with a gin and tonic is worth every dong.
While exploring the Old Quarter’s labyrinthine streets is a must, do it in style with a private guided tour. Our guide, Mr. Tuan, was a history professor who brought Hanoi’s past to life while navigating us through the chaos to hidden gems we’d never have found otherwise. He knew exactly when to suggest ducking into a French patisserie for an air-conditioned respite and a proper coffee.
Speaking of coffee, don’t miss the egg coffee at Café Giang – it sounds bizarre but tastes like tiramisu in a cup. For dinner, La Verticale offers French-Vietnamese fusion in a restored colonial mansion that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped back to Indochine-era elegance.
A sunrise tai chi session by Hoan Kiem Lake followed by a spa treatment at your hotel is the perfect way to combat jet lag. The Metropole’s Le Spa offers traditional Vietnamese therapies that’ll have you feeling human again in no time.
Halong Bay: Beyond the Tourist Junks
Let’s be honest – Halong Bay features on every Vietnam itinerary ever written. The difference is how you experience it. Forget the day trips or the overcrowded tourist boats; this is where luxury travel truly shines.
We opted for a two-night cruise on the Heritage Line Violet, a beautiful wooden ship designed in 1930s Indochine style with just six suites. Each suite features floor-to-ceiling windows, so you wake up to limestone karsts emerging from the mist without leaving your Egyptian cotton sheets.
What makes luxury cruising in Halong Bay special is the ability to reach the more remote areas after the day-trippers have departed. Our small vessel navigated into secluded bays where we kayaked in perfect solitude, the only sound being our paddles gently breaking the emerald water.
The onboard chef prepared meals that rivaled anything we’d eaten in Hanoi, featuring fresh seafood purchased from local fishing boats that morning. Dining on the deck as the sun set behind the karsts, champagne in hand, was one of those “pinch me” moments that justify every extra dollar spent on upgrading your experience.
A highlight was our private cooking class on deck, where we learned to make authentic spring rolls while cruising past fishing villages built entirely on water. Far more memorable than fighting for counter space in a crowded cooking school on the mainland!
Hoi An: Tailored Experiences (Literally)
After a short flight to Danang, we transferred to Hoi An, which quickly became our favorite destination in Vietnam. This UNESCO-listed ancient town along the Thu Bon River balances tourist appeal with authentic charm in a way few places manage.
The Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai provided our beachfront sanctuary, just a short drive from Hoi An’s historic center. Staying slightly removed from town allows you to appreciate both the cultural immersion and peaceful retreat aspects of Vietnam. Our villa with private pool became our haven for afternoon naps (essential at our age, I won’t lie) and morning swims.
Hoi An is famous for its tailors, and while everyone gets something made here, the luxury approach is working with the premium establishments that use higher-quality fabrics and have genuine skills. Mr. Xe at Yaly Couture created a linen suit for my husband that rivals his Australian ones at a quarter of the price. I commissioned a silk áo dài (traditional Vietnamese dress) that received compliments throughout the remainder of our trip.
Rather than joining the crowds for a standard cooking class, we arranged a private farm-to-table experience through our hotel. We began at the Tra Que organic vegetable village, selecting ingredients with a local farmer, before boarding a private boat down the river to a restored merchant house. There, a chef guided us through preparing a multi-course meal, which we enjoyed in the courtyard surrounded by antiques and birdcages.
For a truly special experience, book a private lantern-making workshop with a master craftsman. We created personalized silk lanterns that now hang in our dining room, sparking conversations about our Vietnamese adventure whenever we entertain.
Hue: Imperial Splendors with Modern Comforts
Many travelers skip Hue or rush through it as a day trip, but this former imperial capital deserves at least two nights of your luxury itinerary. The Azerai La Residence overlooks the Perfume River and offers colonial-era charm with 21st-century amenities. Request a room in the original art deco building for the full heritage experience.
Exploring the Imperial Citadel can be hot, crowded work, but not when you have a private historian guide and a driver waiting with cold towels and chilled water at each exit point. We visited at 7:30am before the tour buses arrived, giving us imperial ruins bathed in golden morning light and free from selfie sticks.
While standard tours motor up the Perfume River on noisy boats, we chartered a traditional dragon boat at sunset. Our captain cut the engine in the most scenic stretches, allowing us to drift silently past pagodas as monks performed their evening rituals. The boat crew served local specialties like Hue’s famous banh khoai (Vietnamese crepes) as we cruised.
Hue’s imperial cuisine is considered the finest in Vietnam. For an extraordinary dining experience, book a royal banquet at Ancient Hue restaurant, where dishes once prepared exclusively for emperors are served in a restored royal home. Each course arrives as an artistic creation, often shaped like flowers or mythical creatures, and the flavors are subtle yet complex.
Mekong Delta: Authentic Luxury in Vietnam’s Rice Bowl
The journey from central Vietnam to the southern delta region represents a shift in landscapes, cuisine, and culture. Rather than rushing this transition, we flew to Can Tho and made it our base for exploring the Mekong Delta in comfort.
The Azerai Can Tho, set on its own islet accessible only by boat, offered an ideal balance of authenticity and luxury. Our pavilion room opened onto lush gardens leading down to the river, where we watched traditional sampans drift by as we enjoyed our morning coffee.
The floating markets are the delta’s main attraction, but timing is everything. Our private boat departed at 5:30am, arriving at Cai Rang market just as the sun rose and locals conducted their wholesale fruit and vegetable trading. By the time tourist boats arrived around 8:30am, we were already enjoying a champagne breakfast on a secluded waterway, watching river life unfold.
Luxury travel means access to experiences most visitors miss. Through our hotel’s connections, we spent an afternoon with a local family known for their heirloom coconut candy recipe. Rather than visiting a touristy factory, we were invited into their home kitchen to try our hand at pulling the taffy-like candy and wrapping it in rice paper – harder than it looks, as my disastrous attempts proved!
Cycling through orchards and villages might seem at odds with a luxury trip, but high-end touring means premium bikes, thoughtful routes that avoid main roads, and support vehicles that magically appear whenever you’re ready for a break. Plus, stopping for fresh-picked rambutans and dragon fruit tastes so much better when you’ve earned it with a bit of pedaling.
Ho Chi Minh City: Cosmopolitan Elegance
Our journey concluded in Ho Chi Minh City, where luxury takes on a more contemporary urban form. The Park Hyatt Saigon, with its colonial façade and modern interior, provided the perfect home base in District 1. The hotel’s afternoon tea rivaled anything we’ve experienced in London, but with tropical fruits and Vietnamese-inspired pastries adding exotic flair.
HCMC can be overwhelming, but a private guide helps you navigate this energetic metropolis efficiently. For something truly special, book an evening Vespa tour that whisks you through the city after dark, stopping at hidden rooftop bars and local street food spots selected for both authenticity and hygiene (important for our somewhat sensitive Australian stomachs).
The War Remnants Museum is a sobering but essential visit. For those of us who remember the Vietnam War era, it provides important perspective, albeit from the Vietnamese viewpoint. Arrange a private tour with a historian who can contextualize the exhibits and provide balanced insights.
For your final Vietnam splurge, the fine dining scene in HCMC offers world-class experiences. Anan Saigon, helmed by chef Peter Cuong Franklin, serves “elevated street food” that transforms humble classics into gastronomic masterpieces. The banh mi 168 featuring foie gras and truffle mayo is an extravagant nod to the city’s French influence and Vietnamese heart.
Practical Tips for Luxury Travel in Vietnam
- Consider flying Vietnam Airlines’ Business Class for domestic legs. The premium isn’t huge, but the separate check-in and priority baggage make transitions between destinations smoother.
- Book a VIP arrival service in Hanoi or HCMC. After a long flight from Australia, being met at the aircraft door and escorted through immigration is worth every cent.
- Vietnam’s luxury hotels often offer significant discounts for booking directly and paying in advance. We saved nearly 30% at the Four Seasons this way.
- Tipping isn’t traditionally Vietnamese but is now expected in luxury establishments. Budget US$5-10 for guides, $3-5 for drivers, and 10% in high-end restaurants.
- Invest in tailored clothing in Hoi An, but allow at least three days for multiple fittings. The rush jobs available to overnight visitors rarely yield satisfactory results.
- Consider breaking up the journey from Australia with a stopover in Singapore. We found arriving rested made those first days in Vietnam much more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts: Is Luxury Vietnam Worth It?
As Australians who remember when Vietnam was a destination for only the most intrepid backpackers, the country’s transformation into a luxury travel hotspot has been remarkable to witness. What makes luxury travel in Vietnam particularly appealing is that it remains reasonably priced compared to equivalent experiences in Europe or North America.
The true luxury of this itinerary isn’t just in the thread count of the sheets or the private boats, but in how these elements allow you to experience Vietnam more deeply and comfortably. You’re not isolated in a bubble of privilege; rather, these carefully selected experiences bring you closer to authentic Vietnam while removing the friction points that can make travel exhausting as we get older.
At this stage in our lives, with adult children and growing retirement funds, investing in memorable experiences rather than accumulating more stuff feels right. Vietnam delivered those memories in spades – from drifting among limestone islands to sharing laughs with tailors over bodice measurements to sipping coffee on a private veranda overlooking rice paddies.
So if your knees aren’t what they used to be, but your curiosity remains undiminished, luxury Vietnam offers the perfect blend of adventure and comfort. The country welcomes you with open arms and surprising sophistication. As we Aussies say, “Don’t dream about it, do it!” Your future self will thank you for the memories.