🏨 Where to go in Vietnam: seasons, resorts, and hotels with prices

Vietnam is often portrayed as endless jungle and white-sand beaches. In reality, the country is far more diverse. Four popular resorts each follow their own script, and the weather in the south and the north matches only on the calendar.

The dry season in the south runs from December through April, with January and February being the best months (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia). The central region welcomes visitors from February through August, while in the north it gets hot and rainy starting in May. Below you'll find how the resorts differ and which hotels to choose.

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Best resorts in Vietnam

💡 In short:

South (Phu Quoc, Mui Ne): dry season from December through April, best months January and February.
Central region (Nha Trang): season from February through August.
North of the country: hot with frequent rain from May through October.
Seasons and best months: as of 09/2026, according to Wikipedia.

Tourist brochures paint Vietnam with a couple of clichés: jungle, golden sand, and turquoise sea. In reality, each resort is geared toward a specific type of vacation, and it's worth knowing that in advance.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is the most versatile resort in Vietnam. The city occupies a sheltered bay considered one of the most beautiful in the country. It looks colorful and international at the same time: international hotel chains and tiny family-run guesthouses sit side by side along the coast. The city's Nha Trang beach stretches for several kilometers and remains free, so you can swim and sunbathe without a ticket. The reefs near the shore suit confident divers, while beginners head to local dive schools. Nha Trang's particular pride is its cuisine: seafood is served almost at the pier where it was caught. The city doesn't end with the bay and the beach strip. Boats leave from the pier for the nearby islands, and a trip there will take a full day.

Mui Ne

Mui Ne contrasts sharply with Nha Trang. The resort is small: there's just one main street, but it stays busy around the clock. Mui Ne began as a fishing village, and then surfers arrived and sealed the place's fate. People come here specifically for the waves. Surfing and kitesurfing schools operate here, where you can take a course or simply rent gear. The wind picks up in the afternoon, so give the morning to calm water and get on a board in the afternoon. In the evening, it's worth strolling through the seafood market by the pier.

Vung Tau

Beach with waves, rocks, and city in the distance

Vung Tau has long been open to Europeans, though its history was loud. During the war, American units were stationed here, and the city rebuilt itself around Western habits. Today, that era is recalled mainly by gambling establishments and bars playing jazz, a rare genre for Vietnam. Mostly families come here, often with children. Keep in mind the city's oil profile: due to field development, some of the city beaches have fallen into neglect. The best beaches with clean sand lie outside the resort proper, though they formally belong to it. If you want to swim in comfort, book a hotel near such stretches in advance.

Phu Quoc

© [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Trantuonglam Trantuonglam] · CC BY-SAPhoto: [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Trantuonglam Trantuonglam], CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Phu Quoc is the southernmost and most intimate resort in Vietnam. The island is large: its area is about 575 km² (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia). People come here for a quiet getaway, not for parties until dawn. This is where all the images from travel brochures come together: tropics, beaches, and the sea. Guests of Phu Quoc watch sunsets over the water without having to get up at six in the morning, because the island faces west. The main activity is diving: underwater sites are just as impressive as those on land. On shore, you'll find pepper plantations, a pearl farm, and fish sauce factories. For fans of dark history, the Phu Quoc prison, a former POW camp, is open to visitors.

When to go to Vietnam

Vietnam's climate is subtropical, but mountain ranges divide the country into zones with different weather. The south has two seasons. The dry season starts in December and lasts until mid-spring; this is the best time to visit, with mild sun and comfortable water temperatures. The south likes the wet season less, especially in summer, when heavy rains fall.

The center lives by a different rhythm. It's best to plan a trip here for February or for spring and early summer, when temperatures are stable and there is almost no rain. In other months, you risk running into a typhoon or downpours. The weather here is changeable, so check the week-ahead forecast before you travel.

Northern Vietnam is similar to Europe in climate. Winter starts in November and ends in February, bringing a fine drizzling rain that locals call "fun." Hot summer begins in May, with a warm sea and frequent rains. Keep this in mind if you're heading to Hanoi or Halong.

Best hotels in Vietnam

Vietnam's hotel market is diverse: you'll find both expensive resorts and cheap hostels here. The good news is that quality usually matches the star rating. A five-star hotel in Vietnam most often meets European standards, and you get what you see in the photos.

Hotel	Resort	Stars	What makes it memorable
Sol Beach House Phu Quoc	Phu Quoc	5	Private beach and restaurants with different cuisines
Premier Village Danang	Da Nang	5	Spacious villas with a private pool
Furama Resort Danang	Da Nang	5	Rooms and villas in Indochine style
The Shells Phu Quoc Resort & Spa	Phu Quoc	5	Spa by Duong Dong Lake
Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa	Hoi An	4	Sea and river views
Golden Sand Resort and Spa	Hoi An	5	Large beach area and kids' club
A La Carte Da Nang Beach	Da Nang	4	Apartment-style rooms

Sol Beach House Phu Quoc 5*

The complex sits on Phu Quoc amid tropical gardens. Guests have access to a private beach area, sunbathing terraces, and pools. You can unwind in the spa or sauna, then work out in the fitness center. Rooms are decorated in light tones, and most have sea views. The hotel has restaurants serving different cuisines: international, Mediterranean with Spanish influences, and a street-food format with local dishes.

Who it's for: couples and families who want a beach right at the hotel.
Not for: those who want to stay in the center of the nightlife.
Location: Phu Quoc island, private beach area.
Price: rates at Sol Beach House Phu Quoc

Premier Village Danang Resort Managed By Accor 5*

My Khe Beach with palm trees, loungers, and resort pool

The complex in Da Nang consists of elegant, spacious villas. Each has a living room, kitchen and dining areas, open terraces, and its own pool. Guests don't have to worry about privacy. The property has a business center, library, mini-market, spa, fitness center, and kids' club. The restaurants focus on international cuisine, and the club rooftop has a terrace with city views.

Who it's for: families and groups who need a separate house with a pool.
Location: Da Nang, villas along the beachfront.
Price: rooms at Premier Village Danang

Furama Resort Danang 5*

Pool and Furama Resort buildings among palm trees

The resort sits on the Da Nang beachfront. Nearby is Hoi An, an old port on the Silk Road. The interiors and cuisine reflect this international history. According to the official website, Furama Resort Danang has 198 rooms and 68 villas with private pools (as of 09/2026). Six restaurants operate here. Indochine serves pan-Asian cuisine in a colonial interior, Don Cipriani's offers an Italian menu, and the other venues prepare international dishes. At the Water Sports House you can learn diving or windsurfing, and yoga classes are held on the beach.

Who it's for: those who want to combine beach time with trips to Hoi An.
Location: Da Nang, 105 Vo Nguyen Giap Street, beachfront.
Price: rates at Furama Resort Danang

The Shells Phu Quoc Resort & Spa 5*

This spa hotel has an unusual location: it sits on the shore of Duong Dong Lake, although it also owns a private beach area. Guests can choose from various room categories in the buildings and small villas with all amenities. The spa center gets high marks, and the service here is consistently praised. There's a tour desk on site where you can get information about local tourism. The restaurants mainly serve traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

Who it's for: those coming for spa treatments and quiet time by the water.
Location: Phu Quoc, shore of Duong Dong Lake.
Price: rooms at The Shells Phu Quoc

Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa 4*

The hotel sits near Hoi An, an ancient town under UNESCO protection. Guests can choose from spacious rooms in Japanese, French, or traditional Vietnamese style. Windows open onto sea or river views. In the spa and fitness center you can work on yourself with guidance from specialists, then relax in the Turkish bath or by the pool. The restaurant menu includes both local and international cuisine.

Who it's for: couples who value the view from the room and proximity to Hoi An.
Location: Hoi An, on the shore.
Price: rates at Victoria Hoi An

Golden Sand Resort and Spa 5*

Resort pool by the beach with palm trees

The hotel stands on Cua Dai Beach near Hoi An. It owns a large beach area where you can not only swim but also go diving or windsurfing. Guests are offered rooms in various categories. Animators and qualified nannies work with children, and there is also a kids' club on site. The restaurants prepare both Eastern and Western dishes.

Who it's for: families with children who need supervision and a large beach area.
Location: Hoi An, Cua Dai Beach.
Price: prices at Golden Sand Danang

A La Carte Da Nang Beach 4*

Modern high-rise hotel building with balconies

The hotel is a few minutes' walk from the beach. Guests are offered apartment-style rooms and studios with sea panoramas. There is a wide choice of activities here: fishing, cycling, diving, and snorkeling. You have a spa, fitness center, and pool at your disposal. Sports grounds, a game room, and a kids' club are set up for children. The restaurant serves French, British, Japanese, American, and Vietnamese cuisine.

Who it's for: active couples and families who need a room with a kitchen.
Location: Da Nang, a few minutes' walk to the beach.
Price: rooms at A La Carte Da Nang

Vacationing in Vietnam with children

Vietnam is well suited for vacations with children, especially with school-age kids over five. The best resorts for this kind of trip are Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Ha Long Bay. Nha Trang has a huge entertainment complex that locals call Vietnam's Hollywood. On Phu Quoc you can enjoy hiking and water sports. Ha Long Bay adds atmosphere to the trip and cave and grotto walks.

The advantage of an all-inclusive vacation

The all-inclusive program operates in many hotels in Vietnam. It usually covers accommodation, meals with drinks, sports activities, entertainment, a gym, and evening programs. The full list of services varies from hotel to hotel. For a first trip, this program simplifies planning: you think less about expenses and spend more time on the beach.

Vietnam resorts on the map

The resorts stretch along the entire length of the country, and the map helps you gauge the distances between them.

Resorts of Vietnam

Places on the map

Nha Trang The most versatile resort: a bay, a city beach and diving
Mui Ne Small resort for surfers and kitesurfers, a former fishing village
Vung Tau Family resort with jazz bars, the best beaches lie outside the city
Phu Quoc Intimate southern island with sunsets over the water and diving

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to go to Vietnam with children?

The most convenient time to plan a trip is during the dry season. In the south it runs from December to April, and the best months are January and February. Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Ha Long Bay are suitable for vacations with children. The south offers calm seas and mild weather without sharp changes.

Which Vietnam resort should you choose for diving?

Diving is well developed in Nha Trang and on Phu Quoc. In Nha Trang, reefs near the shore suit confident divers, while beginners learn at local schools. Phu Quoc is considered a more intimate destination, and its underwater sites are often rated on par with its land attractions. Equipment is provided on site.

How much does a vacation in Vietnam cost?

The exact price of a trip is given by hotels and tour operators at the time of booking. Season and hotel category play a big role here: dry months are more expensive, while the wet season brings discounts. Check current accommodation prices with hotels or on Trip.com.

How do you get between resorts in Vietnam?

Between the north and south of the country, flying is more convenient: there are direct flights from Hanoi to Da Nang or Nha Trang. The train takes longer but shows you the country from the window. Buses run between neighboring resorts in the south, and you reach Phu Quoc Island by plane or ferry. In high season, buy tickets in advance.

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In short: what to book

If you are visiting Vietnam for the first time, start with Nha Trang: it is the easiest place to combine the beach, diving, and local cuisine. For waves, head to Mui Ne; for quiet and sunsets, go to Phu Quoc. Families with children most often choose Nha Trang and hotels with a kids' club, such as Golden Sand. For a relaxed spa getaway, The Shells Phu Quoc and Victoria Hoi An are good options.

The season will guide the rest: the dry period in the south and center runs from February through August. Book your dates in advance, especially in January and February.

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Vacation in Vietnam: resorts, seasons, and hotels for your trip