This fascinating country a much more alluring prospect for a short holiday now that Vietnam Airlines (www.vietnamairlines.com) has launched four direct flights a week from Gatwick to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, cutting out the need for UK travellers to go via Bangkok or Singapore.
Vietnam's finest hotel is The Nam Hai (www.thenamhai.com), designed by the outstanding French architect Réda Amalou. Set on a kilometre-long stretch of Hoi An beach, it is within striking distance of three World Heritage Sites: the ancient harbour city of Hoi An (to which there is a complimentary shuttle); the imperial capital Hue; and the My Son ruins, the spiritual centre of the Cham Kingdom (from the fourth to the 13th century). For those who favour activities over sightseeing, there's an 18-hole golf course designed by Colin Montgomerie, three swimming pools, tennis courts and a first-rate spa.
The number of good hotels in Vietnam is growing apace, thanks to a prodigious portfolio of launches by EpiKurean (www.epikurean.ws), a new brand founded by a team who gained their experience at Six Senses. Of its half-dozen planned or recently opened properties, perhaps the most enticing is the An Lam Saigon River, which has a total of 16 guest rooms in seven riverside villas. It is a perfect retreat from which to explore Ho Chi Minh City, being just 15 minutes from the centre by speedboat.
Incidentally, Tet, the Vietnamese lunar new-year festival, falls on 23 January. Plan your trip to make the most of the celebrations.
source: http://www.cntraveller.com