Re-Imagine: Vietnam

Let's now journey to Vietnam and re-imagine the coastal country for your next incentive trip or event destination.

In our Re-Imagine: Event Destinations series, we share travel guides from around the world as inspiring settings to consider for your next major event (read our Toronto travel guide). Here, we take you to Vietnam and provide end-to-end travel tips including, when to go, where to stay and insight from a BCD M&E expert.

Re-imagine: Vietnam for your next event

With its origins veiled in the mists of time, Vietnam is a land of staggering beauty, legend and wonder. Come for everything: the green rice terraces, vibrant cities, hill-tribe villages, majestic pagodas, lush forests, unforgettable cuisine and the shimmering South China Sea. Defining the southeastern edge of Asia, a colorful cocktail of cultures thrives here. Visitors will discover a distinctive, dazzling travel destination ripe for picture-perfect moments, transformational experiences and sensory awakening of the absolute best kind. 

Best time to go

October-April

Weather:

Central |  66°F - 86°F (19°C - 30°C)
North | 57°F - 84°F (14°C - 29°C)
South | 70°F - 88°F (21°C - 30°C)

Where to stay

Park Hyatt Saigon

Urban & Elegant

Fresh, elegant interiors, well-appointed guest rooms and modern comforts make Park Hyatt Saigon a particularly pleasant home away from home. Classical European style immersed in modern Vietnam, this boutique hotel is steps from the elegant Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh Market and other city sites.

Quick Facts:

• Sleeping Rooms: 245
• Chain Affiliation: Hyatt Hotels
• Star Rating: 5 Star

Photo courtesy of Park Hyatt Saigon

Meliá Ba Vi Mountain Retreat

Holistic Oasis

In the heart of the forest, this extraordinary, eco-friendly resort fuses luxury with panoramic views of breathtaking mountain scenery and Ba Vi National Park. True to the brand, Meliá makes a conscious effort to create seamless experiences within regions, combining different types of environments that appeal to different types of groups. Make this your group oasis and starting point for any number of regional itineraries.

Quick Facts:

• Sleeping Rooms: 100
• Chain Affiliation: Meliá Hotels International
• Star Rating: 5 Star

Apricot Hotel

Bespoke Experience

Alongside peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake, Apricot Hotel is a masterful respite from the bustling atmosphere outside. The property takes its contemporary cues from an incredible collection of Vietnamese art. The property offers three fine dining options, and its trendy rooftop bar and swimming pool feature sweeping views of the city.

Quick Facts:

• Sleeping Rooms: 123
• Chain Affiliation: Independent
• Star Rating: 4 Star

Photo courtesy of Apricot Hotel

What to do

Ha Long Bay

Gliding atop the emerald green waters of heavenly Ha Long Bay is a must on the short list. Paradise Cruises has designed picture-perfect one and two-day trips for groups to discover an iconic UNESCO World Heritage site in complete luxury. All day, enjoy the privacy of a personal cabin with all the comforts of a boutique overnight guest room, including comfortable beds, en-suite bathroom, air conditioning and private outdoor space.

Marble Mountains

The cluster of five mountains (said to represent the five natural elements) are steeped in legend and they are still a source of spiritual significance to local people. Dotted with massive caves, temples, pagodas and gorgeous vistas, the breathtaking scope of beauty here is well worth a full day on own. Tours are available, but there is much reward in an independent hike through this exotic atmosphere.

Vietnam’s Untouched Beaches: Top 10 Secret Getaways

From islands and inlets to scenic bays and idyllic tropical fringe, Vietnam’s 2,000 miles of coastline boast some of the world’s most breathtaking beaches. Destination Asia gave us the insider’s perspective. They shared with us a few off-the-beaten path tropical escapes, and where to book a luxury stay nearby. Perfect for groups looking to reward top performers with an ancillary trip or as an opportunity to extend on own, these picturesque favorites won’t stay secret for long.

Photo courtesy of Destination Asia

• Con Dao Islands | Con Dao Archipelago

These 16 islands are home to Vietnam’s most idyllic tropical scenes. Don’t miss the breathtakingly beautiful area reefs.

Where to Stay: Six Senses Con Dao Resort

• Thuan An Beach | Hue

Twenty minutes from downtown Hue, Thuan An Beach stretch of pristine white sand on the spectacular Tam Giang Lagoon. With a sleepy fishing village nearby, it offers an incomparable “slice-of-life” vibe.

Where to Stay: Ana Mandara Hue 

• Private Beach at Amanoi | Vinh Hy

Located on the dramatic coastline of Nui Chua National Park, one of Vietnam's largest natural conservation sites, this private beach boasts panoramic, uninterrupted views onto Vinh Hy Bay.

Where to Stay: Amanoi

• Nhat Le Beach | Quang Binh

This spotless beach sits at the mouth of the Nhat Le river, still wild, with white sand, wide open skies and clear blue sea. Only about a half-hour’s drive to the mystical caves of Phong Nha, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Where Stay: Sun Spa Resort Quang Binh

• Quy Nhon Beach | Quy Nhon

Tucked between lush hills on one side and the South China Sea on the other, this hidden gem of a beach is a lovely place to bask in the sun and explore the string of picturesque beaches in the area.

Where Stay: Anantara Quy Nhon

• Ninh Van Bay | Nha Trang

A spectacularly secluded bay with impressive rock formations, a golden beach and towering mountains that together create a blissful place for relaxation, water activities and other adventures.

Where to Stay: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay

• Ho Tram Beach | Ho Tram

With fine sand, swaying palm trees and expansive ocean views, Ho Tram Beach is just far enough from Saigon to feel a world way.

Where to Stay: The Grand Ho Tram Strip

• Khem Beach | Phu Quoc

This private, crescent-shaped beach, exclusive to resort guests, is perched along the magnificent Emerald Bay.

Where to Stay: JW Marriott Phu Quoc

• Long Beach (Truong Beach) | Phu Quoc

Magical views abound – especially at sunset – along the white sands of Long Beach. Here you can swim, snorkel, kayak, enjoy a beach massage or simply sip on a fresh coconut juice while lounging in the sun.

Where to Stay: Intercontinental Phu Quoc

• Mekong River | Saigon  (7-Day Cruise)

An honorable mention. Not a quintessential ‘beach,’ per se, but it’s an excellent option to arrive in Vietnam via a path that feels untouched by time. The Mekong River winds its way from the Tibetan plateaus of China’s Yunnan province, through the rainforests, plains and rice fields of five Southeast Asian countries before meeting the South China Sea. This week-long cruise starts in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and ends in Saigon.

Where to Stay: AMA Waterways

Meet our Vietnam Expert

Get to know: Nguyen Ngoc Lan Chi (Alysa), Business Development

Alysa's Travel Tips for Visiting Hoi An

The ancient town of Hoi An is just 18 miles south of Da Nang and is arguably one of the top destinations in the country. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hoi An was once a busy trade port from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Still today, it attracts travelers with its leafy lanes, coffee shops, French Colonial architecture, silk tailors and textile shops.

One meal or dish we must have while in Hoi An:

Hoi An's best specialty is the historic noodle dish, “Cao Lau”. Usually made with pork and greens on a bed of rice noodles which have been soaked in lye water, they have a characteristic texture and color that sets the dish apart.

Tips for traveling like a local in Hoi An:

February to April are the best months to visit, as it's less rainy. Rent a bicycle for about VND 30,000 per day to get around and enjoy the magic the city has to offer!

Top 3 things we must see or do in Hoi An:

1) Take a ride on a basket boat 
2) Visit the Hoi An night market
3) Have a suit or dress (or even shoes!) tailored

Surreal spots or views that take your breath away in Hoi An:

The city is particularly impressive in the early morning hours, before the power is on, when the streets are quiet and locals are preparing to begin their days. Every night at the Bach Dang Wharf, there is a boat that tours the river with traditional music performances.

Day trips or ancillary trips we should take if we have extended time in the area:

Don't forget to visit Da Nang - a coastal city with plenty of beautiful beaches.

One thing we need in our suitcase when traveling to Hoi An:

A camera!

Discover more!
Download our full Re-Imagine: Vietnam report.