Traditional Hotels in Vietnam

Q: My husband and I will be visiting Vietnam in January and wondered whether you could recommend some 3 to 4 star hotels in Saigon and Hanoi. We really would prefer something traditional in the styling of the Vietnamese/French rather than American type hotels. - Barbara Martin

A: In Ho Chi Minh City (the new name for Saigon), a place that may fit your requirements is the Saigon Boutique Hotel which has been described as a cross between an art deco layer cake and an art gallery. It's not quite that exotic but it does offer an in-house art gallery, a friendly pub and only 20 comfortable rooms.The location is good only five minues from Ben Thanh market. A standard double room will set you back only 30 US dollars a night, while a suite comes for a very affordable 50 US dollars a night (www.saigonboutiquehotel.com). If you are prepared to spend a little more for a really grand hotel that fulfills the romantic image of a French/Vietnamese-style mansion, your choice should be the Hotel Continental Saigon. Facing the Opera House, the hotel was once a popular haunt for spies and journalists during the Vietnam War. This low-rise building remains graciously elegant with its high ceilings and old furniture. The 83 rooms start at around 110 US dollars per night (www.continentalhotel.com.vn). While in Saigon, make sure you dine at Vietnam House in Dong Khoi Street, one of the oldest restaurants in town. With its green louvred windows and high ceilings, its the perfect spot to enjoy deep fried prawn wrapped in green rice Hue-style or spicy noodle beef soup at a very affordable price.

In Hanoi, I recommend a rather quirky Chinese hotel in a great West Lake location. The Dragon Hotel is one of a kind - a bright yellow building resembling a pagoda packed with a wild collection of artefacts, urns, ceramic horses and wood carvings. It is rather eccentric but it is clean and offers double rooms from 47 US dollars a night (www.hoteldragon.vn). The Dragon Hotel only has 35 rooms but if you'd prefer something even smaller you can't beat the Cinnamon Hotel. Tucked away in a prime location with quiet tree-lined streets and surrounded by great restaurants, boutique shops and galleries, this exquisite boutique hotel has only six rooms. It boasts a popular organic restaurant and foot massage parlour, with room rates starting at 66 US dollars per night (www.cinnamonhotel.net). A good dining choice in Hanoi is the Green Tangerine, located in the Old Quarter close to Hoan Khim Lake. Step through its signature blue doors into the small two-story villa housing the restaurant or dine on the patio outside. Expect great French and European food in a fabulous atmosphere. (23 May 2010)