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However ignoble the legacy of colonialism in Vietnam, there is one aspect worth marveling at: the architecture. From north to south, Vietnam contains a treasure trove of French villas, monumental hotels, magisterial municipal buildings and lofty cathedrals. The Ho Chi Minh Golf Trail plays through the best opportunities to view these architectural relics, many of them restored to a level of opulence that exceeds the sparkle of their hey-dey. In the north, be sure to check out the History Museum at 1 Trang Tien St., the most fantastic colonial building in all of Vietnam. Its architect, Ernest Hebrard, pioneered the Indochinese style; he was also the urban designer who sketched a golf course into master plan for Dalat in 1922. In Dalat, the city is chock-a-block with villas inspired by the provinces of the homesick colons. In Saigon, the grand old dames are frequently smothered by an agglomeration of commercial shops, but there’s plenty to gawk at if you peer beyond the sidewalk shops to the old buildings looming within. |
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Caravelle Hotel
There’s only one Saigon, and there’s only one Caravelle, a posh, five-star hotel located on Lam Son Square in the heart of the city. The hotel debuted with great fanfare on Christmas Eve in 1959, touting all the modern amenities. During the war, correspondents watched bomb strikes blaze on the city’s fringe from the storied, 10th floor terrace-bar. After reunification in 1975, the Caravelle fell from its glamorous heights but was revived in 1998 when a new 24-storey tower rose as a complement to the completely refurbished 10-storey landmark. The rooftop terrace still ranks as best venue in the city for a drink.
Website: http://www.caravellehotel.com
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The Emeraude, Ha Long Bay
The Emeraude, a near-replica of the paddle-wheel steamer that sailed these waters 100 years ago, is the most luxurious way to experience Vietnam’s top tourist attraction: Ha Long Bay, home to 2,000 islands and one of the most striking seascapes on Earth. Drink it in onboard the Emeraude, from one of its 38 classically appointed air-conditioned cabins, from a high-back wicker chair, on the poop deck, with a citron presse in your hand. The Emeraude is like something out of a time warp — big, immaculately white, sumptuous, colonial, as emblematic of Mother France as anything ever was in Vietnam.
Website: http://www.emeraude-cruises.com
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Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi
Since welcoming its first guests Dec. 1, 2008, the 154-room Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi has become the place to stay downtown. The interior design is cool and colorful, a smart, very Swiss mix of the au courant and the practical: halogen lamps, large work areas complete with office chair, WiFi and Internet facilities. The culinary offerings at Mangosteen are already the talk of Hanoi, a city renowned for its cuisine, and the location is ideal, highly accessible to many of the city’s most storied landmarks. Hanoi Tower is just a two-minute walk from the front door, and the Quan Su temple is right around the corner. Hanoi’s famed Opera House, Old Quarter shopping district and central train station are all a mere 5-minute taxi ride away.
Website: http://www.moevenpick-hotels.com
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Blue Ocean Resort Phan Thiet
Gracing 1.8 hectares of some of the most inviting beachfront property in Southeast Asia, the stylish, 84-room Blue Ocean Resort Phan Thiet is exactly what a seaside hotel should be: a place that makes you want to stay a while. Its landscaped gardens, shaded by immense coconut trees, provide the ideal complement to the resort’s Balinese-style interiors, which emphasize fluidity between the indoor and outdoor. Indeed, there are even indoor and outdoor iterations of the spa. Quality is assured across the board thanks to Blue Ocean's association with Life Resorts, which manages the property and is renowned in Vietnam for its commitment to excellence.
Website: http://www.life-resorts.com
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The Nam Hai, Hoi An
Situated on 35 acres of landscaped tropical gardens overlooking the South China Sea, the exclusive, oceanfront Nam Hai has established a reputation as one of the top hotels in the world. Hailed 'Best Resort' in the world in Travel + Leisure magazine's 2008 Design Awards, the all-villa property features 60 one-bedroom villas and 40 pool villas ranging from one to five bedrooms, each with its own luxurious infinity pool. Signature features include two gourmet restaurants; a tropical spa beside a lagoon; and three beachfront swimming pools. The Nam Hai is managed by GHM, whose chairman, Adrian Zecha, founded the world-famous Amanresorts.
Website: www.ghmhotels.com
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