Legacy 80: 5 Hanoi hotels to celebrate the national holiday in style

Over a century on, the Metropole retains its allure, with a seamless blend of heritage and modernity. Its architecture brings together French romanticism and Asian sensibility, reflected in two distinct wings: the Indochine-style Heritage Wing and the Opera Wing with its modern neoclassical design. Every detail tells a story from the blue shutters and gleaming ironwood floors to time-worn corridors that evoke both nostalgia and vibrancy.

Spending National Day here is to make history part of your holiday. Guests can descend the steps of the hotel’s bomb shelter on the ‘Bunker Tour’, listening to tales of Joan Baez singing for peace as bombs fell overhead.

Alongside its heritage, the hotel’s culinary artistry should not be overlooked. Le Beaulieu, famed for refined French cuisine, flawless service and a superb wine cellar, promises an experience elevated to the level of art. La Terrasse, echoing the spirit of Parisian pavement cafés, is a delight, while angelina offers a lively setting to share fine whiskies, cocktails and expertly crafted drinks.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is the quintessential choice for National Day. Here, past and present are beautifully entwined, giving each guest not only impeccable service but also a rare chance to touch the living memories of the thousand-year-old capital.

Unlike the French colonial architecture seen in many other hotels, Capella Hanoi makes an instant impression amongst Hanoi hotels with its singular design. Conceived by Bill Bensley, the visionary behind Capella Ubud in Bali, named the world’s best hotel in 2020 – the property revives the glamour of 1920s opera and chamber music.

Drawing inspiration from the Hanoi Opera House, every corner of Capella Hanoi resembles either a ‘small inn’ or a ‘mini theatre’, a retreat once imagined for singers, musicians, playwrights and divas after their curtain calls. The grand lobby glitters with crystal chandeliers and antique mirrors, guestrooms are adorned with Art Deco motifs and bold tones, while the Diva’s Lounge bar captures the spirit of backstage life for opera stars of another era.

Dining at Capella Hanoi becomes a performance in itself. Koki Restaurant fuses Japanese precision with Vietnamese flavours, creating meals that are not only delicious but staged with artistic flair.

Capella is a sanctuary for those who delight in architecture and finely wrought design. Next to the Opera House, it places you at the heart of the city’s festivities, perfectly positioned for the National Day celebrations. And when you return, the doors of Capella transport you into a ‘parallel universe’, alive with jazz notes, cabaret lights and Art Deco interiors – recalling the free-spirited Hanoi of decades past.

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Highly notable amongst Hanoi hotels, Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi, part of the Accor Group’s MGallery Collection, is inspired by the theatre and opera stage. Its design evokes an installation artwork, alive with bright tones, dramatic lighting and Baroque interiors given a contemporary twist. Each guestroom feels like a backstage sanctuary, bohemian in character, yet carrying an air of classical refinement.

The lobby conveys the mood of a gala evening, with chandeliers gleaming on high ceilings and a bold palette of red, purple and gold echoing the backstage of an opera house. Guestrooms balance lavish Baroque styling with modern comfort: think velvet-clad beds, layered drapery, and innovative chandeliers that reimagine stage lighting.

Café Lautrec tempts with inventive interpretations of international cuisine, while Satine offers a journey into Asian flavours beneath a striking glass dome. The bar, meanwhile, is an elegant setting to sip a cocktail before stepping out into the buzz of the old town.

On 2 September, Hotel de l’Opera becomes a prime address for those seeking fine Hanoi hotels to be at the centre of the action. From here, the parades and fireworks are a short stroll away, and Hoan Kiem Lake glimmers close by, bright with red flags.

Crowning the Landmark72 Tower, the tallest skyscraper in Hanoi, the InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72 offers guests the rare sensation of ‘living in the clouds’. From its lobby on the 62nd floor, the city’s panorama stretches endlessly towards the horizon.

The design celebrates modern elegance, blending luxury with a warm sense of minimalism. Inside, abstract artworks, installations and sculptures give voice to the spirit of contemporary Vietnam. Spacious rooms, framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, open onto breathtaking views turning each moment of repose into a living tableau of the capital.

Cuisine here is equally distinguished, from Stellar Steakhouse, considered the most refined steakhouse in Hanoi, to The Hive Lounge, where afternoon tea is transformed into an art form, all enjoyed in a setting wrapped in sky and cloud.

When the city below is alive with festive energy, InterContinental Landmark72 offers a more elevated perspective. From above, guests can admire the capital as it glows with flags and flowers, yet retreat into the serenity and luxury of this ‘oasis in the clouds’. It is an inspired choice for those seeking to experience Hanoi from a rarer, more captivating angle.

Just over an hour’s drive from central Hanoi, Meliá Ba Vi Mountain Retreat opens onto another world, where lush forests, soaring peaks and echoes of French colonial architecture converge in a sanctuary of luxury. Set within Ba Vi National Park, the resort marries contemporary design with the romantic ruins of abandoned French villas, creating an atmosphere of beauty that feels almost dreamlike.

Villas and rooms are tucked among ancient trees, their broad glass doors opening onto sunlight and mountain views. Interiors of wood, stone and woven bamboo are paired with deep tones, striking a balance between rustic charm and quiet opulence. An infinity pool gazing across misty valleys, a spa offering herbal therapies, and activities from trekking and cycling to yoga and forest picnics, all make this retreat a haven for restoring body, mind and spirit.

Dining at Meliá Ba Vi is a journey in itself. Tonkin Restaurant presents traditional Vietnamese fare crafted from local produce: wild vegetables, hill chicken and Ba Vi honey prepared with finesse yet preserving their true flavours. Senses Restaurant offers a more contemporary fusion of Asian and European tastes, best enjoyed over candlelight with the mountains as backdrop. At the bar, cocktails inspired by native herbs and wildflowers create a drinking experience rooted in the landscape.

On 2 September, as the capital rings with drums and bright flags, Meliá Ba Vi provides a contrasting serenity, a poetic stillness for those who prefer to escape the crowds and savour the holiday in their own rhythm.

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