Luxury living in northern Vietnam

Vietnam is a country that has so much to offer, there truly is something for everyone including luxury travellers who enjoy the finer things in life. Having first visited Vietnam in 2004 we have been fortunate to explore many different parts of the country since that maiden Vietnam trip. By spending time in both Hanoi and Lan Ha Bay during our recent trip we were able to enjoy the unique experiences on offer and remind us just how much we love Vietnam.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi was our home in Hanoi where we enjoyed the refined and attentive service whilst also learning about the history of this iconic hotel. After our time in Hanoi, we then headed to the coast and boarded Ambassador Signature for a Lan Ha Bay cruise through the enchanting limestone karst that the region is famed for. Many travellers combine Hanoi with a Ha Long Bay cruise, in fact we have done exactly that ourselves previously, but this time we decided to explore nearby Lan Ha Bay instead, where the scenery is equally as spectacular, also being more tranquil and less crowded due to the reduced number of visitors.

Timeless luxury at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Considered to be one of the most iconic hotels in the region, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi enjoys a location that is ideal for exploring the historic old town, which when combined with the hotel feeling like a destination in itself, makes for the perfect combination. The property first opened in 1901 and is known as the ‘Grand Dame’ of Vietnamese hospitality, an impressive list of writers, dignitaries, royalty and world leaders have chosen to stay there ever since.

An extensive restoration of the rooms and public areas in the Heritage Wing that was completed in 2023, carefully preserved the character and history of the hotel whilst introducing the modern luxury expected from a luxury hotel in 2026 and beyond. Our room in the Heritage Wing boasted original hardwood floors that had been meticulously restored, hand painted artwork and bespoke Italian marble bathrooms. Special mention to the staff team who were always there and willing to help, from arranging early check in upon arrival to assisting with our onward transfers they ensured that we were very well looked after during our stay. In addition, we were exceptionally well catered for as vegan guests, with bespoke vegan dishes for breakfast and a sophisticated and creative plant based vegan fine dining experience at the award winning Le Beaulieu.

Experiential vegan fine dining at Le Beaulieu

We certainly couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to dine at Le Beaulieu during our stay and can happily report it was an absolute highlight of our time at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Recently redesigned as part of the Heritage Wing restoration project, Le Beaulieu continues to serve a varied selection of global and local guests, all wanting to enjoy this storied fine dining restaurant in the heart of Hanoi.

Serving French cuisine in the same location since 1901 makes Le Beaulieu the oldest operating restaurant in Hanoi and whilst the number of vegan diners may be limited, we were delighted to discover a vegetarian tasting menu available which was adapted to be vegan upon request. Our long and leisurely fine dining experience commenced with delicate canapés, freshly baked breads and a refreshing gazpacho which were all presented by knowledgable staff who explained each and every dish as it was served. The selection of main courses each championed simple ingredients including carrot, tomato and cauliflower that were thoughtfully plated and delicious. We still talk about our dessert at Le Beaulieu today as it was simply sublime. A chocolate and strawberry creation from the heavens which remains one of the finest vegan desserts we have enjoyed anywhere during our travels.

Explore Lan Ha Bay with Ambassador Cruise

Waving goodbye to Hanoi and the wonderful team at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, we headed to the coast to continue our latest Vietnam adventure. Less than 3 hours via private transfer saw us preparing to join Ambassador Signature for our Lan Ha Bay cruise. Offering the same striking limestone karst formations and stunning scenery as nearby Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay proved to be an excellent choice as it was much quieter yet equally as beautiful.

Ambassador Signature is the newest addition to the Ambassador Cruise fleet and features 39 spacious cabins on two decks, our modern and stylish Ambassador Executive cabin was on the second floor which allowed us to enjoy the ever changing scenery during the cruise through the large floor to ceiling window and the private balcony. There were trips ashore available each and every day but we decided to spend our days soaking up the scenery and marvelling at the limestone karsts seemingly drifting past in each and every direction. We also found time to further our relaxation with massages at the on board spa which certainly enhanced our Lan Ha Bay cruise experience.

Vegan dining options with Ambassador Signature

Dining plays a major role in any hotel stay or cruise experience and from the very start the crew of Ambassador Signature made every effort to ensure were very well catered for as vegan guests. During each and every meal we enjoyed a wide variety of dishes that were thoughtfully prepared rather than adapted at the very last moment. Fresh vegetables and tropical fruits were omni present, whilst dishes with their roots in both Vietnamese and Indian cuisine were prepared and presented with care and consideration.

In addition to the delicious food, the attentive service from the staff team made our meals aboard Ambassador Signature an absolute pleasure. This was the same at breakfast each morning, during our relaxed lunches in the restaurant or whilst dining under the stars; the team always being attentive to our vegan needs at each and every meal which ensured we were most certainly never hungry and always excited to see what we would be served next! 

The combination of Hanoi and Lan Ha Bay worked particularly well during our recent trip, offering contrasting experiences including the fast paced energy of the bustling capital and the relaxed vibes of the scenic coast. Our luxury stay at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi and our luxury cruise with Ambassador Signature each played contrasting roles in our latest Vietnam vegan travel adventure, and combining the two distinctly different destinations felt like the perfect way to experience Northern Vietnam.

Paul Eyers

Paul Eyers is co-founder of Vegan Food Quest who write about luxury hotels and resorts in Southeast Asia with a focus on sustainable travel, eco travel and vegan travel. Currently based in Malaysia, Paul also writes about sporting events and some of the finest golf courses throughout the region.