Vietnam has a growing number of exceptional beach resorts, with refined aesthetics, polished service and delicious food. However, it is important to remember that many of these properties front the South China Sea, so although the sand may be white and fine, the beaches tend to be wide and long, and the waves can be quite sizable. Our five favorite Vietnam resorts are all located in what was once South Vietnam. There, the climate is tropical, with a dry season extending from October to May. Daytime temperatures are in the high 80s year-round.

Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai

Located 30 minutes south of the city of Danang, this lavish resort of 100 beachfront and pool villas is set amid tropical gardens, overlooking spectacular Ha My Beach. Although quite a large property, its generous layout and traditional temple-inspired architecture make it feel surprisingly intimate. The interior design is restrained, with mostly neutral tones enlivened by splashes of colored silk. Pool Villas feature private courtyard entrances, plunge pools and personal butlers, while their spacious baths provide eggshell-lacquered tubs and extend into private tropical gardens with outdoor rainfall showers.

Dining options include Cafe Nam Hai for Western and Indian cuisine and beachfront Lá Sen, where the menu features “contemporary interpretations of Vietnamese classics,” including exceptional seafood dishes. (Those enamored of Vietnamese food may wish to attend the resort’s cooking school.) A lavish spa offers eight floating treatment pavilions and three tiers of infinity pools. The hotel operates a regular shuttle service to the pretty neighboring town of Hoi An, a well-preserved trading port dating to the 15th century, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.