Banyan Tree’s first Vietnamese venture sits at the far end of a long sweep of sand northwest of Danang, where 49 pool villas—some looking out to the East Sea, others arranged around an artificial lagoon—are set within bamboo-walled gardens and decorated in calming earth tones accented by bronze drums and hand-painted lacquer panels. Backed by jungle-clad hills, it’s part of a 280-hectare integrated resort development that includes a Nick Faldo–designed golf course and a 229-room Angsana hotel. Sightseers keen on visiting Hue, the former imperial capital, are well positioned to do so: the city is 80 kilometers up the road. Or you could just stay put. On-site distractions range from Saffron, an elegant Thai dining room overlooking Lang Co Bay, to sampling the treatment menu at the top-notch Banyan Tree Spa, where lagoon-side pavilions offer everything from Javanese lulur and ginger body scrubs to Ayurvedic therapies and Vichy shower sessions.

Cu Du Village, Phu Loc District; 84-54/369-5888; Banyan Tree Lăng Cô website; doubles from US$735

See more from The Luxe List 2013