There aren’t many hidden paradises left, but Ninh Van Bay might be one of them. This isolated peninsula on Vietnam’s east coast is so densely covered in jungle and mountains that the only way to get there is by sea. And what an arrival it is! You'll zip across the bay from Nha Trang, waving goodbye to civilisation, before landing ashore on a powdery beach framed by tumbling jungle. It sounds very James Bond.
The first thing you’ll spot is a vast, lotus-like wooden structure hovering above the water. This is Sen Restaurant, an architectural marvel perched on a dramatic rock formation, where you’ll dine each day among the most magnificent sea views. In the green hills behind this, a discreet scattering of spacious wooden villas, most with private pools, peep through the trees. The design throughout blends natural wood (the owner was a former wood importer), thatch and stone so that it mimics the natural landscape. Pathways wind through lush gardens filled with birdsong and the scent of frangipani, leading towards a jungle spa and a swimming pool at the water’s edge. It’s peaceful, romantic and wonderfully private, yet service is slick and thoughtful; you’re assigned a personal host who can arrange whatever you want - sunset cruises, jungle hikes, fishing trips and more. Couples but also adventurous families come here for an indulgent pause when touring the country, and many never want to hit play again.