Where to stay in Vietnam?

Ma May Street, in the Hoan Kiem Old Quarter. A hostel on the street of tube houses and bars, for those who want the lake on foot and street food at the door.

In Noi Mieu alley, in the heart of the Hoan Kiem old quarter: the stalls and street food begin on the doorstep. For small budgets who want Hoan Kiem Lake on foot and street life.

A hostel in Hanoi, for those who want a simple bed and to meet other travellers. Hoan Kiem Lake, the old quarter and Train Street are within reach on foot or by Grab.

Ngo Quyen Street, in the French Quarter of Hoan Kiem, near the Opera House. For those who want the colonial avenues rather than the bustle of the Old Quarter, ten minutes' walk away.

Opened in 1901, Graham Greene wrote here: a wartime bomb shelter was rediscovered under the courtyard in 2011.

Le Phung Hieu Street, in Hoan Kiem, next to the Opera House. For those who want the French Quarter, its cafés and the lake on foot, in a highly theatrical setting.

Interiors by Bill Bensley on an opera theme, a few steps from the Hanoi Opera House, inaugurated in 1911.

Hang Trong Street, in the Old Quarter, on the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake. For those who want a walk round the lake at dawn and Ngoc Son temple a stone's throw away, without a taxi.

A high-end two-day cruise in the bay, with a cabin on the water. For those who want the karst peaks, the floating villages and kayaking with the comfort of a hotel on the move.

Vo Nguyen Giap Avenue, in Bai Chay, on a private island linked by boat. For those who want a resort night with bay views before the cruise.

On route 14H, in the Hội An Đông district, between the old town and the rice fields. A hostel for those who want to meet people, cycle to the lanterns in the evening and to the beach in the morning.

Vo Nguyen Giap Avenue, in Ha Quang Dong, on the beach. For those who come for the sea and peace, and take a taxi to the old town for the lanterns.

On Ha My beach, halfway between Hoi An and Da Nang: allow twenty minutes by taxi to the old town.

In an alley off Bui Vien, in the Ben Thanh quarter, 1.2 km from the centre. A hostel in the backpacker district, for those who want bars at the door and the Cu Chi tunnels as a day trip.

Bui Vien is the street of backpackers and bars: noisy until late, so choose it for the atmosphere, not for early nights.

Thu Khoa Huan Street, in the Ben Thanh quarter, 500 m from the centre, next to the market. A simple hotel for those who want Ben Thanh market as soon as it opens and District 1 on foot.

On Nguyen Hue Boulevard, in the Saigon quarter, 500 m from the centre. For those who want the pedestrian promenade beneath their windows and the Opera House, the market and the river on foot.

It occupies the upper floors of the Times Square tower, on the pedestrian Nguyen Hue Boulevard: the very ornate Italian decor is love it or hate it.

Hai Ba Trung Street, in the Saigon quarter, 300 m from the centre, on Opera House square. For those who want District 1 on foot, from the cathedral to Dong Khoi Street, in a discreet palace hotel.

On Lam Son Square, opposite the Opera House: Dong Khoi Street, the Central Post Office and the cathedral are all on foot. For those who want historic Saigon on the doorstep and a grand hotel steeped in history.

Opened in 1959, the hotel housed foreign correspondents and press bureaux during the Vietnam War.

On Le Duan Boulevard, in the consulate district, the tree-lined avenue leading to the cathedral and the Reunification Palace. For those who want a little calm, with Ben Thanh a walk or a Grab away.