We always like to end our explorations on a high, and struck gold on our last trip to Vietnam with a stay at the gorgeous Banyan Tree Lang Co. Located right on the coast, just a short and convenient distance from Da Nang in central Vietnam, this luxury resort has one of the most perfect settings we’ve ever enjoyed on our travels. Forest-clad hillsides dotted with villas, a sweeping bay lined with golden sand, and morning mists rolling in over the ridge were all part of the enchantment.
We stayed at Banyan Tree Lang Co in April (late spring), and the weather was unseasonably wet and grey meaning the sea was too rough for swimming and most of the activities weren’t running, which wasn’t quite what we had planned for our beachside finale. Yet that didn’t really matter in the end, as we were here to chill and enjoy the views, rather than rush around doing stuff. It was the perfect excuse to slow down and unwind, which was just what we needed. For more guaranteed sun and water activities, it’s probably best to come between May and September, which is summer here in central Vietnam.
The Banyan Tree Lang Co Resort
One of the main selling points of this secluded luxury resort at the Laguna Lang Co is that every villa comes with its own private pool. So even if you book the lowest room category, you feel like royalty. The villas are spread out across the bay area, with some on the hillside peninsula, and others down by the beach or the lagoon.
The restaurants, bar, main pool, and spa are by the beachfront, which is central to the villas. It is quite a walk (certainly on the way back up slope) if you’re staying in one of the hillside villas, so there are golf buggies available if you prefer to save your legs. No judgement.
We loved strolling along the canal that meanders through the grounds and crossing using the covered Vietnamese bridge, which was festooned with traditional lanterns. There are sedate boat trips along the waterway which provide a gentle start to the day, and it’s fascinating checking out all the exotic plants that make the area so lush.
There are lots of activities to enjoy, but probably because of the poor weather, and few guests, there didn’t seem to be that much happening during our stay. Which was fine by us. For those who want a bit of action in season, there’s paddle boarding, kayaking, jet skis and ATV rides to enjoy, as well as cycle tours to local villages, yoga sessions, and cooking classes.
The Villas
Seaview Hill Pool Villas
We had originally booked a Beach Pool Villa, but took the offered upgrade to the Seaview Hill Pool Villa – and what a good move that was! Honestly one of the most beautiful suites we’ve ever stayed in, with views that can only be described as stunning.
The main event of course was the infinity pool, which was just about big enough to actually swim (quite a rarity we’ve found!), overlooking the beautiful Lang Co bay. We were high enough up on the hillside to enjoy a sweeping vista – I think the villas further along the headland (like ours) had the best views. The pool also had a hot tub section, which given the unusually chilly weather (still pretty warm for us Brits though) was very welcome.
The interiors were elegantly furnished in typical Banyan Tree style, with an enormous living area complete with comfy sofas and dining table, a bedroom exuding all the calm vibes you could wish for, and a massive bathroom with dreamy views from the bathtub. We spent a lot of time in our villa, thanks to the drizzly weather, and found we didn’t mind one bit!
If you want to book the same Seaview Hill Pool Villa, we stayed in villa 302 (highly recommended!).
Beach Pool Villas
Honestly, we were kind of glad we’d upgraded from the Beach Pool Villa, because out of all the room options, these seemed the least private and closer together than the other room categories. I’m surely they are perfectly lovely inside, but when walking along the beach, we did see guests in their cabanas and by their pools, although there is plenty of greenery to help shield the villas from curious eyes.
These are the closest villas to the main public areas and restaurants, so are a good choice if you don’t want to walk to far for breakfast or dinner.
Lagoon Pool Villas
We arrived several hours early and were kindly given the use of a Lagoon Pool Villa while our Seaview Pool Villa was being made up. That gave us a chance to have a nosy around a different room category, and I have to say, we wouldn’t have been disappointed if we’d have chosen this one either (although of course nothing beats those views from the Seaview Villas).
Situated around the lagoon and set back from the beach, the Lagoon Pool Villa felt much more private than the Beach Pool Villas, and there was plenty of space as well as a decent sized pool for dipping.
The Food
Oh, the food. Truly some of the best we’ve ever had on our trips around Southeast Asia, and probably the highlight of our stay (apart from the pool of course). There are three restaurants at Banyan Tree Lang Co: an elegant Thai restaurant called Saffron, The Water Court which serves up Vietnamese cuisine, and Azura, a beachside spot offering Mediterranean comfort food like pizza and pasta. We like to stick to local (or at least regional) food when we’re away, so just ate at Saffron and The Water Court during our stay.
Breakfast was decent too, with a huge spread of Vietnamese and international dishes to choose from, and it was pleasant sitting in the al fresco restaurant section, enjoying the sea breeze to wake us up in the morning.
Saffron Thai Restaurant
Saffron was incredible. The stylish design, friendly staff, and exquisite food all came together to create a truly memorable experience. There was even a bag stand for my less than elegant travel handbag, something I’ve only ever come across before in….the Banyan Tree in Bangkok! And I got a flower for my hair, which was sweet. The table also came with place name cards in the form of leaves and flowers, such a beautiful touch and set a lovely tone for the evening.
You can’t really go wrong with Thai food, but this was next level. We kicked things off with bread and several Thai dips – no idea what they were but they were delicious. Then it was onto a feast of noodles, chicken, baby squid, and a dazzling array of multi-coloured rice that was served from its own rice trolley. Never seen that before. We washed it down with cocktails and a cup of blue butterfly pea tea, which was another first for us.
I also loved that they had a comprehensive list of allergens actually on the menu (including my nemesis, dairy), which meant I didn’t have to go through the rigmarole of asking about every dish. Really appreciated that.
The Water Court Vietnamese Restaurant
We didn’t think anything else would come close to our experience at Saffron, but The Water Court turned out to be incredible too. Decked out in traditional Vietnamese lanterns, the restaurant was set back from the beach with a lovely view out over the water. It was beautiful at night with all the twinkling lights.
We loved that the chef herself came out to talk to us and explain the dishes we’d chosen, including which region of the country they heralded from. It was super quiet during our stay, so there were only a couple of other tables that were occupied, and it felt pretty intimate and exclusive. Each diner had a traditional Vietnamese conical hat to wear should they wish. Hubbie did not wish, but I made him do it anyway.
We started with a complimentary appetiser, one of the most elaborate we’ve ever had, with atmospheric steam swirling around a central platter of tasty treats. Then it was onto crab spring rolls, Vietnamese salad, crispy beef, and noodles. Divine.
The Staff
All the staff we met were truly amazing, and exceptional at their jobs. From our superb villa host Windy, who was so helpful and welcoming, to the cheerful chaps who whisked us around the resort in the golf buggies (yes, we’re at that stage of life where we feel we don’t need to walk everywhere), and without prompting stopped at viewpoints to take photos for us. Everyone was so genuine and friendly it was truly a pleasure to be looked after by the team.
We also liked that we could message Windy on Whats App with any requests, meal reservations or questions. It made communication so much easier and efficient.
There was a bit of awkwardness on departure, which as travellers who like flying under radar we found a little stifling. We’d skipped breakfast as we had an early transfer to the airport in Da Nang. I think the staff found that a little strange, which is perhaps fair given how delicious the breakfast here is. Despite our protestations at the check-out desk, they insisted on bringing us cups of tea before we left, which we felt obliged to drink, even though we were in a bit of a hurry and had said we didn’t want them. This is, of course, simply warm Vietnamese hospitality at its finest, and we’re just a couple of Brits who perhaps aren’t used to being quite so pampered. So it’s not a criticism, merely an observation.
The Location
Although Banyan Tree Lang Co feels remote and secluded, it’s actually really easy to get to and ties in well with an itinerary here in central Vietnam. It’s an hour by car from Da Nang International Airport, and 1.5 hours from Hoi An.
We chose this central area for its diverse locations that were all within easy reach of one another, with our longest land transfer being just 3 hours. If you’re interested, we did Da Nang – Hoi An – My Son Sanctuary – Hue Imperial City – Lang Co – Da Nang. It was really relaxing not spending too much time travelling, and having longer instead at our destinations.
Our Verdict
While we had expected to see a bit more sun and do a few more activities, the Banyan Tree Lang Co was the perfect end to what was already an amazing trip. It’s gorgeous, the food is divine, the staff are so welcoming, and even in the drizzle, the sweeping views out across the bay were stunning. We were already fans of the Banyan Tree group, but this has just sealed the deal.
