Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long

I brought a group to Vinpearl Ha Long and we had a great time. The staff were helpful, check-in was quick, and the resort was clean and beautiful. Rooms were comfortable, food was tasty with good variety, and everything was well-organized. A perfect place for group trips – we’ll come back!

We recently stayed at Vinpearl Resort & Spa in Ha Long Bay during the off-season, which allowed us to enjoy a very reasonable rate for our stay. Overall, we would rate the hotel 6 out of 10. On the positive side, the hotel looks really good and the view when having the ocean view rooms is spectacular. Also the quality of the food was excellent, offering a wide range of delicious options at every meal. The facilities – including the pool, gym and common areas – were well-maintained and contributed to a pleasant experience. However, there are several points worth noting. The interior of the hotel (rooms) shows signs of age, and in our particular room (617) we encountered a serious humidity issue. This resulted in visible mold on the walls and a noticeable musty smell that was apparent even in the hallway outside our room. The most significant drawback, however, was the beach. The hotel is located directly in a small cove within Ha Long Bay. Based on photos online, we expected the property to be set further away from the shore, but in reality, it is just steps from a heavily polluted inlet. The water was murky brown with very low visibility – you could hardly see below ankle depth – and had an overall unappealing appearance. As a result, almost no guests were swimming there. The beach area itself seemed to reflect this situation, with very few sun loungers available, likely because the hotel is aware that the location is not suitable for swimming. In summary, this hotel offers great dining and solid amenities, but guests seeking a beach holiday with swimmable waters may be disappointed.

Alex from reception was a standout—her service during check-in was exceptional. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the rest of the staff, whose service fell far below the expectations of a 5-star resort. From check-in to check-out, the experience lacked the luxury and attention expected at a resort of this caliber. There was no trolley assistance for luggage on arrival, and the check-in area was overcrowded and chaotic. The initial room provided was dirty, unclean, and visibly marked. It was shocking to have our bags searched for food, which guests are not allowed to bring. The bed was awkwardly placed off-center, the curtains were stained, and the shower glass hadn't been wiped. The lack of attention to detail was truly appalling. To their credit, staff arranged a room change. However, the new room had been overwhelmed with air freshener, which took considerable time to air out. The entire issue took 2.5 hours to resolve. As compensation, I was offered a late checkout and dinner. While the ingredients used in the meal were of high quality, the food was bland and poorly executed. The chef appeared inexperienced—he even licked a spoon and placed it back into a communal bowl near the cooking area. The pesto pasta was excessively oily and did not resemble a proper pesto. When I inquired about it, I was dismissed in a condescending manner. The late checkout did allow me to explore the island, which was the highlight of the stay. The grounds and gardens are truly beautiful and well-maintained. However, the departure experience again reflected poor service. My bags were left unattended at the mainland ferry terminal without tags and placed carelessly, showing no respect or organization. I regret having to leave this review, but what is marketed as one of Vietnam’s premier resorts turned out to be one of the worst experiences I’ve had. I cannot recommend this property in its current state.