Spread across a grassy hillside with commanding sea views and on a vast, palm fringed, white sand beach lies the Victoria Resort & Spa; one of the area’s best known resorts. At the quiet, southern end of the Mui Ni peninsula it has 57 bungalows, yet the resort somehow retains an intimate atmosphere. All of the cosy, thatched bungalows are spaciously dotted across the seven-hectare garden. Each features a large bathroom, al fresco shower, small courtyard with hammock and a large outdoor patio with views to the sea. There are a variety of bungalow choices, starting from the Garden View Bungalows to the huge ultra-luxurious Private Pool Beach Villas.

The fly in the ointment is that the beach is less-than-inviting at low tide and one further criticism is that it is a little isolated, eating outside of the resort requires a short taxi ride to the restaurants in Phan Thiet town. However, the hotel itself has excellent restaurants; ‘L’Ocean’ overlooks the, well……ocean whilst ‘La Paillotte’ is a relaxed poolside bar and grill. The ‘Infinity Restaurant’ is located next to the – you guessed it – infinity pool. The Victoria also provides babysitting services, volleyball, horseback riding, table tennis, a fitness centre, billiard table, bicycles and Petanque for the incurably French. The spa has a list of treatment to delight the most avid spa fans, including massages and all manner of beauty services. For the more active there are two swimming pools, including the previously mentioned, brand new infinity pool, and selection of water sports, plus free use of the resort bicycles to head to the dunes.