Saigon Morin Hotel
by the TopOfHotel team
Saigon Morin is a historic colonial hotel built in 1901, right on the Perfume River beside Truong Tien Bridge, with a pool and spa — it opens the list at a score of 8.2.
Saigon Morin is a historic colonial hotel built in 1901, right on the Perfume River beside Truong Tien Bridge, with a pool and spa — it opens the list at a score of 8.2.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The Deluxe River View runs about 32 sqm, with high ceilings, parquet floors, dark wood furniture and a wrought-iron balcony that opens straight onto the Perfume River. The hotel holds 180 rooms and suites, split between a newer wing and the original wing that still carries the 1901 structure. Guests like to wander the central courtyard, with its tall palms, a small fountain and wrought-iron tables — a good spot for morning coffee before heading out. Rooms start near $49 a night; in high season the river-view rooms climb to about $97.
Food and amenities
Guests use the outdoor pool, ringed by big trees, in the late afternoon when the water is cool. Beside it, Le Rendezvous Pool Bar pours cocktails and fresh coconut water. The on-site spa does Vietnamese massage and essential-oil treatments. The main restaurant, Morin Restaurant, lays out a garden buffet breakfast with bun bo Hue, banh beo and eggs cooked to order, while Jules Ferry is a classic French dining room. In the evening, a colonial lounge bar on the river serves wine to live piano — the moment that explains why writers of an earlier era loved this place.
Location and getting there
The address is 30 Le Loi, on the south bank of the Perfume River, sitting right at the foot of Truong Tien Bridge. Crossing the yellow, Eiffel-style bridge takes about 5 minutes, and from there it is roughly 1.5 km to the Ngo Mon gate of the Imperial Palace and the citadel. Dong Ba Market is about 1.5 km away along an easy riverside walk. In the evening, dragon boats run sunset cruises from the landing across the water. Phu Bai airport is about 15 km out, roughly 25 minutes by hotel car.
Things to know before booking
This is an old building, so the rooms can feel less modern than the newer boutiques in town — you are trading contemporary polish for heritage character. Real guest scores sit around 8.2, moderate next to some lower-ranked boutiques here that rate higher. And in high season the river-view rooms rise sharply, so book the view early if that is what you came for.
Our take
Saigon Morin Hotel is the one guests choose on a first trip to Hue when they want the hotel itself to be part of a history-soaked stay. It fits couples celebrating something, travelers drawn to colonial architecture, and anyone who values a riverside spot right beside the bridge. If you are after a sharp, contemporary hotel, look elsewhere on this list — but if you want to sleep inside a legend that is still breathing, this is the answer.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A French colonial-style hotel founded in 1901 — one of the oldest in Vietnam, with a lobby of patterned tile and brass lamps that feels straight out of the Indochina era.
- Sits right on the Perfume River at the foot of Truong Tien Bridge, on the south bank — about 1.5 km across to the Imperial Palace.
- 180 rooms and suites split between a newer wing and the original 1901 building, with many rooms looking onto the river.
- An outdoor pool ringed by big shade trees, a full-service spa with Vietnamese massage, a sauna and health club, plus 3 restaurants on site.
- A garden buffet breakfast with local dishes like bun bo Hue, free parking, 24-hour room service and an airport shuttle round it out.
- It is an old building, so the rooms can feel less modern than the newer boutique hotels in town — expect heritage character over contemporary polish.
- Real guest scores land around 8.2, which is moderate next to some of the lower-ranked boutiques on this list that score higher.
- In high season the river-view rooms climb a long way — from about $49 a night up to roughly $97, so the best rooms are not cheap when the city is busy.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- Ask for a room on the Perfume River side — the wrought-iron balconies open straight onto the water.
- Walk across Truong Tien Bridge (about 5 minutes) and continue roughly 1.5 km to the Ngo Mon gate of the Imperial Palace.
- Take your morning coffee in the central courtyard among the tall palms and the little fountain before you head out.