BEST HOTELS
HANOI
Daewoo Hanoi
The Daewoo is Hanoi’s most popular supersized property, and the top choice in recent years for heads of state. Its long list of visitors include former US president Bill Clinton and former Chinese president Jiang Zemin.
Everything is big – the hotel lobby, the bars, the guestrooms with their king-size beds and the 80m-long swimming pool.
The plush rooms are decorated with local touches and 1,000 interesting modern works of Vietnamese art can be seen around the hotel. There is also an attractive lobby lounge and a pool bar.
For dining, Edo (Japanese) and La Paix (Italian) are both formal and excellent powerlunch
spots with private dining rooms.
The ballroom comfortably seats 400 people. Heineken and Tiger Beer both recently held events here for 100 delegates each. The hotel is planning an extensive renovations at the end of the year.
www.hanoi-daewoohotel.com
Sofitel Metropole
Despite fierce competition from new luxury rivals, the Metropole remains the most prestigious address in Hanoi. Rooms in the new, award-winning Opera Wing exude international-class luxury, while those in the original building have wooden floorboards, period furniture and bamboo wall coverings.
The hotel is also adding to its guestrooms, to be completed at the end of this year.
Restaurants include the Spices Garden, which serves market Vietnamese food and Le Beaulieu, which specialises in classic French cuisine. The hotel has three bars, and its Met Pub usually has live music.
www.sofitel.com
HO CHI MINH CITY
Park Hyatt Saigon
Although it only recently opened, the Park Hyatt already looks and feels part of the city,
thanks to its stylish and successful attempt to evoke a grand and colonial ambiance –
though without the usual fans and rattan furniture.
Clockwise from above: the colonial Sofitel Metropole is adding to its rooms; the popular Daewoo Hanoi; the new Park Hyatt Saigon Colonial architecture, luxury facilities
Vietnam has a range of top-end properties that highlight the destination’s rich culture
There are 252 rooms in seven categories.
All are in keeping with the hotel’s simple and contemporary ethos – dark woods, cream
and pale-bamboo colour schemes and white linen, and bathrooms in mirror, chrome and
marble decor. There are 300 exquisite pieces of Vietnamese artwork dotted throughout
the property.
Opera, which is found off the lobby, offers Italian food. The grand ballroom, possibly
the grandest in Saigon, is located on the ground floor behind the lobby and can hold
450 delegates in reception mode.
www.saigon.park.hyatt.com
Sofitel Plaza Saigon
In the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s diplomatic district, the Sofitel is a short walk to the Opera House and also offers some of the best value among the city’s luxury hotels.
Rooms are not flashy or overdone, but all are of a decent size, with a pale-green theme and
modern art. Club rooms are more stylish, while suites have kitchenettes and offer huge
bathrooms and the best views of Saigon.
IBM, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Unilever have all recently held events at the property. McDonald’s Hong Kong also recently stayed here with 100 delegates.
www.sofitel.com
Caravelle
The Caravelle has become something of an institution in Saigon. Built by the French in 1956, the hotel is renowned – largely because it was here during the Vietnam War – but also because many foreign journalists filed their copy and drank at the infamous roof-top Saigon Saigon bar.
The hotel has 335 comfortable guestrooms, with neutral decor, great views from upper rooms and marble bathrooms.
The property was renovated and expanded in 1998, and is very popular among corporate
travellers. Reflections is the main restaurant, with the more informal Nineteen and Lounge near the lobby. The ballroom can hold 200 people.
www.caravellehotel.com
Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers
The Sheraton is one of the tallest hotels in Ho Chi Minh City. The meeting and business
facilities are modern and expansive. The property has seven meeting rooms and a ballroom that can fit 550 people.
The Sheraton has pretty much every amenity corporate groups would look for – from delicious dining options, a health and spa area with squash courts, an outdoor pool, to the popular Top of 23 nightspot, which can also be hired for private events for up to 450 people. The venue is a double-height rotunda space that hosts live bands on the top of the city’s highest vantage point.
Danisco, one of the largest sugar producers in Europe, recently held an event here for
80 people.
The property is currently converting its executive residences into a hotel tower with more than 100 deluxe rooms and luxury suites. Scheduled to open early in 2008, the tower will help to meet expected demand for upscale accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City. It will boost the property’s room count from 371 to 480.
www.sheraton.com
COMING UP
Among the most anticipated hotel openings in Vietnam this year is easily the Princess
d’Annam Resort and Spa. The property can be found in the south-central coastal town
of Ke Gar, just three hours by car northeast of Ho Chi Minh City.
Designed by the Singaporean architect, Tan Hock Beng, the new property is being compared to the likes of Aman Resorts and Four Seasons.
The resort will have 58 private villas that overlook the South China Sea. The spa recalls a lavish Moroccan sanctuary with courtyards, columns and alcoves. The Princess d’Annam Resort and Spa will welcome guests from next April.
InterContinental is making its mark in both the north and south of Vietnam.
In Ho Chi Minh City the hotel group has started construction on a huge luxury property that will be part of District One’s Kumho Asiana Plaza. Opening in 2009, the InterContinental Asiana Saigon will reflect Vietnamese culture, it says, and will include 270 residences for long-stay guests.
The InterContinental Hanoi Westlake will open at the end of this year. The property – Hanoi’s first InterContinental – will have 359 guestrooms, 19 suites and seven meeting rooms, including a ballroom that can hold 700 delegates.
VENUES WITH A DIFFERENCE
HANOI
Verticale
This new addition to Hanoi is currently the most fashionable place in town to dine. Former Sofitel Metropole chef, Didier Corlou, opened the restaurant, which is housed in a four-story 1930s villa, in April.
Black and white photos line the long staircase that leads to the roof-top bar.
The ground-floor entrance features a spice shop with old-fashioned jars of sea salt
and peppercorn.
Among the mouth-watering dishes on the menu are fish sauce with pork spring roll, or
green-mango crudities with salt and chilli dipping powder. While this is not a venue for
large groups, it promises something special for up to 20 delegates at a time.
Moon River
Moon River’s secluded Hanoi location makes it perfect for parties, business meetings and
incentive groups. The venue, on the banks of the Red River, offers air-conditioned or
al fresco dining, gardens for special events and a small number of charming guestrooms for
overnight visitors. Smaller parties can dine in the bar area, which is a cozy informal room
with rattan sofas and chairs. A large hall is also available for bigger groups. The venue can
accommodate up to 300 people.
HO CHI MINH CITY
Bonsai Cruise
The popular Bonsai boat starts its river cruise from Bach Dang Wharf, which is within walking distance of central Ho Chi Minh City.
During the 90-minute journey passengers can enjoy the scenery along the Saigon River or take a leisurely walk around the traditional royal dragon boat. A Vietnamese buffet, as well as Western and other Asian dishes, will be served to passengers. A live band (usually Filipino) is also on hand to entertain guests.
Mandarine Restaurant
Mandarine can be found hiding on a quiet side street between Le Than Thon and the river. The elegant interior of the restaurant has a Chinese motif with timber beams, screen paintings and other artworks scattered across two open-plan floors.
The restaurant offers daily specials and set menus of a delicious mix of traditional and
modern Vietnamese cuisine.
VIETNAM DIRECTORY
Vietnam MICE Club
The Vietnam Meeting and Incentive Club is a partnership between Vietnam Airlines,
Saigon Tourist Travel Service Company and Exotissimo, together with leading hotels and
resorts throughout Vietnam. The Vietnam MICE club is the best point of enquiry for
bringing groups into the country.
Web www.meetingsvietnam.com
Exotissimo
We used Exotissimo Travel Group.
Exotissimo can tailor group itineraries for Vietnam, depending on individual requirements.
Tel +84 4828 2150
Email go.vietnam@exotissimo.com
Vietnam Tourism
Web www.vietnamtourism.com
