Earlier this year, the United States and Vietnam each observed the 50th anniversary of the Tet Offensive, a coordinated series of North Vietnamese attacks on South Vietnam that in 1968 became one of the largest military campaigns of the Vietnam War. The attacks on more than 100 South Vietnamese cities and outposts killed thousands and left South Vietnam in ruins. Back then, it would have been impossible to imagine the region as a hot spot for travelers and tourists.
And yet, it appears that's exactly what Vietnam has become, as evidenced by a string of recent and future hotel openings that have been announced this year by global hoteliers.
The latest such announcement comes from Hyatt Hotels Corp., which yesterday announced plans to open its first Hyatt Regency hotel in Nha Trang, a coastal resort city in South Vietnam that is known for its white-sand beaches and its distinctive local cuisine. Scheduled to open in late 2019 along Tran Phu Street, one of the city's most prominent streets, Hyatt Regency Nha Trang will have 434 guest rooms -- most of which will boast sea views -- as well as multiple bars and restaurants, a swimming pool, a fitness center and over 12,000 square feet of meeting space.
"With its pristine beaches, night markets and abundant dining options, Nha Trang provides business and leisure travelers countless opportunities to explore the city throughout their stay," said Hyatt Asia Pacific Group President David Udell. "We are delighted to have this opportunity to … build on our commitment to expanding Hyatt's brand footprint in Vietnam, a destination that continues to attract our World of Hyatt community and guests."
Another Vietnamese resort destination that's seeing major growth is the island of Phu Quoc, where both InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Radisson Hotel Group have recently announced new properties. Last month, the former opened InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, which features an exclusive beachfront, six restaurants and bars, 459 guest rooms and over 21,000 square feet of meeting space. In May, meanwhile, the latter announced plans to open Radisson Phu Quoc on Truong Beach, on the island's west coast. Scheduled to open in 2019, it will have 218 sea-facing guest rooms, a choice of outdoor swimming pools, a spa, a fitness center and a kids' club.
Elsewhere in Vietnam, hoteliers staking their claim include Meliá Hotels International and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. In January, Meliá announced that it had signed four new properties in two Vietnamese destinations: the financial city of Ho Chi Minh and the tourist bay of Halong. The first to open will be INNSIDE Saigon Central, which is scheduled to debut later this year with 72 rooms inside what is currently the Amena Suite Hotel Ton That Dam. Located just 500 feet away will be INNSIDE Saigon Mariamman, which is scheduled to open in 2020 with 115 rooms after a renovation of the current Lavender Boutique hotel.
The other two planned hotels are INNSIDE Halong Bay and Meliá Saigon Central. Both will open in 2019 -- the former with 251 rooms, a fitness center, a swimming pool, a spa, a bar and approximately 5,000 square feet of meeting space; the latter with 75 rooms initially and 159 rooms eventually, as well as several dining outlets, a swimming pool, an executive lounge and an unspecified amount of meeting space.
Finally, Mandarin Oriental in May announced plans to open Mandarin Oriental, Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City. Scheduled to open in 2020, the hotel will occupy the upper floors of a mixed-use development that will be home to a variety of international luxury retail outlets. It will have 227 guest rooms and suites, six restaurants and bars, a variety of meeting spaces, a fitness center, a spa and an outdoor swimming pool.
"Vietnam is quickly emerging as a top travel and business destination and is a big part of our strategic focus for Asia Pacific," concluded Bernardo Cabot Estarellas, senior vice president of Asia Pacific at Meliá Hotels International, whose comments perfectly encapsulate the attitude of the many hoteliers eyeing Vietnam. "We are thrilled to be … growing our offering to our customers in the region."
