A New Era of Fine Dining in Asia

After laska lime sorbet to cleanse the palate, the main is grain 150-day Black Angus tenderloin with eggplant puree, beef jus infused with homemade chili and basil

Nestled in the stunning coastal landscape of Cam Ranh, The Anam Cam Ranh offers an exceptional culinary journey at its fine dining restaurant, The Colonial. Recognized as one of Asia’s top hotels, The Anam continues to impress with its innovative approach to gastronomy, blending Vietnamese ingredients with international culinary techniques to create a boundary-pushing degustation menu.

An Exciting New Six-Course Degustation

Created by talented chefs Duy Anh Nguyen and Banh Thanh Toan, this six-course tasting menu redefines modern Asian cuisine. With optional wine pairings from Italy, Australia, Chile, France, and Portugal, each dish is designed to surprise and delight the senses. The restaurant’s open kitchen, grand piano, and lush courtyard with established gardens set the perfect ambiance for an unforgettable dining experience.

A Culinary Journey of Flavors and Textures

The journey begins with amuse-bouche options such as a giant clam with sausage and daikon jams, miso cauliflower sauce, herbs, and salmon roe, alongside Vietnamese beef tartare infused with caramelized cashew fish sauce, crispy garlic, and betel leaf. Next, guests enjoy Hokkaido scallop ceviche with pink pomelo, yellow tangerine, Wakame cracker, kimchi broth, and imperial caviar.

The affair begins with an amuse-bouche comprising a giant clam with sausage and daikon jams, miso cauliflower sauce, herbs and salmon roe

A rich soup follows, featuring poached Black Cod in buttermilk, ponzu caramelized onion, green chilli kosho, and a creamy caviar relish. To cleanse the palate, a laska lime sorbet is served before the main course—a perfectly cooked Black Angus tenderloin with eggplant puree, beef jus infused with chili and basil, accompanied by fragrant Vietnamese ST25 rice with corn and green beans. The meal concludes with a decadent dark chocolate custard paired with fermented coffee sauce and coconut ice-cream.

An Artistic Blend of Cultures and Flavors

Duy Anh Nguyen emphasizes the menu’s concept: “We aim to push boundaries by pairing Vietnamese ingredients with international flavors and techniques in unexpected ways. The menu balances delicate and bold, familiar and surprising, creating a contemporary story of Vietnamese cuisine in Asia’s vibrant culinary scene.”

An Elegant Setting with Cultural Charm

The Colonial’s decor echoes Vietnam’s bygone Indochine era, blending European elegance with Vietnamese nuances. Located near the open-air lobby and Saigon Bar, The Colonial also serves a luxurious European buffet and à la carte breakfast options. During the day, it functions as the resort’s club lounge for premium suite and villa guests before transforming into a fine dining destination at night.

Why Choose The Anam Cam Ranh for Your Travel Culinary Experience

The Anam Cam Ranh’s chefs Duy Anh Nguyen and Banh Thanh Toan have created the new six-course menu with optional wine pairing at The Colonial

As one of Asia’s premier luxury resorts, The Anam Cam Ranh offers travelers a unique fusion of cultural heritage and modern sophistication. Its culinary offerings, especially the innovative degustation menus, make it an ideal destination for food lovers seeking authentic yet contemporary Asian dining experiences.

Practical Information

• Location: The Anam Cam Ranh, Vietnam
• Dining Hours: Nightly from 6:00 PM onwards
• Reservation: Recommended for an exclusive culinary experience
• Contact: Visit The Anam or email info.cr@theanam.com for bookings

The post The Anam Cam Ranh New Degustation Menu appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Vietnam’s most popular and colorful annual celebration, the Tet Festival, marks the Lunar New Year and a week-long fiesta of fun and family vacations. To mark the Year of the Horse and the season of love, Fusion Resorts and Hotels has introduced a potpourri of promotions at its wellness-inspired venues across the country.

Travelers are also encouraged to join Fusion’s customer loyalty program, Fusionlife, which helps travelers find the best rates and other benefits, including discounts up to 25% off. More details on signing up here: www.fusionhotelgroup.com/fusionlife.

A Gentle Tet – A Gentle Beginning is the theme at Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion, a tranquil retreat in the leafy foothills outside the Imperial City of Hue in central Vietnam. The resort invites guests to begin the Lunar New Year not in haste, but in harmony. The celebration continues with a thoughtfully curated festive dining journey at Madame Chau restaurant, showcasing Northern, Central, and Southern Tet flavors, priced at 450,000 VND per guest. Throughout the stay, guests are free to enjoy unlimited access to natural outdoor hot mineral springs, cycle through the tranquil countryside of Hue and explore local markets. These experiences invite guests to reconnect with nature, discover moments of mindfulness in everyday life, and return to a state of inner calm, recharged and ready to embrace new opportunities in 2026.

Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang has announced an itinerary of events, enriched by festive cuisine, live music and family experiences. Guests are invited to join in traditional New Year activities, including fun for kids with lantern-making, coconut-leaf art, sack races and a monkey bridge challenge. For a complete holiday escape, Fusion & Togetherness package includes a 20% savings on room rates, dining and spa treatments, and is available for stays on 15 – 21 Feb. This beautiful beachfront resort will also host a Valentine’s Day intimate dinner on 14 Feb.

Along the serene Phuong Mai Bay, Maia Resort Quy Nhon offers its Spring at Maia package with up to 20% off room rates for stays of two nights or more. Meanwhile, The Ocean Resort by Fusion Quy Nhon introduces the Ocean Spring offer, featuring 50% off the second night and 30% off the third night, inclusive of lunch or dinner, daily wellness activities, water sports, and additional benefits. For couples, Valentine’s Day becomes truly memorable with a stay in a One-Bedroom Courtyard Pool Villa, including a 50-minute spa treatment per person, and an exclusive beachside dinner for two.

Fusion Resort Cam Ranh invites travelers to slow down, reconnect, and welcome the Lunar New Year in a sanctuary of wellness by the sea, with exclusive festive privileges and savings of up to 40%. Staying true to its signature all-spa-inclusive, the resort offers breakfast anytime, anywhere, one complimentary spa treatment per night per adult, and unlimited yoga, meditation, and Tai Chi sessions. Guests staying two nights or more will enjoy a complimentary full-board experience once per stay, while staying five nights or more unlock even more benefits. The celebration unfolds with a thoughtfully curated lineup of festive dining experiences, starting with a romantic Valentine’s grill under the stars, 14 Feb, followed by a vibrant Lunar New Year poolside celebration with live cooking stations on 16 Feb. The journey continues with indulgent Steak Nights. 17 & 19 Feb and authentic Vietnamese traditional cuisine evenings on 18 & 20 Feb, before culminating in a festive Saturday night BBQ on 21 Feb.

Fusion Suites Vung Tau ushers in the New Year with a cozy Vietnamese New Year’s Eve buffet on 16 Feb, hosted at Fresh Restaurant with panoramic views of the coastal city. This is followed by a countdown celebration on its rooftop Bar, featuring light bites and wine as guests welcome the New Year together.

Meanwhile, Fusion’s city hotel brand, HIIVE, which caters mostly to business travelers to Ho Chi Minh City, is also welcoming guests with special offers at HIIVE by fusion Binh Duong and HIIVE by fusion Binh Duong New City. Both hotels have introduced a Staycation package whereby guests can visit traditional craft villages and markets or unwind at nearby golf courses. Room rates start from VND 2,000,000 per night, inclusive of a VND 650,000 dining credit at Dzô Dzô Sports Bar. This offer applies to direct bookings via the hotel website for stays from 1–28 Feb 2026.

For couples seeking a romantic escape in Thailand, Love Without Limits is a specially curated stay available at GLOW Hotels and Resorts. Highlights include in-room floral décor, daily complimentary cocktails at the rooftop or poolside bar, a guaranteed upgrade to the highest available room category for stays of three consecutive nights or more, and 10% savings on food and beverage across all hotel outlets. Book exclusively from 28 January to 20 February at: home.glowhotels.com.

The post FUSION UNVEILS FESTIVITIES & VALENTINE’S DAY EXPERIENCES appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Family resort Alma will usher in the biggest event on the Vietnamese calendar, the Lunar New Year, with a fun-filled program packed with cultural performances, hands-on workshops, wellness experiences, festive dining, and more. Encapsulating passion, freedom and unstoppable energy, the Year of the Horse sets the tone for Alma’s vibrant Tet celebrations that encourage guests to reconnect with loved ones and embrace new beginnings against the scenic backdrop of Cam Ranh peninsula’s Long Beach. From Monday Feb. 16 until Saturday Feb. 21, 2026, the 30-hectare beachfront resort will host daily Tet festivities spanning its Tet Village, Kids Club, Food Court, Alma Lounge, cinema, Le Spa and outdoor spaces.

It Takes a Village During Tet

At the heart of the festivities is Alma’s Tet Village, where guests will immerse themselves in Vietnamese heritage by donning áo dài dresses, making lanterns, painting the iconic traditional conical hats (nón lá), wood carving, alongside traditional games and cultural performances.

Dragon dance performances will bring good fortune and excitement throughout the week, while families can participate in beloved Tet traditions such as making lucky red envelopes (lì xì), cooking sticky rice cakes (bánh chưng), flying kites and lucky draw (lô tô), bamboo dancing, calligraphy, “tò he” making .

Children will be kept entertained with daily creative workshops such as ‘Become a fashion designer – Design Your Áo Dài’, garden blessing walks, face painting, and Tet-themed cinema nights. Evening entertainment includes a cultural extravaganza ‘The Alma Show’ at the Alma Amphitheatre.

Feasting on New Beginnings

Alma’s culinary offerings take centre stage during Tet with an array of festive dining options, including:

• Traditional Vietnamese Tet Breakfast Buffets at Alma Garden
• Floating Tet Breakfasts served at in-villa pools
• Vietnamese Tet Afternoon Tea featuring sweet and savoury specialties at Alma Lounge
• Traditional Tet Set Menus at Atlantis
• Tet Village showcasing traditional fruit candies
• Tet-inspired Vietnamese cocktails crafted at The American Bar
• A lively Tet Night Market at the Food Court

Wellness, Movement and Mindful Renewal

The Year of the Horse begins at Alma with energising morning yoga sessions, calming sound bath meditations, and nature-based experiences designed to restore balance and clarity for the year ahead.

To mark the Lunar New Year, Le Spa is offering a curated selection of Tet wellness experiences, including a 110-minute “Receive & Relax” ritual comprising a 30-minute body scrub, 50-minute massage and 30-minute mini facial. Happy Hour spa promotions, 60-minute couples therapy at a special rate and tiered savings for multi-treatment bookings are also on offer to help guests kick off the year feeling refreshed and revitalised.

“Tet is a time of reconnection, optimism and momentum, and the Year of the Horse reflects the vitality we hope guests will take with them into the year ahead,” said Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler. “Our Tet program blends Vietnamese tradition with immersive experiences for all ages, allowing families and friends to celebrate together in a meaningful way.”

To contact Alma or to make a booking, please visit alma-resort.com, call +84 258 399 1666 or email info@alma-resort.com

The post Alma Resort Welcomes Year of The Horse appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

The Anam Cam Ranh has launched two remarkable gourmet barbeque feasts, replete with a private chef and waiter, in its premium Hilltop Pool Villas. Only available in the 12-hectare beachfront resort’s Two-Bedroom and Three-Bedroom Hilltop Pool Villas, the pair of in-villa barbeque menus are packed with appetizers, barbequed seafood, meats and vegetables, along with condiments and sauces, and dessert.

The Asian BBQ starts with Sautéed Vietnamese Beef and local seafood, followed by Seafood Tom Yum with mushroom and herbs. The selection of meats and seafood from the BBQ include Grilled Tiger Prawn with spicy chili marinade and sweet corn, Grilled Lemongrass Cobia with broccolini chili salsa; Grilled Cuttlefish with Turmeric Sauce, served with pickled papaya and laksa leaf; Chicken Satay with peanuts and scallion oil; Grilled King Oyster Mushroom with oyster sauce and roasted sesame; Grilled Rolled Beef Striploin with green asparagus; Ocean Giant Clam of the Day with peanut chili scallion sauce; and Grilled Pork Rib with Shrimp Paste served with crispy lemongrass.

Condiment options for the Asian BBQ include green chili sauce; passion fruit fish sauce; and salt, black pepper and lime. Dessert is highlighted by a delectable chocolate brownie, yogurt mousse, raspberry compote, and passion fruit entremet cake.

The Western BBQ starts with Iberico Pulled Pork Tacos with avocado guacamole, grilled lime and coriander, along with Charcoal-Grilled Romaine with sundried tomato, padano cheese and confit garlic honey yogurt sauce, followed by a Green Abalone and Spinach Soup. Premium meats and seafood include Ocean Oyster with marmalade shallot and pistachio; New Zealand Green Mussel with tomato cheese sauce; Smoked Beef Short Rib with baby potato and onion jam; Grilled Half Lobster Tail with Jack Daniel’s cheese sauce, Grilled Sea Bass with salt and lime; Black Angus Striploin with roasted asparagus and abalone mushroom; Iberico Pork Jowl with chimichurri sauce; Marinated Lamb Rack with garlic butter bread; and German Mixed Sausages with pomme purée.

Condiment options for the Western BBQ include button cream mushroom sauce; green pepper sauce; red wine sauce; and smoked BBQ sauce. Dessert features white wine mousse with yuzu compote, and mango curd and coconut dacquoise.

“These menus may be inspired by the humble barbeque, but the fare they afford is anything but your typical sausages or burger patties,” said The Anam Group’s group general manager Laurent Myter.  “The spacious Hilltop Pool Villa kitchens are especially equipped to cater to such a feast, best enjoyed by your private pool.”

Ideal for families, groups of multi-generations, and parties of friends, the expansive double-story Two- and Three-Bedroom Hilltop Pool Villas are 232sqm and 267sqm and each offers light and airy bedrooms with an en-suite bathroom, kitchen, large living room and private pool with sweeping views across the sea. Traditional sampans and coracles still ply these waters and picturesque islands loom just offshore. A dramatic headland named “Song Lo”, meaning the ‘wave next to the mountain’, rises up to the immediate north and west, highlighting the setting’s natural appeal.

Each Saturday night, the resort’s Indochine Restaurant hosts a seafood barbeque night from 6.30-9pm, with unlimited soft drinks, local beer and mango juice, to a backdrop of a live Filipino band and a spectacular fire show.

For more information or to make a booking at The Anam Cam Ranh, visit www.theanam.com, email info.cr@theanam.com, or telephone +84 258 398 9499.

The Asian BBQ Menu and Western BBQ Menu, priced at 2,730,000 VND per person and 3,100,000 VND per person respectively, are for Hilltop Pool Villas guests only and must be reserved at least 24 hours in advance. Meanwhile, the Seafood BBQ held each Saturday at The Indochine from 6.30-9pm is open to all guests and is priced at 1,250,000 VND per adult and 570,000 VND per child.

The post The Anam Cam Ranh’s Private Gourmet Barbeques appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

A Tropical Beach Christmas on Koh Samui

Banyan Tree Samui, an all-pool-villa beachfront resort in Koh Samui, has unveiled a series of gourmet feasts and dazzling celebrations to celebrate the upcoming festive season at each of its three restaurants over Christmas. The tropical island festivities begin at The Edge, a venue that commands spectacular vistas across the sapphire seas of the Gulf of Thailand. Its Christmas Eve Gala Dinner 2025 features a variety of international culinary delights — an oyster bar, seafood market, a carving station and salad bar — accompanied by live music from 7pm. Meanwhile, a culinary journey is underway at Saffron, where, each evening from Dec. 24 – 26, a 5-course set menu will be presented in a sophisticated and tranquil setting. Recognised by the prestigious MICHELIN Guide, Saffron is a fine-dining venue, specializing in contemporary Thai cuisine. And of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas in Thailand without a crescent of white sand under the palm trees with sea breezes and candlelight. At Beachside, fine delicacies such as slow-roasted butterball turkey, Alaskan snowfish and grilled tiger prawns are on the menu with a 3-course set lunch and 5-course set dinner prepared daily by Chef Rainer and his culinary team from Dec 24 – 26.

An Illuminating Visit to Tokyo

Palace Hotel Tokyo is preparing for one of the merriest times of the year with ‘A Tokyo Christmas’, a stay package encompassing fine-dining, Christmas treats and in-room decorations, along with a privately guided experience of one of the city’s most popular sights, Tokyo’s winter illuminations. The festive Christmas experience includes: a two-night stay – choice of Premier Suite or Executive Suite accommodations, Club Lounge privileges – including afternoon tea and evening cocktails & canapés, choice of daily breakfast at the Club Lounge or in-room, a 5.9-foot-tall in-room Christmas tree decorated with lights and ornaments, a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut and a tin of Christmas cookies, an artful Christmas cake made in-house at Sweets & Deli, and a Christmas dinner at Grand Kitchen. In-house guests can also book a ‘Tokyo Illuminations’ tour, a four-hour experience where guests are chauffeured around the city in a private car to several of the areas featuring impressive installations. Rates for ‘A Tokyo Christmas’ start at JPY 941,000, limited to stays between December 20-25, 2025.

Tofurkey or Turkey in Vietnam

This December at TIA Wellness Resort guests can enjoy a Christmas-inspired afternoon tea menu with classic flavors. There’s eggnog cupcakes, Christmas scones with orange and strawberry jam, turkey sandwiches with cranberries and pickled red cabbage, and more sweet treats enjoyed with a glass of champagne or a selection of Ronnefeldt tea. The special presentation is available from December 1st – 26th from 11am – 4pm for VND 1,600,000++ for two. The resort is also offering a decadent Christmas Eve feast, ‘Ray of Christmas,’ with a fully plant-based option available. The six-course menu is accompanied by live piano music. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic pairings are available with a selection of organic wines from Spain, Italy, France, New Zealand and Australia. The dinner will be served at The Dining Room from 6:30pm – 10pm. Prices start at VND 1,600,000++ per person (menu only) for the plant-based option and VND 2,050,000 for the regular menu. Wine pairings are at an additional cost.

Fabulous Festive Fare in Krabi

Recently lauded as the “Finest Hotel in Thailand” by US guidebook Fodor’s and the recipient of Two Keys by MICHELIN., Banyan Tree Krabi boasts all the hallmarks of a spectacular venue for Christmas dining. The beachfront resort’s Christmas Eve Gala Dinner at The Naga Kitchen is set to be an exquisite international buffet, accompanied by live music and a spectacular fire show. Gourmet options include a salad bar, baked bread station, cheese & charcuterie selection, truffle risotto live station, and a chef’s carving station, while those with a hankering for fresh seafood will revel in the choice of appetizers such as seabass and prawn ceviche with coconut, and lobster bisque with cognac. A live ice station will provide smoked salmon, sushi & sashimi, Fine de Claire oysters, rock lobster, prawns, New Zealand green-lip mussels, clams, crab and local scallops.Festive desserts include Christmas fruit stollen, croquembouche Christmas tree, Christmas fruit cake, American baked cheesecake and Christmas log cake. The Christmas Day Set Dinner from 6:30 pm – 10 pm on 25 December will involve an orchestra of flavours with an elegant 6-course meal, echoing the warmth of tradition and the joy of Christmas.

It Takes a Gingerbread Village To Celebrate Christmas in Cam Ranh

Alma Resort, a 30-hectare beachfront retreat on Vietnam’s Cam Ranh Peninsula, invites guests to embrace the spirit of the season with an exciting lineup of festive experiences, culinary delights and family-friendly activities. An enchanting gingerbread village in the Alma Food Court lets children explore edible creations while parents snap fun photos. On Dec. 13, the main lobby will host a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony featuring thousands of twinkling lights, festive cocktails, canapés and carols by a children’s choir. Guests can also purchase their own decorated Christmas trees at Alma Mart to bring the holiday spirit into their guest rooms. At Alma Kids’ Club, a daily advent calendar turns the countdown to Christmas into a shared activity, with kids unwrapping a new surprise each day. As Christmas nears, the resort will welcome Santa Claus himself for a meet and greet in the lobby for photos and family portraits on Dec. 23, 24 and 25. From Dec. 20-30, guests can enjoy traditional aromatic mulled wine, recalling the cozy magic of European Christmas markets. Festive Glühwein will be served in the lobby and Food Court, with each sip delivering spices and holiday cheer.

Beats and Baubles Define Christmas in Chiang Mai

Meliá Chiang Mai transforms into a festive haven with a line-up of Christmas experiences that blend warm seasonal traditions with the hotel’s signature Spanish flair. Guests ease into the holidays with ‘Merry Mulled Melodies’, where spiced mulled wine and live Christmas tunes set a cosy nightly mood at Ruen Kaew Lounge from Dec. 1, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026. Festivities continue high above the city with the ‘Tea & Tinsel Afternoon Tea’ at Mai Restaurant & Bar, also from Dec. 1 – Jan. 31, pairing Japanese-inspired savouries and sweets with sparkling wine and panoramic views. From Dec. 1-5, Madrid-born Chef Juan Ignacio García Racionero will lavish guests with a banquet of Spanish cuisine as part of the hotel’s ‘Spanish Gastronomy Series’.

The season’s culinary pinnacle arrives on Christmas Eve with a lavish buffet at Laan Na Kitchen, featuring roasted whole turkey, honey-glazed ham, sashimi, sushi, poke bowls and handcrafted Christmas desserts, accompanied by live music and Santa’s cheerful appearance for the little ones. The celebrations ascend to Chiang Mai’s highest rooftop bar for the ‘Beats & Baubles’ Christmas Eve Party at MAI The Sky Bar for DJ sets, festive cocktails and skyline views, creating a spirited finish to Christmas Eve.

‘Tis The Season to be Jolly and Charitable in Hong Kong

The Hari Hong Kong is marking Christmas with all sorts of merriment including festive menus, a tree lighting ceremony and Christmas market for charity, and a special holiday package. On Dec. 4th from 4-6pm the hotel entrance’s will transform into a Christmas market. Members of Hong Chi Association, a local charity that assists people with intellectual disabilities, will serve drinks and sell goods. All market proceeds go to the organization, which supports over 7,000 people in need. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place at 5:15pm with a carol performance. The ‘Festive Elegance at The Hari’ package, available from Dec. 22 2025 to Jan. 2, 2026, that also celebrates the hotel’s fifth anniversary, includes a one-night stay in one of the hotel’s luxurious hotel rooms or suites, HKD 500 dining credit that can be used at Lucciola Restaurant, Zoku Restaurant, The Lounge, The Terrace or for in-room dining, daily breakfast for two, limited-time The Hari Hong Kong 5^th anniversary gifts, a delicious chocolate muffin Christmas tree presented in-room, 15% off festive menus and more. Italian restaurant Lucciola and Zoku, which specialises in contemporary Japanese cuisine, will serve special Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day feasts.

Deck the halls with Spanish Flair in Bangkok

INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit is embracing the festive spirit with delectable Spanish menus and buffet feasts set against panoramic views of Bangkok’s skyline. As part of the hotel’s “Feliz Festiva” program from Dec. 1, 2025 to Jan. 1, 2025, LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar, perched on the hotel’s uppermost floors, the 33rd and 34th floors, will offer a rotating “Special Spanish Festive Menu” each week for four festive weeks from Dec. 1 to Dec. 30. Each week’s a la carte menu, crafted by Madrid-born chef Juan Ignacio García Racionero, offers a selection of dishes celebrating Spain’s famed gastronomy such as ‘Iberian bellota jamon croquettes with caviar’, ‘Spanish red prawn carpaccio’, ‘Spanish Seabass with porcini & parmentier’, and ‘Cannelloni of beef oxtail, foie gras & black truffles mushroom’ and ‘Caramel custard pudding, almond & Spanish nougat’.LUZ will also serve exciting Christmas Eve and Christmas Day a la carte menus from 4pm until midnight. With its soaring windows affording spectacular views, all-day dining restaurant The Kites Eatery will serve, under the stewardship of executive chef Katisak Pinkaew, a Christmas Eve buffet dinner from 6-10pm. The buffet will brim with all sorts of treats including seafood on ice, salads, cheeses, a Japanese corner with assorted sashimi, BBQ seafood and meats, a carving station, an array of main courses, a chocolate fountain, desserts and more. Free-flow alcohol is optional.

Merriment in Mui Ne and Cam Ranh this Christmas

The Anam Cam Ranh and The Anam Mui Ne will celebrate Christmas with festive feasts, indulgent spa treatments and more. The Anam Cam Ranh will serve “Festive Afternoon Tea” from Dec. 15, 2025 until Jan. 10, 2026 at The Colonial Restaurant. From Dec. 15-Jan 10 Saigon Bar will present “Champagne & Caviar Soiree,” complementing premium caviar with fine Champagne. On Dec. 22, the hotel’s lobby will come alive for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Christmas Eve kicks off with a cocktail gathering featuring canapés, mulled wine, house wines, soft drinks and the sounds of live Christmas carols. Two extraordinary Christmas Eve options are on offer: a lavish 9-course Christmas Eve Feast at The Colonial Restaurant or a Roasted Dinner Buffet at The Indochine Restaurant accompanied by live band music and a mesmerizing fire show. The Anam Mui Ne will hold its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 23, where a choir will fill the air with timeless carols. On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus will appear at The Indochine Restaurant’s Christmas Eve BBQ Buffet Dinner, and Lang Viet will host a lavish four-course “Christmas feast”. On Christmas Day, the Kids’ Club will host a special Christmas painting activity. The Indochine will present a 3-course Christmas Brunch.

Getting Festive in Southern and Central Vietnam

Azerai Resorts invites guests to celebrate the 2025 festive season with a vibrant line-up of family-friendly activities, elevated dining experiences and exclusive wellness offerings. Azerai Ke Ga Bay, an all-suites-and-villas oceanfront resort in southern Vietnam that was recently awarded a prestigious MICHELIN Key, and Azerai La Residence, Hue, a heritage hotel in the former Imperial capital that Travel + Leisure honored as one of Vietnam’s best upcountry hotels, both are set to usher in a memorable holiday season. Christmas morning begins at Azerai Ke Ga Bay with a special breakfast featuring Virgin Bloody Marys, after which Santa Claus arrives with gifts for children. Then it’s time to enjoy games at the Sports House. Guests wishing to have a truly special dining experience can choose to enjoy a Western set-menu dinner at the oceanside terrace. This experience is limited to six tables only, so advance reservations are required. Guests at Azerai La Residence, Hue are offered a complimentary limousine transfer to Phu Cam Cathedral for Christmas morning Mass, while afternoon brings a special tea buffet in the lobby lounge, followed by a calligraphy and painting class where kids can create festive fans and cards under the tutelage of Hue master Mr. Ke. The classes are free for in-house guests.

A Luminescent Dreamscape in Hanoi

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, the iconic 124-year-old Grand Dame of Hanoi, is transforming into “A Luminescent Dreamscape” ahead of the holiday season, as a million lights and shimmering festive spirit blend seamlessly with the hotel’s timeless elegance. Festive scenes and breathtaking displays will be paired with culinary offerings imbued with French sophistication and festive flair – experiences that lift the spirits and evoke warmth, nostalgia, wonder, togetherness and the enduring charm of the holiday season. For the first time ever, the Metropole Christmas Fair, held from Nov. 28-30, will offer a joyful celebration featuring Metropole-made specialties alongside local vendors presenting holiday handicrafts, gifts, decorations and more. Sweet delights, eggnog, mulled wine and gourmet bites from the grill and charcuterie stations add to the experience. The fair kicks off with the annual lighting ceremony on Nov. 28 to officially launch the hotel’s 2025 festive season. In keeping with tradition, a distinctive 15-meter-tall Christmas tree gracing Le Balcon will be adorned with ornaments, bringing timeless French sophistication and joie de vivre to the heart of the hotel.

Wellness-Inspired Christmas Escapes Across Vietnam

Wellness-inspired luxury hotel brand Fusion has unveiled a host of special dining experiences, spa packages, festivities and more ahead of the holiday season at its properties across Vietnam and Thailand. Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang welcomes the festive season with open-air beach BBQs, a sparkling Christmas Eve buffet at Fresh restaurant and refined set menu at Char and a joyful Christmas Day feast. Meanwhile, Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion, nestled in Hue’s misty mountains, becomes a sanctuary of healing and renewal, as guests are invited to restore balance through mineral-rich hot springs, traditional Japanese onsen and thoughtfully curated retreats. A festive semi-buffet dinner will be served at Madame Chau Restaurant on Christmas Eve. And in Ho Chi Minh City, guests can step into a vintage Christmas wonderland at Fusion Suites Sài Gòn, where sparkling lights, rustic pinecones and the scent of cinnamon fill the air. On Christmas Eve, “Fusion Sleighs LIVE” offers live music, festive canapés and complimentary “Sleigh Sets” for every guest. Guests will also enjoy Santa’s Sweet Challenge, a playful candy game for all ages. Christmas Day also brings a visit from Santa, along with sweet surprises, a grand turkey carving and a festive buffet.

Christmas in Cambodia

Raffles in Cambodia will celebrate the holidays with a host of extraordinary dining experiences and memorable festivities at its two historic hotels. Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap and Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh will each present a distinctive calendar of festive events, inviting guests and the local community to mark Christmas and ring in the New Year with style and sophistication. Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor is transforming into a spellbinding fairytale inspired by Hansel and Gretel this holiday season. Glittering lights, evergreen wreaths and whimsical decorations evoke the enchantment of a gingerbread forest, turning every corridor and courtyard into a living storybook. Raffles Hotel Le Royal likewise comes alive with festive spirit, offering fun-filled activities for guests of all ages, along with exclusive meals and the Cambodian capital’s most dazzling New Year’s Eve countdown celebration. Raffles Hotel Le Royal’s “Magical Festive Escape” stay package, valid through Jan. 31, 2026, includes daily Champagne breakfast, a complimentary 60-minute spa treatment for two and much more.

The post It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Located along the tranquil Cam Ranh Peninsula in southern Vietnam, Azerai Ke Ga Bay has been honored with the prestigious MICHELIN Key distinction—one of only 13 hotels in the country recognized in the first-ever MICHELIN-Key selection announced this October.

This accolade marks an important milestone for Vietnam’s luxury-hospitality scene and reaffirms Azerai Ke Ga Bay’s place among Asia’s most refined seaside retreats.

An Exclusive Recognition

The MICHELIN Guide, a globally trusted name in travel and dining excellence, introduced its new Key system to highlight outstanding hotels that embody exceptional design, service, and atmosphere. Azerai Ke Ga Bay received One Key, joining a select group of hotels praised for what editors called “essentially faultless in their comforts.”

Azerai Ke Ga Bay MICHELIN Key

The Guide noted the resort’s modern yet locally inspired architecture, its minimalist design, and the serene balance it achieves with the coastal landscape. “The look is tasteful and restrained, leaving space for the other senses and for the resort’s idyllic surroundings,” the editors wrote.

A Commitment to Refined Hospitality

Julian Moore, General Manager of Azerai Ke Ga Bay, said the award reflects the team’s ongoing pursuit of excellence:

“We are deeply honored to receive the MICHELIN Key distinction. It is a testament to Azerai’s commitment to refined service and attention to detail. Our staff take pride in creating a peaceful sanctuary where guests feel genuinely cared for.”

Azerai Ke Ga Bay is part of hotelier Adrian Zecha’s boutique Azerai collection, which also includes Azerai La Résidence, Hue. Zecha, the visionary behind the iconic Aman Resorts, has long been celebrated for crafting intimate, design-driven properties that emphasize authenticity and place.

A Coastal Sanctuary of Style

Set within five hectares of tropical gardens, the resort is a comfortable 2.5-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City via the new highway. To the east lies Hon Ba Island with its historic lighthouse, while golden sand dunes rise to the west—an idyllic backdrop for a quiet escape.

Earlier this year, the property gained international attention when it was voted the world’s second “Most Instagrammable Hotel” and the winner in Asia, the Indian Ocean and South Pacific region by Luxury Travel Advisor. The Times of London also listed it among Southeast Asia’s best boutique hotels in 2025.

Wellness and Recreation by the Sea

Azerai Ke Ga Bay continues to expand its guest offerings with outdoor yoga sessions on the beachfront and new golf packages at the PGA NovaWorld Phan Thiet Golf Course, designed by Greg Norman. These experiences blend health, nature, and understated luxury, reflecting Azerai’s signature philosophy of mindful travel.

Plan Your Visit

Guests can book directly at azerai.com/azerai-ke-ga-bay or contact reservations.kegabay@azerai.com for personalized assistance. For those exploring more of Vietnam’s coastal gems, the MICHELIN Guide Vietnam also lists other award-winning hotels and restaurants worth discovering.

The post Azerai Ke Ga Bay MICHELIN Key For Top Hotels appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Located along southern Vietnam’s picturesque Cam Ranh peninsula, Alma Resort has unveiled its latest family-focused attraction — the Alma Discovery Camp, an interactive and educational facility connecting children with nature, farm animals, and sustainable agriculture.

Situated near the resort’s lush Nursery Garden, the new camp is designed for children aged 4 to 14, offering an engaging mix of recreation and learning. Through hands-on activities, kids are introduced to the principles of eco-friendly farming while discovering the importance of sustainability in a fun, memorable setting.

A Hands-On Educational Experience

At Alma Discovery Camp, children can explore a real working farm, where they pet and feed cows, goats, chickens, ducks, and rabbits. Every animal is fully vaccinated and certified, ensuring a safe environment. The farm is also home to a colorful variety of birds, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.

The camp’s highlight, the “Little Farmers’ Discovery Hall”, features interactive exhibits that showcase agricultural products such as rice, pepper, coffee, tea, mango, coconut, fish, and salt. Each section explains how these products are cultivated and used in everyday life, complete with authentic tools, artifacts, and educational panels.

Each young participant receives a Certificate of Completion, while the most engaged learner earns a Super Farm Explorer Certificate.

Encouraging Environmental Awareness

“We are excited to introduce Alma Discovery Camp, where children can interact with nature and learn about sustainable living in a fun and meaningful way,” said Herbert Laubichler-Pichler, Managing Director of Alma Resort. “This new initiative aligns with our vision of promoting curiosity, creativity, and environmental awareness among young travelers.”

The program runs seven days a week with guided sessions from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Priced at VND 500,000 per person, the experience includes aprons, hats, and animal feed for interactive sessions.

Throughout the tour, participants enjoy food sampling from across Vietnam — from mango candy and coconut cookies to Vietnamese coffee, dried fish, and traditional rice cakes. As a keepsake, each child receives a personalized certificate and a traditional conical hat.

Expanding Alma’s Family Offerings

Alma Discovery Camp Cam Ranh

The Discovery Camp complements Alma Resort’s extensive line-up of family-friendly facilities, including a 6,000 sqm water park with slides and wave pools, a kids club and youth club, a technology experience center, and a 75-seat cinema.

Guests can also enjoy activities such as cupcake and pizza-making workshops, kite-flying, tree planting, and virtual reality golf. The resort’s Hotelier Pastry Tour further engages children by introducing them to baking, from dough preparation to tasting freshly made pastries.

Earlier this year, Alma introduced Kids’ Themed Rooms, featuring vibrant décor, personalized greetings, and themed amenities.

Award-Winning Family Destination

Alma Resort continues to earn recognition on the global stage. It was recently named Vietnam’s Best Family Resort by Holidays with Kids 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards and was ranked No. 1 in Southeast Asia, No. 2 in Asia, and No. 9 worldwide in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2024.

For more information or to make a booking, visit alma-resort.com, call +84 258 399 1666 or email info@alma-resort.com.

The post Alma Resort Launches ‘Alma Discovery Camp’ appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Here is a round-up that looks at some of Asia’s most enchanting hotel gardens.

A Tranquil Ginger Forest

Azerai Ke Ga Bay, the all-suites-and-villas beachfront resort in southern Vietnam, is home to a lush garden known as the “Ginger Forest,” spread over 1,800 square meters at the heart of the property. This oasis of verdant green herbaceous plants, along with multifarious gingers that hail from across Asia and beyond (and which lend the space its name), is an ideal spot for a leisurely stroll or quiet contemplation. The resort also occasionally hosts private yoga sessions and guided meditations in the enchanted natural setting, which is adjacent to one of the resort’s pools en route to the spa, restaurants and beach. The Ginger Forest has become a destination of its own at the resort. Azerai Ke Ga Bay, nestled amongst 5 hectares of verdant gardens, is located a comfortable 2.5-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City on a new highway.

Imperial Palace Gardens

Just across the moat from Palace Hotel Tokyo, Japan’s Imperial Palace is the seat of the world’s longest continuous monarchy. Originally completed in 1640, it was the largest fort of its time before it subsequently became the imperial residence of the emperor during the Meiji Revolution of 1868. It remains so to this day. Once across the moat and past the ancient Otemon Gate, a stroll around the tranquil East Gardens – where remnants of the original Edo Castle can be seen – will make you wonder if you’re even still in bustling Tokyo. Many rooms and suites in the Forbes Five-Star property feature balconies with picture-perfect views overlooking the gardens.

Good Energy for Good Growth

TIA Wellness Resort’s Wellness Garden in Vietnam

If the verdant plant growth in TIA Wellness Resort’s Wellness Garden is a marker for the good energy cultivated in its expansive Wellness Centre, then Vietnam’s pioneering health retreat’s high vibe is above and beyond. Fragrant rosewood, dense mangroves, towering ferns, taro, and vibrant parakeet flowers grow in abundance within the 1,700m2 tropical garden. Lady palms and coconut trees along with dragon trees frame the waterfall pool and the sweet scent of jasmine from pinwheel flowers offers a fragrance on the breeze. Guests can relax with afternoon tea while taking it all in from one of the cabanas or poolside. A private waterfall dinner experience is also available upon request. The tranquil space is open for adults and children over 12.

Thousands of Palm Trees

A lush 12-hectare property overlooking Long Beach’s white sands and turquoise waters, The Anam Cam Ranh is dotted by some 3000 native palm trees. Along with pink and white Frangipani, Banyan trees, banana fans, hedges of hibiscus and bougainvillea, and beds of spider lily and canna, the impressive number of palm trees anchor the resort’s landscaping and cool the beachfront plot amid a tropical climate averaging 26.7 degrees Celsius year round. The resort’s verdant landscaping involved precise planning at the very earliest stages to ensure plant placement did not require adjustment once construction began.

A Lawn and SomeHeritage

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, the 93-year-old luxury hotel on the doorstep of Cambodia’s famed archeological park, is home to a verdant outdoor garden and the immaculate Raffles Lawn, which offers an intimate space for private dinners all the way to group gala dinners. A two-person meal, gently illuminated, includes a curated four-course menu featuring poached foie gras, seared scallop, creme poivron soup and Atlantic salmon, followed by a delectable chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream. The meal is priced at $250++, exclusive of any pairing; drinks can be ordered separately.

A Riot of Colour

The 84-acre resort Alma Cam Ranh is festooned in flowers year-round, making its gardens a perennial riot of colour. The abundance of Costus Woodsonii, better known as Red Button Ginger, is a highlight, dotting the landscaping with scarlett cones that attract plenty of butterflies and bees. With edible orange-yellow flowers emerging from the plant’s vivid red bracts, the plant is believed to treat all sorts of ailments from high blood pressure and bladder disorders, to ear infections and sore throats. Alma’s green thumbs tend to a variety of flowering plants including Purple Showers, Yellow Bell, Plumeria, Bougainvillea, Cherry Blossom, and Freshwater Mangrove, as well coconut, banana and mango trees.

Meticulously Landscaped Gardens

At Maia Resort Quy Nhon in south-central Vietnam, the star of the garden is the meticulously nurtured helioptropium foertherianum, locally known as the Storm tree, which provides a verdant frame around each of the resort’s private luxury villas. Nestled in an idyllic beachside location, Maia Resort Quy Nhon is renowned for its magnificent landscaped gardens and golden sands alike. A dedicated 37-person landscaping team tends the resort’s lush grounds, ensuring that they are always at their most presentable. Pathways at the resort are also lined with towering palm trees that sway gently in the seaside breeze.

A Green Wall Amidstt Skyscrapers

In a destination famous for having the most skyscrapers in the world it makes sense that a hotel garden might sprawl upwards rather than outwards. The Hari Hong Kong features a green wall on the facade, starting from its second floor terrace and stretching three stories high. Not only is the greenery pleasant on the eye of both guests and passersby, the striking exterior feature helps benefit the planet, bringing down the temperature of surrounding areas. As a way to further support the planet, minimal irrigation is used when watering at night. All plants were carefully selected for their resilience to Hong Kong’s climate.

A Green Reprieve in Downtown Osaka

Zentis Osaka’s location in a dense part of the city doesn’t conjure up images of abundant foliage yet the hotel comes replete with an arrival experience that includes entry via a verdant garden setting comprising of indigenous flora such as a Japanese maple as well as a cherry blossom tree. On the main floor, a stone and garden terrace and garden is interlinked with the Guest Lounge by a double-sided fireplace that can be enjoyed inside and out. The urban oasis is set back from the street, lessening the din of the city, and is lush with a mix of trees and plants including Japanese laurel, miniature umbrella trees, Spruce, Shell Ginger, Pepper Vine, and Kusamaki.

The post The Most Enchanting Hotel Gardens in Asia appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Celebrating Vietnam’s Famous Mangoes

In Vietnam’s Khanh Hoa province, mangoes are more than just a fruit—they represent prosperity, fertility, and a bright future. Paying homage to this tropical treasure, The Anam Cam Ranh has launched a luxurious “Afternoon Tea Mango Symphony”, a fine dining experience that highlights the province’s famously juicy mangoes in both sweet and savoury creations.

A Tropical Twist on Afternoon Tea

The Anam Cam Ranh afternoon tea

Hosted at The Colonial Restaurant, known for blending European classics with Vietnamese flair, the Mango Symphony afternoon tea is served daily from 3 to 5 pm. Guests are welcomed into an elegant setting with an open kitchen, live piano, and lush garden views—perfect for a relaxing afternoon escape.

On the savoury side, the menu includes poached tiger prawns with mango salsa, Iberico Bellota with charred mango and mustard dressing, and salmon croquettes with mango chutney. Each dish is designed to balance international flavours with a distinctly Vietnamese touch.

Sweet Creations and Local Teas

The Colonial Restaurant, which specialises in modern European and French dishes with Vietnamese nuances, serves “Afternoon Tea Mango Symphony” from 3-5pm daily

Of course, no afternoon tea is complete without scones. Here, they’re served mango-style, paired with homemade mango jam and clotted cream. Desserts feature delights like mango sago pudding with coconut panna cotta, pavlova with mango compote, macarons with mango cream cheese, and a mango, lemon, and almond tart.

A curated Dammann tea selection—including Earl Grey, jasmine, peppermint, and chamomile—complements the menu, alongside Vietnam’s own refreshing green tea.

Inspired by Khanh Hoa’s Bounty

Afternoon Tea Mango Symphony’s sweets include macaron with mango cream cheese filling, mango sago pudding with coconut panna cotta and passion fruit jelly

According to The Anam’s general manager Laurent Myter, the new menu was inspired by Khanh Hoa’s fertile soil and tropical climate, which produce some of the country’s finest mangoes. “Our Mango Symphony is a tribute to the region’s harvest, reimagining this fruit in a fresh and creative way,” he explains.

Priced at 460,000 VND nett for two, this afternoon tea offers travelers an indulgent yet authentic taste of Vietnam’s culinary heritage.

For bookings and more details, visit The Anam Cam Ranh.

The post The Anam Cam Ranh Tropical Afternoon Tea Experience appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

As part of the next-level room service, guests choose from four signature coffees

In a nod to Vietnam’s rich coffee heritage, Alma Resort Cam Ranh’s barista cycles up to guests’ pavilions and handcrafts their brew before them. As part of the next-level room service, guests choose from four signature coffees: bold and robust iced black coffee; smooth iced white coffee with condensed milk; sweet and creamy Vietnamese-style classic bạc xỉu; and salted coffee with a unique savory-sweet blend.

The service, called “The Essence of Vietnamese Coffee, Brought to Your Door”, is available to guests staying at the resort’s oversized one-, two- and three- bedroom suite pavilions

The barista cycles up the pavilion with fresh ingredients and prepares the coffee in the privacy of the guests’ accommodation. The service, available from 11am-5pm daily, celebrates Vietnam’s strong coffee culture, and the country’s position as the world’s second-largest coffee exporter, after Brazil.

“Our immersive in-room coffee service opens the door to experiencing Vietnam’s authentic coffee culture through a personal moment of Vietnamese tradition,” said Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler. “Vietnamese coffee is so much more than a beverage; it’s a vibrant part of daily life in both upscale cafes and at street-side stalls.”

Facing the ocean, the spacious suite pavilions range in size from 147sqm to up 214sqm and offer balconies or terraces with sweeping views of the sea, where traditional sampans and coracles still ply the waters and islands are strewn just offshore.

In a nod to Vietnam’s rich coffee heritage, Alma Resort Cam Ranh’s barista cycles up to guests’ pavilions and handcrafts their brew before them

Contemporary and crisp, the beach front two-bedroom suite pavilions with terraces, and one-, two- and three-bedroom suite pavilions with their own private pools are within reach of the waves. The ocean view two-bedroom suite pavilions with terraces, and one-, two- and three-bedroom suite pavilions with private pools are set amongst the resort ground’s elevated pathways, close to the pools landscaped on terraces leading down to the beach. The suite pavilions with private pools also boast decks with sunbeds. The suite pavilions with terraces offer a private jacuzzi.

In addition to views of Long Beach, the suite pavilions feature master bedrooms with soaking bathtubs and separate rainwater showers, huge living rooms with massive sofas and their own large bathrooms, kitchen and dining areas. Second and third bedrooms also each feature ensuites, making the premium accommodations ideal for families and multigenerational travel. They are equipped with all sorts of amenities and gadgets for boosted holiday luxury including sensor-controlled air-conditioning, Bluetooth televisions, ample closet space, tea and coffee making facilities, and more.

For more information or to make a booking at Alma Resort Cam Ranh, visit alma-resort.com, call +84 258 399 1666 or email info@alma-resort.com

The post Alma Resort Pedals ‘Coffee by Bicycle’ In-Room Service appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Alma Resort Cam Ranh is poised to put scenic Cam Ranh on the cultural map with a new extravaganza celebrating Vietnam’s rich heritage, traditions and folklore with contemporary flair. From July 5 this year, Alma’s vast outdoor amphitheatre will host “The Stage – Alma Show”; “a cross-cultural collaboration between Vietnamese and Korean creatives” entailing four daily performances that each cater to up to 400 spectators.

The 70-minute “Alma Show” makes for a visual marvel that pays homage to Vietnam’s “five elements of nature” earth, water, fire, wood and metal. The entertainment line-up features magicians, dancers, water puppetry, special effects, a flash mob, Ao Dai fashion show and more for all ages.

The spectacle involves audience interaction and opens with dancers bringing the vanquished Champa Kingdom’s “Apsara” dance to life in tribute to the Cham people’s long history with the local area.

The stories behind Vietnam’s five elements are told in short yet spectacular segments. After a short water puppet show underpinned by the elements ‘water’ and ‘wood’, ‘earth’ is depicted by dancers and magicians gathering silks to craft a colossal lotus flower. ‘Fire’ is marked in fiery style, with a magician performing a fire sword show before the dramatic rescue of a dancer in a large cage that bursts into flames. Following a mesmerising Non La (conical hat) dance, a contemporary take on the element ‘metal’ encompasses all sorts of visual effects during the flash mob and elegant Ao Dai fashion parade.

The Alma Show will be staged twice per night from 6pm and 8pm by 24 dancers and magicians Jacky (Haesung Kim) and Bui Huu Thien under the stewardship of acclaimed executive directors and producers Jin (Hyukjin Cho) and Terry (Byongkok Jung) of Vietnam-based company The Stage VN.

Jin’s impressive resume includes directing and producing the Dana Show and directing the opening ceremony of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Terry was the chief director of the Dreams Come True Magic Tour and Chuncheon Lake Fairy Festival.

Meanwhile “The Magic and Water Puppet Show”, totalling 50 minutes, will be offered twice daily from 11am and 3pm. As its name suggests, the show includes 30 minutes of traditional water puppetry, by 10 professional puppeteers manoeuvring puppets in chest-deep water, and 20 minutes of “magical water-themed illusions”.

The show portrays village life, farming scenes, folklore, and mythical legends symbolising Vietnam’s patriotism. ‘Thánh Gióng’, about a young boy who grows into a giant hero and rides a flying iron horse to defeat invaders, and the ‘Emperor Lê Lợi’s and the Magical Sword’, involving the gods granting Le Loi a magical sword to liberate Vietnam, are among the show’s highlights.

The show is directed by the 2014 world champion in puppetry, Nguyễn Tiến Dũng, the Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre’s artistic director.

“Vietnam has such a rich and fascinating culture, affording so many compelling stories to share about its history, beauty and resilience,” said Alma Cam Ranh’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler. “‘The Stage – Alma Show’ promises to be a feast for the eyes and to bring any visit to our region and indeed to Vietnam to a whole new level.”

“The Stage – Alma Show is a heartfelt collaboration to honor and reintroduce Vietnam’s beauty to the world,” Jin added.

Priced at USD 30 each for the Alma Show and USD 20 each for the Magic and Water Puppet Show, tickets are available at the Alma Promotions Desk and at the Amphitheatre. To contact Alma or to make a booking for the show, please visit alma-resort.com, call +84 857 421 968 or email fb-promo@alma-resort.com

The post Alma Amphitheatre Unveils Remarkable Theatrical Spectacle appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Alma’s cascade of 12 swimming pools, managing director, and 13-treatment room spa have been lauded at this year’s prestigious ‘Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific’. Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau announced the winners at an awards party in Bangkok on June 18. Herbert Laubichler-Pichler, who was recognized as one of the five “Best General Managers in Vietnam”, said he and his team were “ecstatic” about Alma’s three wins.

The resort’s spa was called out as one of the top nine “Best Hotel Spas in Vietnam”

“To place in three of only four possible award categories in Vietnam is such an incredible achievement for our resort and our team,” said Laubichler-Pichler. “We are very grateful, particularly as these awards are on the heels of Alma’s global recognition with United States-based Travel + Leisure.”

Alma’s 12 swimming pools, including a 75-metre-long pool, won kudos as one of the three “Best Hotel Pools in Vietnam”.

The resort’s spa was called out as one of the top nine “Best Hotel Spas in Vietnam”. With separate treatment villas sprinkled onto the landscape, Le Spa offers an extensive spa menu, including a menu for children replete with foot and hand baths, massages and a facial incorporating tropical fruit and reflexology.

Le Spa offers an extensive spa menu, including a menu for children replete with foot and hand baths, massages and a facial incorporating tropical fruit and reflexology.

In April this year, Alma was named as one of the top 500 hotels on the globe in this year’s prestigious T+L 500.The 2025 T+L 500 list is drawn from the results of the 2024 World’s Best Awards, a reader’s choice contest that is widely considered to be one of the two most important awards in the worldwide hospitality industry. Alma was called out as the top resort in Southeast Asia, the No. 2 resort in Asia and No. 9 resort worldwide in the 2024 Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, scoring 99.2 on the awards’ 100-point survey.

“What constitutes the best in travel? The answer is highly personal, but there’s no question that some places and experiences resonate more deeply, more universally, than others. To identify the luxury stars that shone brightest through the last year, we asked our readers, you on-the-ground travel experts, to weigh in on the ̒best’ in hospitality,” said Jeninne Lee-St. John, the editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau said of the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific.

Managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler (pictured), was lauded at this year’s prestigious ‘Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific’

Laubichler-Pichler has managed some of Vietnam’s most acclaimed hotels including the Nam Hai in Danang, The Reverie Saigon and The Anam Cam Ranh. Born into a hotelier family, Laubichler-Pichler started out in the industry working at his parents’ guesthouse in his native Austria as a bellboy at 10 years of age during the summer season. He later studied hotel management at the Hotel and Catering College Schloss Klessheim and became a certified chef before steadily rising through the ranks to become the general manager at properties in Austria, Germany and Cyprus. He also studied an Executive MBA in Hotel and Tourism Management with Chur University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland.

To contact Alma or to make a booking for the show, please visit alma-resort.com, call +84 258 399 1666 or email info@alma-resort.com.

The post Alma Resort Cam Ranh Wins Three Coveted Travel + Leisure Awards appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Alma Resort Cam Ranh has debuted its own in-house band dubbed “The Alma Teddies”, bringing almost 100 years of professional music experience to the forefront.

Filipino Ben has played professionally for some 50 years, picking out tunes by ear

Resident pianist Bensaev “Ben” Javier Guillen, guitarist and vocalist Alex Sunder and accordionist Navalikhin Igor play an array of pop and rock songs at Alma Resort’s American Bar every Monday to Saturday from 7:15-10pm. The schedule features a rotating trio of piano, guitar and vocals, and accordion across three 45-minute sets each evening.

A versatile musician, Alex contributes more than 20 years of performance experience underscored by a rich blend of classic and contemporary styles

Filipino Ben has played professionally for some 50 years, picking out tunes by ear. During his 20 years of performing at five-star hotels in Vietnam, Ben’s CV lists the likes of Rex Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula and La Veranda Phu Quoc as employers.

A versatile musician, Alex contributes more than 20 years of performance experience underscored by a rich blend of classic and contemporary styles. He has serenaded guests at The Anam Cam Ranh, Sunrise Nha Trang and Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang with his compelling acoustic sets.

A graduate of the prestigious Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg Conservatory, Igor has performed around the globe, from Europe to the Middle East

A graduate of the prestigious Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg Conservatory, Igor has performed around the globe, from Europe to the Middle East. Since 2008, he’s also been part of the “Miras” folk song and dance ensemble. He has also worked with the Bashkir State Philharmonic since last year. His accordion playing is known for its emotional richness, adding a distinct layer to the band’s performance.

Yesterday by the Beatles, To Love Somebody by the Bee Gees, Every Breath You Take by The Police and Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival are among the popular songs on the band’s repertoire, inspired by music legends out of the United States and the United Kingdom. Guests are encouraged to sing along with the band. A booklet with popular songs in Vietnamese, English, Korean and Russian is available for guests to sing along in their own language.

Alma Resort Cam Ranh has debuted its own in-house band dubbed “The Alma Teddies”, bringing almost 100 years of professional music experience to the forefront

Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler said the band’s members first came together by chance at the resort, and “it was apparent from the first moment the three musicians jammed together that there was magic”.

“I couldn’t believe how good they were from that first session; right then and there I said to them ‘let’s make this a regular, ongoing thing’ here at Alma,” he said. “As we brainstormed a name for the band there was an Alma teddy bear that we sell at our Alma Mart atop Ben’s piano and thus the band became ‘The Alma Teddies’.”

To contact Alma or to make a booking, please visit alma-resort.com, call +84 258 399 1666 or email info@alma-resort.com

The post “The Alma Teddies” Command Centre Stage appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Alma Resort Cam Ranh is ushering acclaimed Vietnamese artist Bui Van Quang on to its grounds weekly to craft portraits of guests. Affording the ultimate holiday memento priced at VND 300,000 per pencil portrait, the family resort is offering portrait sessions with the artist every Thursday at Alma Garden from 8am-10am and Alma Food Court from 12-1.45pm.

Vietnamese artist Bui Van Quang at Alma

Renowned for his authentic paintings depicting customs, traditions and the daily lives of Vietnamese people through use of the country’s rich and vivid colours, Mr Quang is a local artist who, over more than 35 years, has produced many works highly regarded by the national and international art communities.

He has won a plethora of awards nationally and internationally, with his works showcased in exhibitions nationally and internationally including in China, England, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland.

“As the saying goes, ‘art is too important not to share’,” said Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler. “We want to offer our guests the opportunity to enrich their holiday by experiencing the magic of our thriving local art scene; right before their very eyes in a way that’s meaningful to them.”

The overwhelmingly positive feedback from guests, young and the young at heart, who have sat for their portraits has, according to Mr Quang, brought him “joy and happiness”.

“I hope this experience piques the guests’ interest in art and creativity and that they wish to learn more about Vietnam’s rich and diverse artistic landscape,” said Mr Quang, a member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association.

Alma has hosted numerous artists-in-residence programs, encouraging guests to witness artists craft their works, and is looking to offer guests more experiences with local artists in the new year.

To contact Alma or to make a booking, please visit alma-resort.com, call +84 258 399 1666 or email info@alma-resort.com

See YouTube video of Mr Quang creating portraits for Alma guests here: https://youtu.be/POL8UqWbY7g

The post Talented Vietnamese Artist Sketches at Alma Resort appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Fire Show, Live Band, Instrumentalists, and Bartenders Flair Show

The Anam Group’s two beachfront resorts in Cam Ranh and Mui Ne will celebrate the most significant time in the Vietnamese calendar, Tet, with a broad spectrum of remarkable dining, entertainment, recreational, and spa experiences. In the lead-up to Tet on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, The Anam Cam Ranh and The Anam Mui Ne will each stage a ceremony on Jan. 22, 2025 to plant “Cay Neu”, a towering Lunar New Year bamboo pole to ward off evil spirits, followed by dragon dancing. The Anam Cam Ranh’s restaurants Lang Viet and Indochine will host a ‘Vietnamese Traditional Buffet” on Jan 31. accompanied by live traditional instrumentalists and a bartenders flair show and a Seafood BBQ buffet on Feb 1 to a backdrop of live music by the Filipino band and a spectacular fire show.

Vietnamese Afternoon Tea for Two With a Pianist

Family resort Alma will ring in the biggest event on the Vietnamese calendar, the Lunar New Year, with a six-day program filled with traditional games and competitions, live entertainment, floating champagne breakfasts and more. From Lunar New Year’s Eve, Tuesday Jan. 28, until Sunday Feb. 2, 2025, Alma’s Tet program will feature chung cake, egg cake and ginger jam making classes, as well as kite flying, dragon dances, making lucky envelopes, Tet movies at Alma Cinema, and afternoon tea for two. An exquisite Vietnamese Afternoon Tea for two brimming with savoury and sweet treats, including Banh Chung and traditional candies, served at both Alma Food Court and Alma Lounge from 2-5pm. Live entertainment including Alma’s resident pianist Ben playing a grand piano from 2.30-3.15pm and 3.30-4.15pm at Alma Lounge.

Better Together Family Package

The Hari Hong Kong is marking the Lunar New Year with its “Better Together Family Package” replete with children-friendly in room amenities and a host of special touches. Featuring a Corner Room with a king bed with an adjoining Twin Room with twin beds, and daily breakfast for two adults and two children under the age of 12, package also features a “DIY Cookies Set” for children in the room, “The Hari Puzzle Set” with The Hari branded tram, Star Ferry or The Hari mascot to keep the kids entertained, as well as early check-in and late check-out subject to availability.

Fusion of Thai and Chinese Cuisine

 Meliá Chiang Mai’s signature restaurant Mai Restaurant & Bar on the 21st floor will welcome the Lunar New Year with a family-style dining experience accompanied by a selection of Chinese teas and vistas of Chiang Mai. Served from Jan. 27-31, 2025, from 6-10pm and priced at THB 6000 net per table for minimum of four persons, “A Thai-Chinese Celebration” dinner includes a colorful salad with shredded vegetables, pickled ginger, pomelo and fresh salmon, double-boiled whole chicken with dried mushrooms and wolfberries, roasted whole chicken, and steamed whole seabass with warm lemon dressing. Other highlights include tender slow-cooked pork belly in soy sauce, Chinese wine, and spices, a choice of Lotus leaf-wrapped fried rice with Chinese sausage or steamed San Pa Tong Rice, assorted seasonal greens with oyster sauce, and sesame dumplings in ginger broth.

Festive Buffet Brunch and a Vibrant Lion Dance

Raffles Hotel Le Royal, the iconic 96-year-old luxury hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, will help guests ring in the Lunar New Year with a sumptuous buffet brunch featuring an array of Chinese dishes, festive specialties and international favourites. The celebration will be capped by a vibrant lion dance performance to welcome prosperity and good fortune in the Year of the Snake. The buffet brunch is priced at $38++ inclusive of unlimited beers and will be served from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Le Phnom 1929, the hotel’s French-style brasserie.

Popular Annual Tet Market Returns

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is ready to welcome the Year of the Snake with exclusive Tet celebrations, including the hotel’s popular annual Tet market, along with a special culinary program. Spice Garden, Metropole Hanoi’s authentic Vietnamese restaurant, will usher in an auspicious Lunar New Year with a 5-course set menu featuring traditional delicacies such as spring rolls, chung cake, steamed prawns in coconut, bamboo shoot vermicelli soup and more. The menu will be served from Jan. 20 to Feb. 7 and priced at VND 1,600,000++ per person. Spice Garden has also unveiled festive cocktails highlighting local flavors.

A Song of Dragons and Fire on Koh Samui

Guests at the luxury resort of Banyan Tree Samui might gasp on their morning coffee as the almighty sight and sound of a Lion Dance procession takes over the breakfast buffet from 9am – 9:30. Later, the evening’s entertainment includes live music, a Chinese dance performance and a fire show, starting at 7pm at beachfront restaurant Sands. Diners will also be treated to a Chinese New Year BBQ Buffet (2,988 THB nett per person) at Sands where they can watch the performances under the moonlight. For more information and reservations, go to samui@banyantree.com or tel: +66 077 915 333.

Go Out with a Bang in Da Nang

The central Vietnamese beachfront resort of Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang celebrates Lunar New Year with a series of activities and performances between January 27th and February 1st. Guests can participate in a traditional Chung Cake cooking class, lion & dragon performances, and explore the cultural significance of calligraphy. The resort will also host a Fusion Night Market, offering unique shopping options and unique dining experiences. For a special culinary treat, guests can indulge in the Tết Set Menu or enjoy a refined Tet Afternoon Tea. Alternatively, the Maia Spa offers soothing treatments and relaxing massages. For more information or reservations, go to: https://fusionresorts.com/danang/

The Snake Meets the Naga in Krabi

Renowned for its Naga staircase and serpentine sculptures, Banyan Tree Krabi rings in the Year of the Snake with an exquisite buffet dinner at The Naga Kitchen restaurant on 28 January when diners can immerse themselves in a culinary showcase featuring an array of authentic Chinese specialties, such as Chinese-Style Steamed Seabass, Chinese Wok-Fried Beef with Baby Bok Choy in Oyster Sauce, and Crispy Fried Soft-Shell Crab with Garlic Chili Salt. The buffet also features Seafood on Ice (oysters, mussels, shrimps and clams), a salad bar, and a Hainanese BBQ station. There’s sure to be music and laughter at this beachfront resort which boasts spectacular sea views. The evening event starts at 6:30 pm and goes through to 10pm with tickets at 2,900 THB per head, inclusive of welcome drink, and half price for children. For reservations and more information, contact +66 075 811 888 or email krabi@banyantree.com

Invite Good Luck and Growth with Wellness Activities in Da Nang

As we slide into the year of the snake, TIA Wellness Resort is inviting guests to consider the traits associated with this animal of the Chinese Zodiac through a number of wellbeing activities. The snake year is defined by seeking balance and harmony, while also embracing opportunities for growth and evolution. On Thursday January 28th the TIA team will host a “Reflection of the Year of the Dragon” creative workshop where guests can reflect on the past year, express gratitude and move forward afresh. That night they have an “Evening Wishing Lantern Ceremony” to welcome the new year in a mindful way. It’s an early start on January 29th with a “Sunrise Beach Gratitude Meditation.” Later in the day guests will be treated to a traditional dragon dance performance to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck. Visitors are also invited to a local pagoda. On the 30th of January the activities continue with a calligraphy wish session and the opportunity to try Tet (lunar new year) sweets and learn more about the local customs. There’s also a special Tet afternoon tea with classic & modern treats.

Vibrant Traditions Meet Luxury Experiences in Lang Co

Celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake in style at Laguna Lang Co, where vibrant traditions meet luxurious experiences. This Lunar New Year, guests can be immersed in a rich tapestry of cultural festivities and family-friendly activities. Highlights include a colourful lion dance performance and the lighting of lanterns to symbolise prosperity and good fortune. Savour a feast of exquisite Tet delicacies at both Banyan Tree and Angsana, featuring traditional dishes crafted by master chefs. Guests can also participate in hands-on workshops, including calligraphy and lantern-making, while kids enjoy themed games and crafts at the Angsana Kids Club. For wellness enthusiasts, rejuvenate with Tet-inspired spa treatments that blend ancient healing techniques with modern comforts.

Beach Action, Stay Packages and More

Dragon dances, family-fun activities and more help guests celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Snake at Azerai Resorts in Vietnam. Azerai Ke Ga Bay, an oceanside property set among verdant gardens located a comfortable 2.5-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, offers a host of beachfront action during Tet, along with kids’ cooking classes, lion dance lessons, calligraphy, a special BBQ dinner and more. In central Vietnam, Azerai La Residence, Hue’s Tet package includes a two-night stay in a Superior River View room, daily breakfast for two adults and one child under 12 years old, an exclusive Tet dinner for two people, a special Tet afternoon tea for two, and one-way airport pick-up or drop-off service.

The post Lunar New Year Celebrations Across Asia appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Oceanfront Alma Resort on southern Vietnam’s Cam Ranh peninsula has been named the No. 1 family resort in Vietnam by the influential Australian-based Holidays with Kids magazine for the second year in a row.

Kids can dive into the splash waterpark

Nominations for the Holidays with Kids 2024 Readers’ Choice Best Family Resorts Awards were open for 12 months and came from the magazine’s vast readership of more than 600,000 parents.

“The competition has been fierce, with so many kid-friendly resorts not just meeting expectations but smashing them. From creative kids’ clubs and family focused dining, to kids-centric facilities and activities, the winning resorts and hotels are raising the bar for families,” the publication said. Holidays with Kids deemed Alma a “thrilling family escape”.

Alma features 12 pools

“The resort features 12 pools that flow towards Bai Dai Beach, where a bevy of water sports await,” the review continues. “Or dive into the splash waterpark, with its slides, wave pool, and lazy river. There’s a fantastic kids’ club and a youth club for teens, brimming with activities. For active fun, the resort features sports courts, beach sports, an 18-hole mini golf course, and a Bravo Pro Golf Simulator. The one to three-bedroom suites and pavilions are generously sized and stylishly designed, offering balconies with breathtaking ocean views.”

Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler said he and the team were thrilled Alma had been recognised by the prestigious awards as Vietnam’s leading family resort for a second consecutive year.

Alma science museum

“Alma is truly one-of-a-kind with its unprecedented array of family facilities ranging from our science museum and cinema to our onsite sustainable farm and more. It’s wonderful for Alma to be recognised as the ultimate family holiday by so many readers of Holidays with Kids. Before these awards had a specific category for Vietnamese resorts, Alma was recognised as the third best resort in the awards’ worldwide category.”

View the full list of winners here: https://holidayswithkids.com.au/best-family-resorts-awards/ and the full list of the ‘Best Family Resorts in Vietnam’ here:

https://holidayswithkids.com.au/best-family-resorts-vietnam/

To contact Alma or to make a booking, please visit alma-resort.com, call +84 258 399 1666 or email info@alma-resort.com

The post Alma Named ‘Best Family Resort in Vietnam’ appeared first on Asian Itinerary.