A new dining destination in Vietnam’s capital, Cham Cantonese Kitchen, celebrated its official launch in December. Over the last 18 months Meliá Hanoi’s gastronomy offerings have undergone a complete reimagining. Cham now offers a dining experience that harkens back to 1960s Hong Kong with masterly chefs crafting authentic Cantonese cuisine with a modern touch. Last year Meliá Hanoi’s Garbo Bar opened, drawing inspiration from the golden era of ‘50’s Hollywood with its new sleek gold and emerald green bar counter, along with Mosaico, the hotel’s all-day restaurant which reflects the hotel’s European heritage with its Mediterranean fare. The revitalized restaurants are helping position the property as a sought-after dining destination. From the elegant interior design to the new menu vision, Cham Cantonese Kitchen is an entirely new upscale eatery that incorporates the best of the region offering a dining experience that is both authentic and innovative. “In Vietnamese and Cantonese cooking, the dipping sauce nuoc cham is at the heart of the meal. It’s the taste that brings everything together,” explained Dominik Tschurr, Director of Food & Beverage at Meliá Hanoi. “Our new name Cham captures the multifaceted power of this ingredient and the importance of unity and connecting together with friends, family and colleagues.” Under the direction of seasoned chef, Le Thi Thai, Cham Cantonese Kitchen will highlight what she does best: dim sum. Thai started her career in 1996 when the first international hotel in Hanoi opened. For close to two decades, she developed her skills in a Cantonese kitchen before switching to the contemporary John Anthony restaurant where she spent nine years. Over the course of her career, she has worked alongside Chinese Master chefs including Chan Wing Kwong – former head chef at Michelin-starred Crystal Jade Golden Palace in Singapore. “I have had the chance to work with many Chinese and Singaporean dim sum masters over the course of my career,” said Le Thi Thai. “Through these rich experiences and tutelage I believe I’ve been able to perfect my craft.” Highlights from the dim sum menu include crab claw steam buns, spicy xiao long bao (soup dumplings), and pork and abalone siu mai. The menu draws inspiration from the diverse culinary landscape throughout China with dishes such as hot & sour Sichuan seafood soup, lobster cooked Beijing-style, and braised abalone with mushroom, to name a few. Each dish is expertly crafted by talented chefs who have years of experience in crafting Cantonese delicacies. In the future innovative tableside offerings will be introduced including smoked duck served tableside and beggar’s chicken, a show-stopping dish that involves a succulent chicken that is baked whole after being coated in clay. Post-oven the unassuming-looking clay-coated dish is cracked open with a hammer to reveal a juicy chicken inside. Chinese liquor and creative cocktails inspired by Chinese flavors, are also on offer alongside an international selection of wine. Located on Meliá Hanoi’s first floor, the renovated restaurant has a green, leafy outlook from floor-to-ceiling windows. The completely remodeled interior features a warm color palette of dark teal and burnt orange. The decor creates a vintage China atmosphere with a residential vibe inviting guests to feel like they’re dining within an upscale home in China. Cham Cantonese Kitchen has a seating capacity of 92 and is open daily for lunch and dinner. Book your next experience at Cham here: CHAM – Cantonese Kitchen – Meliá Hanoi – TableCheck www.Meliáhotelsinternational.com

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Dating from the 9th century, the Po Shanu Cham Towers is a historic complex consisting of three ancient towers, though none are in particularly good condition. Nevertheless, the site makes for a worthwhile excursion from Mui Ne, Vietnam. Situated atop a hill near Phan Thiet, the location offers impressive views of the town and an intriguing sight of a nearby cemetery adorned with colorful, candy-like tombstones. It is certainly worth a visit. The Po Shanu Cham Towers are located approximately 5 kilometers from Mui Ne, along the road to Phan Thiet, making it a simple and enjoyable destination for a motorbike trip. Begin your journey from landmarks like the Hai Au Resort (or Seagull Hotel) on Huynh Thuc Khang Street and head straight towards Phan Thiet. The mysterious Po Shanu Cham Towers stand as a legacy of the great Hindu Cham Empire. Built by the Champa Kingdom, known for its Cham-pa people, these structures are relics of a civilization that spread from India and China between the 7th and 18th centuries. The Cham people, who migrated extensively across Southeast Asia and settled in areas such as Vietnam, Cambodia, France, and Malaysia, brought with them their Hindu religion. The three towers at this site were constructed as religious temples, with one tower destroyed by war but restored between 1994 and 2000. When I visited this year, I observed that the two pointed towers and the simpler adjoining structure are adorned with intricate decorations and serve as temples. The tallest, at 15 meters, is dedicated to Shiva, the God of Destruction, while the others honor Agni, the fire deity, and Nandi, the sacred bull. I found the site impressive—a testament to a once-thriving civilization preserved for future generations. Although the towers were designated as a national relic in 1991 and archaeological excavations were conducted from 1992 to 1994, it is somewhat disappointing that there is limited information available on-site. Next to the Po Shanu Cham Towers, I was struck by the sight of the ruins known as the Prince’s Castle. Perched atop Ba Nai Hill, this scenic spot evokes the image of an English palace from a traditional British film. The castle, built by Duke De Montpensier for hunting trips, provides a breathtaking panorama of Mui Ne, with views stretching from the mountains to the ocean’s rolling waves. Legend has it that the duke was so captivated by the scenery that he decided to construct a residence there. The name “Prince’s Castle” was given by locals, as its real name is unknown. This location is especially stunning at sunrise, sunset, or under the moonlight, which Vietnamese poet Han Mac Tu often praised in his works. If you are in Mui Ne, don’t miss the chance to explore the Po Shanu Cham Towers and Prince’s Castle. The site also features a pagoda and a gift shop. Po Sahnu Cham Towers Address: Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Ticket price: From 10,000 to 15,000 VND/person    

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