Wellness-inspired hotel brand Fusion has introduced a range of exclusive activities to celebrate international wellness in June, with energizing new yoga sessions, restorative meditation practices, relaxing spa treatments, nutritional dining, special packages and more. June is one of the most popular months of the year for people around the world to recommit to a healthy body and mind, with Global Wellness Day observed on June 10, International Yoga Day on June 21 and World Bathing Day on June 22. Fusion marks each in unique and meaningful ways. Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion will kick off Global Wellness Day on June 10 with a special “dance of happiness” that seeks to promote positivity and bring people across the planet together to move “with your body… your thoughts… and your life.” The day continues with a suite of family-friendly outdoor activities on the resort’s zipline and high-wire adventure course, along with trail biking and walking, water sports, a special wellness workshop, and a sustainable lunch. Later in June, Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion will mark International Yoga Day on June 21 with exclusive yoga sessions and World Bathing Day on June 22 with a signature water meditation accompanied by a live “singing bowl” performance, a revitalizing soak in the on-site hot springs, and more. At the idyllic beachside haven of Maia Resort Quy Nhon, guests can join a special two-day program over Global Wellness Day and International Yoga Day that features thoughtfully curated 60-minute yoga and meditation classes suitable for all levels. Instructors will guide participants through a series of exercises and techniques to help connect body and mind. As part of the program, the resort’s Vẽla Spa provides ecologically focused treatments using local herbs and botanicals tailored to individual needs. Highlights include infrared sauna therapy and healing massage therapies, and spa bath experiences that offer a choice of a flower bath or coconut milk bath. Vi Restaurant will also serve a range of healthy beverages designed to nourish one’s body from the inside out. At Fusion Suites Vung Tau, the Maia Spa team will host a special Tai Chi session and beach clean-up in Bai Truoc Park from 6:30am – 8:45am on 4th June to mark World Ocean Day and Global Wellness Day. Tai Chi is a healthy workout that promotes mental equilibrium and relaxation of the body and soul. The session will be offered in addition to the hotel’s perennially popular wellness activities such as standup paddleboarding (SUP boarding), mountain biking, spa treatments and more. For International Yoga Day, Fusion Suites Vung Tau will host an exclusive morning yoga class at its rooftop pool from 8am-9am on June 21. Other Fusion properties including Fusion Resort Cam Ranh and Fusion Suites Saigon will also celebrate international wellness days in June with exclusive spa treatments, healthy culinary offerings, complimentary yoga and more. Fusion Resort Cam Ranh’s Fusion Lab lets guests create their own skin-rejuvenating organic face mask using fresh turmeric powder, honey, and Multani Miti mud. For more information or to make a booking, visit www.fusionhotelgroup.com

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’Tis the season for foraging in the forests of Europe for truffles, but aficionados of the precious tuber in Southeast Asia need look no further than Da Vittorio Saigon, located on the ground floor of the Reverie Saigon Hotel in the heart of the Vietnamese city. Executive Chef Matteo Fontana has recently added to the award-winning restaurant’s gastronomic specialties with a new “White Truffle Experience” menu, tempting diners with entrees such as New Zealand Lamb Tartare in Cognac with Puff Pastry; Wagyu Beef Rossini with Foie Gras; and Handmade Tagliolini Pasta, all accompanied by the finest white truffles sourced from Alba in northern Italy. A wine-pairing option is also available. “White truffles are a precious delicacy that appeal to a certain discerning palate,” said Fontana. “Until now they are seldom seen on menus in Southeast Asia. Their flavor is rich and unforgettable, but must be delicately prepared with the right dishes.” The family-run Da Vittorio group, with eight Michelin stars to its name globally, originated in the town of Brusaporto, just a two-hour drive from the vineyards and wild truffle forests of Alba. Da Vittorio restaurant in Brusaporto was recently lauded as the No 10 restaurant in the world, according to French culinary site La Liste. Da Vittorio Saigon, which opened in June, was also ranked in La Liste’s top 1,000 Best Restaurants in The World with an outstanding score of 91%. The five-star Reverie Saigon is home to a number of acclaimed culinary outlets, notably The Royal Pavilion (celebrated for its Chinese dim sum), Café Cardinal (one of Southeast Asia’s most distinctive all-day dining venues, with French influences), The Long @ Times Square (a casual sidewalk-style trattoria) and The Reverie Boutique (sweets, treats, coffee and more). For more information or reservations at Da Vittorio Saigon, call +84(0) 28 3823 6688 or email DaVittorio@thereveriesaigon.com About The Reverie Saigon A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, The Reverie Saigon offers a truly astonishing hotel experience – showcasing extravagant, unapologetic European opulence in a storied Asian setting. The dazzling hotel features 286 rooms and suites alongside 89 residential-style suites, all of which are among the largest in the city and feature incomparable views of the Saigon River and the city skyline. Renowned Italian brands furnished the rooms and suites and set the ambiance with exquisite and, in some cases, one-of-a-kind pieces. The property features five distinctive food and beverage outlets, a 1,200-square-metre spa & fitness centre, an expansive outdoor swimming pool and a range of versatile function spaces. In addition, guests have a fleet of over a dozen luxury automobiles at their disposal as well as exclusive access to the hotel’s very own yacht. The Reverie Saigon is located in the 164-metre-tall Times Square Building, a mixed-use development that includes eight storeys of premium office space and the showrooms of some of the same high-end Italian furniture brands whose pieces are featured throughout the hotel.

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Festive season at The Reverie Saigon this year promises enchantment and beauty, whimsy and spectacle, much as guests have come to expect from the bold and extravagant 286-room hotel that epitomizes the best of Italian design. Ice sculptures, crystal trees, polar bear doormen, and the “silver castle of the Snow Queen” all help bring the hotel’s winter wonderland theme to life. Meanwhile, a selection of extraordinary culinary events is on offer, from traditional French favorites at Café Cardinal to Cantonese cuisine at The Royal Pavilion and Michelin-star-caliber Italian fine dining at Da Vittorio Saigon.  With its signature French flair, Café Cardinal will host a number of exclusive dining events this holiday season, including a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner, a classic Christmas Day brunch, a New Year’s Eve countdown celebration, and a New Year’s Day brunch, in addition to a special festive season menu available from Nov. 28-Dec. 30 (excluding Dec. 24-25). An exquisite six-course special Cantonese dinner will be on offer at The Royal Pavilion for Christmas and New Year’s (served between Dec. 20 and Jan. 2, 2023). The menu includes lobster fruit salad, pan-seared lamb chop, rice with baked stuffed crab shell with crab meat and seafood, and chilled bird’s nest pudding, among other dishes. The exclusive festive season menu at Da Vittorio Saigon has been crafted for the true gourmand. The eight-course degustation menu spotlights Italian fine dining at its very best, with dishes such as pan-seared Rougie’ foie gras, handmade tortellini, and butter-poached Canadian lobster. This special menu is available only on Dec. 24, 25 and 31. Ring in the New Year in style at The Long @ Times Square and experience Ho Chi Minh City’s most spectacular fireworks display. Terrace seating can be reserved at The Long @ Times Square from 7pm to midnight, with a minimum order required per person. Other highlights from this year’s festive season program at The Reverie Saigon include: ·         A Festive Feast at Home. The Reverie Saigon’s takeaway menu features whole roasted turkey, Australian rib eye steak and side dishes such as rocket and goat cheese salad, roast potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce, pumpkin crumble pie and more. ·         Holiday High Tea. Throughout the holiday season, Café Cardinal will serve a special afternoon tea from 2pm to 5pm daily including delicacies from across Europe and an array of teas from around the world, or sparkling wine and Champagne. ·         Hampers: The Gift of Giving. The Reverie Saigon has specially curated three different hampers full of luxurious and indulgent treats that will make an ideal gift for family, friends or colleagues. Each hamper is embossed with The Reverie Saigon’s signature peacock feather, representing prosperity, wealth and good fortune for the year ahead. ·         Boutique Treats. Festive-themed cakes and pastries including gingerbread houses, traditional Yule log cakes, Panettone, fruit cake and more are available from Nov. 28. ·         Spa Festive Promotion. The Spa at The Reverie Saigon has introduced several exclusive treatments and special offers in December. Book a 90-minute body massage from Monday to Thursday between 10:30am and 2pm and receive an additional 15 minutes. Or enjoy a complimentary spa hair treatment or energizing neck and shoulder massage with a 60-minute ILA facial therapy booking. Or enjoy a complimentary mineral moor mud foot wrap with a 60-minute lava relaxing foot massage booking. ·         Staycation Package. The Reverie Saigon has also introduced an exclusive “Serene Dream” staycation package for this holiday season, with special rates starting from VND 12,540,000++ ($529USD) per night. For details or booking, please call +84 (0) 28 3823 6688 or email reservations@thereveriesaigon.com.

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Inspired by the charismatic and daring character of Vietnamese women and with a sophisticated menu and design to match that disposition, the new Miss Thu restaurant at Fusion Original Saigon Centre is the city’s newest dining destination with a story to tell. Miss Thu features The restaurant’s tale pivots around a central character, Miss Thu, a pioneering woman with charm and style. Her presence is felt in the hip, modern decor with a ceiling design that evokes the traditional nón quai thao (a style of Vietnamese hat) and textured windows with a flutter of mandarin hand fans. Contemporary and bold artworks by local artists capture elements of Saigon’s past and its more cosmopolitan present. “Locals and travelers alike are seeking more from a restaurant these days,” said Alvaro Moreno, general manager of Fusion Original Saigon Centre, “Yes, they want great food, but they also want immersion in a setting with soul and substance. Miss Thu steps up with some of that.” Miss Thu menu The menu bridges tradition and innovation with Vietnamese flavors running throughout. Proudly local options like spring rolls stuffed with fresh tiger prawns, fried scallops, and Iberico pork feature on the menu alongside Vietnamese-inspired items like a sweet & sour Norwegian salmon and Argentinian beef tenderloin with Vietnamese chimichurri. Street food favorites are also available, along with sweeter treats like a French Crème Brûlée, with local ingredients of coconut, lemongrass and ginger. The chef behind it The head chef, Arnaud Daleau, comes from France and draws on French culinary training and hands-on experience in Paris and Sydney, along with three years of local knowledge formed when working in a 5-star international hotel in Saigon, prior to joining the Fusion team. He’s worked in kitchens for more than 10 years. “With Miss Thu we wanted to create a menu with bold flavors and unique takes on Vietnamese dishes that showcase the vibrant nature of Vietnamese cuisine,” said Daleau. “Miss Thu also comes across in the menu with some personal notes about the dishes as the style icon would experience them.” The new restaurant is located on the 24th floor of Fusion Original Saigon Centre. The property opened its doors to guests in July and occupies the top ten floors of Saigon Centre, the city’s largest and most fashionable mixed-use development. Miss Thu is open from 6:00 to 22:00 every day. Main dishes range between VND 320,000 – 875,000 (approximately USD 14 – 37). Website: https://missthu.com/home Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missthurestaurant/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissThuRestaurant  

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The Reverie Saigon has appointed Marcelo Geraldini as its new executive chef, a move that’s set to bolster the landmark five-star hotel’s emergence as a world-class dining destination. The Brazilian-born chef oversees one of Vietnam’s most dynamic hotel culinary programs, including the recently launched Italian fine dining restaurant Da Vittorio Saigon. The family-run Da Vittorio group based in Italy boasts eight Michelin stars globally across four other restaurants in Brusaporto (Italy), St. Moritz (Switzerland), Paris (France) and Shanghai (China). Geraldini, whose background includes Italian and German roots, is a graduate of Westminster Kingsway College, one of the U.K.’s most renowned and prestigious hospitality schools. He later gained experience in the one-Michelin-star restaurant, The Hardwood Arms in London, and other highly respected restaurants in England, as well as in his hometown of Sao Paulo. The chef arrived in Vietnam in 2016 and played an active role in several restaurant pre-openings and renovation projects for WMC Group, the management company of The Reverie Saigon. Geraldini joined The Reverie Saigon as executive sous chef in 2017. “Perhaps more than anything else, Chef Marcelo brings a unique passion to our culinary operation at The Reverie Saigon. His love and appreciation for fine cuisine is strongly complemented by his warm, personalized service approach and overall commitment to excellence,” said James Young, Vice President of WMC Group. Geraldini says he takes a hands-on approach to managing the hotel’s multiple kitchens, beginning with sourcing the highest-quality, freshest ingredients all the way to preparation, cooking and serving the final dish to guests. “To create a dining experience that is above and beyond a guest’s expectations—that is what I consistently strive for,” Geraldini said. The Reverie Saigon is home to a number of acclaimed culinary outlets, including The Royal Pavilion (celebrated for its Chinese dim sum), Café Cardinal (one of Southeast Asia’s most distinctive all-day dining venues, with French influences), The Long @ Times Square (a casual sidewalk-style trattoria) and The Reverie Boutique(sweets, treats, coffee and more).

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Da Vittorio, the world-renowned Italian fine dining group with eight Michelin stars to its name globally, is reshaping Vietnam’s high-end culinary landscape with the recent debut of a new two-story restaurant at The Reverie Saigon. Blending classic Italian gastronomy with sophisticated contemporary design and warm hospitality, Da Vittorio Saigon, which officially launched in June, follows the much-lauded Da Vittorio Shanghai (already awarded two Michelin stars since opening in 2019) in the storied Cerea family’s first restaurant expansion outside of Europe. Da Vittorio was founded in 1966 by Vittorio Cerea and his wife, Bruna, who together opened a restaurant in Bergamo in northern Italy. Over the following 56 years, Da Vittorio has earned a reputation as one of the world’s finest and most authentic Italian culinary experiences. Today, Da Vittorio remains a family-operated enterprise, run by Bruna and her five children. “To have the pinnacle of Italian fine dining under our roof at The Reverie Saigon means that our guests can be transported from Vietnam’s most cosmopolitan city to the verdant hillsides of Lombardy for a truly unforgettable meal,” said James Young, Vice President of WMC Group, the management company of The Reverie Saigon. “It’s one more way that our hotel stimulates imagination and wonder.” The menu at Da Vittorio Saigon faithfully adheres to the culinary program at Da Vittorio’s flagship three-Michelin-star restaurant in Brusaporto, Italy. Among the signature dishes is the mouthwatering “Vittorio Style Paccheri Pasta,” featuring a rich, creamy tomato sauce that is warmed tableside in a copper pan while fresh parmesan cheese is added by the spoonful. Another signature, “Egg à la Egg,” has a reputation for single-handedly earning Da Vittorio its third Michelin star in 2010. Delicate and full of flavor, the dish combines free-range hen and quail eggs, salmon roe, and potato mousse, and is topped with Oscietra caviar. Other dishes on the multi-course tasting menus (or à la carte menu) prominently spotlight fresh seafood. Da Vittorio Saigon Executive Chef Matteo Fontana has worked closely with the Cerea family in their Brusaporto restaurant, and he plans to regularly update the menu and consistently employ the freshest and highest-quality ingredients, with a focus on seasonality. Much like The Reverie Saigon itself—which is celebrated for its extraordinary traditional and contemporary Italian design and craftsmanship—Da Vittorio is turning heads with its stylish luxury flair. The 70-seat restaurant, spread over two levels in the prestigious Times Square Building in District 1, feels at once classic and modern, with intricate tile mosaics, elegant wooden furniture and decorative screens, glowing yellow Spanish marble, and high-end imported Italian furnishings, glassware, and dinnerware. The dining room is below ground on the B1 level in a spacious 1,000-square-meter setting that allows for privacy and intimacy. Da Vittorio Saigon complements The Reverie’s other acclaimed culinary outlets, including The Royal Pavilion (famed for its Chinese dim sum), Café Cardinal (one of Southeast Asia’s most distinctive all-day dining venues), The Long @ Times Square (a casual sidewalk-style trattoria) and The Reverie Boutique (sweets, treats, coffee and more). The flagship Da Vittorio restaurant in Brusaporto is described by Michelin, the world’s definitive fine dining guide, as “the perfect example of a well-run family restaurant… Elegant without being stuffy and sumptuous without being cold… a truly memorable gastronomic experience.” Da Vittorio St. Moritz, in the Swiss alpine resort town, has earned two Michelin stars. Another restaurant run by Da Vittorio, Il Carpaccio (in Paris, France), holds one Michelin star. For more information or to make a booking at Da Vittorio Saigon, please call +84(0) 28 3823 6688 or email DaVittorio@thereveriesaigon.com

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The first Fusion Originals, Fusion Original Saigon Centre, will welcome guests from July 2022. Located in Saigon Centre, atop the Takashimaya Shopping Mall, these 99 bespoke accommodation units occupy 10 floors in one of the city’s largest and most fashionable mixed-use developments. With panoramic views over District 1, this property is in the center of Ho Chi Minh City‘s vibrant commercial and tourist area. Fusion Original Saigon Centre offers a playful, youthful vibe with bold aesthetics and whimsical art pieces. Colorful walls with floor-to-ceiling paintings of Vietnamese women in traditional ao dai feature prominently in public spaces. The restaurant, Miss Thu, also conveys local culture with a ceiling design reminiscent of Vietnam’s iconic hats, and wall lighting that evokes traditional drums. With access to a full-length outdoor swimming pool on the sixth floor, guests can enjoy lounging in a garden area. For quiet time, The Nest guest lounge offers a secluded area to unwind and relax in plush private sofa chairs. “Travelers these days want to connect with a story; they want to feel part of the distinct narrative of a place,” said Kevin Beauvais, CEO of Fusion Hotel Group. “Traditionally, guests found the experience outside of where they stay. With Fusion Originals, there’s an experience in their accommodation. Saigon has many local sights; Fusion Original is now one of them.” Fusion has big plans for Fusion Originals and is currently exploring multiple locations around the country. Like the Saigon Center inaugural property, these Fusion Originals will be designed to capture local fashion & culture, highlighting pioneers and trailblazers who have pushed boundaries in their respective fields. “The opening of Fusion Original Saigon Centre is a great example of our company’s capabilities as a fully integrated platform. It showcases our in-house capabilities in brand creation, project development, hotel operations, and principal investing. We plan to aggressively grow the Fusion Originals brand, as well as other portfolio brands and investment initiatives as the travel market rebounds strongly in Vietnam and Southeast Asia,” shared Christopher Hur, President of Lodgis, the owning company. A high standard of service remains at Fusion Originals, but the uniformity will stop there. The core pillar of the new brand is that no two properties will be alike. Each will have its own distinct personality and be one-of-a-kind. They will be Original. Fusion Original is one of eight brands that now come under the Fusion umbrella. The fast-growing hotel group also recently added Thai-based GLOW Hotels & Resorts to its collection, as they expand regionally. With this new Saigon opening and the GLOW acquisition, Fusion has more than 4,000 rooms in Vietnam and Thailand. “With our expanding brand portfolio, including a diverse range of properties in many of Vietnam and Thailand’s top tourist destinations, we believe we can cater to the growing needs and wants of a wider audience of travelers,” said Peter Meyer, CEO of Lodgis. “This is especially important as we rebound from the pandemic and as tourists look for more unique and inspiring travel experiences.” Room rates at Fusion Original Saigon Centre start from USD160++.

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Why, amongst so many places in the whole of Asia, did I choose Saigon? It’s a good question. Well, first of all, I had watched a program hosted by a local Sarawakian named Anding on Malaysian national television station TV1, and he stated that Vietnam people lived like my people, the Dayak. Second, I have always been keen to see Vietnam’s Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh) and the Mui Ne Beach. Third, I had never been there, and Vietnam was in my to-conquer list this year, together with Bali. But let me tell you about myself. Since I was a small kid, I used to dream traveling to other places and meeting other people. I did not want to simply visit places, I wished to learn about people’s cultures, eat their food, live like them. So with this in mind, I make an effort to travel from place to place with every single penny I have. I believe life is not about living it only but living it to the fullest, fulfilling my dream however hard the task is. There is a quote I agree with that says: “Travel while you are still young, do not worry about money. Experience is more valuable than money”. This is the reason why, from the very moment I finished my studies and started my career, every single day I think on how I can plan trips to the best and most affordable places. And I did so. No, I did not travel the whole world, but I visited places I had never imagined in my life I would travel to. I started with my own country, then I traveled to Thailand; these are small achievements, I realize, yet they are big enough for me to help me keep dreaming, keep reassuring myself there will be more trips to come. Back to Vietnam, at the end of last month my friend and I flew to Saigon with the plan to spend at least 4 days there with a limited budget of 2,000 Malaysian Ringgit (about 560 US$), which I considered more than enough. We flew Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur, arriving at Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 1pm in the afternoon.The driver of the 152 Bus gave me clear directions to my guest house, so after 30 minutes bus journey and 15 minutes walk, I made it to Mai Guesthouse. I immediately found out that Vietnamese people are very friendly and do not hesitate to help when someone needs. After taking possession of our room, we went out to buy a map of the city and to rent a bike. Motorbike rental is inexpensive in Saigon at only 100,000 Dongs per day (about 5 US$). Then, with the help of local people and of the useful map, we managed to find our way to most of the places we had planned to visit: One of the main attractions of this extraordinary city is the Notre Dame Basilica. This impressive church is the oldest and most beautiful cathedral in town, built between 1863 and 1880 by the French in the colonial era, and the building includes two impressive bell towers. It is believed that the material to build the cathedral was brought in directly from Paris! Together with its lovely gardens, the statue of the Virgin Mary and the nearby Paris Square, this must be one of the best places in Saigon for photo-shooting, and it is popular with newly-wedded couples. I did take some great pictures there, don’t miss this opportunity! Located in District 1, with an area of 15 hectares Independence Palace, aka Reunification Palace, is a must visit spot reachable through the Nam Ky Khoi Nghia and Le Duan street three-way intersection. This huge palace was built by the French in the colonial times in 1868, when it was named Dinh Norodom after the then king of Cambodia. The stones used to build the palace  came from Bien Hoa and are squared in shape with a side measuring 50cm; inside each stone are gold, silver and copper coins bearing the carved image of King Napoleon III. Reunification Palace is considered to be one of the most beautiful villas in Southeast Asia with its extensive gardens, all kinds of trees, and a living room capable of accommodating 800 people. This historical building is believed to have witnessed several important events within its existence, including the 1954 Geneva agreement and the 1962 bombing incident by two Vietname Air Force dissident pilots that completely destroyed it in an attempt to assassinate the first president of South Vietnam and his family members. Ngo Dinh Diem government decided to build it back, renaming it Independence Palace. The palace is open to public on Wednesdays 7,30 to 11am and 1 to 4,30pm. Check the official website http://www.dinhdoclap.gov.vn/index-en.html The Ho Chi Minh City Hall was originally built as hotel in the early 20th century. It is located in the middle of town and right next to the famous Rex Hotel. Its external architecture looked excellent, but upon my attempt to visit the place I was told by the guard that it was not open to public. Disappointing indeed, but I still advise you to have a good look at it from the outside. Other than the places mentioned above, there are a few more attractions you can visit, like the Mekong Delta, the Cu Chi Tunnel, the Saigon Sky Deck and the War Remnant Museum. For us, going on vacation means visiting but also trying the local cuisine! And with that intention in mind, we stopped at a famous Vietnamese Noodles Restaurant to try Pho. Pho is a dish of beef noodles consisting of salty broth, fresh rice noodles, a sprinkling of herbs and beef.  It’s yummy, nicely presented, cheap, tasty and widely available in the whole country: don’t miss out! Trung Nguyen is Vietnam’s traditional coffee, described as tourists’ most sought-after pleasure when visiting the country. I did try it and to be honest, it tastes totally different from what I am used...

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