Where ancient spirituality meets refined design — a transformative retreat in the cradle of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism Tucked away in the misty mountains of northern Vietnam, Legacy Yen Tu, MGallery by Sofitel is more than a hotel — it’s a journey into stillness. This elegant sanctuary, rising from the spiritual soil of the Yen Tu range, offers a rare fusion of luxury, tradition, and mindfulness, making it one of the most distinctive retreats in Southeast Asia. Designed as a modern-day hermitage, the resort draws inspiration from 13th-century Vietnamese Buddhist architecture, blending seamlessly with the sacred landscape that has drawn pilgrims for centuries. Located in Uong Bi City, just a one-hour drive from the UNESCO-recognized Halong Bay and Cat Bi International Airport, the resort is easily accessible yet feels worlds apart. As you ascend through lush forests and winding mountain roads, the noise of modern life fades, replaced by birdsong, rustling bamboo, and the quiet hum of contemplation. Here, at the heart of the Truc Lam Zen Buddhist tradition, time slows down, and every breath feels deeper. The resort’s 133 rooms and suites are a masterclass in understated elegance. Rooted in Oriental minimalism, they combine handcrafted woodwork, natural materials, and subtle Vietnamese motifs with modern comforts like private bathrooms with rain showers or bathtubs, minibars, safes, and spacious work desks. Free Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service ensure convenience, but it’s the atmosphere — serene, warm, deeply connected to place — that leaves the lasting impression. Large windows frame panoramic views of emerald hills and tranquil courtyards, inviting guests to wake up to nature’s rhythm. But the true soul of Legacy Yen Tu lies in its purpose: to inspire inner peace. Whether you’re seeking a quiet escape from urban chaos, a mindful business retreat, or a spiritual pilgrimage, the resort serves as a gateway to deeper awareness. Its proximity to Yen Tu Mountain, revered as the birthplace of Vietnamese Zen Buddhism, makes it an ideal base for hikes to ancient pagodas like Dong Pagoda, where monks once meditated and taught. Guided cultural walks, meditation sessions, and Buddhist philosophy talks are available for those who wish to go beyond sightseeing and into understanding. Wellness is woven into every layer of the experience. The resort’s spa is a haven of holistic healing, offering traditional Vietnamese massages, herbal body wraps, facial rituals with local botanicals, and energy-balancing therapies. Complement your treatment with a session in the sauna, a workout in the fitness center with mountain views, or a refreshing swim in the seasonal outdoor pool — a shimmering mirror reflecting the sky and surrounding greenery. Dining at Legacy Yen Tu is equally thoughtful. The all-day Tho Quang Restaurant serves an exquisite blend of international cuisine and authentic Vietnamese flavors, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients — from mountain-grown rice to seafood from Halong Bay. Every dish tells a story of land and tradition. For lighter moments, the lounge bar, poolside bar, and café offer artisanal coffee, herbal teas, creative cocktails, and light bites in relaxed, elegant settings. And with 24-hour room service, comfort is always within reach. The resort also caters to deeper needs: free Wi-Fi, concierge services, and picnic areas enhance the guest experience, while the staff — warm, attentive, and fluent in multiple languages — embody the Vietnamese spirit of chào đón (warm welcome). Whether you’re planning a hike, a quiet afternoon of reading, or a cultural immersion, they help you craft a stay that feels personal and meaningful. Legacy Yen Tu, MGallery by Sofitel, doesn’t just offer luxury — it redefines it. Here, luxury isn’t about gold taps or grand lobbies; it’s found in silence, in space, in the quality of attention — to nature, to culture, to oneself. It’s a place where design serves serenity, where history breathes through modern hospitality, and where every detail invites you to pause, reflect, and reconnect. In a world that never stops moving, Legacy Yen Tu stands as a quiet revolution: a reminder that the most profound journeys are the ones that lead inward. Watch FantasiaAsia video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC3UtNPVL5Q  

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Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi was named one of the best city hotels in Asia in Travel + Leisure’s prestigious annual World’s Best Awards 2022. Winning placement in T+L’s “15 Best City Hotels in Asia” category, the storied 120-year-old Metropole Hanoi—regarded as the Grande Dame of Vietnamese hospitality—adds momentum to its run of recent international honors. In April, the hotel was awarded Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Star rating—the top level of recognition—for a third consecutive year. Last year, Metropole Hanoi was proclaimed one of “Asia’s Top 30 Hotels” by readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine and selected as Hanoi’s No. 1 business hotel by the editors of Business Traveller Asia-Pacific. It was also named one of “The 101 Most Incredible Hotels in the World” for 2022 by Fodor’s Travel. “Taken individually, each of these recognitions reflects an extraordinary accomplishment. Put them together and the message becomes unmistakable: Metropole Hanoi is truly one of the world’s finest and most celebrated hotels, known for its luxurious accommodation, rich history, and warm and personalized service,” General Manager William Haandrikman said. The Sofitel Legend brand, meanwhile, was named one of “The 25 Best Hotel Brands” in the world, placing No. 6 overall. Metropole Hanoi was the first property in the Sofitel portfolio to acquire distinction as a “Legend” hotel when the concept was introduced in 2009. Fittingly, T+L’s editors accompanied the latest recognition with a photograph of angelina, the stylish bespoke cocktail bar, whisky lounge and rustic European and New World restaurant at Metropole Hanoi. Hundreds of thousands of readers of Travel + Leisure, one of the world’s preeminent travel publications, voted on hotels, islands, resorts, cruise ships, spas, airlines and more, selecting what the magazine’s editors bill as “the finest travel experiences … on the planet.” Travel + Leisure’s best city hotels in Asia each “capture their destination’s culture and vibrant energy,” the editors write. Metropole Hanoi landed at No. 8 on the list, one of only three hotels in Vietnam to be recognized, comprising an elite group that T+L describes as “incredible.” Launched in 1995, The World’s Best Awards are among the most sought-after recognition in the travel industry. Travel + Leisure, whose roots date back to 1937, today reaches more than 16 million readers every month, with input from hundreds of writers and editors around the globe.

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Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, in keeping with Accor’s global commitment to replace single-use bathroom amenities with eco-friendly alternatives, is introducing a new range of luxury bath products from French fashion house Balmain Paris. New shower installations in guest rooms feature tamper-proof 400ml bottles of premium Balmain shampoo, conditioner and body wash. The dispensers and pumps are 100% recyclable. Other Balmain products provided to Metropole Hanoi guests include lotion, perfumed bar soap and hand cream. And premium accessories, including shower cap, vanity kit, sanitary bag, shoe shine, dental kit and shaving kit are also offered to in-house guests. Metropole Hanoi is seeking to bring its distinctive style of “French luxuriousness” to life by partnering with creative, passionate and sophisticated French brands like Balmain Paris that embody a modern sense of art de vivre. For nearly half a century, Balmain Hair, which is part of the Balmain Paris fashion label, has combined hair essentials with inspiration from the latest catwalk trends. Established in 1954, the quintessentially Parisian House of Balmain has managed to retain its unique position as both a historic French fashion house and as a trendsetting luxury brand that other fashion houses look to as a reference. At Metropole Hanoi, the new bath amenities meet Accor’s worldwide sustainability goals under its corporate social responsibility initiative launched in 2011 known as Planet 21. In the past year, the hotel has implemented a number of projects focused on serving the local community in Hanoi, saving energy to fight climate change, and eliminating food waste. Metropole Hanoi is phasing out all single-use plastic items throughout the guest experience. The hotel has attained “Platinum” level in Planet 21, the program’s highest rank. Other recent Planet 21 actions taken by the hotel include introducing eco-friendly towels and bedding, installing an urban vegetable garden, receiving power from a “green” electricity supply, reusing rainwater, offering organic and certified agro-ecology produce, and much more. For more details on Accor’s Planet 21 initiative, click HERE.

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This Christmas season the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is transforming into a “fashion house,” L’Atelier du Metropole, to celebrate the holidays, pairing sophisticated French style with a glitzy joie de vivre. Unique couture collections created by young local Vietnamese designers will be on display throughout the hotel during the festive season. Metropole Hanoi invited Le Hoang Son and Hoang Minh Thu from the London College for Design and Fashion in Hanoi to create distinctive dresses inspired by the hotel’s restaurants. The designers’ sartorial collections help to spotlight and support Vietnamese fashion designers and provide them with exposure before a global audience. Keeping with this theme for the holidays, the hotel will also provide an “Ao Dai” tailoring service for in-house guests at La Boutique du Metropole, creating made-to-measure traditional Vietnamese gowns in premium silk and embroidery that will be ready for collection within three to five days or can be shipped to addresses overseas. The tailoring service is provided by Ao Dai My Lullaby, a fashion brand created by renowned local tailor Dang Phuong Minh. Meanwhile in a display window outside of L’Epicerie there is a scene inspired by the French Les Années Folles (“crazy years”) movement, which influenced Parisian fashion in the early 20th century. The scene presents stylish women at a cafe adorned in elegant couture garments. As it decks the halls for Christmas in its 119th year, Vietnam’s most storied hotel will host its annual tree-lighting ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 28, with an elegant Chopard-themed, 15-meter Christmas tree taking center stage at Le Balcon in the Metropole Garden. The tree is set to anchor all of the hotel’s holiday spirit, as well as a swathe of special dining events. To wit: Christmas Eve. Five special Christmas Eve dinners are on offer at the Metropole on Dec. 24, with prices ranging from VND 2.3 million to 4.5 million. A seven-course gourmet French dinner at Le Beaulieu, with optional wine pairing A six-course Vietnamese dinner at Spices Garden featuring traditional Hanoian dishes A six-course menu of European & New World cuisine at angelina A signature dinner buffet at Le Club Bar, with two seatings A dinner buffet at La Veranda overlooking the hotel’s landscaped pool and garden Christmas Day. On Dec. 25 the hotel will host a buffet lunch and series of dinners at three of its restaurants, ranging in price from VND 1.6 million to 2.9 million. A six-course gourmet French dinner designed by Chef Raphael Kinimo at Le Beaulieu A five-course menu of European & New World cuisine at angelina A signature Christmas dinner buffet at Le Club Bar A “Magnifique” Christmas lunch buffet at Le Beaulieu New Year’s Eve. With prices ranging from VND 2.5 million to 4.9 million, gala dinners will be the order of the evening during the final hours of 2019, including: A seven-course gourmet French New Year’s menu at Le Beaulieu A six-course Vietnamese New Year’s dinner at Spices Garden A seven-course menu of European & New World cuisine at angelina A signature New Year’s dinner buffet at Le Club Bar, with two seatings. A dinner buffet at La Veranda overlooking the hotel’s landscaped pool and garden. In addition to the many dining options, the hotel will also feature two enticing opportunities for relaxation and shopping during the festive season. For some holiday pampering Le Spa du Metropole is offering a 45-minute body exfoliation and a 60-minute customised slimming treatment to redefine one’s body contours. And for shoppers, the hotel delicatessen and bakery, L’Epicerie, is offering a range of gourmet gifts, including Fine de Claires oyster No. 3, foie gras, caviar and roast turkey, as well as L’Epicerie’s piece de resistance, a traditional French Christmas log cake known as “Le Buche de Noel.” For more information on holiday dining options contact the hotel food and beverage office or the festive reservations desk at +84 24 38266919 extension 8215 or via email at h1555-fb6@sofitel.com. Bookings may also be made directly online at www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com

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Wellness rituals are sensorial journeys that showcase local heritage using native ingredients and traditional massage techniques perfected over centuries. With over 1,100 hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific, Accor offers a vast collection of rejuvenating spa treatments that are both calming and relaxing for discerning travellers. From Singapore, China, Myanmar, Thailand, the Maldives, India and Australia, these seven locally-inspired rituals advocate the goodness of natural healing therapies, while serving as an amazing window for travellers to experience a taste of the traditions of each destination. “Our guests are increasingly looking for spa treatments that draw on the rituals and mythology of the destinations in which they are travelling,” said Spa Manager of award-winning luxury Swiss Spa, Pürovel Spa & Sport, Ms Elva Zhao. “It is as much about relaxing and rejuvenating the body as it is about learning new experiences and understanding cultures and traditions. Ancient customs and ingredients play a key role in soothing away the stresses of the modern traveller and allow our guests to take a step back from the tensions of today’s busy world.” 1. SINGAPORE MASSAGE AT SWISSÔTEL MERCHANT COURT, SINGAPORE At Swissôtel Merchant Court, Singapore guests can enjoy a spectacular 90-minute spa treatment drawing on Singapore’s multi-cultural heritage. Specifically designed to expel fatigue, daily stresses and tensions, the Singapore Massage focuses on rebalancing energies for the mind and soul. Utilising Chinese, Malay and Indian massage techniques that represent the cultural mix of Singapore, this treatment culminates with the elimination of body heat, which is achieved by stimulating the foot’s reflex zones. 2. WHITE FLANNEL FLOWER SANCTUARY RITUAL AT FAIRMONT RESORT & SPA BLUE MOUNTAINS, MGALLERY BY SOFITEL, AUSTRALIA Standing at the edge of the World Heritage-Listed Blue Mountains, Ubika Day Spa’s treatments are inspired by the seasons and the native wildlife of Australia. The spa menu is designed to hydrate, nourish, restore and regenerate for holistic wellbeing. The White Flannel Flower Sanctuary Ritual is a signature head-to-toe degustation experience that pays tribute to the beauty of the bush. The 105-minute full-body sensory journey includes an Organic Coconut & Jasmine Body Polish, Australian White Flannel Floral Hydrating Cocoon, Baobab & Neroli Facial Massage, Double Face Masque infusion, Peptide+ Multi-Action Serum, Full Body White Flannel Flower Soufflé, and Foot Restoration Massage to leave you feeling completely restored.  3. TRADITIONAL BAMBOO TREATMENTS AT FAIRMONT PEACE HOTEL, SHANGHAI, CHINA Commonly used by the ancient Chinese to clear negative energy and enhance energy flow, Bamboo has been lauded in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. The Signature Bamboo Massage is exclusive to the Willow Stream Spa in Shanghai’s Fairmont Peace Hotel. Using five different Chinese herbs, the bamboo shoots are heated to allow heat from the plant to soothe sore, tight muscles while Chinese herbs are used to stimulate blood circulation and warm the body. Complemented by long relaxing strokes, this treatment will leave guests feeling completely rejuvenated. 4. SERENITY OF THE FIVE ELEMENTS AT SO SOFITEL BANGKOK, THAILAND Serenity of the Five Elements is a 90-minute soothing spa ritual based on the five elements of Wood, Earth, Water, Fire and Metal as well as the renowned Thai folk wisdom treatment called “Tok Sen” to balance all five senses. Tok Sen is an ancient massage technique indigenous to the Lanna region of Northern Thailand and handed down over generations. This ‘tapping of the meridians’ helps to restore the body’s natural balance. In this treatment, Ytsara aromatherapy oil, which represents the water element is applied all over the body and gently pressed with a warm herbal poultice. Heat from the poultice represents the fire element, while therapeutic herbs represent the earth. A small Tok Sen hammer, representing the wood element is used to tap all over the body to generate deep vibrations to release wind in the body. The treatment concludes with a body massage using metal balls, which represent metal, to create a soothing and calming effect on the body and mind. 5. THANAKA SPA TREATMENT AT SOFITEL INLE LAKE MYAT MIN, MYANMAR Rejuvenate with the signature Thanaka Spa Treatment at Sofitel Inle Lake. Known as ‘white gold’ to the locals, Thanaka is widely used in wellness rituals. A creamy white paste made from finely ground bark of the Thanaka tree with water, the paste is popularly known for its extensive health benefits and healing properties. With a history dating back some 2,000 years, Thanaka make-up is widely used to help reduce acne scars and acts as a sunblock. The 50-minunte body scrub Thanaka & Rice Glow treatment helps to rejuvenate skin, remove dead skin cells and promote skin revitalization. 6. COCONUT EXPERIENCE AT FAIRMONT MALDIVES SIRRU FEN FUSHI Inspired by its tropical Maldivian setting, Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi, is a sanctuary that draws natural healing properties of the five elements – Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Wood – to put guests in sync with nature. All treatments are energised by the mysterious waters of the Indian Ocean and fragrant herbs found in Maldivian gardens to help redefine the spa experience. Integral to the local island culture, carefully curated treatments are underlined by ancient Ayurveda aromatherapy from subtle energies and the Kerstin Florian spa range for a rejuvenating sensory journey. A complete local Maldivian treat, Coconut Experience uses the fruit to soothe, calm and balance. The treatment starts with an invigorating full-body coconut exfoliation followed by a pampering back, neck and shoulder massage using coconut oil extracted from a local plantation and ends with the healing properties of the warm stones. To complete this head-to-toe ritual, nourish and relax inside a warm cocoon with a luxurious foot and pressure point scalp massage. 7. NIRMAL SNAN AT FAIRMONT JAIPUR, INDIA Using traditional ingredients like Ubtan, gram flour, saffron, almond powder, raw turmeric as well as sandalwood powder, the Nirmal Snan treatment offers nourishing goodness to help soothe and calm the body and soul. Ubtan, better known as fuller’s earth, is a clay paste hugely popular in India for its healing and cleansing properties. Massaging Ubtan...

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