2026 is the Year of the Horse, and a fun-filled festival across many countries in Asia. Here is a compilation of hotel and resort options offering a little something special on Feb. 17 as they mark Chinese New Year and Tet in Vietnam.

Feast & Fire on Koh Samui

Lunar New Year 2026 hotel celebrations Asia

The luscious beachfront resort of Banyan Tree Samui is hosting a feast fit for a king – or at least a Khan, with a Mongolian -Chinese menu and an international barbecue on the evening of February 17. The delicious banquet will be complemented by a fire show and live music on the beach under the palm trees and the light of the full moon. The cost is 3,372 THB nett per person, from 7pm to 10pm. For more information and reservations, contact: samui@banyantree.com or tel: +66 077 915 333.

Welcoming the Year of the Horse in Cam Ranh and Mui Ne

The Anam Group’s two beachfront resorts in Cam Ranh and Mui Ne will usher in Tet with an array of dining, cultural, entertainment, recreational, and spa experiences. In the lead-up to Tet on Tues., Feb. 17, 2026, The Anam Cam Ranh and The Anam Mui Ne will each stage a ceremony on Feb 10, 2026 to plant “Cay Neu”, a towering Lunar New Year bamboo pole to ward off evil spirits, followed by dragon dancing. From Feb. 16-22, 2026, both resorts will serve special family reunion Tet set menus that celebrate Vietnamese home-style cuisine at Lang Viet Restaurant, and host a series of lavish buffet dinners. In addition to dragon dancing and a calligraphy master writing lucky letters for guests, experiences at both resorts range from Chung cake making workshops to kids activities such as kite flying, traditional coconut leaf weaving and Pho pizza making. Tapas and cocktails at Saigon Bar and wellness experiences at The Anam Spa are also on offer. For further information or to make a booking, visit.theanam.com, email The Anam Mui Ne on info.mn@theanam.com and The Anam Cam Ranh on info.cr@theanam.com or telephone The Anam Mui Ne on tel. +(84) 252 628 4868 and The Anam Cam Ranh on +(84) 258 398 9499.

The Lunar New Year is Better Together with Family in Hong Kong

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 Confetti Madeleines 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. For further information visit https://www.thehari.com/hong-kong/, call +85221290388, or email askme@thehari.com.

Fusion of Thai and Chinese Cuisine in Chiang Mai

Meliá Chiang Mai’s signature restaurant Mai Restaurant & Bar on the 21st floor will welcome the Lunar New Year with a special a la carte menu accompanied by a selection of Chinese teas and vistas of Chiang Mai. Served from Feb. 17-23, 2025, from 6-11pm and priced from THB 220++ per dish, the “A Thai-Chinese Celebration Week” menu offers 12 items. Dishes include double-boiled chicken broth with dried mushrooms and wolfberries, steamed whole seabass with ginger-soy sauce, slow-cooked pork belly in soy sauce, wine and spices, grilled scallop with Shanghai chilli jam, and mango pudding. For more information or reservations, call +66 52 090 603 or email mairestaurant@meliachiangmai.com.

Family Celebrations on Cam Ranh Peninsula

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

Reflection and Resolve in Da Nang

The Year of the Horse is associated with passion, vitality and freedom, acting with purpose and pursuing our dreams. TIA Wellness Resort is embracing the spirit of the year ahead with a range of activities from reflection workshops to dragon dances. On February 16th the TIA team will host a “Reflection of the Year of the Snake” creative workshop where guests can reflect on the past year, express gratitude and move forward. That night an “Evening Wishing Lantern Ceremony” is on the agenda. Through the ritual at the resort’s lush tropical wellness garden, guests will set intentions. On February 17th there’s “Sunrise Beach Yoga and Gratitude Meditation,” set to the sound of the waves and the energy of nature. A traditional dragon dance will also be performed during the day. The age-old tradition is believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck. Visitors are invited to visit a local pagoda, a custom Vietnamese families practice each year as they pray for good fortune in the year ahead. On February 18th there’s a “TET Wish Calligraphy,” where guests can put their wishes on paper using traditional Vietnamese calligraphy, along with a “Vietnamese New Year Culture Sharing” session, where the TIA team and fellow guests will gather to explore traditional TET sweets & customs. There are also several dining experiences, from tasting menus to a seafood BBQ buffet, during the holiday.

Beach Barbecue Party in Krabi

With a spectacular location on tranquil Tubkaek Beach, Banyan Tree Krabi in Thailand provides an idyllic venue for an evening of barbecue, live music and a fire show on February 17 this year. Under the gentle sway of the palm trees and with majestic views across the Andaman Sea, the resort’s beachfront lawn plays host to a Chinese New Year BBQ Night, priced at 2,988 THB per person, including a complimentary welcome drink. Hotel guests also receive a 200THB voucher per booking. For more information or reservations, contact +66 075 811 888 or email krabi@banyantree.com.

Timeless Tet Celebrations in Hanoi

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, the 125-year-old luxury icon in the Vietnamese capital, is set to welcome the “Year of the Horse” with a host of special Tet celebrations, including a captivating programme of cultural activities and experiences. From a lively lion dance and puppet shows to a traditional painting exhibition and hands-on Chung cake and tea workshops, Metropole’s Tet activity programme, which runs from Feb. 6-8, invites guests to discover the richness and beauty of Vietnamese heritage, history and traditions, all while immersing themselves in a spirited Tet atmosphere. The “Reawakening Lien” series celebrates the revival of the calligraphy art of Hue, which had been lost for over a decade. This cultural tribute begins with an insightful opening talk on Feb. 6, followed by a curated showcase and interactive workshops with master artisans each afternoon.

Wellness and Luxury Across Vietnam

To mark the Year of the Horse, Fusion Resorts and Hotels has introduced a potpourri of promotions at its wellness-inspired venues across Vietnam. Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang’s activities include festive cuisine, live music and family experiences. Guests are invited to join in traditional New Year celebrations, including fun for kids with lantern-making, coconut-leaf art, sack races and a monkey bridge challenge. For a complete holiday escape, the Fusion & Togetherness package includes a 20% savings on room rates, dining and spa treatments, and is available for stays between Feb. 15-21. Other Fusion properties with exclusive Tet festivities include Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion, Maia Resort Quy Nhon, The Ocean Resort by Fusion Quy Nhon, Fusion Resort Cam Ranh, Fusion Suites Vung Tau and others. Travelers are also encouraged to join Fusion’s customer loyalty program, Fusionlife, helps travelers find the best rates and other benefits, including discounts up to 25% off.

Lunar New Year Stay Package in Cambodia

Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, invites guests to celebrate the Lunar New Year in timeless Raffles style with a special stay package available from Feb. 14 to March 13. Guests can enjoy luxurious accommodation, indulgent dining and special privileges designed to make their stay unforgettable, with a 15% discount off the best available rate. The offer includes daily breakfast for two, a $100 credit to be used for food and beverage and spa per stay, early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability) and a second room at 50% off (room only). For more information, visit the hotel’s Lunar New Year page here.

Celebrating the Year of the Horse in Style

Azerai Resorts in Vietnam usher in the “Year of the Horse” for Tet with a host of festive experiences that blend traditions with understated elegance. Azerai Ke Ga Bay, an all-suites-and-villas oceanside resort located east of Ho Chi Minh City, will offer revitalizing and fun-filled activities including yoga at dawn, beach football, Tet-themed coloring for kids, bodyboarding in the sea, a Tet-themed afternoon tea, and a Tet special traditional dinner, among other family-friendly activities. Meanwhile, Azerai La Residence, Hue, situated in the former imperial capital overlooking the fabled Perfume River, will offer a special excursion to vibrant local flower markets, activities to learn the art of making Banh Chung, special Tet dining, classic cocktails infused with Tet-inspired flavors, vibrant lion dances and much more.

The post Celebrating Lunar New Year at Luxury Destinations Across Asia 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.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has unveiled an exquisite mooncake collection ahead of this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrating Hanoi’s timeless elegance preserved in vintage film.

On June 3, 1916, the first cinematographic performance ever shown in the capital of Indochina took place at the Hotel Metropole Hanoi. Inspired by this momentous cultural milestone, the hotel’s 2025 mooncake collection, under the theme “Metropole Cinema: Hanoi through Film,” spotlights a cinematic journey through the city, capturing the nostalgic charm, artistic soul and timelessness of the Vietnamese capital.

Hand-baked and free from preservatives, Metropole’s mooncakes are made from authentic and innovative recipes, each infused with the hotel’s signature gourmet touch. Artfully crafted by Metropole Hanoi’s culinary team, the mooncakes – available baked or with snowskin – come in a variety of exquisite flavors, including Red Bean & Pistachios; Lotus Seeds & Macadamia Nuts; Green Bean & Date; Traditional Mix; Green Bean, Apricot & Salted Egg; and Black Sesame & Sunflower Seeds.

Each mooncake box is thoughtfully designed to capture the essence of Hanoi, with the same affection, detail and refined artistry once seen on the silver screens at the legendary Hotel Metropole Hanoi more than a century ago. Mooncakes are available in several elegant configurations, including, for the first time, a stunning two-piece box. The two-piece Metropole Premier Box (200g each) is priced at VND 1,860,000, while the four-piece Metropole Premier Box (200g each) and the six-piece box (100g each) are priced at VND 3,330,000. The VVIP option features a six-piece Metropole Premier Lacquer Box (100g each), along with Emperor Lotus tea and Jasmine tea, and is priced at VND 9,990,000.

For orders placed before Sept. 26, receive one complimentary six-piece Heritage Box for every eight boxes ordered, or enjoy up to 15% discount for orders of 15, 30 or more boxes. Accor Plus members, agencies and companies receive an additional 10% discount.

Promotional discounts apply only to single invoices and cannot be availed across multiple invoices. Promotional prices are not applicable for the two-piece Metropole Premier Box, VVIP lacquer and Super VIP boxes. Orders must be completed and paid in full when placing the order.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, known as Tet Trung Thu in Vietnam, is a time for families to come together to enjoy delicious teas and mooncakes, while giving thanks and praying for good fortune in the year ahead. This year, unwrap more than a cultured delicacy – discover a curated experience: a journey back in time, celebrating Hanoi’s heritage, memories and artistry.

For more information on Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi’s exclusive 2025 mooncake collection or to place an order, please call 0243 826 6919 (ext. 8200), email Bang.Au@sofitel.com or visit https://www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com/dining/metropole-2025-legendary-mooncakes/.

The post Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Unveils Exclusive Mooncakes appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

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.

Fronting Long Beach, one of Vietnam’s most stunning stretches of sand, The Anam Cam Ranh’s program from Jan. 28-Feb. 2, 2025 is filled with Tet festivities including:

• Lang Viet Restaurant and Bar serving a special family reunion Tet set menu that celebrates authentic Vietnamese home-style cuisine as well as a la carte Tet dishes such as Hanoi deep-fried spring rolls, glutinous rice cake, braised catfish, pork belly with galangal, braised pork belly with egg, stir-fried bamboo shoots with beef, and crispy mackerel with basil fish sauce.
• The Indochine and Colonial restaurants offering traditional Tet specialities and international favourites during breakfast.
• Dragon dancing at the lawn and Indochine from 9am on the first day of the Lunar New Year, Jan. 29. Youngsters will make red envelopes, for lucky money designed to bestow good luck, at the kids club.
• Movies aired at The Anam Cinema and on the center lawn under Cam Ranh’s starry night sky from 6pm on Jan. 29. 30 and 31.
• A banh chung making workshop on Jan. 30 from 10-noon at Lang Viet Restaurant & Bar.
• On the second day of Tet, Jan. 30, at the lobby, the traditional custom of calligraphy giving, with a calligraphy master inscribing auspicious characters on red paper for guests from 10am-12pm. Kids will make New Year greeting cards at the kids club.
• Artisans crafting “To he” traditional toy figures out of play dough from 10-noon on the third day of Tet, Jan. 31 in the lobby. The kids club will host making paper firecrackers.
• Guests creating their own unique fragrant candles as part of candle-marking workshops from 2-4pm daily from Jan 31- Feb 2.
• A talented musician playing “Dan Tranh”, a wooden zither with strings, from 6-7pm on Jan 31 and Feb 1 at the lobby.
• Lang Viet serving ‘Vietnamese Traditional Buffet” on Jan 31. brimming with Tet specialists with free-flow soft drink, local beer, and wine packages from 6.30-9pm. To be accompanied by live traditional instrumentalists and a bartenders flair show.
• A Seafood BBQ buffet at The Indochine on Feb. 1 from 6.30-9pm with free-flow local beer, soft drink and wine packages. To be staged to a backdrop of live music by the Filipino band and a spectacular fire show.
• The kids club helping children make paper Chung cakes and paper Tet cakes on Feb. 1 and Feb. 2 respectively.
• Casual dining at Beach Club and tapas and cocktails at Saigon Bar throughout the program
• An exclusive day lounge from 11am-3pm at Colonial for guests staying in high-end accommodations before afternoon tea is served between 3-5pm.
• The Anam Spa offering 15% off treatments for individual guests and 25% for couples. A complimentary nail polish session will be held from 10-11am daily.

The Anam Cam Ranh’s sister resort The Anam Mui Ne will host a program of Tet celebrations from Jan. 28-Feb 1, 2025 featuring:

• Buffet breakfast at The Indochine with traditional Tet specialties and international dishes.
• Classic Tet set menus celebrating home-style Vietnamese cooking at Lang Viet Restaurant and Bar in addition to a la carte Tet dishes.
• Daily spa workshops from 2-2.30pm at the yoga room and Beach Spa focused on making homemade body scrub, making and using a herbal poultice, head massage techniques using homemade coconut oil, massage techniques for a facial and learning how to do a foot massage on Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31 and Feb. 1 respectively.
• A Non La hat decoration workshop at the kids club on Jan. 28 from 10-11am, before Lang Viet’s Banh chung making workshop from 3-5pm.
• Dragon dancing in the lobby from 9am on the first day of Tet, followed by a “Pho Pizza” making workshop from 3-4pm at The Indochine.
• A calligraphy master writing lucky letters at the lobby from 10-12 daily on Jan 29, 30 and 31.
• Bamboo dancing from 4.30-5pm on Jan. 30 the lobby before the “Butcher’s Cut and Seacatch” BBQ Buffet at The Indochine from 6-9pm with free-flow soft drinks, beer and wine. Highlights include whole roast goat, smoky beef striploin, lamb rack, tiger prawns, grilled calamari and local snails in garlic sauce.
• Lang Viet’s “Vietnamese Roast Night” buffet from 6-9.30pm on Jan. 31 with traditional tea and music. Whole roast pig, crispy golden Peking duck, tender roast chicken and char siu pork are paired with the likes of pickled baby leek, stuffed sticky rice cake, mixed Vietnamese cold cuts and an array of sauces.
• “Surf and Turf Buffet” at The Indochine on Feb. 1 from 6.30-9.30pm.
• A paper lantern making workshop for kids on Jan 30 at the grass area and kids club from 3-4pm.
• A status coloring workshop at the grass area and kids club on Feb. 1 from 10-11am.
• Tapas and cocktails served at the Saigon Bar adjacent to Mui Ne beach.

For further information or to make a booking, visit.theanam.com, email The Anam Mui Ne on info.mn@theanam.com and The Anam Cam Ranh on info.cr@theanam.com or telephone The Anam Mui Ne on tel. +(84) 252 628 4868 and The Anam Cam Ranh on +(84) 258 398 9499

The post The Anam Rings in Year of the Snake appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has introduced six distinctive mooncake flavors ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival, with special gift boxes inspired by the new allure of the hotel’s century-old Metropole Wing.

The preservative-free, hand-baked mooncakes are made using authentic recipes infused with the Metropole’s gourmet touch. This year’s decorative mooncake boxes pay homage to the “Mémoire du Metropole” (literally the “Memory of Metropole”), as the hotel prepares to relaunch its historic Metropole Wing in early November following an inspired refurbishment.

Drawing inspiration from exquisite 18th-century toile de jouy printed fabrics, the boxes showcase enchanting scenes of old Hanoi illustrated in monochromatic hues. Each brushstroke breathes life into the fabric, creating a tableau that celebrates the city’s rich heritage. Adorned with lavish, gold-foiled accents, the boxes add a touch of opulence and grandeur, embodying the spirit of celebration and abundance.

This year’s mooncakes, crafted by Metropole Hanoi’s culinary team, come in six unique flavors: Traditional Mix; Black Sesame & Sunflower Seeds; Orange and Grand-Marnier; Green Bean, Apricot & Salted Egg; Vietnamese Coffee & Mixed nuts; and Mango, Passionfruit & Vanilla.

The mooncakes are available in four elegant box options: a four-piece box (each piece is 200g) is priced at VND 2,660,000 and a six-piece box (each piece is 100g) is priced at VND 2,800,000. A six-piece VIP box (each piece is 100g) with a bottle of Château Roc de Candale, Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2015 is priced at VND 6,600,000. And a six-piece VIP lacquer box (each piece is 100g) with Emperor lotus tea and oolong tea is priced at VND 8,600,000 net.

For purchases made before Aug. 31, receive one additional standard box (same category) as a complimentary gift when purchasing five standard boxes. Alternatively, receive 5% off orders up to nine boxes. Receive 10% off orders of 10 boxes and more. Receive 15% off orders of 20 boxes and more. Receive 20% off orders of 30 boxes and more. Receive 10% off VIP box and VVIP box orders. Accor Plus members and contracted agencies receive an additional 10% off, while companies and in-house guests receive an extra 5% savings.

For purchases made from Aug. 31 to Sept. 14, receive one additional standard box (same category) as a complimentary gift when purchasing eight standard boxes. If not, receive 5% off orders up to 19 boxes. Receive 10% off order of 20 boxes and more. Receive 5% off VIP box and VVIP box orders. Accor Plus members and agencies receive an additional 10% off, while companies and in-house guests receive an extra 5% savings.

For purchases and delivery made from Sept. 15 onwards, receive 10% off for Accor Plus cardholders and agencies or 5% off for companies and in-house guests.

These promotions are not applicable for VVIP and Super VIP boxes cannot be combined with other promotions or special offers. Each promotion only applies to one single invoice and orders must be paid for at the time of purchase in order to qualify.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated annually on the 15th day of the 8th month in the East Asian lunar calendar, is a time for families to come together to enjoy delicious teas and mooncakes, while giving thanks and praying for good fortune in the year ahead. Known as Tet Trung Thu in Vietnam, the festival traditionally signifies the end of the harvest season.

To place an order for Metropole Mooncakes, please call L’Epicerie du Metropole at 024 39335224, email h1555-fb3@sofitel.com, or visit the hotel online here: www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com.

The post Metropole Hanoi Introduces Unique Mooncake Flavors appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi’s popular annual Tet Market is back, along with a host of exclusive dining opportunities and a special staycation offer, as the hotel celebrates one of Vietnam’s most beloved holidays.

The traditional Tet market will run Jan. 15-16, featuring antique Hoi An-style houses and bamboo stalls offering Vietnamese delicacies and other fresh products, unique handicrafts and colorful traditional paintings in the Dong Ho style, as well as a special To He toy-making activity. Visitors can also meet a calligraphy master to bring home some good luck or participate in a Chung cake workshop in the hotel garden to learn how to make traditional Chung cake.

Ten vendors will participate in this year’s bazaar including Disa Tea, Three Tree Jewelry, Huong Jewelry, Warehouse and C-Brewmaster, and there will be a fashion show from Italian designer Maria Elena. The Metropole food corner, meanwhile, will serve up flavourful Tet dishes prepared from quality local ingredients.

Several extraordinary dining opportunities are also on offer throughout January, including an “End of the Year Sunday Brunch” on Jan. 15 and “Lunar New Year Extravagant Sunday Brunch” on Jan. 22, both served at the award-winning modern French fine dining restaurant Le Beaulieu. Both meals run from noon to 4pm and start from VND 2.5 million ++ per person.

Other special meals and drinks will be served at Le Club Bar, including a Grand Tet Buffet Dinner on Jan. 26, and angelina, the bar-lounge-restaurant renowned for its rustic New World cuisine, which will be serving a menu of distinctive Tet cocktails from Jan. 16-29.

To mark the Tet holiday, Metropole Hanoi is also offering an exclusive special room package, with rates starting from VND 8 million ++. The “Tet Holiday Indulgence” package includes daily breakfast at Le Club Bar, a credit of VND 1 million net per room per night for use at hotel restaurants and bars and L’Epicerie du Metropole, and other benefits. ALL members receive 5% off and Accor Plus members receive 10% off. For more information or to make a restaurant booking, please call 0243 826 6919 (ext. 8200) or email h1555-fb3@sofitel.com.

The post Metropole Hanoi Celebrates Tet with Exclusive Dining Offers appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Family resort Alma will welcome the Lunar New Year with a six-day program jam-packed with merriment including its Tet Village that will host an array of traditional games and competitions. From Lunar New Year’s Eve, Saturday Jan. 21, until Thursday Jan. 26, Alma will host all sorts of festivities including buffet dinners, dragon dances, making lucky envelopes, smashing lucky balloons, and cupcake making and decorating classes.

Overlooking one of Vietnam’s best beaches, Long Beach, the resort kicks off its Tet program on Jan. 21 with a floating champagne breakfast, guests trying their hand at crafting the quintessential Tet staple “Banh Chung” (Chung cake), wrapping sticky rice and mung bean inside dong leaves at Alma Food Court, a kite flying competition on Alma’s hill, a Tet movie at the Alma Cinema and more.

On the first day of Tet, Sunday Jan. 22, until Jan. 26, the 30-hectare resort’s Tet celebrations will be anchored by the lantern-adorned Tet Village at Alma Food Court, that comes to life from 9am-6pm daily with huts brimming with traditional snacks and drinks.

The village’s line-up of traditional activities includes picking lucky envelopes, calligraphy, stilt walking and the folk dance ‘bamboo dance’, with participants tapping and sliding bamboo poles on the ground while dancers step over and in between them. Competitions include ‘smash the watermelon’, whereby blindfolded participants, after being made to spin around, try to hit and break ripe watermelons with a bamboo stick at the direction of the crowd.

“As we bid farewell to the Year of The Tiger, our Tet village will be a hive of activity and festooned in red and gold decorations to symbolise our hope for prosperity and good health for all as we welcome the Year of the Cat and spend quality time with our loved ones,” said Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler.

Alma Garden will host Vietnamese, Asian and international-themed dinner buffets at Alma Garden on Monday Jan. 23, Tuesday Jan. 24 and Wednesday Jan. 25 respectively from 6-9.30pm. Other activities held throughout the resort’s Tet program include mocktail making classes for the adults, and a ‘discovery garden tour’ of the resort’s 1000sqm nursery garden, home to bananas, coconuts, papaya, squash, passionfruit, sunflowers, daisies and various local flowers, for the kids. Alma Lounge and The American Lounge and Bar will offer various cocktail promotions throughout the festive period.

Le Spa’s two-hour ‘Lunar New Year Retreat’, priced at VND 1,000,000, starts out with a betel nut leaf steam session followed by a ‘Fancy Foot’ massage and ‘Nourishing Shampoo’. The treatment finishes with warm ginger tea with Tet jam, a ginger jam with dried lotus seeds.

Alma is offering its Lucky Room Package‘ comprising two nights in a one-bedroom superior suite for two adults and two children inclusive of daily international buffet breakfast at Alma Garden, one dinner for two adults, or participation in the kid’s cupcake decorating class, kid’s pizza-making class or a mocktail making class. Other inclusions include a ‘nourishing shampoo’ for two adults at Le Spa, participation in all of the Tet Village’s complimentary activities, and complimentary use of all outdoor sports courts, Splash Water Park, mini golf, the Kids Club and Active Youth Club, the Science Museum and the gymnasium. Rates for the Lucky Room Package, valid for stays from January 15-31, 2023, start at VND 8,900,000.

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 Rings in Year of the Cat With Tet Village appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort will ring in the Year of the Cat with a smorgasbord of vibrant dining experiences, traditional Tet merriment, and outdoor pursuits to foster quality family time.

Perched on Ho Tram Beach, an easy commute from Ho Chi Minh City, the resort’s Tet program from Jan. 18-28, 2023 is packed with indulgent buffets and a la carte menus, beach bonfires with marshmallow roasts, outdoor cinema nights, kayak racing, lion dancing, calligraphy giving, lantern floating, morning excursions to ‘Monkey’s Temple’ Truc Lam Chan Nguyen and more.

Ho Tram’s “place to be”, Breeza Beach Club will host its vibrant ‘Ho Tram Seafood Market’ to a backdrop of live chill-out music on Lunar New Year’s Eve, Jan. 21, and Jan. 28. Crabs, squid, grouper, snapper, shrimp, mussels, snails, clams, and scallops caught from local waters that day will be displayed in large bamboo baskets. Diners choose whether to have their seafood grilled, wok-fried or steamed, topped off with a selection of accompaniments.

Breeza will also host Steak Night on Jan. 20 with menu options including striploin, rib eye, beef tenderloin and Black Angus tomahawk steaks. Surf ‘n’ Turf Night on Jan. 22 and 24 affords a selection of grilled premium beef cuts and fresh seafood, and Gala Seafood Buffet on Jan. 23 offers lobster, prawns, clams, sentinel crab, shellfish, squid and more. On Jan. 25, Breeza’s Savory Seashell Night’s a la carte shellfish selection will include crabs, lobster, prawns, clams and oysters. Throughout the Tet program, Breeza will open a bar by Ho Tram Beach’s white sands and aquamarine waters.

Anchored with fresh seafood, local specialties, and international cuisine, buffet dinners held at the resort’s Sasa restaurant throughout the Lunar New Year program are themed ‘Dolce Vita’, ‘Roast Carving Buffet’, ‘BBQ Seafood’ and ‘Japanese Twist’ and accompanied by a live band.

To celebrate the first day of the Lunar New Year, January 22, Dolce Vita will brim with Italian favourites including antipasto, freshly made pizza, pasta, salad and decadent desserts including a Dolce & Gabbana cake. Packed with roast beef, pork rack, pasta, noodles, salads and more, the Roast Carving Buffet will be held on January 23 and the BBQ Seafood, underpinned by an assortment of fresh seafood accompanied by meats including pork and beef ribs and sausages, on January 24. A wide assortment of sushi, fresh sashimi, ramen and grilled or pan-fried Japanese favourites will underscore the Japanese Twist buffet on January 25 and 28. Held from 5.30-10pm, each buffet dinner’s price starts at VND 1,299,000++ per adult and VND 850,000++ per child from four to 11 years old, with additional free-flow beverage options on offer.

Vietnamese restaurant Muoi, that recently reopened following a four-month makeover, will serve its new ‘Taste of the Sea’ menu dedicated to live seafood including lobster. The revamped restaurant’s changes include a new open kitchen, an open bar and array of fish tanks that showcase the new menu’s seven live seafood options lobster, grouper, pomfret, clams, sentinel crab, prawns and turgid Venus shell. Live seafood is sourced from local fish markets. To mark Tet, Muoi will craft Vietnamese cuisine with a modern twist priced at VND 999,000++ per dish from January 23 to 25.

The resort’s Tet program includes lantern making, conical hat painting, Tet ornament, calligraphy, flower making craft, coconut leaf craft, tote bag painting, and bracelet making workshops for all ages.

In addition to cooking classes for making sticky rice cake ‘banh Tet’ and other Tet foods, watermelon eating challenges will be staged by the resort’s 1491-square-metre pool with direct access to the beach. Outdoor activities range from traditional games such as ‘Monkey Bridge’ to recreational pursuits including shore fishing, slow bike racing, and tennis and table tennis tournaments.

The Kids Club will keep children entertained with trying on traditional costumes, hopscotch, shuttlecock kicking, mandarin square capturing, coloring, painting and craft activities.

The resort’s YHI Spa is also offering a 10% discount on manicures and blow-dry hair treatment.

A 152-room and 83-villa property, five-star Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort features a host of world-class facilities such as three restaurants including a beach club, a swim-up bar, coffee shop, 20-treatment room spa, an executive lounge The Level Lounge, ballroom and conference facilities, kids club, gymnasium, gift shop and more. The contemporary rooms, suites and villas afford unencumbered views of the ocean, lush gardens, lakes and swimming pools. The Level Villas guests enjoy access to The Level Lounge and The Level Pool, and a range of bespoke privileges including private check-in and check-out, complimentary afternoon cocktails and snacks, pillow menu and much more.

For more information about Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort, visit www.melia.com, email info@meliahotram.com or call +84 (0) 254 3789 000.

The post Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort Welcomes Lunar New Year appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Family resort Alma will ring in the Lunar New Year with a six-day program filled with merriment, and transform its vast lobby into a traditional “Tet Village” to honour the most important time in the Vietnamese calendar. The celebrations, to be held from Mon. Jan. 31 until Sat. Feb. 5, will be anchored by the lantern-adorned “Alma’s Tet Village” featuring six huts brimming with traditional snacks and drinks that will come to life from 4pm-8pm daily.

Family resort Alma will ring in the Lunar New Year with a six-day program filled with merriment

Kite flying competitions, performances by the resort’s resident pianist and singer Ben and Engie, lively singalongs with the Alma Choir at Alma Lounge, and Tet movies at an outdoor cinema on Long Beach are also among the program’s daily fixtures. On Lunar New Year’s Eve, Jan. 31, guests have the opportunity to try their hand at concocting the quintessential Tet staple “Banh Chung” (Chung cake), wrapping the sticky rice, pork and green bean inside Dong leaf.

Dragon dancing, calligraphy giving, and Tet games including pick the lucky envelope and bamboo dancing will be staged at the lobby to mark the first day of the Year of the Tiger, Tues. Feb. 1. The following day’s festivities include competitions such as walking on stilts and watermelon-smashing.

Dragon dancing, calligraphy giving, and Tet games including pick the lucky envelope and bamboo dancing will be staged at the lobby to mark the first day of the Year of the Tiger, Tues. Feb. 1

Cupcake making and cocktail and mocktail classes in the lobby, aerobic dance classes on the sand, and blowing rainbows on the resort’s hill, with spectacular views overlooking Long Beach, will also be held throughout the program. The kids club will also stage activities across the six days including making lucky envelopes, smashing lucky balloons, dancing, and crafting fruits such as dragon fruit, mango, custard apple, coconut and papaya out of Play-Doh.

On Fri., Feb. 4, Alma’s beachfront restaurant Atlantis will host a Tet buffet from 6-10.30pm complemented by dragon dancing, fire twirling and live music. Afternoon and evening snacks and drinks will be on offer at the Beach Bar and Amphitheater daily. Alma Garden will serve a buffet breakfast from Thurs. Feb. 3 until Sun. Feb. 6. Atlantis, which specialises in fresh, local seafood, will serve a la carte lunch and dinner daily, as well as breakfast from Jan. 31 until Wed. Feb. 2. The huts at Alma’s Tet Village will offer food such as banh mi, meat and seafood skewers, banana fritters, shrimp rolls and beverages including milk tea, fresh juices and draught beer. The village’s “Whiskey Corner” will serve cocktails and fine whiskeys as well as cheese.

Alma’s beachfront restaurant Atlantis will host a Tet buffet on Fri., Feb. 4 from 6-10.30pm complemented by dragon dancing, fire twirling and live music

Alma is offering two Tet packages for stays in its oversized one-, two- and three-bedroom suites and pavilions. Both the two-night and the three-night Tet packages include daily breakfast for two per bedroom, welcome drinks and fruit on arrival, one lunch or one dinner for two per bedroom per stay, 20% off food and beverage at all of the resort’s dining outlets and a complimentary spa treatment for two per bedroom.

The two-night package also comes with either a coupon for two drinks (choice of soft drinks or cocktails) at Beach Bar or a complimentary jet ski ride for two per bedroom. The three-night package also features two coupons totalling four drinks at the Beach Bar, a complimentary jet ski ride and a five-minute banana boat ride for two per bedroom.

“After eight months of being temporarily closed due to the global pandemic, we cannot wait to reopen Alma on January 15 with gusto in readiness for Tet, and ring in Year of the Tiger that symbolises strength and courage in this brave new world we now live in,” said Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler.

About Alma

Situated on Vietnam’s emerging Cam Ranh peninsula fronting Long Beach, Alma resort commands some 30 hectares of inspiring ground. Emblematic of Vietnam‘s maturation as a destination, the bold and spacious integrated resort offers 580 oversized suites and pavilions that all afford sweeping vistas of the ocean, including contemporary three bedroom oceanfront pavilions each totalling 224sqm with a living room, four bathrooms and a private pool. Alma features a broad spectrum of restaurants helmed by top chefs, a food court with an array of local and international cuisine, as well as a sports bar, pool bar and beach bar. Other highlights include 12 swimming pools cascading down to the beach, a waterpark, 13-treatment room spa, 70-seat cinema, convention centre, amphitheater, art gallery, science museum, gymnasium and yoga room, 18-hole mini golf course, a youth centre with virtual reality games, a kid’s club, water sports centre and even an ‘Alma Mart‘ mini supermarket.

The post Alma Resort celebrates year of the Tiger appeared first on Asian Itinerary.