Latest news with #PhuQuoc
Skift
3 days ago
- Business
- Skift
First Creative Details Emerge for Vietnam's New 'Resort in the Sky' Airline
Putting Bill Bensley at the creative helm is a bold statement of intent for Sun PhuQuoc Airways, but turning a lifestyle concept into a viable airline remains a challenging task. A new Vietnamese airline is hoping to take flight by the end of the year: Sun PhuQuoc Airways (SPA) will be operated by a subsidiary of local real estate and hospitality developer Sun Group. Much is still unknown about the venture, which intends to operate a hub-and-spoke network from Phu Quoc island in southern Vietnam. But attendees at the Skift Asia Forum in Bangkok this month heard some exclusive details from Bill Bensley, creative director of Bensley Design Studios. 'We're going to build – within three years – this 40-fleet airline,' Bensley told Skift CEO and co-founder, Rafat Ali. 'They want it to be very, very high-end … with half the plane in executive class and first class.' Bensley spoke of his love for Vietnam and explained how this will manifest itself on the aircraft: 'I've identified about 35 of the most beautiful parts of Vietnam. These parts [will] then be painted full-body on the plane. Instead of a stripe across or a swish, the entire image of these 35 places are painted on the outside of the plane.' Bensley said this imagery will 'carry through' into the aircraft. He will take a creative lead on numerous passenger-facing elements such as uniforms and menus. 'It's the whole deal, the whole imaging,' he added. Bensley previously worked with the Sun Group on seven hotels in the region. Watch Bill Bensley in Conversation with Rafat Ali at the Skift Asia Forum 2025: RECORDED MAY 2025. The investment case for the new carrier has received the green light from Vietnam's prime minister. Despite the ambitious timeline, there are no details about how SPA will source its aircraft. The Sun Group already operates a private jet business in Vietnam, however these planes are much smaller than those that will be needed for the new airline. A statement from Sun Group said that along with domestic routes, it is considering international destinations, including Japan, South Korea, and China. The company is using the term 'resort airline' to describe its vision: 'This innovative model combines transportation and tourism, where each flight is not merely a means of getting from one place to another but the beginning of a vacation, starting the moment passengers step on board and journey through the skies,' said a company statement. The wider ambition is to 'transform every aircraft into a resort in the sky,' with amenities and services designed to create a sense of leisure and relaxation. Sun Group already has a significant footprint in Phu Quoc through its hospitality and leisure portfolio. The company says it will package flights with these existing products. A First-Time Project Established as a go-to name for hotel, landscape, and interior designs, the world of aviation is new to Bensley and his team. 'It's a totally new thing for me. First time ever, but that's the thing that I like to do... We are asked to do a new project about once a day, so it's a great honor to be able to be very choosy about what we do,' he told the Skift Asia Forum. Vietnam's Golden Visa Ambition to 23-Million Tourist Target More Chinese tourists are now choosing Vietnam over Thailand. Smart visa policies could help keep it that way. The easier it is to get in, the more likely travelers, and their wallets, will follow. Read More If realized, Sun PhuQuoc Airways will join Vietnam's five other major airlines. As well as flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, these include low-cost operators Vietjet Air and Pacific Airlines. An initial investment of 2.5 trillion Vietnamese dong ($96m) has been allotted to the project. An undertaking of SPA's scale will require a figure many times higher, however additional sources of capital are currently unclear. Major airlines already serving Phu Quoc include AirAsia, China Eastern, Korean Air, and Scoot. Skift analysis of data from Cirium Diio suggests around 25 carriers fly to the island, although some of these are only on a seasonal or charter basis. What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Escape to Paradise: Experience an Unforgettable Summer at Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc
PHU QUOC, Vietnam, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Set against the breathtaking beauty of Bai Dai Beach, Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc invites guests on an unforgettable coastal escape, where luxury meets the island's vibrant natural charm. Balanced Bliss in a Tropical Beach Retreat Set along the unspoiled shores of Bai Dai Beach, the award-winning Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc invites international travelers to experience Vietnam's island paradise. Bask in the sun with turquoise waters, soft white sands, and lush greenery, all paired with the comfort of 514 contemporary rooms, suites, and luxurious pool villas with private pools and ocean views. All rooms are fully-equipped with contemporary interiors, cutting-edge amenities and a private balcony overlooking tropical gardens, ocean and the pool. Guests enjoy complimentary airport shuttle service, free Wi-Fi and easy access to top island attractions - perfect for seamless global travel. Located in the vibrant resort complex, the resort connects you to Corona Casino, VinWonders amusement park, Vinpearl Safari, and the Grand World City via free buggy service. Whether kayaking on the sea, exploring tropical gardens on a guided Botanical Tour, trying traditional Vietnamese folk games, or joining Art Time – Tea Time, a beginner friendly art class, Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc blends authentic local charm with international comfort for a summer getaway you won't forget. A Culinary Journey Through Dining Signature Venues Savor an extraordinary culinary journey at Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc's dining outlets. Avenue presents an enticing selection of Vietnamese and international cuisines through live cooking stations and sumptuous buffet spreads. Annex Lounge sets the tone for refined relaxation with handcrafted cocktails, premium wines, and comfort bites in an elegant ambiance. Azure Bars offers expertly crafted cocktails by the lagoon pool and the beach, enhanced by sunset DJ performances (seasonal). For private events, Alumi provides an intimate venue for exclusive gatherings and celebrations. Discover the perfect tropical retreat where elegant, adventure, and culinary excellence come together. Book your summer getaway and experience the ultimate coastal escape at Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc! Book now from VND 2,900,000++ / room / nightContact us: - +84 297 366 0000 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Radisson Blu Resort, Phu Quoc Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Reuters
21-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Vietnam approves establishment of Sun PhuQuoc Airways
HANOI, May 21 (Reuters) - Vietnam's Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, has approved the establishment of a new airline, Sun PhuQuoc Airways, the official Vietnam News Agency reported on Tuesday. A spokesperson for the company confirmed the approval in an email to Reuters on Wednesday, without giving further details. The airline, the parent company of which is real estate and hospitality developer Sun Group, will begin operations with an initial investment of 2.5 trillion dong ($96 million) and plans to launch its first flight by the fourth quarter of 2025, VNA reported. The aviation market in Vietnam, a country with a population of 100 million, is growing rapidly since recovering from the COVID pandemic, prompting businesses to vie for market share. Sun PhuQuoc Airways - set to operate alongside national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, low-cost carrier VietJet, Bamboo Airways, and Vietravel Airlines - aims to expand its fleet to 31 aircraft by 2030, the VNA report said. The new airline will provide both commercial and charter flights. Sun Group has previously launched Sun Air, a high-end airline offering premium private jet services to wealthy customers, according to its website. Vietnam saw a 23% year-on-year increase in visitor numbers in the first four months of this year, with 7.7 million tourists arriving in the country, according to official data.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Create Your Own Journey by the Sea at Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay
An Ideal Phu Quoc Family Resort for a School Break Getaway PHU QUOC, Vietnam, May 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With the school holiday season fast approaching, Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay invites families to reconnect, recharge, and create unforgettable memories in a tropical paradise. Positioned on the tranquil northwestern coast of Phu Quoc Island, this beachfront resort blends relaxation and adventure, offering the perfect escape for families seeking quality time under the sun. Whether looking to dive into exhilarating attractions or simply unwind by the ocean, Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay is designed for all ages. Conveniently located near top destinations such as Phu Quoc's largest theme park and safari, Grand World Night Market, and Phu Quoc's premier golf courses and casino, families enjoy seamless access to the best things to do in Phu Quoc. Family-Friendly Experiences Await Young explorers will be thrilled by Tribe Kid's Club & Games Room, which offers supervised indoor and outdoor activities. Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay also provides all-day children's activities located in various spots throughout the resort. For more extensive fun, families can venture to VinWonders - Vietnam's leading theme park packed with thrilling rides, immersive cultural exhibits, and engaging entertainment zones for all ages. Just a 5-minute drive from the resort, it is perfect opportunity to experience Vinpearl Safari - Vietnam's largest wildlife conservation park, which is ranked second among zoos and aquariums in Asia, as recognised by Tripadvisor. After a day of island adventure, unwind with the whole family in the spacious Two Bedroom Suite. Just steps from the pool, kid's club, spa & gym, this spacious 200 square metre retreat offers a private garden terrace, a king room adjoined to a twin room, and a separate living area—ideal for shared moments and family relaxation. For those who wish to embrace the sea breeze, the Ocean View Room and Oceanfront Suite provide a tranquil space to soak in the panoramic beauty of Phu Quoc's sparkling coastline. Savour Every Moment with Memorable Dining No getaway is complete without memorable dining. At Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay, families can indulge in global flavours at two signature restaurants. Horizons Restaurant & Bar: Mediterranean-inspired dishes, daily buffet breakfasts, and BBQ nights. Amber Sands Beach Club: A stylish beachfront dining experience featuring fresh Vietnamese seafood and international cuisine, complemented by Phu Quoc's breathtaking sunsets. IHG One Rewards members enjoy even more benefits, with 20% off dining, plus earn 100 bonus points for every USD 10 spent. Family Adventure by the Sea While parents unwind at Hoa Sim Spa, children can engage in a variety of activities at the resort. From playful moments in the Games Room through free PlayStation battles and Monopoly competition, to the beach activities like water gun fights, kite flying, and volleyball, there is plenty to keep children entertained. For those who love to get creative, paid creative workshops is a chance to explore Finger Drawing Art, Origami, and Coconut Leaves Art. Stay energised at the 24-hour gym, thoughtfully designed to provide a refreshing fitness environment. Enjoy state-of-the-art equipment in a serene space filled with natural sunlight, which helps maintain focus and promote refreshed feeling throughout workout. Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay ensures every stay is seamless, comfortable, and welcoming by providing complimentary scheduled airport shuttles and multilingual service. To make the family holiday even more memorable, Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay is offering a selection of exclusive summer packages designed with comfort, convenience, and unforgettable experiences in mind, including the School Break Getaway (starting from VND 3,000,000++/night), which includes daily breakfast for two adults and two children (under 12) and a VND 600,000 credit for Tribe Kids Club and resort activities. For those seeking relaxation, Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay offers the Relax & Rewards package (starting from VND 4,100,000++/night), featuring daily buffet breakfast, a 60-minute tension soother treatment for two adults, and 3,000 IHG One Rewards Points per night. Experience adventure and relaxation at Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay with your loved ones now by mailing us at About Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts is one of the fastest growing hotel brands globally. At Crowne Plaza® we're expert in helping guests to do business better, combining empowered colleague service, always-on connectivity, innovative rooms and flexible co-working spaces. All this helps guests to be productive, feel energised and build meaningful relationships with their clients and colleagues, or travelling companions. Beautifully equipped rooms, signature Sleep Advantage® programme, 24-hour fitness facilities, stylish meeting & event facilities and on-site restaurants & bars. At Crowne Plaza hotels we deliver an experience that's design-led, tech-enabled and culturally relevant to the world of modern business & leisure travel; meaning guests can recharge and be inspired in their downtime and worktime. For more information, visit and connect with us on: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: About IHG Hotels & Resorts IHG Hotels & Resorts is a global organisation with a broad portfolio of hotel brands, including Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, EVEN Hotels, HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, voco, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, avid hotels, Staybridge Suites, Atwell Suites, and Candlewood Suites. IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns nearly 6,000 hotels and 890,000 guest rooms in more than 100 countries, with approximately 1,900 hotels in its development pipeline. IHG also manages IHG Rewards, our global loyalty programme, which has more than 100 million enrolled members. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 400,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally. Visit for hotel information and reservations and for more on IHG Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
30-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Art And Design Take Center Stage At These Vietnam Hotels
Lasvit's hand-blown Charming Deeps installation anchors Regent Phu Quoc's design approach as a crystalline meditation on Vietnam's marine ecology. Beyond the cuisine, coffee, and coastline, Vietnam's design-forward hotels have also become one of the country's most compelling draws. A product of its two-decade economic ascent, the hospitality sector has evolved into fertile ground for some of Asia's most ambitious architectural and aesthetic experimentation. Increasingly, international designers are working in close collaboration with Vietnamese artists, artisans, and craftspeople to translate the country's layered identity into spaces that reflect both local nuance and global sophistication. The result is a distinct design language—rooted in cultural diversity and shaped by an ongoing dialogue between heritage and modernity. This evolution reflects a broader shift in global luxury travel, where substance now matters more than spectacle. Today's discerning travelers prioritize cultural depth, architectural storytelling, and a sense of place over superficial opulence. In 2024, Vietnam welcomed 17.5 million international visitors—a nearly 40 percent increase—driven in part by rising demand for destinations that combine refined hospitality with meaningful local connection. In response, many of the best luxury hotels in Vietnam are embracing regional architecture, traditional craft, and narrative design as core elements of their guest experience. As travelers venture beyond the cultural anchors of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City—into Vietnam's interior provinces, coastlines, and highland regions—they're met with a new wave of design experimentation. In the cities, French colonial relics are being reinterpreted and revamped through a distinctly Vietnamese lens. Along the coast, luxury resorts in Da Nang, Phu Quoc, and Hoi An fuse indigenous materials with ecological awareness to create truly resonant environments that translate a cultural anthology, rendered in timber, lacquer, and stone. Dramatic seaside corridor in InterContinental Danang's Rock Villa reveals stunning ocean views through wood-framed doorways Bill Bensley's breakthrough work at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort was the project that catapulted him to international stardom. It all unfolds across four levels carved into the jungle: Heaven, Sky, Earth, and Sea. Throughout the property's public pavilions and room categories, you'll find a stark black and white palette jolted with citrus bursts; meanwhile, ancient Vietnamese temple motifs clash deliberately with California oddities like cast iron ostriches and surfboard tables. The monkey obsession borders on fetishistic—from urinating primate fountains to papier-mâché busts—as well as Instagram bait like inverted (and seemingly suspended) non-la hat dining platforms and Long Bar's namesake 164-foot counter flanked by fisherman basket chairs. Indigenous craftsmanship appears where you least expect it, with mother-of-pearl inlays and Bat Trang ceramics turning even bathrooms into performance spaces. Crowning it all like a bird's nest is Tingara, a 'bird's nest' restaurant where Michelin-starred chef Junichi Yoshida serves omakase against panoramic seascapes. Contemporary Vietnamese artworks transform The Gallery at Regent Phu Quoc into a vibrant cultural bridge between tradition and modernity. BLINK Design Group founder Clint Nagata envisioned Regent Phu Quoc as a study in spatial restraint—a sanctuary where subtraction reveals substance. Rooted in the rhythms of fishing villages and tidal flow, the design privileges quiet material statements, such as laterite stone quarried from the Vietnamese highlands, handwoven rattan by village artisans using fading techniques, and bronze accents that shift with the coastal light. Art is not an afterthought but an axis. Charming Deeps, a suspended glass sculpture by Czech studio Lasvit, its hand-blown forms parlaying the fragility of Phu Quoc's coral ecosystem into a striking visual anchor. The newly launched Gallery, conceived in collaboration with Hanoi's CUC Gallery, expands the hotel's design dialogue into contemporary Vietnamese art. Its debut show, Dynamics of Identities, featured sculptural work by Hanoi's Dinh Cong Dat and Thai Nhat Minh alongside painter Nguyen Ngoc Vu ('Rabbit Boy'), whose canvases merge classical Vietnamese forms with pop sensibilities. Elsewhere, Singapore-based Artling curates site-specific installations—monumental lacquer panels and abstract sculptures—infusing the resort with a distinct cultural tempo that's both local and forward-facing. At the concierge desk at Park Hyatt Saigon, traditional Vietnamese folk art panels punctuates the French-colonial inspired interiors with color. Behind its stately white French colonial façade, Park Hyatt Saigon conceals a quietly radical fusion of East–West aesthetics. The District 1 grand dame's architecture by Chan Soo Khian of SCDA Architects exudes measured elegance, while interiors by Diana Simpson ground the experience in tactile luxury: custom silk, marble, and Hanoia lacquerware crafted by Vietnam's most skilled ateliers. But its defining feature is the art. Curated by Ben Thanh Art Gallery from 2003–2005, the hotel's collection is anchored by rare lacquer paintings from Do Xuan Doan (1937–2015), a scion of the medium whose silver-gold compositions evoke dynastic grandeur with modern restraint. Alongside them are works by Bui Huu Hung, including Summer Landscape, Royal Lady, and Couple Crane in Golden Land—pieces that elevate the hotel's public spaces into a de facto museum of Vietnamese fine art. Following a 2015 renovation, management made the deliberate choice to preserve this trove intact—a move that now reads as visionary, as the value and cultural relevance of these works have only compounded with time. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors frame the Four Seasons Nam Hai's elegant villa living space, where minimalist Asian design elements perfectly complement the pristine beachfront view of palm trees and turquoise waters. French architect Reda Amalou, along with the late great Indonesian designer Jaya Ibrahim created this five-star property as a meditation on Vietnamese spatial philosophy. Inspired by the traditional garden houses of Hue, the villas are temples of pared-back luxury: timber-framed structures with soaring pitched roofs, elevated sleeping platforms veiled in gauzy nets, and decorative panels that refract light like silk lanterns. Each structure follows the logic of phong thủy, aligning elements in harmony with earth and sea. Locally made ceramics from Bat Trang and hand-forged brass from the surrounding region add tactile punches throughout. But it's Karl Princic's deft landscaping that delivers the signature coup: a trio of infinity pools, terraced to mirror the beach's horizon line as it seamlessly dissolves into the East Sea. Zannier Bai San Ho's paddy field villa entrance frames a perfect sightline through traditional thatch roofing and bamboo shutters, honoring Vietnam's vernacular architecture with contemporary restraint. Vietnam's untrammeled Phu Yen coastline hosts this architectural standout where heritage and habitat coexist without compromise. Across nearly 250 acres, 73 villas speak a trio of distinct dialects: stilted paddy field dwellings that echo fishermen's homes, Cham-inspired Beach Pool Villas, and Ede longhouse interpretations with assertive rooflines that punctuate the hillsides. The interiors avoid the usual ethnic-luxe clichés, instead deploying Vietnamese artifacts and textiles that suggest decades of careful collection rather than decorator's orders. Most developers would have bulldozed this landscape into submission. Instead, Zannier preserved existing vegetation and engineered against erosion—environmental consciousness that makes neighboring resorts look positively obtuse by comparison. Bill Bensley's theatrical vision comes alive in Capella Hanoi's opera-themed suite, where vintage performance hall artwork and pagoda-inspired lighting create an immersive 1920s fantasy. Bensley's 47-suite Hanoi hideaway isn't necessarily subtle, but it is sure is smart. The opera house conceit could have slipped into costume-party territory, but instead delivers surprising depth. Each named suite houses actual theatrical artifacts: makeup-stained costumes, performance ephemera, oddities sourced from Hanoi's dealers who typically reserve such treasures for serious collectors. The hand-painted murals created by Bensley's studio artists avoid superfluous decoration, instead crafting surrealistic narratives where Vietnamese and Western operatic traditions collapse in dreamlike sequences that reward closer inspection. Working with French architect Luc Lejeune, the design team managed the difficult trick of period authenticity without sacrificing comfort. Worth noting is the experiential Capella Curates program, which offers guests backstage opera access that typical cultural tourism can't touch. Six Senses Con Dao's oceanfront villa seamlessly blends sustainable teakwood architecture with breathtaking sea views, where billowing white canopies and minimalist design honor Vietnam's fishing village heritage. In the remote Con Dao archipelago, conservation is an operating principle. AW² Architecture Workshop's design at Six Senses Con Dao enshrines this philosophy in its bones, leveraging salvaged teakwood and prefabricated timber frames to minimize environmental impact (a construction method far more complex than conventional building but invisible to the casual observer). Inspired by the look of a traditional fishing village, the property's 50 villas sit lightly on the land, either elevated on stilts or nestled into protective dunes that maintain the island's natural defenses. There's the marine conservation program, too, which represents real science, not symbolic gestures, as it actively restores beaches for endangered green turtle nesting in partnership with local authorities. Franco Albini's 1940 re-engineered Veliero "sailing ship" bookcase anchors The Reverie Saigon's penthouse living room, complemented by Poltrona Frau leather furniture. Audacious, perhaps borderline scandalous—this skyscraper-crowning fantasia seduces with unapologetic maximalism from architect Kent Lui. First-time visitors invariably gasp encountering pieces like Colombostile's headline-making purple ostrich leather sofa, or Baldi's malachite and bronze masterpiece timepiece. Then there's the furniture by Giorgetti, Poltrona Frau, and Visona—all of which tempt with sculptural provocation. Looking upward reveals Murano chandeliers floating like suspended galaxies above rare Carrara marble, while Sicis artisans have transformed entire spa walls into shimmering aquatic dreamscapes that seem to undulate in the light. The penthouse Saigon Suite by Giorgetti is the most gallery-worthy of the hotel's offerings for its fusion of Saigon's ambitious energy and Milan's longstanding design horsepower.
