That Warm Summer Feeling

The sound of cicadas and sudden rain showers. Hot days and flashing tempers. Shuttered schools and packed flights. Summer is here, no doubt. Just a year ago, things were very different. With Vietnam immersed in grief and mourning caused by the harsh Covid lockdown, we watched helplessly as thousands of businesses and lives were lost. It was the darkest of times, especially so for our country's hospitality industry.

Now we see with great relief that Vietnam is reviving and reawakening. International and domestic flights have started to reconnect. Many resorts, hotels and restaurants have reopened, and many more are making their debut. We were very happy to welcome such great additions recently, such as Hoiana Resort & Golf, The Regent Phu Quoc, or the New World Hotel Phu Quoc.

Amongst recent restaurant stand-outs are Madame Lam in Saigon's Thao Dien district, or Da Vittorio Saigon, located at the iconic The Reverie on Dong Khoi Street. The arrival of Da Vittorio Saigon, the famous three-michelin-starred Italian restaurant, especially stands out as a breath of fresh air amongst Saigon's fine dining options.

Their great promotions have started to attract tourists and local connoisseurs alike. Many more new food surprises are on the way, further cementing Vietnam's reputation as a much coveted international culinary destination.

Places are one thing, but they mean nothing without the people starting, building, and running them. Contributing to the success of Vietnam's culinary and tourism industry, we are blessed to have movers and shakers such as Mr. John Gardner, Chocolate Master Ms. Khanh Linh, Pastry Chef Robin Mouquet, or Modern Vietnamese Chef Nguyen Nhu Cuong. They dream, live, and love hospitality, with the kind of passion needed to bring it all to life.

So let's celebrate summer with all its warmth and hopefulness, and with curated wines and champagnes from the likes of Penfolds, Delamotte, Lady Gaga Dom Perignon, or Ruinart Blanc de Blancs. Cheers to our new life - with open borders, new businesses born, and new destinations awaiting discovery.

Et voilà, bon voyage!

Jade Huỳnh

Publisher