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SPHERE VOLUME 3 NUMBER 4

SO SPA, SO GOOD

WELLNESS EXPERIENCES AROUND THE WORLD

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HEY, BIG SPENDERS

GOURMET VOYAGER

WHY THE TOP BRANDS WANT TO CRACK CHINA

Top new wining and dining experiences

DESERT STORM FASHION’S FINEST RISE TO THE CHALLENGE OF ETHICAL LUXURY

STYLE

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TRAVEL

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ADVENTURE

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CULTURE

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RESTAURANTS

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FASHION

GLOBAL GUIDE

[Vietnam]

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lessed with a beautiful and varied landscape, cultural heritage, enthralling distractions and quirky character, Vietnam has emerged as one of Asia Pacific’s newest hotspots.

The tropical south is where the main action unfolds; its magnificent beaches, islands and coastline not lost on international investors and brands. Pool villas, butler service and sumptuous spas are now de rigueur for the new luxury beachside resorts, while events like the Hong Kong to Nha Trang Yacht Race place Vietnam on the international jet-setter’s calendar. Ho Chi Minh City, the south’s dynamic business hub, best epitomises the feverish embrace of consumerism, its skyline increasingly punctuated with glass-encased high-rises of five-star hotels, offices and apartments. The 68-storey Bitexco Financial Tower, Vietnam’s highest building, makes an iconic landmark symbolising the nation’s soaring achievements.

CRUISE CONTROL

Samantha Coomber finds Vietnam “booming lovely” with plenty of new luxury development

Cruising Vietnam’s waterways is increasingly indulgent, with a new crop of upscale boutique vessels. Sail for days through magnificent Halong Bay—thousands of limestone islets rising from the north’s Gulf of Tonkin— on one of many traditional-style junks decked in luxury. Better still, Paradise Cruises (above) is launching two exclusive “yachts”, smaller junks for private charter, with three sumptuous en suite cabins, sundeck bar and spa facilities. Down south, enjoy an eight-day cruise along the Mekong River to Siem Reap, Cambodia, on Indochina Sail’s La Marguerite, an exquisite 46-cabin vessel oozing French Indochina splendour. Launching in 2011, its 62-cabin Amalotus, featuring 44 state-rooms with twin balconies, will be the Mekong’s grandest boat. www.paradisecruises.org; wwww.indochina-sails.com

JOIN THE TEE PARTY Golfers have been eyeing up Vietnam as an emerging golfing paradise. And with the recent launch of two world-class golf courses, plus more in the pipeline, Vietnam’s Central Coast region could well be Asia’s next golf Mecca. Located minutes apart, near Da Nang City and alongside historic China Beach, Montgomerie Links and Dunes Course at Da Nang Golf Club come designed by golfing greats, Colin Montgomerie (right) and Greg Norman respectively. Weaving through wild seaside landscape, both links-style courses have won rave reviews from golf connoisseurs with Dunes Course lauded as the “most unique layout in South-East Asia”.

An hour up the coast, Laguna Hue, Vietnam’s second course designed by Masters Champion Nick Faldo, opens in 2012. www.dananggolfclub.com; www.montgomerielinks.com

Where beaches mean business

BAY WATCH

THE GOOD LIFE

BUSINESS MATTERS

Set within one of the world’s most beautiful bays, the new 30-storey Sheraton Nha Trang (above) is Sheraton’s first Vietnam beach property and the city’s first international five-star hotel and spa. Highlights include semi-submerged sun loungers in the infinity-edge pool, and the 25th-floor Club Lounge with jaw-dropping bay views.

Life Resort Da Nang (above) is the first of several upscale international brand resorts opening along Da Nang’s China Beach stretch. Expect gorgeous villas and penthouse suites with double Jacuzzis and fine South China Sea vistas. This fastdeveloping Central Coast is also shaping up to be one of SouthEast Asia’s new beach hotspots.

The Nam Hai (above), Vietnam’s most luxurious resort, has earned international acclaim since opening in 2006. Now the all-villa property offers a sublime base for high-end boutique MICE events: alternative “work” venues include 40 living/dining pavilions in residential pool villas, with butlers and three terraced beachside pools.

www.sheraton.com/nhatrang

www.life-resorts.com

www.thenamhai.com

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As Vietnam’s culinary capital, Ho Chi Minh’s economic boom and multicultural influences have led to a progressive and stylish wining-dining scene. One of the city’s latest—and swankiest —offerings is international-style restaurant, Shri, which offers spectacular views of Saigon’s glittering skyline from its 23rdfloor rooftop terrace and wouldn’t look amiss in New York or Tokyo.

Shri, 23rd Floor, Centec Tower, 72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 3, HCMC; +84 8 3827 9631

TOURIST INFORMATION: WWW.VIETNAMTOURISM.COM

THE HEIGHT OF GOOD TASTE