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Roll over Phuket
in focus
Hospitality players are joining forces to brand the central coast as
Southeast Asia’s next hot new tourismdestination, writes
AndyTran
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InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort
offers a breathtaking ocean view
C
hange on a massive scale is
afoot in the central Vietnam
the hospitality sector. Over the
last few years, luxury hotels
and resorts have been replacing de-
serted beaches and casuriana forests at
such rapid pace that the coastal stretch
from Lang Co beach to Hoi An old town
is touted as the next Phuket or Bali.
Central Vietnam boasts a treas-
ure trove of charms and attrac-
tions that remain unfamil-
iar to the international
tourism market. Its
appeal de-
rives from its endless stretches of white,
sandy beaches and idyllic tropical is-
lands alongside a unique culinary tradi-
tion, and an ancient culture reflected
in three UNESCO World Heritage sites
– the picturesque old spice route trad-
ing port of Hoi An, the former Imperial
City of Hue and the fabled Cham temple
ruins of My Son.
Hospitality developers have been
enticed by the region and are flock-
ing to build hotels, resorts and golf
courses. Over the last two years, Da-
nang alone has welcomed new luxury
resorts and hotels, including the In-
terContinental Sun Peninsula Resort,
the Hyatt Regency Danang, Vinpearl
Luxury Danang and the Mercure Dan-
ang, while more are expected to join.
The number of five-star hotel rooms in
Danang has almost
doubled over the last two years, reach-
ing around 2,000 rooms.
North of Danang, the Banyan Tree
group has opened the first phase of
the Laguna Lang Co integrated resort,
which includes an Angsana Hotel, a
Banyan Tree Hotel and an 18-hole golf
course. This is part of a mammoth re-
sort that will eventually offer 2,000
hotel rooms, residences, shops and rec-
reation facilities.
More recently, world-class golf
courses have become a signature of
Central Vietnam, with stunning courses
designed by golf greats Colin Mont-
gomerie, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo and
Luke Donald, alongside leading interna-
tional five-star resort brands.
In addition to investment from the
private sector, there has been a great
deal of investment from the public sec-
tor into key infrastructure projects, in-
cluding highways, bridges and the new
Danang airport.
“Our region represents a single des-
tination with tremendous potential,”
says John Blanco from Indochina Capi-
tal, a prominent developer in the
area, with properties such as