COUNTRY FOCUS VIETNAM
The 692-acre Laguna Lang Co, by Banyan
Tree, is Vietnam’s first integrated resort
T
he Central Coast region recently diversified its tourism offer with the launch of Vietnam’s first and largest integrated resort,
a 280-hectare (692-acre) development that will eventually be home to six luxury hotels. For its VND4.2 trillion (US$200m, €152.1m, £131.4m) opening phase Laguna Lang Co, situated in Thua Thein Hue prov- ince, accommodates a 49-villa Banyan Tree retreat and 229-bedroom Angsana resort, both with sizeable yet distinctive spas. Developed through the Banyan Tree Indochina Hospitality Fund and operated by Banyan Tree Holdings, the verdant site, which formerly could only be approached by sea, has been thoughtfully designed by Architrave Design and Planning Services to maximise the beauty of its natural bay set- ting, nestled between a pristine beach and forested mountain landscape. It is Banyan Tree Group’s first foray into Vietnam, both as a developer and operator, and reflects the
INTEGRATED RESORT DEBUTS
ethos of Laguna Phuket – the group’s pio- neering integrated resort established in Thailand 25 years ago. “Our owner has been interested in Viet-
nam for some time and this area provided space in abundance,” explains Laguna Lang Co’s managing director Ravi Chandran, who’s also the group’s head honcho of spa operations (see SB11/2 p26). “This is beyond the typical resort experience in the area – we have a plethora of activities from our world- class spas to our Nick Faldo golf course, local tours to adventure and water sports.” As is common with the majority of foreign own- ers, Banyan Tree has secured a long-term lease for the land, on which it has introduced
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infrastructure and environmental improve- ments. Fostering a close relationship with the local government of Hue Province dur- ing master planning has been key. “It’s been essential to work with the local govern- ment,” confirms Chandran. “We’ve found them to be very accommodating in recog- nition of the investment and job wealth that we’ve brought to a relatively poor province.” While Chandran acknowledges that state bureaucracy means there are extra hoops for foreign owners to jump through, he sees little difference in operating in Vietnam compared to other emerging Asian econo- mies in which the group is active. While Australians, Americans, Brits and Germans are expected to be important western feeder markets, the group is focus- ing marketing efforts on ASEAN countries and, of course, China. “Vietnam is no longer a destination just for European travellers,” Chandran observes. “There’s a lot of wealth around in Asia and this region is ideal for
Spa Business 3 2013 ©Cybertrek 2013
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