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Authentic Azerai Vietnam experiences news: This unique brand with its own original story showcases a style of travel that blurs the boundaries between tourism and local life. With boutique hotels and resorts in three of the most authentic parts of Vietnam, all guests – including nature lovers, heritage seekers, history hunters and keen foodies – can uncover the authentic heart and soul of their destination with luxurious home-style accommodation and a curated selection of experiences.

Adrian Zecha, the renowned international hotelier who previously founded Aman Resorts, has now introduced his original Azerai brand to Ke Ga Bay, Can Tho and Hue – a trio of intriguing locations that inspire guests to step off the tourist trail and explore the real Vietnam.

Authentic Azerai Vietnam experiences: experience riverside life in the lush Mekong Delta at Azerai Can Tho

Nestled on a private islet in the Mekong Delta, Azerai Can Tho marked the Azerai brand’s debut in Vietnam when it opened its doors in June 2018. Accessible only by boat, it immediately became popular as an exclusive retreat where guests can unwind in nature and soak up a slower pace of life in this verdant paradise. This five-star hotel features a collection of one- to five-bedroom pool villas, an elegant restaurant, soothing spa and yoga pavilion, all surrounded by lush gardens with shady banyan trees.

Within this idyllic and organic setting, guests can step aboard a private wooden boat and cruise into this aquatic labyrinth to discover the rich heritage of the Mekong Delta, which is often known as the “rice bowl of Vietnam”. Sailing out on the Hau River, travellers will pass bustling quaysides and fishing villages before reaching Cai Rang floating market, a vibrant hub of trade where local people have been buying and selling goods for almost a century. This makes it a great place to soak up the daily chatter and pick up fresh produce, such as tropical fruits, herbs and vegetables, as well as traditional handicrafts.

Vietnam’s deep south is a haven of organic produce and Azerai Can Tho also invites its guests to visit the area’s chocolate farms. Recently imagined by the resort’s general manager and led by the hotel’s highly-skilled pastry chef, this one-of-a-kind expedition showcases the art of chocolate making, from picking the cacao beans to creating a delectable dessert and, of course, tasting the final product.

Azerai Can Tho now invites guests to stay and savor an exquisite five-course wine dinner on 21st September 2024. A one-night Wine Dinner Package including accommodation, the set dinner including wine for two guests at The Grill, plus breakfast the following day is priced at just VND 7,600,000. Alternatively, this culinary evening (without the stay) can be enjoyed for VND 1,700,000 net per person.

Authentic Azerai Vietnam experiences: discover the legacy of Vietnam’s last dynasty in Hue

Azerai La Residence, Hue, which started welcoming discerning travellers in February 2019, is an elegantly restored former French colonial mansion nestled along the peaceful Perfume River. Perfectly positioned to provide an intimate escape from Central Vietnam’s bustling tourist areas, the hotel lets guests explore Hue’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Imperial Citadel and its Forbidden City, as well as lesser-known gems that reveal the region’s rich history.

Step back into the 1920s with a visit to Princess Ngoc Son’s Garden House, a beautifully preserved, yellow-hued home built by Nguyen Huu Tien (head of the Nguyen military) for his beloved wife. Alternatively, step aboard Nam Xuan, the hotel’s handcrafted wooden boat, for a cruise upstream along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, known for its seven-storey tower symbolizing Buddha’s seven reincarnations. Continue by car to explore the tomb of Khai Dinh and the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang.

Food enthusiasts can enjoy a local culinary tour by cyclo along Hue’s ancient walls, venturing to Kim Long village to taste authentic dishes such as banh khoai, a renowned shrimp and pork pancake. Visits to family-run restaurants offer a chance to indulge in a diverse range of local flavours.

Guests can unwind with a soothing Wellness Package at Azerai La Residence, Hue, including a two-night stay in a Superior Riverview room, daily breakfast, healthy drinks, a half-day tour to Tu Hieu Pagoda, two yoga sessions, two special spa treatments, one vegetarian lunch at a Buddhist nunnery in Hue, three nutritious meals, and a cooking class.

Authentic Azerai Vietnam experiences: your blissful beachside lifestyle at Azerai Ke Ga Bay

An elegant retreat just steps from a 5km-long secluded sandy beach, Azerai Ke Ga Bay became the latest addition to Azerai’s curated collection of boutique hotels and resorts when it opened its doors in December 2020. Just 2.5 hours’ drive from Ho Chi Minh City, this feels like a stunning second home where guests can enjoy serene seafront living on Vietnam’s pure shores, with chic pool suites and pavilions, a serene seafront spa, restaurant and oceanfront terrace, all just steps from the sand and surf.

Within this stunning setting, guests can feel the spray of the ocean with water sports, or visit nearby attractions. Ke Ga is a haven of fresh produce, and travellers can embark on a tour of the local salt fields and dragon fruit farms to discover how these sweet, cactus-like plants grow in the tropical sun. Closer to home, a tour of Azerai Ke Ga Bay’s neighbours will visit the traditional fishing village and local temple while enjoying views of the oldest lighthouse in Vietnam from the hotel. Experience the laid-back vibe of this seafront region, which feels blissfully tranquil compared to many of Southeast Asia’s other built-up beachfront resort destinations.

Back at the resort, talented chefs showcase Vietnam’s culinary culture, including the five fundamental tastes of Vietnamese cuisine, in an expert-led cooking class. Based on the belief that native ingredients represent the balance of five elements – metal, wood, fire, water and earth – the cooks will teach all ages and ability levels how to craft some of the country’s most acclaimed dishes, such as fresh rice paper rolls, caramelised fish, and chicken with lemongrass & chili.

So, whether you seek to immerse yourself in Vietnam’s nature, culture, cuisine, history or heritage, Azerai’s unique style of authentic, locally-inspired hospitality will inspire you to step off the tourist trail and experience the real Vietnam.