with its latest Vietnam hotel launch in the stunning and historic city of Lao Cai, a hilltribe haven and tourist drawcard perched on the renascent nation's border with China.
Swiss-Belhotel Lao Cai is set to receive its first guests next month (July 2013), shifting one of Asia's fastest-growing hospitality groups up another gear in its quest to become a true regional player and providing a strategic presence in the city emerging as the prime tourism conduit between Vietnam and its giant northern neighbour.
The new hotel launch brings the Hong Kong-based group's portfolio to more than 120 hotels and resorts ranging from 2-star to 5-star classifications across Asia and the Middle East. Swiss-Belhotel Lao Cai is the group's second Vietnam property, joining the five star beachfront Swiss-Belhotel Golden Sand Resort & Spa, Hoi An.
Swiss-Belhotel's biggest presence is in Indonesia, where it operates 33 hotels, has another 56 under development and has been voted Indonesia's Leading Global Hotel Chain at the Indonesian Travel and Tourism Awards for the past three years. The brand promises a unique fusion of Swiss professionalism and Asian passion for service.
Swiss-Belhotel Chairman and President, Mr Gavin M. Faull, said the group was delighted to bring another unique property to Vietnam. "This is a city poised for big things at an absolutely vital location in the context of ASEAN and moves towards free trade, on the doorstep of the economy that drives the world.
"We are looking forward to being a continuing part of the success of Swiss-Belhotel Lao Cai, and of Lao Cai itself," said Mr Faull, a New Zealand native whose 35 years in hotel management, operations and corporate development includes long stints with The Peninsula Group and Kingsgate International. "Vietnam is a fascinating nation of almost unlimited potential and it is a market we will be keeping a very close eye on for future partnerships."
Swiss-Belhotel Lao Cai is an elegant four-star international hotel poised upon a prime location in the fast-developing, picturesque tourism hub. Designed to accommodate the needs of both business and leisure travellers, the hotel blends contemporary style with traditional touches to offer a warm ambience and utmost convenience and comfort to its guests.
Adjoining the city's new commercial centre, the hotel features 186 fully equipped modern guestrooms and an array of sophisticated facilities including conference rooms, business centre, fitness centre and lobby lounge, as well as a bar and what will soon be recognized as some of the city's best restaurants. It also offers guests convenient access to many other dining, entertainment and shopping venues.
The Lao Cai-Hekou border crossing is the prime conduit between Vietnam and China, an international border crossing checkpoint at the confluence of two rivers, adjoining four provinces between the two Asian dragons.
Its cool climate, colourful inhabitants like the 'Black Hmong' and 'Red Dao' hilltribes, and breathtaking scenery make it a tourist favourite, with attractions including nearby Sapa, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh's stilt house, and Mount Fansipan, Vietnam's highest peak.
Lao Cai is also set to assume much greater significance as a regional economic and trade hub given its strategic location ahead of the likely establishment in 2015 of the ASEAN free trade zone. The border gate comprises road, railway and waterway facilities, and in the future will include air routes. Lao Cai is also the lynchpin of the Two Corridors, One Economic Belt project, and will become a key free trade route between ASEAN members and China.
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