Xin chao,
As we gallop into 2026, the team have been busy celebrating Tet – the most auspicious time of the year. Now back at our desks we bring you exciting February news and updates:
February Highlights at a Glance:
- Hotels: Fairmont Hanoi opens its doors, bringing 241 rooms and world-class wellness to the capital.
- Upgrades: Green Bay Phu Quoc unveils expanded villas with private pools following renovation.
- New tours: Discover the Bac Ha & Vinh Yen circuit—a remote, high-impact alternative to Sapa.
- Strategic links: Vietnam Airlines connects HCMC to Phuket direct (5x weekly)
- Team highlights: Step inside our offices and meet the fabulous faces behind our operations— see team photos, from Tet plus our ‘Year End’ Party.
As usual, reach out for any questions.
Maeve & The EXO Vietnam Team
Get Inspired
New Tours & Experiences
Get Inspired! NEW Multi-Day Tour that discovery off-the-beaten-track Northern Vietnam journey to Bac Ha and Vinh Yen plus the spotlight on Hanoi’s Hidden Gems by Vintage Jeep.
NEW - Beyond Bac Ha - Markets, Spice and Rice
4 Days / 4 Nights
An off-the-beaten-track Northern Vietnam journey combining two nearby yet very different regions: the rice terraces, Hmong culture and daily markets of Bac Ha and the rice fields, hilltribe communities and cinnamon plantations of Vinh Yen. Designed as an alternative to Sapa, this program offers authentic experiences with smart logistics via the overnight train to Lao Cai and a fast highway return to Hanoi.
Why we like it: This tour uncovers visually stunning areas pairing them with charming, small-scale lodges that provide a more intimate and authentic local experience. Bac Ha, with an acceptable property, allows more discovery of the famed market plus the opportunity for an authentic valley experience, at Cinnamon Lodge.
Best suited for: This experience is ideal for those seeking the remote beauty of Northern Vietnam, offering a mix of hilltribe culture, local markets and soft hiking for those comfortable with simple yet charming accommodations.
Hanois Hidden Gems
by Vintage Jeep
Half Day
Swap the conventional for the raw, open-air thrill of a vintage army jeep. This immersive journey dives deep into Hanoi’s “parts unknown,” navigating a labyrinth of narrow backstreets and vibrant markets where the city’s true pulse resides. From the historic elegance of the French Quarter and the Long Bien Bridge to the tranquil, fertile farms of Banana Island and the poignant B-52 wreckage, this experience offers a 360-degree perspective of the capital. It’s an authentic, sensory-rich exploration that bridges the gap between wartime history, rural tradition and the buzzing modern energy of Northern Vietnam, complete with a legendary bowl of Bun Cha and a classic Vietnamese coffee.
Why we like it: Authentic, open-air immersion into Hanoi’s hidden backstreet soul.
Best suited for: Curious explorers and photography enthusiasts who crave grit, history and local flavour.
Get Inspired - Featured
Travel for Good (TFG) Experiences
Harnessing travel as a force for good in destinations and communities – Our TFG collection categorises experiences by their environmental and social impact, guiding partners toward responsible choices that benefit both local communities and the planet.
Photography Walking Tour - Saigon
Travel for Good Classification -
Arts, Food, and Creativity
& Low Carbon
Highly enjoyable for aspiring photographers of any level. Wander the heart of the city, delve into hidden alleyways bursting with local color, and capture the essence of daily life. Explore Ho Chi Minh City’s hidden photogenic locations learning photography tips from a professional photographer along the way.
Why we like it: Ho Chi Minh City is such a ‘bright’ warm city (both the people and the light) therefore perfect for an early morning wander to authentic, hidden neighbourhoods.
Reaching Out to the Community - Hoi An
Travel for Good Classification -
Arts, Food, and Creativity
& Philanthropy
Support a good cause while creating unique, handmade souvenirs. Spend half a day at the Reaching Out Workshop, meeting with “special artisans” who are teaching traditional arts in order to improve their lives. Join a crafting workshop and a tea ceremony session while gaining a better understanding of local culture.
Why we like it: Not only supporting a good cause, the venue is ‘old school’ Hoi An, in a perfectly charming way, in the heart of town.
Featured Vietnam Properties
NEW
Fairmont
Hanoi
Opening from February 2026, Fairmont Hanoi marks the brand’s debut in Vietnam, bringing contemporary design to the heart of the capital. Ideally located close to Hoan Kiem and Hanoi’s old/French quarters, the hotel features 241 guestrooms and suites and features seven restaurants, bars and lounges, including Vietnamese cuisine by Luke Nguyen. The wellness facilities span 3,500m², centred around the CIRUA Bathhouse, Fairmont Spa, Fairmont Fit gym and a rooftop swimming pool. The hotel also offers extensive meeting and event space, including a pillarless 1,100m² grand ballroom.
Why we like it: Well located, design-led connection to Hanoi’s culture. We love the fresh colour scheme plus the subtle design features.
Best suited for: “Brand Loyalists” particularly from the US/Northern Europe and high-end travellers who desire the polished standards of a global icon.
RENOVATED
Green Bay Resort
Phu Quoc
Nestled along the tranquil northwestern shores of the island, Green Bay is a secluded beachfront resort where nature and modern comfort blend seamlessly. The 78 eco-chic villas are built with sustainable materials and handcrafted wood furnishings, offering ocean or jungle views.
Recent Renovation: Mid 2025, the resort improved designs and layouts, including private pools in select villas and expanded living space in others with newly added terraces. Sports and wellness facilities have also been upgraded, introducing a wider range of spa options. Note – the hotel will be carrying out further renovations, summer 2026.
Why we like it: Surrounded by tropical forest with a long stretch of private beach, the resort offers a quiet atmosphere directly on a peaceful beach as well as two large swimming pools.
Best suited for: Best suited for those looking for a ‘stay and flop’ type stay with well designed villas and bungalows.
Destination News
Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) – Phuket (HKT), New Route VNA
Vietnam Airlines announced a new direct route connecting Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Phuket (HKT), starting April, 2026. This service provides a direct link between Southern Vietnam and Thailand’s popular island destination. The service will operate five times per week on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sundays.
Hotel des Arts Saigon, MGallery: update to check-In & check-out policy
To ensure all rooms are ‘properly prepared to meet the highest standards’, the hotel has announced new check-in and check-out times from February 2026:
- Check-in: 3:00 PM
- Check-out: 12:00 PM
Pilgrimage Hue: Update on room category changes:
- New pavilion – Sala house in 4 Bedroom – Pool Villa: The rebuilt Sala house pavilion in the 4-Bedroom Pool Villa provides a tranquil setting to enjoy tea and unwind amidst the resort’s natural beauty.
- Superior Plus wall’s colour change: Renovated Superior Plus rooms now feature warm orange walls, replacing white tones to create a fresh, cozy ambiance
- Plunge pool villa – upgraded from plunge pool to private swimming pool: all five Plunge Pool Villas are transitioning to private swimming pools by 1 March 2026, featuring an expanded size of 4.5m x 2.8m for an enhanced guest experience.
Namia River Retreat Hoi An is enhancing their wellness journey, starting 1 March 2026, allowing a choice between a Solo Herbal Hammam or a Communal Sauna & Cool Plunge for the 30-minute Hydro Therapy session, followed by a 60-minute Vietnamese treatment. To ensure a seamless experience, guests staying fewer than three nights are required to complete an online health consultation form prior to arrival, while those staying three nights or more must submit an online holistic self-assessment. For the best availability, it is highly recommended that spa slots are reserved at the time of room booking to ensure that preferred times are secured as part of the guest’s stay.
Sapa Mountain Resort affiliated by Melia will be closed from March until June 2026. The resort will be completely closed for their renovation (in order to become an official Melia Sapa hotel instead of “Affiliated by Melia” – which is a lower category of Melia Group.
EXO Vietnam: Team Highlights!
Step inside our offices and meet the fabulous faces behind our operations— here’s what our teams have been up to.
Celebrating Tet with Sustainable Spirit
This Tet, our all three EXO VN offices (Hanoi, Danang, HCMC) were transformed with beautiful, sustainable decorations that embody the essence of our rich culture while honoring our commitment to the environment. These vibrant and eco-friendly designs create a warm atmosphere, uplifting our spirits as we welcome the new year.
This bright new year brought us closer together, filled with joy and cultural pride!
EXO Vietnam_Year End Party 2026 & EXO Stars Awards
Pre Tet, EXO Travel Vietnam had the pleasure of gathering for our Year End Party in a joyful and festive atmosphere to celebrate the New Year together.
Beyond being a meaningful occasion to reflect on our journey, reconnect, and share moments of celebration, the event also marked a special highlight as we proudly honoured our EXO Stars—outstanding individuals whose dedication and contributions made a remarkable impact throughout the year.
Congratulations to our EXO Stars, and heartfelt thanks to all colleagues for making this an unforgettable evening filled with positive energy, appreciation, and enthusiasm as we step into a successful year ahead.
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