Xin chào friends and partners!
May-June have been busy months in Vietnam for the EXO team. In the northern mountains, the rice planting season is underway, while schools have closed for the summer holidays.
But first we’d like to officially announce that Maeve is going to step into a new role as Key Account Manager for Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos from August 1st. This is therefore my first newsletter as a Product Manager during the transition.
Highlights:
- Arrival rules: The Digital Pre-Arrival Declaration expands to Hanoi, Danang and Phu Quoc.
- Eco expansion: EXO Foundation brings 10,000 reusable glass bottles to northern Vietnam.
- MICHELIN 2026: 193 establishments featured, hitting a record 11 one-starred venues.
- New art tour: A Ho Chi Minh City half-day trip exploring Vietnam’s evolution into contemporary art.
- And many additional updates on train travel, Park Hyatt in Phu Quoc and… others!
Reach out as always, for any questions
Brice V H
Get Inspired
Featured Experiences
Vietnam’s contemporary art scene is experiencing an exciting boom, fuelled by a dynamic new generation of young talents. Discover how these rising artists are influencing the art scene.
New: Step Inside Ho Chi Minh City’s Art Scene
Half Day
Take a closer look at Ho Chi Minh’s creative side on this new art experience. Explore collections of historic work and learn how artists were once used as ‘tools’ for the government. The experience also introduces emerging talents who are contributing to the evolution of Vietnam’s contemporary art scene.
Why we like it : The experience reveals a different layer of Ho Chi Minh City’s cultural and intellectual life. It also connects artworks to historical events and social changes.
Best suited for : Culture and art enthusiasts
Insider’s Look into Hanoi’s
Art Scene
Half Day
While not a new experience, we wanted to highlight this Hanoi programme alongside the launch of our new southern experience. Led by a local art curator, it explores the city’s traditional and contemporary art scene, offering a closer look at how Vietnam’s history and artistic heritage continue to inspire local creatives today.
Why we like it : It gives travellers access to Hanoi’s art scene through a more personal lens, including visits to private residences and a gallery set within a French-period villa.
Best suited for : Culture and art enthusiasts
Get Inspired - Featured
Travel for Good (TFG) Experiences
Travel for Good experiences are curated adventures that turn the journey into a force for positive change. By focusing on community, nature and heritage, we ensure the trip leaves a lasting, ethical footprint on the world.
This month, we focus on slow and immersive travel with local encounters within our community. Both of this month’s featured experiences invite travellers to explore Vietnam’s vibrant city streets entirely on foot.
Explore Hanoi's Vegetarian Street Eats
Travel for Good Classification -
Low Carbon
An immersive exploration of Hanoi’s vegetarian street food, blending iconic flavours with the rich traditions and vibrant history of the Old Quarter.
Why we like it: A socially conscious experience that offers an authentic taste of Hanoi street food culture, with classic plastic-stool dining and the feeling of sharing a meal with a local friend.
Best suited for: Travellers who want to dive deep into Hanoi’s legendary street food scene while prioritising meat-free dishes without sacrificing flavour.
Photography Walking Tour HCMC
Travel for Good Classification -
Low Carbon
Highly enjoyable for aspiring photographers of any level, this experience invites travellers to explore Ho Chi Minh City’s hidden, photogenic locations while learning expert tips from a professional photographer.
Why we like it: The experience steps into a vibrant local area in District 1 that’s both friendly and photogenic.
Best suited for: Those who love exploring on foot at a leisurely pace, interacting naturally with welcoming locals.
Destination News
Digital Pre-Arrival Declaration for all non-Vietnamese passport holders has now officially expanded to three new international hubs: Hanoi, Danang & Phu Quoc.
As recently shared, the mandatory Digital Pre-Arrival Declaration for all non-Vietnamese passport holders has expanded to Hanoi (HAN), Danang (DAD) and Phu Quoc (PQC), joining Ho Chi Minh City (SGN).
Key arrival requirements for travellers:
- Portal: https://prearrival.immigration.gov.vn/
- Timeline: Submit within 3 days prior to arrival.
- Methods: Complete via the portal, QR codes or airport systems. Pre-completion is strongly advised.
- QR code: Save or print the resulting QR code for immigration.
Please include this in final pre-departure docs for all guests arriving at these four hubs.
New: The Merchant River Cruise by Namia River Retreat
Debuting daily departures in July 2026, The Merchant River Cruise offers an elegant dining experience on the Thu Bon River. The stunning vessel can host up to 90 guests, featuring an indoor deck for 42 and an open-air terrace for sunset receptions or wellness sessions.
Its flagship three-hour sunset cruise (17:30–20:30) includes cocktails, canapés and a five-course Spice Route-inspired menu. Operations are guaranteed for bookings made at least six months in advance. Factsheet.
The MICHELIN Guide Vietnam 2026
Officially showcasing 193 establishments across Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, this year’s guide marks a new milestone for Vietnam’s culinary scene. For the first time in the Guide’s four-year history in Vietnam, the number of starred restaurants has reached double digits with 11 venues earning One MICHELIN Star – a powerful sign that the country’s culinary scene is reaching a whole new level of global excellence.
This historic milestone is led by two exciting newcomers: ONVIT in Hanoi, the first-ever Korean restaurant in Vietnam to win a MICHELIN Star, and Upstairs in Ho Chi Minh City, an intimate venue serving modern interpretations of Central Vietnamese traditions. They join nine retaining favourites – including Gia, Ănăn Saigon and La Maison 1888 – alongside a new Green Star addition championing zero-waste gastronomy. More here on the official website.
The Park Hyatt Phu Quoc Opening, Q4
The luxury market is gearing up for the anticipated December debut of Park Hyatt Phu Quoc, the brand’s very first resort-style property in Asia. This ‘Vietnamese village-inspired’ resort stretches across 1.7 kilometers of pristine beach and features 114 exceptionally spacious rooms and suites, including entry-level rooms starting at 80 sqm. Rates will be available once finalised. More here on the official website.
Tonkin Heritage Train Updates
- Stop sales – Tonkin Heritage Day Train Lao Cai – Hanoi.
The day train (SP8), which hosts the Tonkin Heritage carriages on the Lao Cai – Hanoi route, may be discontinued by the end of the year. We’ve made the decision to stop selling this service. Night train services still operate as normal.
- Tonkin Heritage officially launches Hanoi – Danang – Hanoi route.
The Tonkin Heritage from Chapa Express Company has confirmed they will launch their new carriages joining the Reunification Express Train on the Hanoi – Danang route on 1 July. The interiors feature a ‘Tonkin’ aesthetic, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design through the use of natural materials and local brocade motifs.
Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026
Vietnam’s top-ranked properties, determined by traveller votes and T+L editors, were announced in June, with several standout hotels taking the number one spot across the country’s key categories.
- Best City Hotel: Capella Hanoi, celebrated for its dramatic Bill-Bensley designed Art Deco glamour near the Opera House.
- Best Beach + Island Resort: Regent Phu Quoc, leading a highly competitive pack of luxury island escapes.
- Best Upcountry Hotel: Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô, recognised for its raw, secluded luxury in Phú Yên.
- Best Hotel Spa: TIA Wellness Resort, Da Nang, leading the charge for dedicated, holistic wellness sanctuaries.
- Best Hotel Pool: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, famous for its breathtaking cliffside and ocean-front private configurations.
SJourney Vietnam – China – Laos: SJourney has announced a new itinerary: Vietnam + China + Laos. No prices have been launched to date however the first departure is expected in March 2027. We will continue to update once we have further announcements.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi: Refurbishment works at the Opera Wing from mid-June to late September 2026. The hotel remains fully operational with minimal impact on guest experience. All agents with bookings in hand have been alerted to the work.
O’Gallery Premier Hotel and Spa: The hotel will undergo a full refurbishment to upgrade the property to a 5-star boutique standard. The hotel will be temporarily closed from 16 May to 16 August 2026 and is expected to reopen on 17 August 2026. All agents with bookings in hand have been alerted to the work.
Garden Bay Legend Cruise Halong Bay: The cruise ceased operations from 19 May 2026 due to challenging operating conditions.
Sustainability News
Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park as a World Biosphere Reserve
On 5 June 2026, during the 38th session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme in Paraguay, UNESCO officially designated Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park as a World Biosphere Reserve. The anticipated Auko Eco-Wellness Lodges by Lumina will launch along the scenic Son River in Phong Nha Q3 2026, offering an all-inclusive, transformative retreat with 30 high-end eco-lodges and a farm-to-table restaurant celebrating indigenous Central Vietnamese flavours.
Expanding the Glass Bottle Project with EXO Foundation Support
EXO Vietnam’s Glass Bottle Project has reached a major milestone, replacing nearly 80,000 single-use plastic bottles across Central and South Vietnam over the last two years.
To build on this success, the EXO Foundation has financed 10,000 glass bottles to expand the initiative through Northern Vietnam. Despite the challenges of longer itineraries in the North, our experience in other regions has prepared us to implement this transition trip by trip. We look forward to continuing this impactful work and replacing thousands more plastic bottles in the years ahead.
EXO Vietnam wins B Corp Month activity
EXO Vietnam took top honors in this year’s B Corp Month challenge. Our winning entry, a B logo made from 100% recycled scrap paper and Tet flowers, highlighted the creative sustainability efforts within our team. View all submissions on our blog.
EXO Vietnam joins ‘Clean the Halong Bay 2026’
This June, five team members joined Bhaya Cruises and 95 volunteers for the annual ‘Clean the Bay’ campaign in Halong Bay. In just one day, the group cleared over 620 kg of marine debris.
Key achievements included:
- 🌿 2km+ of coastline cleared
- 🌿 224kg+ of plastic waste collected
- 🌿 190kg+ of ghost fishing nets removed
- 🌿 176kg+ of polystyrene gathered
This shared commitment continues our mission to protect Vietnam’s precious ecosystems.
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