It’s that time of the month again! As we transition into the beautiful autumn season here in Vietnam, our team has been working hard to keep you updated on the latest travel developments.
In this month’s update, we are thrilled to introduce a charming new 3-star lodge that will make exploring the breathtaking Ha Giang Loop so much easier for our travellers. We also have some major luxury news to share, including Capella Hanoi’s latest global recognition and an exciting update on Vietnam’s brand-new Michelin Key hotels. Plus, we’ve included important logistical updates regarding Duong Lam and the much-anticipated reopening of the ‘My Village’ bamboo circus in Hanoi. Dive in for all the details!
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, these experiences aim to leave a lasting, positive impact on the destinations visited.
Beyond Tam Coc
by Electric Bicycle
Travel for Good classification -
Heritage Protection
- Explore Tam Coc’s peaceful countryside by electric bike (e-bike)
- Visit Thai Vi Temple and the scenic Bich Dong Pagoda
- Enjoy a tranquil boat ride with a tea ceremony served on board
Best suited for: Active travellers, families and culture lovers looking for an authentic escape into Vietnam’s peaceful countryside.
Tranquil Hoi An:
Community & Nature
Travel for Good classification -
Community-Based Tourism
- See a quieter side of Hoi An
- Learn about organic farming practices
- Immerse in authentic village life
- E-bikes, available since October 2026, make it effortless to explore further while enjoying a sustainable ride
Best suited for: Ideal for active travellers and culture seekers looking for an easy, eco-friendly rural exploration.
Featured cruises
Nostalgia Sails Cruise
Halong and Lan Ha Bay
Nostalgia Sails is a newly built (Oct 2026) cruise featuring 26 spacious cabins, all designed with private balconies and panoramic views, blending traditional Vietnamese charm with refined Indochine-inspired elegance.
Why EXO likes it:
– Brand-new fleet launched with a sophisticated blend of Vietnamese heritage and Indochine style.
– All cabins feature full ocean views, private balconies or expansive terraces, and bathtubs/Jacuzzis with bay views.
– Upper-deck outdoor swimming pool and sundeck bar.
– Flexible interconnecting options (8 connecting cabins + Master Suite) suitable for families and small groups.
Best suited for: Best suited for both GIT and FIT, especially for families.
Harmony Boutique Cruise
Halong and Lan Ha Bay
Launched in October 2026, Harmony Boutique Cruise offers a modern boutique experience in Halong and Lan Ha Bay. The 5-deck steel vessel features 28 well-appointed suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, ocean views, private balconies or terraces, and ocean-view Jacuzzi bathtubs.
Why EXO likes it:
– Newly built in 2026 with a modern design featuring floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass windows.
– All cabins feature a private balcony/terrace and an ocean-view Jacuzzi bathtub.
– Modern facilities: Four-season pool & Jacuzzi, elevator (8-person capacity), fitness room, spa, mini-golf and Harmony Hub games room.
– Interconnecting suite options available for families/groups
Best suited for: Best suited for both GIT and FIT, especially for family
Destination news
Our product team has been actively out in the field conducting several critical inspections across the country:
- In Hanoi, we have been busy testing engaging new walking tours and eco-friendly electric scooter routes to bring fresh, immersive urban experiences to your clients.
- Up north, our teams have also been inspecting the Sapa region and the S-Journey train from Hanoi to Saigon.
- In the south, we are actively focusing on the progress of the new Long Thanh International Airport in Saigon. While this massive infrastructure project is a major priority for us, please note that a lot of information is still pending official confirmation from authorities, particularly concerning flight allotments and airline shifts for 2027.
Logistics & operations
- Duong Lam: Please be advised that we have issued a stop-sale for our products and packages on EXO Create in Duong Lam ancient village due to extensive renovations currently taking place in the area. However, we still organise and propose Duong Lam for direct agent requests, explaining the on-site situation. We will keep you updated and lift the stop-sales once the destination is fully ready to welcome guests again.
- Saigon urban upgrades & new pedestrian bridge: Ho Chi Minh City is continually enhancing its urban layout, most notably with the development of the new pedestrian bridge connecting District 1 to the Thu Thiem peninsula across the Saigon River. Once fully completed, this new architectural landmark will offer fantastic skyline views and create a much more walkable, vibrant waterfront experience for visitors (particularly at night).
Events, seasonality & awards
- My Village (Lang Toi) reopening: The show reopens on 3 November 2026 at Hanoi Lune Center for the Bamboo Circus. This captivating performance combines traditional Vietnamese culture, bamboo artistry, live music and impressive acrobatics in an intimate setting. Compared with larger productions, Lune shows offer a more authentic cultural experience particularly for FIT and small groups. The 60-minute show runs from 18:00 to 19:00, Monday to Thursday. Please note that the venue is on Trang Tien Street (not inside the Opera House).
- Capella Hanoi global recognition: Capella Hanoi has officially been named No. 81 in the extended 51-100 list of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026, making it the only hotel in Vietnam to earn a place in the prestigious top 100.
- Michelin Keys 2026 announcement: Vietnam’s luxury hospitality scene continues to elevate, with 21 Michelin Key hotels recognised in the 2026 selection. We are especially excited to spotlight the eight outstanding new One-Key entries this year: Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Namia River Retreat, Mai House Saigon, Mia Saigon, Legacy Yen Tu, Garrya Mu Cang Chai and Melia Vinpearl Quang Binh. Additionally, the iconic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi was promoted to Two Keys!
- New public holiday: Vietnam has officially designated 24 November as ‘Vietnamese Culture Day’.
Sustainability news
EXO Vietnam team steps up for community blood donation drive
At EXO, driving positive change isn’t just about sustainable travel – it’s about actively showing up for the local communities we call home.
This week, nearly 30 team members from EXO Vietnam joined forces for a community Blood Donation Drive. From nervous first-timers to regular donors, the energy was filled with warmth, solidarity and true team spirit.
Moments like these remind us that true hospitality begins with care, empathy and collective action!
Raising funds for the EXO Foundation’s 15th Anniversary!
To honour a major milestone – the 15th Anniversary of the EXO Foundation – the EXO Hanoi team brought our community together through the ‘Give Books – Grow Futures’ campaign, and Saigon office transformed into a vibrant eco-bazaar.
Rallying staff, tour guides, ex-EXOers, neighbouring offices in our building and support from the EXO team, the market collected pre-loved books and other items for a lively pop-up market.
EXO Vietnam steps up for a cause at Road to Give 2026
Our Danang team took to the stunning Non Nuoc beach to participate in Marriott’s Road to Give charity run!
Each team member completed a 4 km run alongside fellow runners from Danang and Hoi An, bringing great energy to the coast and crossing the finish line together.
This event was a fantastic way for our colleagues to promote team health and wellness while doubling our positive impact for the EXO Foundation Challenge. All proceeds and donations from the run are dedicated directly to supporting SOS Children’s Villages.
Thank you to our Danang runners for representing EXO with so much passion and purpose!
EXO Foundation sponsors organic farming & soil protection workshops in Hoi An
Real sustainability starts from the ground up. Between July and September 2026, An Farm Hoi An hosted 11 community workshops fully sponsored by the EXO Foundation to advance organic farming education and safeguard local soil and groundwater ecosystems.
Equipping local communities with these tools ensures that tourism active in the area directly contributes to environmental regeneration.
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