Promotions and news in HCMC and beyond…
RB&K New Collection
RB&K (www.rbkandco.com) debuts its new Fall/Winter Collection 2014-15 « Link ». The new collection emphasizes the elegance of a feminine and independent woman, using strong colors like yellow and blue. Creativity is the strength of these simple and unique designs. The clothes act as a physical bridge, a link, mixing cultures together, and embracing the similarities of all countries.
Stella Artois Debuts in Vietnam
Last month Stella Artois held its official launch party at 2 Lam Son Bar. Stella Artois’ brewery is located in Leuven, Belgium dating back to 1366, where the name of the brewery was Den Horen, meaning “the horn” in Flemish. It was master brewer Sebastian Artois who gave his name to the brewery in 1717, but “Stella” (Latin for “star”) – was a title given to a seasonal Christmas pilsner-style beer which was first introduced in 1926. Stella Artois was so well received that it became available year round. Honoring the long tradition and heritage, the horn
emblem is still part of the Stella Artois logo today.
Renaissance Riverside Saigon Promotions
Sky BBQ Poolside
Chill by the pool with friends and family while enjoying savory barbecued food smoldering on the grill for VND888,000++ per person, every Thursday and Friday until December 30.
Turkey on the Run @ Riverside Café
Let our master chefs take the hard work out of your festive dinner with a turkey on the run dinner (VND2,250,000 net per set) with a choice of three condiments, two sauces, and one bottle of house wine. Offer valid until December 21, 24 hours prior order is required.
Cocktail Culture @ Atrium Lounge
Head mixologist, Mr. Phu, creates concoctions for your quenching pleasure. Trio Cocktails (set of three glasses per person, VND300,000++ per person). Every day until December 30.
Visit www.renaissance-saigon.com for more info
New Cobalt Rooftop Bar
To celebrate the Pullman Saigon Centre’s one year anniversary, the hotel has launched its newest addition, the Cobalt Rooftop Bar (148 Tran Hung Dao, D1). Located on the 31st floor this is the highest rooftop bar in Ho Chi Minh City. The furniture features pieces designed by John Reeves who takes recycled motorcycle parts and turns them in to cast iron talking points. The bar and outside deck can accommodate up to 100 guests. Access is via the Cobalt Restaurant on the 30th floor with LED lights paving the way. A series of high and low areas on the deck give guests an opportunity to take in what Ho Chi Minh City has to offer whilst listening
to the sounds of Cobalt’s resident DJ on Friday and Saturday nights.
Crepitee Opens
Crepitee (crepitee.com) is a new café and French bistro on 65 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, Binh Thanh
offering homemade affordable Gallic food by owner and chef Christophe. Dishes include stewed beef in red wine sauce with potatoes (VND85,000), Quercy French style salad (VND65,000), La Normandy crepe (VND80,000) among others.
Corporate Lease on Diamond Island
The Ascott has opened its fifth property in Ho Chi Minh City. The new Diamond Island Luxury Residences is located in District2, which is earmarked to become Vietnam’s new commercial and financial centre. Surrounded by water, Diamond Island provides a uniquely tranquil environment that is strategically located only ten minutes from the city center and adjacent to Thu Thiem. Facilities include a marina, yacht, tennis courts, golf putting green, gymnasium, salt-water swimming pools, water taxi, bicycles together with a 1.7-hectare garden and 2-kilometre promenade for leisure purposes. To celebrate the opening of Diamond Island Luxury Residences, Ascott is offering special introductory monthly rates from USD1,700 for One-bedroom Premier Apartment. For more info, visit www.the-ascott.com, or call 0968 293 388.
Corner Boutique Opens
Located on the first floor, the recently opened Corner Boutique (23 Ly Tu Trong, D1; Facebook: “Corner Boutique Saigon”) sells high-quality hand stitched clothes, accessories, homeware and gifts for men, women and children.
Romeo & Juliet Opens
The culinary foundation of Saigon’s newest Italian restaurant – R&J (Times Square Building, 22 – 36 Nguyen Hue and 57 – 69F Dong Khoi, D1) - was laid in Italy, not surprisingly – in Chef de Cuisine Fabrizio Valdetara’s grandmother’s kitchen where he first hand-rolled pasta. His skills were honed during his time working in the kitchens of Italian Michelin-starred restaurants. Both his nonna’s influence and his extensive experience are evident on the menu in such regional Italian specialties as tagliata di manzo, a Tuscan meal of beef with arugula, tomatoes, and an aged balsamic reduction. The décor is inspired by the meticulous tile work of grand Venetian palazzos; several of R&J’s walls are decorated with vibrant, floor-to-ceiling floral mosaic art. Adjacent to the 74-seat restaurant is a 48-seat lounge.
The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip Grand Opening
With golfing icon Greg Norman on hand to cut the ribbon on The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip (www.thegrandhotramstrip.com), a course he has called one of the two most beautiful that he has ever been involved in, Harbinger Capital Principal and Ho Tram Strip investor Philip Falcone further took the opportunity to announce that the Ho Tram Project Company would be developing both condominiums and villas which would be available to both international and domestic investors.
Open for preview play since early in 2014, the course has already been nominated for three Asia Pacific Golf Awards, including Best New Golf Course in Asia Pacific, Best Golf Course in Vietnam and Best Golf Course Superintendent (Ali Macfadyen).
Norman was joined by former US Open champion Michael Campbell and two-time European Tour winner Robert Rock. Campbell and Rock took the opportunity to play the course with two of Vietnam’s finest female golfers —LPGA Tour pro Tang Thi Nhung and US collegiate golfing star and Ba Ria Vung Tau native Ngo Bao Nghi — in a charity exhibition match.
According to Stephen Shoemaker, the Chairman and CEO of Asian Coast Development Limited, “the new development announcement will see The Bluffs’ scenic dune formations adorned with luxury villas, while the adjacent The Grand Ho Tram Strip will have several vacation condominiums available for investment. All will be available to both international and domestic investors, with detailed plans to be announced in the near future.”
Dental Promotion
Dr. Hung & Associates Dental Center (www.drhung01.com) has extended its Women’s Day promotion until November 15 where ladies can receive a 15 percent discount on veneers. Located on 224A Cong Quynh, D1, the center uses the latest equipment for services like teeth whitening, implants, pedodontics and more.
Spa Promotion
In November only, Villa Aesthetica will be holding a bring- a- friend- at- half- price promotion on spa treatments only, offered to all Oi readers. Along with traditional and Thai massages, the facility is the only venue in Vietnam with a dedicated Turkish hammam – check our review on page 84 in the magazine for more details. Take along someone who deserves to be pampered and mention “Oi” to receive the discount.
InterContinental Turkey Takeaway
As Thanksgiving is fast approaching, the InterContinental Asiana Saigon’s culinary team has created a turkey takeaway Thanksgiving dinner. The six to seven kg delicious turkey is priced at VND3,250,000 ++ per whole turkey together with two kinds of roasted vegetables, traditional cranberry and gravy sauce. Customers can choose their favorite stuffing (pork and cornbread or minced turkey with apple and cranberry) and side dishes (two kg of roasted potatoes or two kg of mashed potatoes). Orders must be placed two days in advance at 3520 9099 or email dine@icasianasaigon.com.
Seaplanes Open Route between Hanoi and Halong Bay
Vietnam’s first seaplane service launched, cutting the travel time from Hanoi to Halong Bay to 30 minutes. To inaugurate the new, long-sought alternative to the four-hour, overland haul, Hai Au Aviation has launched a joint promotion with Emeraude Classic Cruises (www.emeraude-cruises.com) through December 31. The planes lift off at 10 am from the tarmac at Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport and touch down on water at Tuan Chau Marina. From the marina, passengers then ferry to the Emeraude for a noon departure onto Halong Bay.
Hai Au’s maiden flight took place on September 9. The airline flies Cessna Caravan C208 EX, manufactured in Wichita, Kansas in the US. The 42-foot long aircraft seats 12 and cruises at 260 km/h under the command of two pilots.
The Long Bar opens
A 48-meter bar that vaults the distance between Dong Khoi and Nguyen Hue has opened. The Long @Times Square (Times Square Building, 22-36 Nguyen Hue and 57-69F Dong Khoi, D1) anchors the ground floor of The Reverie Saigon – set to debut at the end of the year. The bar’s lithe, marble-topped counter leaps between the streets in six individual segments, including connecting columns, a setting that’s not quite indoors, not quite outdoors. Ten bartenders patrol its length, catering to patrons at 80 bar-front stools and two dozen more at the high cocktail tables beyond. The bar’s menu volleys a plethora of Vietnamese and Italian favorites and drink specials.