A project is now underway to redefine preconceived ideas about Vietnamese food, drink and hospitality in central Vietnam’s heritage city of Hoi An. Owners of the new Wafaifo Resort in Hoi An, Quang Nam province in central Vietnam, appointed former international celebrity chef and food and beverage concept creator Andrew Joyce of B&B Ideas Group and international Vietnamese designer Le Ha Hoang of Shape Us to create a unique series of contemporary food, beverage and lifestyle experiences for the 134-room urban resort.

© Wafaifo Hospitality

“The creative brief is to deliver a contemporary Vietnamese take that will make eating, drinking and relaxing at Wafaifo not just the talk of the town but of central Vietnam,” says Pieter van der Hoeven, managing director, Wafaifo Hospitality.  “We are a proud, modern Hoi An community brand that strongly believes in the de-commodification of the hotel sector. What Andrew and Le Ha are hatching is revolutionary in terms of hospitality in central Vietnam.”

Joyce and Hoang give central Vietnamese motifs, products, designs, menus and service standards a contemporary Vietnamese twist and place them at the forefront of the resort’s outlets. These include the Swim City pool bar, the DJ booth, an all-day dining long bar, the lobby coffee and retail area, the signature Vietnamese restaurant, and the meeting and event spaces. Other amenities will include a V.I.P. pool, club lounge, kids’ and teen club, 24/7 room service, spa room with steam and sauna, gym, free parking, guest bicycles and free WiFi.

© Wafaifo Hospitality

“While Wafaifo’s restaurant and bars are technically in the hotel, they are being independently designed and attractively priced as unique, stand-alone leisure experiences,” said Joyce. “The unique outlets at the Wafaifo will have a design and wow factor unlike anything else between Saigon and Hanoi.”

Local products and flavors from central Vietnam will also be showcased, such as Vietnamese robusta and arabica coffees from supplier Folliet, chocolates and bonbonerie from Savall’s in Danang, Dong Gia chinaware and locally designed and manufactured staff uniforms.

In Le Ha Hoang, Joyce collaborates with one of Vietnam’s most acclaimed architects. Hoang combines more than 15 years of lighting design, architectural study and practice in Germany and the United Kingdom with homegrown experience in Vietnam. His recent projects include interior design for the Vietage Vietnamese luxury train carriage and the Yugen Japanese cocktail bar and Hanoia concept store, both in Ho Chi Minh City.

© Wafaifo Hospitality

The Wafaifo Resort, Hoi An, due to open July 2024, lies a five-minute walk from UNESCO heritage attractions in the city, and Danang International Airport is just 30 minutes away.