Without tourists, luxury hotels in Vietnam are providing culinary tours, river cruises and other entertainment services to maintain cash flow amid the Covid-19 pandemic. 

With the fourth coronavirus wave growing worse in many localities, resulting in lockdowns and travel restrictions, five-star hotels across Vietnam stand near empty. Though room prices have been reduced by up to 60 percent, current occupancy rates remain at less than 10 percent. Without revenues, five-star hotels have been forced to offer luxury services to local tourists to remain afloat.

Culinary tour

The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is offering a culinary tour of the world called "Tour du Monde", with dishes combining typical flavors from Morocco, the Middle East, America, the Mediterranean, Europe, Cuba and Southeast Asia.

Sofitel Legend Metropole in Hanoi. Photo courtesy of the hotel.

From now until September, diners can choose from a six-course set menu at the Le Beaulieu restaurant inside the hotel, or try a seven-course a la carte menu or afternoon tea at Le Club Bar.

The hotel is now providing free home delivery of meals for minimum orders of VND1.5 million ($65). Its menu includes high-end dishes like Wagyu ribs and seared Scottish salmon with a variety of wine.

River cruise

The five-star Azerai La Residence in Hue, a popular tourist town in central Vietnam, is offering a river tour along the iconic Huong (Perfume) River on a 17-meter-long vessel able to accommodate 12 guests at a time.

A one-hour river cruise combined with afternoon tea costs VND290,000 per person or VND490,000 for two.

In addition, a 60-minute sunset cruise with handcrafted cocktails costs VND VND340,000 a person, while a 120-minute tour costing VND580,000 takes diners to explore the beauty of Perfume River and Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest in Vietnam, before enjoying a European-Vietnamese dinner.

A river cruise along the Perfume River via Thien Mu Pagoda, a popular
tourist destination in Hue. Photo courtesy of Azerai La Residence.

Azerai La Residence in Can Tho City has also launched a river tour, allowing locals to enjoy sunset on the Hau River while exploring the natural beauty of the Mekong Delta.

Cam Ranh Resort water park

Splash Water Park at Alma Resort Cam Ranh in the central province of Khanh Hoa attracts many local families coming to relax on weekends. The 6,000-square-meter-wide water park, overlooking Long Beach on Cam Ranh Peninsula, has a system of swimming pools and waterslides for children to make a splash. Inside, there are also two American-style food trucks serving a variety of snacks.

The waterslide area for kids inside Splash Water Park of Alma Resort
Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa Province. Photo courtesy of the resort.

The park is open from noon to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends, free for guests staying at the resort. Locals wishing to have fun at the park have to pay VND160,000 per adult and VND100,000 a child.