New World Saigon hotel a strong pioneering brand

It’s true to say that when New World Saigon Hotel officially started operations in 1994, it made a great impression.  It was not only the first five-star hotel to operate in Vietnam right at the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) center with full international amenities for tourists, entrepreneurs and foreign politicians - contributing a large part to enhancing the tourism/hotel industry of Vietnam in the early stages of integration; but it also contributed a very large part in opening a new industry - professional hotel development and management.

In 2014, New World Saigon Hotel celebrated 20 years of operation in Vietnam. In order to learn more about this new stage, Saigon New Day had a talk with New World Saigon Hotel Managing Director David Wicker.

Looking back at the past journey, what are the achievements of New World Saigon Hotel?

Apart from our success in revenues, New World Saigon takes pride in being the first five-star hotel in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) to lead the initiative in training human resources for hospitality - the tourism industry for HCMC specifically, and for Vietnam as a whole. We have trained over 500 associates in professional foreign languages and customer service skills pursuant to international level, particularly enhancing their knowledge of and confidence in an international environment.

In 2014, on the occasion of the 20 - year anniversary of its operation in Vietnam, New World Saigon honored 100 staff members working at the hotel throughout the last 20 years, a figure not unremarkable in the context of human resources competition between five-star hotels in HCMC as of present.

Our activities have gained big awards at home and abroad such as: Best Recruiter, Top 10 Best Hotels in Vietnam, Gold Circle Hotel Award, Luxury Business Hotel, and The Best Hotel. Additionally, we have received many guest groups and well-known politicians the world over.

It’s well known that New World Saigon Hotel has received many leaders from various nations such as former Presidents of the United States Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush. Why do you think they chose New World Saigon Hotel over other five-star hotels?

Apart from modern convenient facilities, New World Saigon Hotel is located right in the city center without views blocked by other high-rises, and therefore security is ensured. We have many close relationships with associations abroad, including the American Chamber and Canadian Chamber, which have placed their offices in our hotel.

One more thing that is worth mentioning is that currently, although we’ve been working in Vietnam for over 20 years, we still maintain a professional service attitude that is premium but as friendly as it has been from the beginning. At the same time, we cater our services to each guest’s requests with great flexibility. This creates a good impression in the hearts of our guests, particularly business people - who always return. This repeat business in turn helps the staff to take pride in the hotel’s values.

New World Saigon Hotel has received high praise for its contributions to the community in Vietnam.  What are some of the programs that have been initiated?

“For the community” is one of our working principles. New World Saigon has the most activities for the community among New World Hotels the world over.

We participate annually in such programs as “Thuy’s Dream” (Sunflower Day), Terry Fox Run and Amcham Blood Donation Day. In the last six years, we have cooperated with Heart Reach Australia to conduct programs in many places in Hanoi, HCMC and particularly in the Mekong Delta to enhance education of young children in the locality.

We’ve just recently collected the funds to buy a first aid ship in Vietnam with full medical equipment to offer assistance to people in the Mekong Delta during emergencies or bad weather. We hope to raise more funds to buy another ship in the near future.

How does the international brand New World Development in Hong Kong impact New World Saigon Hotel?

The investor New World Development in Hong Kong has rendered us plenty of help in our operation. This is a major Hong Kong conglomerate with a long business history in retail, apartments, hotels, telecommunications and technology. As for Vietnam particularly, I know that New World Hotels & Resorts is looking at potential properties in the north, south and central provinces in the future. Our company believes Vietnam is a market with significant potential and opportunities for greater tourism growth in the various provinces and cities.

What are your thoughts on tourism in Vietnam in recent times?

According to a report by the HCMC Tourism Department, the quantity of tourists in Vietnam has decreased in the last 10 months due to many reasons, such as international economic situation and the sensitive relationship with China. I do believe the government sees this and is making plans to increase international tourist numbers so that Vietnam will regain its role as an international destination in the next few years.

What is the development plan for New World Saigon in the future?

In Dynasty restaurant, we are now focusing not only on Chinese/Cantonese cuisine but on different varieties of menus from Indochina - and are now serving Asian and Oriental cuisine. We also have a new Japanese restaurant managed by Kacyo at first level. On the second level, we have a new Image Hair Salon and have new five cabanas which can accommodate from four to six people relaxing by the poolside while sipping on cocktails at Splash Pool Bar.

We’ve gone through the journey of 20 years with remarkable achievements.  In coming times, we will have to assert ourselves even more in the market in order to make a big impression in customers’ minds.

We have a plan to invest around USD20 million to renew the hotel via a design change in guestrooms, meeting rooms and hotel bars, and a whole marketing plan to publicize the changes. 

Thank you for sharing.

Saigon New Day - Thanh Nien Publishing House

Từ khóa : New World Saigon