The Paradise’s Milestones in 2017 – 10 years of success
8 January 2018
January 2017: Paradise Trend Hotel welcomes its first guest
Paradise Vietnam hit the ground running with a brilliant start to 2017. The company quietly added two new blocks and 78 rooms to the Paradise Suites Hotel on Tuan Chau Island, then wrapped up the year nicely with a coveted Travelers’ Choice award from TripAdvisor — for being one of the 25 Best Hotels in Vietnam! Despite a quiet launch of this hotel, this was a major coup for Paradise VIetnam.
March 2017: Launch of the newest cruise line – the Paradise Elegance
Paradise Vietnam celebrated its 10 year anniversary with the launch of the meticulously-designed steel boat, the Paradise Elegance. Since 2007, the company has defined itself as a leader in luxury cruising in Halong Bay, and is the first choice of travellers with Paradise Peak and Paradise Luxury. As the newest boat in the fleet, Paradise Elegance has reaffirmed Paradise Vietnam’s ambition to become one of the largest cruise operators in the Bay. The ship offers spacious cabins — among the largest on offer in Halong Bay — each with a private balcony and floor-to-ceiling windows.
July 2017: The second Paradise Elegance sets sail
Four months after the inaugural voyage of the first Elegance, Paradise Vietnam sends their second steel boat on its maiden voyage. “The Paradise Elegance is the cherry on top of our birthday cake!” said Edgar Cayanan, Paradise Cruise General Manager. “With 10 years in the industry, we believe we have developed our reputation from the services we bring to our guests, from the facilities they experience aboard our ships — not only meeting but always exceeding their expectation.” Bringing the number of ships in the Paradise Cruise fleet to seven, Paradise Elegance is expected to double the number of passengers cruising with the company. And in another first, guests on board the Paradise Elegance can savour their à la carte dinner with free flow of food and drinks, and a wide range of food options.
August: The first and only Haute Cuisine on the High Seas featuring 2 Michelin-starred chef, Thierry Drapeau
In a world first, Paradise Elegance became the only cruise operator in Halong Bay to fuse world class gastronomy with the natural beauty of Halong Bay. French chef, Thierry Drapeau — who has been awarded 2 Michelin stars — showcased his gourmet flair on board the Elegance with a unique five course dinner that paid homage to authentic French cuisine. Paired with award-winning Brazilian wines from the Trivento winery, Haute Cuisine on the High Seas has introduced a new variety of tourism to Halong Bay and reimagined the experience of cruising Halong Bay.
September 2017: Hit all the right notes with an expansion of their Vietnamese culinary journey
With the arrival of two new restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City (Home Finest Vietnamese Restaurant and The Chopsticks Saigon Restaurant), Paradise Vietnam continues to create a “restaurant culture” that represents the ambition of the company: to raise Vietnamese food culture to a higher level. Both restaurants not only offer exquisite cuisine but also a wide range of beverages, including world famous wines, champagne and innovative signature cocktails. A hallmark of both restaurants is an elegant ambience and a delectable dining experience, with Home Finest Saigon rated number one by TripAdvisor — within only two months of its debut on the Ho Chi Minh City’s restaurant scene.
October 2017: Launch of Paradise Prestige – A dive-in, all-inclusive concept for Paradise Vietnam
Responding to the demand for multi-night cruising in Halong Bay and beyond, Paradise Vietnam introduced Paradise Prestige — sophisticated cruising of the UNESCO World Heritage site that sails its guests away from crowds and into the more secluded territories of Halong and Bai Tu Long Bays. The launch of Prestige also introduced the dive-in, all-inclusive concept for Paradise VIetnam, featuring many passenger benefits for greater enjoyment of the journey. The benefits included kayaking, free-flow food and drinks at every meal, and one 50 minute spa treatment per person per day.
October 2017: The Guide Awards for cruises and hotels
Recognised for the third consecutive year by the prestigious The Guide Awards, Paradise VIetnam had the honour of winning Premium Experience Cruises in Mysterious Halong Bay with Personalized Services and Exquisite Hotel with Excellent Services and Facilities on the Shores of Halong Bay for the Paradise Suites Hotel. “The awards propel us to improve our services and facilities, and also continue excelling in delivering excellent services to our beloved guests,” said Nguyen Cao Son, Paradise Vietnam Chief Operation Officer.
November 2017: Paradise Vietnam welcomes their 45,000th guest aboard
In the third week of November, Paradise Vietnam hit a major milestone and welcomed its 45,000th guest — a 48 per cent year-on-year increase! Since its launch 10 years ago, the cruise operator has gone from strength to strength in terms of passenger numbers, thanks to the launch of both Paradise Elegance boats this year. There is increased interest from visitors from across the globe particularly for the newest Elegance, and for the continuous 3-day, 2-night cruising on board the Prestige. Paradise Vietnam is still on track to welcome its 50,000th guest by the end of 2017.
December 2017: MAM Vietnamese Restaurant opens its doors
Tucked away off bustling Hai Ba Trung Street in District 3, HCMC, MAM Vietnamese Restaurant is the third restaurant launched in Ho Chi Minh City by Paradise Vietnam this year. The restaurant is described as a “destination for a good time” for lovers of Vietnamese food in the South, and is a playful spin on the traditional Vietnamese experience. With minimal interference from its surroundings, MAM’s menu of home-style dishes, cooked using the freshest local ingredients, takes diners on a culinary adventure that excites the senses.