Dreaming of a wellness escape that goes beyond the typical resort experience? Azerai Resorts in Vietnam are inviting guests to dive deep into local culture with new, immersive activities. Get ready to connect with the heart and soul of Vietnam, all while enjoying the serene luxury Azerai is known for.
Azerai, a distinctive brand in the world of hospitality, was founded by Adrian Zecha, a visionary hotelier renowned for creating elegant, boutique accommodations. The name itself, Azerai, is a blend of Zecha’s initials and the latter part of ‘caravanserai,’ evoking the storied old inns of the Middle East and hinting at a journey of discovery.
This philosophy is encapsulated in their tagline: “The destination is just the beginning.” Azerai seeks to blur the boundaries between the resort and the abundant culture that surrounds it, welcoming guests into an immersive, intentional experience at every destination.
From the moment guests arrive, they are invited to be fully absorbed in the local culture. Everything, from the materials used in the design to the culinary offerings, is carefully curated and locally sourced to guide guests through a truly transformative travel experience.
Azerai’s vision is to offer properties and experiences that deepen a traveller’s sense of place. Immersed in natural beauty, local craftsmanship, and seasonal delicacies, Azerai guests find themselves feeling at home in an unfamiliar place, leaving with a renewed understanding of themselves, the culture that surrounds them, and their place in the world.
Hook, Line, and Sinker at Azerai Ke Ga Bay
At the stunning beachfront Azerai Ke Ga Bay, located just 2.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City, you can truly “Fish Like a Local.” This unique resort activity begins with a detailed briefing on the regional fishing culture. Then, under the guidance of expert local guides, you’ll learn the authentic technique of casting a large traditional Vietnamese fishing net directly from the shore into the bay. With any luck, you’ll even haul in a fresh catch!
For an even more authentic adventure, try fishing from a circular basket boat in the bay. These iconic boats are an important part of the culture and tradition of coastal communities in southern Vietnam, offering a truly immersive cultural moment.
And what’s a catch without a feast? While your personal haul isn’t part of the cooking class, it culturally ties into Azerai Ke Ga Bay’s newly updated oceanfront cooking classes. These classes are inspired by coastal herbs, spices, and the day’s fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Prefer to simply indulge? Their Vietnamese BBQ set menu features locally sourced seafood with classic southern-style marinades. You can even enjoy it all with private beachfront dining, which offers the most exclusive way to experience the resort’s breezy seaside setting.
Nestled amongst five hectares of verdant gardens, with Hon Ba Island and its historic lighthouse to the east and soaring sand dunes to the west, Azerai Ke Ga Bay provides a picturesque backdrop for relaxation and cultural engagement.
The resort’s dedication to providing exceptional experiences has not gone unnoticed; it was named one of Southeast Asia’s best boutique hotels by The Times (UK) and voted the No. 2 “Most Instagrammable Hotel in the World” in a global contest sponsored by Luxury Travel Advisor.
A Taste of Imperial History at Azerai La Residence, Hue
Further north, in the historic culinary capital of Hue, Azerai La Residence, Hue offers its own set of captivating cultural experiences. This 122-room luxury heritage hotel has unveiled newly updated Vietnamese cooking classes with Executive Chef Nguyen Dong Hai, who was honoured in April with the national title of “Master Culinary Artisan of Vietnam.” The cooking class spotlights homegrown local herbs from the hotel’s onsite garden and popular Hue specialties.
One standout option guests can choose to prepare is bánh khoái – a golden, crispy Hue royal-style pancake once served to emperors. A beloved local dish, bánh khoái reflects the elegance of Vietnam’s former imperial capital. Filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts, and served with a rich peanut dipping sauce made with ground peanuts, pork liver, sesame, and fermented soy, it truly lives up to its name – “khoái,” meaning delight.
For a more comprehensive dining experience in the former seat of the Nguyen dynasty, hotel guests can don the costumes of king and queen and indulge in an “Imperial Feast.” This regal meal features dishes once prepared for royal rulers and is served at Le Parfum restaurant with Hue Royal Music playing in the background.
As Azerai La Residence, Hue General Manager Minh Phan Trong notes, “Hue is the culinary capital of Vietnam, famous for its gastronomy. During the Nguyen dynasty, the Emperors summoned the finest chefs to the Citadel in Hue, creating a legacy of culinary excellence. As a result, Hue is home to roughly 2,000 of Vietnam’s approximately 3,000 national dishes.”
The hotel also recently unveiled an exclusive new two-night stay package that takes guests on a sacred journey to the region’s most celebrated religious sites. The “Ancient Capital Pilgrimage Package” showcases central Vietnam’s deep spiritual heritage with a half-day tour in which guests immerse themselves in time-honoured rituals and receive divine blessings and guidance.
Azerai La Residence, Hue, is centred on a colonial mansion built in 1930 as part of the residence of the French Resident Superieur. The mansion’s distinctive façade, including its long horizontal lines and nautical flourishes, is a hallmark of the streamline moderne school of art deco architecture. The Times, one of the UK’s oldest daily newspapers, recognized it as one of Vietnam’s top 16 hotels for 2025.
Azerai Resorts are all about connecting guests with the rich culture surrounding their properties, proving that “the destination is just the beginning.”