Tet is a sentimental season for most Vietnamese. No matter how far modern life takes us, Tet is a time of family and tradition. The modern rhythm of life has breathed new ideas for Tet to better suit the lifestyle of a younger generation of Vietnamese. Still a habit of spending time with family and loved ones, many people choose to spend a Spring holiday away from home or to enjoy various food and entertainment services available during Tet. The hotels therefore can be destinations, too, and sometimes checking into a unique property is a good enough reason to travel.
“We thought now would be never,
The tale of Kieu – Nguyen Du
Our eyes opened wide but it seems like a dream!”
Being referred as ‘a home for the daring‘, Fusion Original Saigon Centre, the flagship property of Fusion Hotel Group prides itself as the city’s new hub of creativity and culture, located at 65 Le Loi, District 1, in the heart of Saigon.
Connected to local art
Some traditions never get old. Most guests would get stumble to see a collection of stylish uniforms at Fusion Original Saigon Centre. In case we all get curious, the inspiration for these uniforms came from the book “Weaving a realm – Dệt nên triều đại”, which is demised in every guest room. All the inspirations and stories are well-presented through chapters, a quick skim will help to know more about Vietnamese culture and lifestyle.
A Tet memory of Saigon in the old days
In the old days, people of Saigon-Cho Lon area used to come to listen to “Hát Tuồng” or “Hát Bội” with the belief that it will bring luck them for the whole year. The time has changed, now you can’t just go watch “Hat Boi” anytime you like. Long Phung Theater, which is considered a “sanctuary” of Hat Boi, only plays one performance occasionally. Why did the old Saigon people like to watch Tuồng on Tết? Perhaps it is because of the pure beauty of the messages conveyed in each work based on the bold traditional fairy tales. Hat Boi is now just a beautiful memory of a lonely class of middled age people, or you can only get to watch them at the temples and pagodas on festivals or Tet as an act of “return to the source”.
As an act of “return to the source”, Fusion Original Saigon Centre collects the “Hát Bội” face masks and places one mask in every guestroom as a decoration item, a symbol of ‘Hát Bội’, the Southern Vietnamese traditional performance that reminds us of a glorious past.
The showcase of Vietnamese ‘Ao Dai’ throughout the centuries
During Tet season, Fusion Original Saigon Centre has this chance to meet with Nguyen Duc Loc a 30-year-old Vietnamese entrepreneur, the founder of Y Van Hien company, a Hanoi-based Vietnamese traditional costume design company. Loc is the person behind the production house of hundreds of Vietnamese antique ‘Ao Dai’ costumes.
The Vietnamese Ao Dai has become the nation’s unique symbol to honor the beauty of Vietnamese women, but not everyone notices that even men also have a great love for this traditional robe. Ao Dai has many shades in different generations of Vietnamese and is still a common choice of clothing on all traditional occasions such as Tet.
A Tet meal like-no-other
Every year when it’s Spring, Vietnamese people’s hearts overflow with mixed emotions. Everyone wants to return to reunite with their family, to gather with their loved ones during Tet meals, especially those who work far away. This is also the reason why the Tet meal has a special place in the mind of every Vietnamese person. A gathering on Tet is the most meaningful meal of the year, a place for us to turn to, and wish each other a year of success, wealth, and prosperity.
The modern rhythm of life has breathed new ideas for Tet to better suit the lifestyle of a younger generation of Vietnamese. Still a habit of spending time with family and loved ones, many people choose to spend a Spring holiday away from home or to enjoy various food and entertainment services available during Tet.
At Miss Thu Restaurant, French Chef Arnaud Daleau prepared a special set menu for Tet period. The menu offers some great tastes from Vietnamese-in- spired dining concept including the traditional Spring Rolls, King Crab with Soba Noodles, Saigon Scallop, Bắp Xào Seabass, Argentinian Beef Tenderloin, Truffle Pomme Puree, Hoa Loc Mango Cheesecake and Red Berries Mousse.
Miss Thu Restaurant opens daily from 12:00-14:30 and 18:00-22:30. The Tet set menu is served throughout the holiday period from 22 January – 29 January 2023.
Menu starts from VND 1,200,000++ per person (USD 48-50 per person)
Website: missthu.com
Instagram: instagram.com/missthurestaurant
Facebook: facebook.com/missthurestaurant
Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam 