What Does Happiness Look Like?
There is no universal answer. For some, happiness is found in adventure. For others, it lives in family, nature, creativity or simply time spent together. It looks different to everyone. Perhaps happiness has never been something to define, but something to experience.
When Gérard Blitz and Gilbert Trigano founded Club Med in 1950, they were not simply creating a new holiday concept. In the years following World War II, they imagined places where people could leave behind the pressures of everyday life, reconnect with themselves and rediscover life’s simplest pleasures. From that vision, Club Med’s philosophy of happiness was born.
For more than 75 years, Club Med has continued to create places where people can discover happiness in their own way. Across its all-inclusive resorts in some of the world’s most inspiring destinations, guests can reconnect with nature, try new sports and activities, experience different cultures and spend meaningful time with family and friends, all supported by the warmth and energy of the Gentils Organisateurs, or G.Os.
This philosophy continues to shape every part of the Club Med experience
One of its earliest expressions came in 1967 with the introduction of Mini Club. Designed to give children an experience of their own, Mini Club offers young guests the freedom and confidence to play, create, move and discover the world around them.
Through sports, creative activities and cultural exchange, children are encouraged to follow their curiosity, form friendships across cultures and express themselves in new ways, while creating joyful memories that families can share together.
Since 1978, the Club Med Foundation has carried this philosophy beyond the resorts by supporting children, local communities and environmental initiatives. At its heart is a simple belief: happiness becomes even more meaningful when it is shared.
A New Canvas for Happiness
Co-organised by The Brand Promise and Lotus Gallery, with the support of SERENE and Club Med, The Art of Happiness: Painting Dreams, Discovering Worlds invites children across Vietnam to answer one simple question: What does happiness look like?
Through painting, the nationwide competition gives young artists the freedom to share their own perspectives, emotions and imagination. Whether happiness is found in a family moment, an exciting adventure, a colourful dream or a world entirely of their own creation, every artwork becomes an opportunity for children to tell their story.
For Club Med, supporting the initiative is a natural extension of its long-standing commitment to children’s freedom, discovery and self-expression. Just as young guests are encouraged to explore through play and creativity at its resorts, the competition offers young artists a platform to express what happiness means to them and share the world as they see it.
“Every child experiences the world in a different way, and Club Med wanted this initiative to become a platform where those diverse perspectives can be seen, appreciated” said Bruno Courbet, Country Director for Thailand, India, Indonesia, and New Markets at Club Med. “We hope it inspires more young people to keep expressing themselves, knowing that their voices and visions matter.”
Open to Vietnamese citizens and expatriates aged 08 to 18 residing in Vietnam, the competition welcomes complimentary submissions from 20 July to 27 August 2026. Twenty finalists will be selected to exhibit their works at Lotus Gallery, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s pioneering private galleries, while participating in creative workshops and gallery experiences that encourage artistic confidence and self-expression. Extending the journey beyond the exhibition, the Grand Prize offers one winning family a three-day, two-night all-inclusive stay at Club Med Phuket.
The competition is now open for registration and submission. For more information and the latest updates on the competition, visit Lotus Gallery’s official communication channel at www.facebook.com/lotusgalleryhcm.
Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam 