Vietnam’s Luxurious Nam Hai Resort welcomes Miss Universe 2008

In March, The Nam Hai welcomed owners of some of the world’s most extraordinary cars. In April, the acclaimed resort hosted Southeast Asia’s financial leaders. Last week, The Nam Hai rolled out the red carpet yet again. Only this time, it looked like a runway. With cameras flashing, 84 Miss Universe contestants visited the luxury hotel on China Beach as part of a 160-person delegation promoting the 2008 Miss Universe pageant, which takes place on July 13th in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

The beauty queens arrived at The Nam Hai at 11 a.m., toured the award-winning property and were welcomed with cocktails at the pool restaurant.

“What a picture-perfect combination: Some of the world’s most beautiful women at one of the world’s most beautiful resorts,” said Wayne Duberly, general manager of The Nam Hai. “It’s just the start of that kind of synergy here, too. At the end of August, the final round of the 2008 Miss Vietnam competition comes to Hoi An, just a few kilometers down the road. We’ll have at least 40 of those participants staying at The Nam Hai then.”

The contingent marked yet another milestone in The Nam Hai’s burgeoning reputation as one of Asia’s most elegant resorts, spas and retreats. Shortly after participants of the prestigious Tiger Car Rally paid a visit to the hotel, the resort convened an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit with 90 influential ministers representing the 10-country alliance.

“However popular our reputation, we’re equally renowned for the level of discretion and detachment we provide to guests,” said Wayne Duberly. “If you want the rest of the world to melt away during your stay, we can make that happen.”

The Indochina Land-developed, GHM-managed Nam Hai trumpeted the dawn of a new day in upscale luxury accommodation on the East Sea when it opened in December of 2006. The villas were modeled on the traditional residences of Vietnam, known as nha ruong, but they have been creatively re-interpreted to accommodate modern technologies and amenities.

Most of the 35-hectare retreat’s 60 one-bedroom villas and 40 pool villas border the sea around five horseshoe-shaped spits of sand. In addition to a stunning beachfront location, there are three pools available to guests, including a 50-meter-long Olympic swimming pool.

In just over a year, The Nam Hai has established a reputation as one of the hottest resorts in the world. In March alone, it was called out by two of the most influential travel publications in the world—Travel + Leisure (USA) and Gourmet Traveller (Australia). The former named it ‘Best Resort’ in its annual design competition; the latter voted it the ‘Best New Hotel.’

The many other accolades include the following:

• Conde Nast Traveller: Listed in both US and UK edition of 2007 ‘Hot List’
• Conde Nast Traveler (US): One of the World’s Hottest New Hotels & One of the World’s Top New Spas
• Conde Nast Traveller (UK): One of the World’s Top 75 Hotels
• Gourmet Traveller: One of the ‘Best of the Best’ new hotels
• TTG Travel Awards (Asia-Pacific): Best New Beach Resort
• Travel & Leisure (USA): Inclusion in the ‘It List’ 2007
• Travel & Leisure (Australia): Inclusion in the ‘It List’ 2007
• Cigar Aficionado (USA): Best New International Beach Resort 2007

For more information, visit ghmhotels.com.