Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has unveiled its 2025 mooncake collection just in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it’s nothing short of a cinematic experience.

Drawing inspiration from a historic moment in 1916, when the very first film screening in Hanoi took place at the Metropole itself, this year’s theme, “Metropole Cinema: Hanoi through Film” captures the soul of the city in a nostalgic, artistic light.

These hand-baked mooncakes, crafted with no preservatives and filled with both classic and creative flavours, reflect the refined legacy of the hotel.

The collection includes varieties like Red Bean & Pistachios, Lotus Seeds & Macadamia Nuts, Green Bean & Date, Traditional Mix, Green Bean with Apricot & Salted Egg, and Black Sesame with Sunflower Seeds. Each one is prepared by Metropole’s culinary experts and is available in both traditional baked and snowskin styles.

The mooncake boxes are a visual treat too, designed with care and an eye for Hanoi’s past, echoing the city’s old cinematic vibe.

There are special deals too: early birds who place their orders before September 26 can grab one complimentary six-piece Heritage Box for every eight boxes purchased. Orders of 15, 30 or more boxes qualify for up to 15% off, and Accor Plus members, companies and agencies get an extra 10% discount. These discounts apply to single invoices and not across multiple orders. Note that promotional rates are not available for the two-piece, lacquer, or Super VIP boxes.

Tet Trung Thu, or Mid-Autumn Festival, is a time for families in Vietnam to reconnect, share mooncakes, sip tea, and wish for a prosperous future. Metropole’s 2025 mooncake range is more than just a seasonal delight, it’s a journey back in time, rich in memory and elegance.

To order or learn more, visit the Metropole website or contact their team at 0243 826 6919 (ext. 8200) or via email at Bang.Au@sofitel.com or visit https://www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com/dining/metropole-2025-legendary-mooncakes/.

Sofitel Legend is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,500 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL - Accor Live Limitless  a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.

Pattaya’s coastal charm just got an upgrade with the grand opening of LAY Beach Club, a sun-drenched Mediterranean-inspired venue located on Beach Road, offering breathtaking ocean views, dramatic entertainment, and a standout “hydro bar” experience.

The newly opened club, managed by Meliá Pattaya Hotel, is already creating buzz as the hottest new address for beachfront indulgence.

At the heart of the club is its hydro bar—a one-of-a-kind cocktail pool designed to blur the line between land and sea. Surrounded by sunken loungers, white sand, circular sofas, and shaded cabanas, this water-lounge offers a surreal backdrop where guests can sip creative cocktails while soaking in the seascape.

The venue caters to nearly 250 guests across its beachside deck, lounge, and bar. An elegant rooftop accommodates over 100 seated or 300 standing guests for sunset cocktails and private events, with panoramic vistas of Pattaya Beach.

Mediterranean Meets Asia on the Plate

The à la carte menu fuses Mediterranean and Asian flavors with flair—offering over-the-top favorites like:

• Seafood Paella Rice with prawn, mussel, squid, and clam

• Hand-Shucked Oysters with shallot mignonette and salsa verde

• Sicily Cannoli with orange mascarpone and pistachio

• Artisanal wraps, fresh seafood, pasta, and more

Cocktails with Coastal Drama

Drinks here are not just beverages—they’re theatrical creations. Highlights include:

• Blue Tides: Vodka, pandan, coconut juice and milk, topped with blue coconut foam

• The Wave Rider: Gin, Lillet Rosé, rose syrup, aloe vera juice, lime, and egg white

• Sriracha Spark: A bold take on a Bloody Mary with Sriracha, clarified vodka, tomato juice, and green olive brine

“Our goal was to bring the energy and elegance of iconic Mediterranean beach clubs to Pattaya,” said Javier Gimeno, General Manager, Meliá Pattaya Hotel. “LAY Beach Club flows from daytime leisure into vibrant nightlife, with DJs, LED visuals, and live fire shows setting the tone after sunset.”

Nightlife Comes Alive

As the sun dips, the club transforms into a high-octane venue with resident DJs, LED screen visuals, and a 20-minute fire performance choreographed to ignite the evening.

Open daily from 11 AM to midnight, LAY Beach Club is also available for private parties, celebrations, and curated group experiences.

For reservations, call +66 33 168 599.

Alma Resort Cam Ranh is transforming Cam Ranh’s cultural landscape with the launch of a breathtaking new live experience, “The Stage – Alma Show.” Debuting on July 5, this grand outdoor spectacle brings together Vietnam’s deep-rooted traditions and heritage with a modern creative touch, thanks to a powerful collaboration between Vietnamese and Korean talent. Set in the resort’s spacious amphitheatre, the show promises to transport audiences on a journey through the country’s rich cultural identity, narrated through stunning performances and visual magic.

The Alma Show is a 70-minute visual journey inspired by the five natural elements—earth, water, fire, wood, and metal—each represented through a dynamic mix of dance, magic, puppetry, and music. With audience engagement at its core, the show begins by honouring the ancient Champa Kingdom through the “Apsara” dance, celebrating the region’s historical roots. Audiences are then led through visually captivating segments, such as a water puppet show representing 'water' and 'wood', dancers crafting a giant lotus flower for 'earth', and a dramatic fire sword act that lights up the night as a symbol of 'fire'. A contemporary interpretation of 'metal' concludes the show with special effects, a vibrant flash mob, and a graceful Ao Dai fashion parade.

Staged twice every evening at 6 pm and 8 pm, the production involves 24 dancers and illusionists, including Jacky (Haesung Kim) and Bui Huu Thien. It is directed by the experienced hands of Jin (Hyukjin Cho) and Terry (Byongkok Jung) of The Stage VN. Jin, well-known for directing the Dana Show and the opening ceremony of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and Terry, who led magical events like the Dreams Come True Magic Tour, bring unmatched global expertise to this Vietnamese narrative.

Adding to the enchantment is “The Magic and Water Puppet Show,” held twice daily at 11 am and 3 pm. This 50-minute show blends traditional Vietnamese water puppetry and magical illusions. Audiences are immersed in village life, folk tales, and heroic legends through 30 minutes of live puppetry, where puppeteers control intricate puppets in chest-deep water, followed by 20 minutes of spellbinding water-themed illusions. Legendary stories such as ‘Thánh Gióng’, the boy-turned-hero on a flying iron horse, and ‘Emperor Lê Lợi’s Magical Sword’, symbolising Vietnam’s liberation, come alive in front of spectators. Directed by Nguyễn Tiến Dũng, a world champion puppeteer and the artistic director of the Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre, the show is a true tribute to Vietnam’s storytelling traditions.

Herbert Laubichler-Pichler, Alma Cam Ranh’s Managing Director, expressed the vision behind the initiative: “Vietnam has such a rich and fascinating culture, affording so many compelling stories to share about its history, beauty, and resilience. 'The Stage – Alma Show' promises to be a feast for the eyes and to bring any visit to our region and indeed to Vietnam to a whole new level.” Director Jin echoed this sentiment, calling the project “a heartfelt collaboration to honour and reintroduce Vietnam's beauty to the world.”

Both shows are open to the public, and tickets can be purchased at the Alma Promotions Desk or directly at the amphitheatre. With its grand vision and heartfelt execution, Alma Amphitheatre is set to become a must-visit destination for cultural seekers and travellers alike.