Sun Group breaks makes landfall at World Travel Awards 2020

Sun World Fansipan Legend invested by Sun Group in Sapa

On November 3, the organising board of the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2020 published the list of this year's awards on its website as due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no physical awards ceremony is held this year.

Notwithstanding, Sun Group landed a major haul of honours at the awards.

In the amusement sector, three Sun Group complexes made landfall. Sun World Ba Na Hills scored a double, winning Vietnam’s Leading Theme Park 2020 and Asia’s Leading Theme Park 2020 titles. The accolades add to the extensive popularity of the complex, which is already a travel symbol of Danang. Previously, this complex also won Vietnam’s Leading Theme Park in 2019.

In addition, Sun World Fansipan Legend (Sapa, Lao Cai) was delighted to bag the Vietnam’s Leading Tourism Destination 2020 title for the second time. The greatest – and most pleasant – surprise was Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park winning the Asia’s Leading Water Park 2020 award for Aquatopia Water Park.

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in Danang

In the resort travel sector, nine hotels and resorts were honoured with 18 awards. Numerous Sun Group projects not only defended their titles from previous years but also acquired more laurels. InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort – a masterpiece by architect Bill Bensley – had a particularly impressive haul with seven awards.

Along with “the usual” awards like World’s Leading Resort Architecture Design 2019, the World’s Leading Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant 2019 for its premier restaurant La Maison 1888, and the World’s Leading Luxury Beach Resort 2019, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort also took home the Vietnam’s Leading Honeymoon Resort 2020 and Asia’s Most Romantic Resort 2020 awards.

The developer was also delighted with the success of Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills which received the World’s Leading Themed Resort 2019 title. Taking inspiration from the classic architectural traditions of France, the hotel offers 470 rooms with seven buildings named after seven famous French cities (from Paris and Lyon to Strasbourg and Marseille). Every room boasts elegant interiors and views of a replica French village.

Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort project

Offering world-class services in a truly heavenly setting, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay scored a double, winning Asia’s Leading Resort & Spa 2020 and Vietnam’s Leading Resort 2020.

Also developed by Sun Group on Phu Quoc Island, Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort was named Asia’s Leading Beach Villa Resort 2020 and Vietnam’s Leading Beach Villa Resort 2020. Nestled on a lush peninsula with beach and ocean views on all sides, the property’s incredible location offers guests a truly unique experience as they can watch both the serene sunrise and stunning sunset from the exact same spot.

Along with its flagship complexes, numerous hotels and resorts which are either invested or operated by Sun Group were honoured at the WTA for the first time, including Premier Village Halong Bay Resort (Quang Ninh), Novotel Danang Han River (Danang), and Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay (Phu Quoc).

At the infrastructure category, Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh, invested by Sun Group, was named for two awards, including Asia’s Leading Airport Lounge 2020 and Asia’s Leading Regional Airport 2020.

Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh

In addition, although joining the WTA for the first time, Halong International Cruise Port overcame numerous heavyweight competitors to acquire the Asia’s Leading Cruise Port 2020 award, proving Sun Group's efforts to build the first cruise port in Vietnam.

Dang Minh Truong, chairman of the Board of Directors of Sun Group said, “The COVID-19 pandemic made 2020 a bad year for Sun Group and the tourism sectors of Vietnam and the globe. However, Sun Group’s projects being honoured at the WTA fill us with motivation and are a highlight of Vietnam’s tourism sector. These achievements also prove that Vietnam’s tourism and entertainment products are well-matched with the products of even the strongest tourism destinations.”