Wínk Hotels launches with domestic market firmly in its sights

The Wínk brand reflects a young, modern, and confident Vietnamese identity

Wínk Hotels, a sleek, chic, and vibrant lifestyle brand, locally born and locally positioned to tap into the booming youth travel market in Vietnam, is poised to redefine affordable luxury across the country as it readies to open its debut hotel later this year.

Conceived by developer Indochina Kajima and operated by Indochina Vanguard (both joint-venture companies with Indochina Capital, Kajima Corporation, and Vanguard Hotels, respectively) and designed by AW2, Vietnam’s first homegrown, international-standard hotel chain will personify the dynamic generation emerging throughout Indochina, catering to their fast-paced lifestyle and immersing them in each destination.

Fuelled by economic growth and the advent of low-cost carriers, domestic tourism in Vietnam grew 22 per cent per year from 2014 to 2019, registering 85 million domestic travellers last year. Even now, as COVID-19 containment measures disrupt international tourism, Vietnam’s successful management of the virus and the quick re-opening of the economy have prompted greater emphasis than ever on domestic tourism to spur growth.

Wínk Hotels has long had the domestic market in its sights and with 48 per cent of Vietnam’s 96 million population under the age of 34, the brand is set to become a vital proposition for young, aspirational, and highly mobile business and leisure travellers.

“These are exiting times for the Vietnamese hospitality industry. There’s a massive, underserved market segment currently and it is our clear ambition to serve and inspire this young market with a new and dynamic brand of hospitality,” said Wínk Hotels CEO Michael Piro. “Wínk Hotels will be modern, bold, and resolute in personality – reflecting the strong cultural identity while being deeply respectful of Vietnamese traditions. At the same time, we offer guests a fun and connected destination experience.”

The Wínk Hotels brand blends creative design with functionality, Vietnamese values, and a contemporary set of desires. Wínk rooms will focus on the essentials – a bed to match the best in the world and water pressure to deliver a full-power shower.

But more than anything, Wínk Hotels is about mindset. The brand and hotels capture the young heart of Vietnam and will present that soul through Wínk Guides, a team of talented, personality-driven associates who will up-end traditional deferential hospitality. Each Guide is encouraged to individualise interactions with guests; leveraging their local knowledge and sharing their own stories. Other key features are self-check in, grab and go Wínk Food Carts, the best local coffee delivered through state-of-the-art Simonelli machines, and social, community spaces, and flexible seating – and with that, the formal lobby of traditional hotels is no more.

Partnership and collaboration will be a signature of all Wínk Hotels as the brand celebrates Vietnamese culture, creativity, and commerce. For example, Wínk has partnered with Toong, Vietnam’s first chain of co-working spaces, which will be featured in all Wínk Hotels replacing the typical business centres.

The first Wínk-branded hotel will be the 237-room Wínk Hotel Saigon Centre, 75 Nguyen Binh Khiem, opening in the fourth quarter of 2020. Properties to follow include the 243-room Wínk Hotel 178 Tran Phu, Danang and a third in downtown Danang as part of a mixed-use complex with a 60m façade on Tran Hung Dao street, along the Han River.