There is a beach in Vietnam where French scholars once said the water itself could heal. For decades, Sam Son belonged almost entirely to the Vietnamese, a place of summer memories, of bamboo rafts returning at dawn, of salt air and simple joy. Then came Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection, and a quiet conversation about what this coastline could become began. Wanderlust Tips sat down with Cluster General Manager Remco Christiaan Vaastra to find out.
Sam Son has long been a beloved summer escape for Vietnamese families, but for many international travelers, it remains largely undiscovered. What moved you when you first arrived here, and what did you see in Sam Son that others might not yet have noticed?
When I first arrived in Sam Son, I was instantly captivated by its raw, unpolished energy. Beyond its reputation as a bustling summer escape, I saw a profound, quiet beauty in the everyday life of the local fishermen and their humble bamboo rafts returning at dawn, heavily laden with the ocean’s bounty. Furthermore, I was deeply inspired by the historical recognition of this land. The French scholar Le Breton once noted that Sam Son’s waters possess the ideal salinity and temperature, making it “the best beach for health recovery.” I saw an extraordinary opportunity to awaken this forgotten healing legacy and present it to both domestic and international travelers through a refined, luxurious lens.
Slow travel is the art of truly inhabiting a place rather than simply passing through it. How has Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection been shaped, in its spaces and its rhythm, to invite that kind of unhurried, deeply felt stay?
Slow travel is about intention and finding a true sanctuary to escape the noise and relentless pace of city life. At Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection, nestled in the pristine and untouched environment of South Sam Son, we designed the spaces to naturally guide guests into a slower rhythm. From the fluid transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces to the gentle integration of natural light and sea breezes, every corner encourages you to pause, breathe the fresh air, and reconnect with yourself. The rhythm here is dictated not by tight itineraries, but by the healing ebb and flow of the ocean.
The Korean Jjimjilbang feels like a wonderfully unexpected discovery at a Vietnamese coastal resort. What is the story behind that choice, and what does it reveal about the kind of wellness journey you hope each guest carries home from Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection?
Globally, wellness tourism is experiencing an exponential rise as people increasingly seek journeys of holistic restoration. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness tourism market is projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2027, while the broader wellness economy is forecast to hit nearly $10 trillion by 2029. This proves that travelers are prioritizing their well-being more than ever. Yet, despite its historical reputation for healing waters, Sam Son has lacked a true four-season wellness destination. We wanted to pioneer an international-standard wellness ecosystem to fill this void. The authentic Korean Jjimjilbang is a bold choice that breaks all weather barriers, allowing for deep detoxification year-round. This is complemented by our four-season pool for uninterrupted swimming, a modern gym breathing in pristine air, and a spa that marries traditional massage therapies with pure, local vegan products from Cocoon. It defines a journey where guests are profoundly restored from the inside out.
A guest arriving in the brightness of summer and one drawn here in the quieter winter months will each find a different Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection waiting for them. What does this place feel like beyond the beach season?
While summer here is undeniably vibrant, illuminated by energetic youth music nights that draw large crowds and powerfully connect people through the shared rhythm of music, a destination that only thrives in summer is simply not enough. In the quieter months, Sam Son possesses a moody, cinematic elegance, and our pioneering wellness ecosystem truly shines. A guest arriving in winter will find a cozy, intimate sanctuary where the crisp air outside beautifully contrasts with the warmth inside. It becomes the ideal season to find comfort in our Jjimjilbang, swim in the heated four-season pool, and indulge in restorative spa treatments without the distraction of summer crowds. It is Sam Son at its most poetic and healing.
If I could shrink Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection into a single breath, I would choose the moment of dawn. It is a moment of absolute peace and true healing, where time seems to stand completely still
– Remco Christiaan Vaastra, Cluster General Manager –
The architecture, the restaurant, the atmosphere at Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection all breathe the soul of Sam Son’s fishing village, unpretentious yet deeply layered. For you personally, which moment or corner of the property feels most alive with that local spirit?
The architecture naturally breathes the unpretentious soul of Sam Son’s fishing village. For me, the local spirit feels most alive when I see how the humble imagery of the bamboo rafts and rustic woven materials are seamlessly integrated into our luxurious design. Sitting in our dining spaces, tasting the daily catch prepared with refined international techniques, you feel the honest, hardworking spirit of the local fishermen elevated into a sophisticated, layered luxury experience.
If you could capture Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection in a single moment, a scene, a feeling, a breath of this place, where would you take us?
If I could distill Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection into a single breath, it would be the early dawn. Picture standing on your balcony in the crisp, pristine air of South Sam Son. The sea is a soft silver-blue, and the only sound is the rhythmic crashing of the waves and the faint silhouette of local bamboo rafts returning to shore. It is a moment of profound peace and true healing, where time stands completely still.
Sincere thanks to Mr. Remco Christiaan Vaastra for his fascinating and inspiring sharing about Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection. We wish him continued good health and even greater success in his career. May Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son by The Unlimited Collection continue to reach new heights, become an iconic destination, and – together with its dedicated team – create countless beautiful and unforgettable memories for every guest staying here.
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