HANOI 'S LANDMARK HOTEL CELEBRATES A 'GLORIOUS CENTURY'

Sofitel Metropole Hanoi plans series of events to celebrate 100th anniversary

One of Asia's most renowned colonial-era hotels, the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2001, a remarkable achievement given Vietnam's turbulent history over the past century.

The hotel has been intimately associated with Hanoi as it has gone through periods of immense change, and for many people it symbolises the character, history and charm of Vietnam's capital city. A landmark in the city, the Metropole will be the focal point for festivities throughout the year that will include art, music, film and culinary events, as well as the publication of a centenary edition of the Metropole History Book.

This beautifully maintained French colonial-style property has retained its old character and charm. The classicaI facades, window shutters and balconies have made it the first-choice residence for travellers to Hanoi, with a notable guest list that has included royalty, political figures and famous celebrities.

Famous writers such as Somerset Maugham finished writing "The Gentleman in the Parlour" and Graham Greene penned part of "The Quiet American" while ensconced at the Metropole. Fittingly, the director of the new film version of the "The Quiet American", Phillip Noyce, and some of the leading actors, including Sir Michael Caine, are staying at The Metropole during film shoots in Hanoi. Noel Coward found himself confined to the hotel during a 1920s uprising against the French. After their wedding in Shanghai in 1936, Charlie Chaplin and Paullete Goddard honeymooned here. And the Metropole is where Jane Fonda stayed during her notorious 1972 visit to war-torn North Vietnam.

Festivities throughout the year will include:

Vietnamese and International cuisine promotions with famed chef Didier Corlou, who received the National Order of Merit from French President, Jacques Chirac, for his contribution to French and Vietnamese cultures through his culinary talents. In 2000, Didier launched his cooking book 'La Cusine du Vietnam', consisting of more than 80 recipes from the heart of Hanoi's cuisine, and this year an English-language version will be launched. In addition, the hotel's international renown will be highlighted with food festivals featuring France, Thailand, Belgium, France and regional centres of Vietnam ; The Metropole History Book (Centenary Edition) An updated version of the book will be launched, based on the most recent research on the Metropole's history;

Metropole Celebration of Music - musicians from around the world will perform at Hanoi's famous Opera House just across the road from the Sofitel;

Metropole Celebration of Arts will showcase the talents of highly talented Vietnamese painters, with a special competition amongst the students of the Hanoi Fine Arts College to develop an exhibition based on the theme "Hanoi Yesterday and Today" ;

Metropole Celebration of Film will feature Charlie Chaplin. The first film ever shown in Hanoi was presented at the Metropole and the first gala meeting of the Nouvelle Entreprise Cinematographique was hosted here on 3 June 1916 ;

Vietnamese Ceramic Exhibition of Old Objects from the 1st century to 10th century Centenary Fashion, Food and Music Show - in November the Metropole will stage its largest function in the hotel's gardens featuring exquisite local fashions and a music show, followed by a gala dinner in the Opera House.

During the year the hotel will introduce new uniforms designed by Minh Hanh for the staff as well as completely revamp Le Club Bar.

To mark the Centenary, the Sofitel has launched a special accommodation package so that visitors to Hanoi can go on a journey of discovery through Hanoi and The Metropole's traditions of bygone days. The Metropole Centenary Retreat includes a tour of Hanoi's old quarter in a traction vintage car, dinner in the Sofitel's elegant Le Beaulieu restaurant with the Grand
Metropole Menu of 1901, two nights accommodation in one of the historic Metropole rooms, daily breakfast, airport transfers and a centenary gift.

The package is available for US$370 (++ tax & service charges) per double on a weekend and US$400 ++ on a weekday. Extra nights, inclusive of breakfast, are available for US$140 (weekend)/150 (weekday) single/double. The package is valid from 1 March - 31 December 2001.


While celebrating 100 proud years of service to Hanoi, the Sofitel Metropole is equally committed to meeting future demands of guests. The hotel was the first in Vietnam to be officially recognised as a 5-star hotel, and in 1996, a new wing - the Opera Wing - was opened. Over the past year, a new telephone system has been added which is capable of handling all the voice mail and data required for advanced communications technology. The hotel has also added a vintage Citroen traction car to join the fleet of Mercedes Limousines, ensuring that the balance between old and new remains.

Sofitel is the leading deluxe hotel brand in the Indochina region, with Sofitels also operating in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Dalat in Vietnam, as well as a stunning new Sofitel that has just opened at Siem Reap - the site of the historic Angkor Wat temples - in Cambodia. Hotel manager, Accor, also operates Novotel hotels in Dalat and Phan Thiet in Vietnam, Vientiane
in Laos and Mandalay in Myanmar (Burma).