Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Unveils ‘Indochina and After’ Art Exhibition

Special showcase forms part of the hotel’s ‘125 Years of a Legend’ celebrations

HANOI, Vietnam (Aug. , 2026) – As part of its 125th anniversary celebrations, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, in collaboration with The Muse Artspace, presents “Indochina and After,” an exhibition exploring the continuing evolution of Vietnamese art from the Indochina era to contemporary practice.

For 125 years, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has stood as a living legend in the heart of Vietnam’s capital, welcoming business leaders, celebrated personalities and heads of state, while serving as a meeting place for history, culture and art. The exhibition continues this spirit, opening a dialogue between heritage and contemporary creativity within the hotel’s timelessly elegant setting, while adding a cultural highlight to the hotel’s anniversary programme throughout 2026.

Inspired by the question of what followed the legacy of Indochina-era art, the exhibition does not regard Indochina as an endpoint in history. Instead, it turns to later generations of artists who draw on Vietnamese cultural roots to develop their own visual languages and express these values through a contemporary lens.

On view from Aug. 17 to Oct. 8 in the hotel’s Opera Wing lobby, the exhibition brings together three distinguished Vietnamese artists: Phan Cam Thuong, Ly Truc Son and Do Thi Kim Doan, each presenting a distinctive perspective and artistic practice.

The exhibition’s curator, Van Vi, said: “The three artists meet at one shared point: their ability to transform Vietnamese cultural values into a visual language for the present.”

Artist and cultural scholar Phan Cam Thuong presents a series of lacquer paintings inspired by Vietnam’s ancient cultural heritage. In these works, memory and traditional symbols are distilled through imagery, materiality and visual rhythm.

Ly Truc Son, who spent many years working in France and Germany, developed his painterly language through engagement with the aesthetic spirit of Indochina. His paintings move beyond local boundaries, connecting Vietnamese art with broader currents of modern painting.

Do Thi Kim Doan presents her “Garden Corner” series, capturing the quiet beauty of everyday Vietnamese family life in lacquer works rich in emotion and depth.

George Koumendakos, General Manager of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, said: “Art and culture have always been integral to the identity of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. As we celebrate our 125th anniversary, we are proud to present ‘Indochina and After’ as an expression of our longstanding commitment to preserving heritage while creating a space where contemporary creativity can continue to flourish and inspire.”

Presented as one of the highlights of the hotel’s “125 Years of a Legend” programme, the exhibition honours the enduring artistic legacy of the Indochina period through a contemporary perspective. It brings the richness of Vietnamese art and culture to both local audiences and international visitors.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Launches 125th Anniversary Celebrations

125 Years of a Legend’ - honouring Hanoi’s most iconic hotel since 1901

HANOI, Vietnam (, 2026) — Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a rich and varied programme of immersive experiences throughout 2026. The milestone honours a timeless heritage while embracing the future, reflecting the hotel’s enduring elegance, French art de vivre, and its iconic status as a living legend of Hanoi.

Under the theme “125 Years of a Legend,” these celebrations blend culture, artistry, entertainment, gastronomy and hospitality to elevate experiential luxury in the capital. The Metropole’s “Live the Legend” experience features a series of curated stays, along with inspired gastronomic and wellness journeys, designed to immerse guests in the heritage and glamour of Hanoi’s Grande Dame.

“We are thrilled to open a new chapter in the Metropole’s legendary story,” said George Koumendakos, General Manager of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. “For 125 years this hotel has been the beating heart of Hanoi — witnessing history, welcoming the world, and setting the standard for refined hospitality. This anniversary allows us to honour that remarkable legacy while inviting guests to experience the timeless soul of the Metropole in fresh, unforgettable ways as we look confidently to the future.”

‘Live the Legend’ Stay Experience

Guests can embrace quiet luxury and create treasured memories with the “Live the Legend Experience,” a stay inspired by the Metropole’s 125-year legacy. This package includes a lavish daily breakfast buffet for two, an elevated Vietnamese lunch at Spice Garden for two, and the exclusive Path of History (and bomb shelter) tour guided by the hotel’s resident historian.

Additional benefits include guaranteed early check-in from 11am, late check-out until 2pm, and a complimentary upgrade to the next non-suite room category, subject to availability. The offer is valid for bookings and stays from now until Sept. 30, with a minimum stay of two nights.

‘Sensations Orientales’ Wellness Journey

Inspired by age-old Oriental rites and the timeless elegance that has defined Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi for 125 years, “Sensations Orientales” offers a unique sensory journey where Eastern traditions meet French refinement.

This exclusive, 90-minute ritual at Le Spa du Metropole begins with a body exfoliation using unctuous enzymatic gel, followed by Sothys’ Digi-Esthétique® techniques that blend acupressure with refined modelling movements drawn from Eastern and Western traditions. Warm notes of amber and myrrh, paired with flowing massage gestures, deliver deep relaxation and renewal, completed by a special gift to extend comfort at home. The treatment is available from now through the end of the year.

‘Carnet de Voyage’ at Bamboo Bar

Bamboo Bar presents the captivating “Carnet de Voyage” cocktail collection, inspired by the 1920s journey across Indochina and beyond envisioned for the Metropole’s co-founder and first “directeur,” André Ducamp. Guests can retrace his path while lounging by the pool, enjoying expertly crafted cocktails that blend exotic flavours with the charm of a bygone era.

Timeless French Dining at Le Beaulieu

Operating in its current space since 1901, Le Beaulieu is believed to be the oldest continually operating restaurant in Vietnam. Guests can savour a special 3-course set menu with century-old classics such as Lobster Bisque and Crêpe Suzette with guéridon service—recipes that date back to its earlier days and have been passed down through generations of chefs.

Legendary Cocktails and Le Burger ‘1901’ at Club Bar

Le Club Bar celebrates taste and nostalgia with signature cocktails inspired by cultural icons and former hotel guests Charlie Chaplin, Graham Greene, and the Metropole’s co-founder André Ducamp. Guests can now enjoy an exclusive new drink on the Legendary Cocktail Collection menu called “The Last Telegram,” along with the “1901” Burger, a bold yet elegant creation blending French refinement with premium ingredients.

Golden Era ‘Pho’ at Spice Garden

Spice Garden, the Metropole’s elevated Vietnamese restaurant, simmers a delicious pho broth for 125 hours, with a recipe rooted in the culinary traditions that flourished at the hotel in the 1920s. The dish is presented with Wagyu beef, gold leaf short rib and a dramatic tableside pouring. This is not just pho; it is a living piece of Hanoi’s history and culinary soul.

Metropole Liquid Chapters at angelina

angelina, the cocktail lounge, whisky bar and restaurant, has unveiled the “Metropole Liquid Chapters,” a special menu commemorating historic milestones at the hotel. Cocktails include “1901,” honouring the Metropole’s golden beginning; “1968,” inspired by the wartime bunker beneath the hotel; and “2026,” spotlighting a new era of Hanoi by night.

The 125th Anniversary Collection

Drawing on the Metropole’s rich 125-year legacy, La Boutique and the gourmet deli and patisserie L’Epicerie offer curated Metropole-branded items and exclusive special editions. These refined keepsakes allow guests to take a piece of the legend home, while the Metropole’s e-vouchers provide a seamless way to share legendary Metropole experiences for any occasion.

125th Anniversary Exhibition: A Journey through Time Since 1901

The first exhibition, kicking off the series, launched in June at the Heritage Wing, housed within the hotel’s original 1901 structure, and the Opera Wing, hosting a visual tribute to the Metropole’s timeless elegance and enduring legacy. It features rare photographs from early 20th-century colonial Indochina through conflict periods to the present day.

The hotel will unveil additional exhibitions throughout the year thoughtfully curated to commemorate its 125th anniversary. Through painting, mixed media and photography, these exhibitions celebrate the artistic legacy of the Indochine era, Hanoi’s rich cultural heritage and the enduring spirit of Vietnamese life that continues to inspire today.

Le Petit Journal and Metropole History Book

The hotel presents Le Petit Journal, its exclusive bi-monthly newspaper featuring the finest moments, exclusive updates and legendary experiences at the Metropole. Guests can also explore the Metropole History Book, an archive of untold tales and important milestones of both the property and the city, available at La Boutique or via the E-Shop.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA names Samy Boukhaled as vice president of operations in the UAE

Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA has named Samy Boukhaled as vice president of operations for the UAE. Boukhaled has been instrumental in implementing the expansion strategy of the company in KSA while assuming the position of vice president of operations that cultivated great success. Thus, his new appointment comes to leverage his experience in UAE.

Renowned for his revenue-oriented approach, Boukhaled has more than 30 years of experience in the industry, having held several leadership roles with hotel companies such as Accor and Sofitel, across France, Bahrain, Morocco and the KSA.

He holds an MBA in International Hotel Management from Vatel International Business School Hotel & Tourism Management in France and a Baccalaureate Degree from Morocco, among other awards and certifications.