Vietnam resort success story celebrates first birthday

The Central Coast of Vietnam is booming as a tourism destination with dozens of new resorts having opened over the past few years. 

One that has got off to a flying start is the Gran Meliá Nha Trang, a seafront hotel that is celebrating its first anniversary this month. 

Vietnam’s first and only Gran Meliá resort, this five-star retreat opened in July 2023 and is already listed on the region's top 5 on Tripadvisor with a 5/5 rating. 

There has been praise for its outstanding villas and "its ability to seamlessly blend the brand’s rich Spanish heritage with the finest Vietnamese hospitality".

“Our first anniversary gives us the chance to reflect on a wonderful year, during which we have curated many magical moments and made many new friends," says Jingyi Wu, the resort's executive assistant manager.

"We are proud to have achieved such a strong first year, but this is just the beginning - moving forward, we will continue to improve, innovate and elevate the standard of five-star hospitality in Vietnam."

So plenty of confidence there. I'll try to take a look when I visit with Vietjet in October. 

To celebrate its first anniversary, Gran Meliá Nha Trang has unveiled a  program of activities and events that capture the Spanish spirit of fiesta. 

Gran Meliá Nha Trang’s “Anniversary Offer” - available for bookings made during the remainder of July - includes early check-in, late check-out, and an upgrade to the next room category (subject to availability), plus complimentary stays for up to two children under 12 years old. 

For more info check out www.melia.com/en/hotels/vietnam/nha-trang/gran-melia-nha-trang.

Special offers pile up if you are a wine lover with a credit card

Wine is big business. And there are a plethora of sellers - big and small - offering "special" deals to anyone with some cash to spend right now. 

My monthly email from American Express lists no fewer than four special offers from wine sellers - each slightly different. 

All are designed to offer extra value top cardholders, but you have to wonder just how all these discounts are feasible.

Splash out, by all means, but remember your local liquor store offers free advice when you buy face to face; and the big outlets often have great deals on some of the big names. 

Here are the offers I have to choose from right now: 

Pendolino Wine Shop. Spend over $500 get $125 back  "Receive $125 every time. Exclusions apply." So perhaps not every time then. 

Just Wines. Spend $250 or more, get $50 back. But this is limited to the first 10,000 cards to sign up. 

Vinomofo. Spend $299 or more, get $70 back. This one is limited to the first 30,000 cards to sign up. 

Liquorland. Spend $100. Get $10 back. Exclusions apply.

# Just as I was writing this another email landed from Virgin Australia, urging me me to: "Get up to 3,000 points & gifts up to $160 with Virgin Wines".

And I haven’t checked the post box yet. 

Check 'em all out for sure. But caveat emptor should be be your watchwords.   

Once-a-year opportunity to visit some of Tasmania's tiniest wine producers

Many of Tasmania's wine producers are tiny. Some sell all they make within a few months, and many do not have a cellar door to offer tastings.

For one weekend each year - the Southern Open Vineyards weekend - these producers offer special pop-up experiences to enable wine lovers to get up close and personal with their vines and wines.

Some bigger producers pull out vintages from their cellars for tastings, or offer special deals for the three days of the event.

This year's Southern Open Vineyards event runs from March 3-5 - that's this weekend.

The wineries involved stretch right across the Coal River Valley, Derwent Valley and Huon Valley/Channel.

You can head over to the Southern Open Vineyards website to check out the 40 producers aiming to make this a special one, including Paul and Gilli Lispcombe from Sailor Seeks Horse (pictured top), who will be offering tastings in their vineyard.

If tastings are your thing, you can head to Derwent Estate for a rare opportunity to look at seven  vintages of their award-winning chardonnay.

Viridian Wines, meanwhile, will be opening back vintages of their chardonnay, riesling and pinot noir, offering the chance to taste wines from 2008-2020.

At Kate Hill Wines in the Huon Valley (below), there is the opportunity to taste - and buy - some of the final remaining cases of the 2014 Aged Riesling, along with a 10% discount for anyone buying a mixed dozen wines or more, and taking them with them on the day. 

 
At Roslyn 1823 in the Coal River Valley, they are celebrating the 200th anniversary of their farm with wines matched to French-inspired cuisine.

Laurel Bank in the Derwent Valley only opens once a year - and owner Kerry Carland will be doubling up with his daughter Greer's Quiet Mutiny wines for tastings. 

Invercarron is opening up its gates to the public for the very first time with chef Sabina Newton serving country-style food featuring Invercarron lamb, raised on the property. 

Other wine producers many wine lovers will never have visited include Trial Bay Estate, Altaness, Resolution Vineyard and Cross Rivulet, while tiny high-quality sparkling producer Henskens Rankin will be doing a pop up at Mewstone Vineyard. 

For full details of times and what is one offer see https://www.openvineyards.wine/