What makes a hotel stay memorable? Is it the room, the view, the food, or something less tangible?
As travelers increasingly seek experiences that connect them with the places they visit, luxury hospitality is moving beyond traditional ideas of comfort and exclusivity. Today, a memorable stay can be as much about discovering local culture, sharing a meal, or connecting with people as it is about the hotel itself.
For Narinder Singh - Hotel Manager of Le Méridien Saigon, this shift reflects a simple belief: hospitality is ultimately about how people feel.
Located along the Saigon River, Le Méridien Saigon brings together the brand’s European heritage and the energy of Ho Chi Minh City through art, dining, and cultural experiences.
Vietcetera sat down with Narinder to discuss the changing meaning of luxury, the role of local culture in hospitality, and how the hotel is rethinking dining and events for today's guests.
Luxury hospitality is increasingly about experiences rather than accommodation. What does this shift mean for Le Méridien Saigon?
I believe luxury hospitality has fundamentally evolved. Today, luxury is no longer defined by what we provide, but by how we make people feel.
Beautiful hotels, thoughtful design, and excellent facilities are now expected. What makes an experience truly memorable is the emotional connection we create, the authenticity of our interactions, and the sense of belonging guests take away with them.
At Le Méridien Saigon, we want to offer more than a comfortable place to stay. Our goal is to create meaningful experiences that connect guests with our people, our culture, and the city itself.
Guests may not remember every detail of their room, but they will remember how they were treated and how a destination made them feel.
To me, the highest form of luxury is genuine human connection. Guests may come for the product, but they return because of the way we made them feel.
Le Méridien has European roots, while Saigon has a distinct cultural identity. How do you bring these two influences together?
At Le Méridien, we often talk about "Unlock the Destination." For us, it is more than a brand philosophy. It shapes how we approach the guest experience. Saigon is a city of contrasts, with an energy that comes from its people, food, art, and constantly evolving culture. Rather than separating guests from that energy, we want to help them experience it.
Our riverside location, contemporary art influences, culinary offerings, and cultural programming all provide different ways to discover the city.
We aim to combine the sophistication of Le Méridien's European heritage with the creativity and character of Saigon. The experience should feel internationally connected while remaining rooted in its local surroundings.
I often remind our team that guests should leave feeling they have discovered more than a hotel. They should feel they have discovered a part of Saigon. Ideally, they arrive as visitors and leave feeling a little more like locals.
Food is often one of the most memorable ways to experience a destination. How does the upcoming Four-Hands Dinner at BARSON reflect this approach?
Food has an incredible ability to tell stories about a place, its people, and its culture. On November 4, we are bringing together Chef An Trần of Le Méridien Saigon and Chef Sáng Lê of Omakase By Eddie for a special Four-Hands Dinner at BARSON.
The collaboration draws inspiration from Vietnamese ingredients, particularly seafood sourced from Binh Ba Island.
Through a six-course menu, the chefs will explore how contemporary culinary techniques and the precision of Japanese omakase can bring new perspectives to familiar local ingredients.
What excites us is the opportunity to celebrate Vietnamese produce in a different context while allowing each chef to express their own culinary identity. For us, it is not simply about creating a special dinner. It is about using food to connect guests with the stories and flavors of Vietnam.
What can guests expect when two chefs with different culinary backgrounds come together?
Whenever two talented chefs collaborate, there is an opportunity to create something neither would have developed independently. Each brings their own techniques, experiences, and creative perspective. The interesting part is seeing how those differences come together on the plate.
That collaborative spirit is also central to what we want BARSON to be. We have always envisioned BARSON as more than a traditional hotel bar or restaurant. It is a social space where food, cocktails, music, and culture come together.
With the Four-Hands Dinner, guests can experience that combination firsthand. The food is an important part of the evening, but so are the atmosphere, conversations, and opportunity to discover something new. Those are often the elements that turn a dinner into a lasting memory.
Beyond leisure travelers, corporate guests are also looking for more personalized experiences. How have expectations for year-end celebrations changed?
Corporate celebrations are becoming more experience-driven. Companies are moving beyond conventional year-end dinners and looking for events that reflect their identity, bring people together, and create a shared sense of occasion.
This means flexibility and personalization are increasingly important. At Le Méridien Saigon, we offer different settings depending on the type of experience a company wants to create.
For a more intimate gathering, Latest Recipe Saigon offers a riverside dining atmosphere, with options ranging from unlimited lobster and seafood buffets to Asian and Western set menus.
For companies looking for a more energetic celebration, BARSON provides a different atmosphere, with cocktail receptions, live DJ performances, and curated free-flow beverage packages. The goal is to give companies the flexibility to create an event that feels relevant to their teams rather than following a fixed format.
Le Méridien Saigon has also recently upgraded its ballroom. How do these improvements respond to the needs of today's corporate events?
Technology plays an increasingly important role in how events are experienced, particularly when companies want to create engaging presentations and memorable moments.
Our recently upgraded ballroom features a P1.5 LED screen measuring 6m by 3.375m, along with enhanced sound and lighting systems.
These improvements give event organizers greater flexibility in how they present content and design the overall experience.
We also pay attention to the smaller details, from welcome drinks and canapé receptions to dining and accommodation benefits, as well as complimentary parking.
However, I believe technology is only one part of a successful event.
What matters just as much is how our team brings everything together, from the initial planning stages to food, service, and the personal attention guests receive throughout the event.
Technology creates impact. People create memories. At Le Méridien Saigon, we focus on delivering both.
Ultimately, whether someone is visiting Saigon for the first time, attending a dinner with friends, or celebrating a company milestone, we want them to leave with a meaningful experience. That, to me, is what hospitality should be about.
EVENT INFORMATION FOR READERS1. Four-Hand Dinner | A Journey From Land to Sea Inspiration:Date & Time: November 4, 2026 | Venue: BARSON (G Floor, Le Méridien Saigon)Experience: 6-course menu created by Chef An Trần & Chef Sáng LêPrice: From VND 1,480,000++/guest (15% Early Bird discount for bookings before October 31, 2026).Reservations: SevenRooms Reservation2. Chic Year-End Corporate Celebration Packages 2026:Available at Latest Recipe Saigon & BARSON with upgraded tech specs (P1.5 LED Screen, Audio/Lighting), premium gastronomy, and a 15% Early Bird discount for bookings and deposits completed before October 31, 2026.Address: Le Méridien Saigon – 3C Ton Duc Thang Street, Sai Gon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.