Established in 2007 by a group of Vietnamese businessmen returning from Ukraine, Sun Group is now a leading company in real estate, tourism, entertainment and infrastructure investment.
Sun Group was started in Danang, and its resort developments there include InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Sun World Ba Na Hills, Sun World Danang Wonders and Novotel Premier Han River Hotel.
Dang Minh Truong, CEO of Sun Group, says the company aims to construct “timeless and influential developments” with quality products and services. Sun Group also plans to promote Vietnam as a tourist destination, given its many natural attractions, he adds.
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort was opened in June 2012 and has won numerous awards
Dang believes the country still has room to grow, especially in terms of offering international-quality five-star resorts. To fill that gap, Sun Group has partnered leading names in hotel management and hospitality for its resort projects. The partners include InterContinental Hotels Group in InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort; Marriott International in JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay; Starwood Hotels & Resorts in St Regis Cham Island; and Ritz-Carlton in Phu Quoc island’s Ritz-Carlton resort.
In October 2015, Sun Group signed an agreement with AccorHotels to manage Sun Group’s resorts such as the Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort, Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, Mercure Bana Hills French Village and M.Gallery in Sapa.
Dang says Sun Group aims to construct ‘timeless and influential developments’
World-renowned architect and landscape designer Bill Bensley designed two of Sun Group’s resorts: InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, a luxury hillside resort and spa overlooking a bay and the Son Tra Peninsula; and JW Marriot Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, which opened earlier this year. The latter is a 244- room resort, with a mix of suites and villas that offer unobstructed ocean views. The property also has 1,100 sq m of meeting space, including a 715 sq m grand ballroom, and a spa operated by JW Marriott.
Sun Group has also ventured into Sapa in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai. Its flagship development there is Sun World Fansipan Legend project. The first phase of the project — comprising Fansipan Sapa cable car centre, as well as shopping malls and restaurants around it — began operating in February 2016. It holds the Guinness World Records for the world’s longest three-rope cable car system (6,292.5m) and biggest height gap between its departure and arrival stations (1,410m).
JW Marriot Phu Quoc Emerald Bay was opened earlier this year
According to Sun Group, the cable car shortens the travel time to the peak of Fansipan — the highest mountain in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia at 3,143m — from a two-day climb to a 15-minute cable car ride. The cable car system is expected to boost tourist arrivals, which is forecast to grow 30% to 40% a year, and reach three million by 2020.
Meanwhile, Sun World Halong Complex was opened last June. The property is located in the northern province of Quang Ninh. The development includes the Queen cable car system, the 250m high Sun Wheel Halong, the Dragon Park theme park and the Typhoon Water Park.
Sun Group is also developing a VND7 trillion (US$308 million) eco-tourism and entertainment complex on Cat Ba Island, and the 198ha Kim Quy Amusement Park in Hanoi, billed as a version of Universal Studios in Vietnam. The park is designed by ITEC Group, a US-based theme park designer. The VND5 trillion first phase of the amusement park is slated for completion in 2018.
In September 2016, Sun Group showcased Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort in roadshows in Singapore
In September 2016, Sun Group showcased Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort and Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay in road shows in Singapore.
According to Dang, Sun Group’s developments are attracting not only individual investors but also companies and property funds from around the world. “This is in recognition of our world-class projects,” he adds.
This article appeared in The Edge Property Pullout, Issue 778 (May 8, 2017) of The Edge Singapore.