Off the south-western coast of Vietnam, Regent Phu Quoc — the first Regent Hotels & Resorts property in Vietnam — opened its doors to travellers in April 2022. Realised by international firm BLINK Design Group, the resort’s design and architecture nod to local culture and history by incorporating many elements of Vietnamese traditional architecture, though there’s an unmistakeable air of luxury at every turn.

Set against the idyllic backdrop of Phú Quốc’s tropical landscape, Regent Phu Quoc opens its doors with a design that marries modern luxury and vernacular architecture. The property’s 176 suites and 126 villas span tranquil one-bedroom suites to opulent pool villas with direct access to the beach.

Arriving at the resort, visitors are greeted by a modern interpretation of Vietnamese roofs, while patterns derived from traditional structural systems are subtly woven through elegant screens, carpets and accessories throughout. The detail-oriented design adds layers of complexity to the space:  intricate eggshell lacquer, a technique that originated in Vietnam, features on screens, and textured rattan ceilings are combined with smooth basalt stone, for example. In each villa, courtyards and small pockets of greenery inspired by those found in typical Vietnamese homes bring nature even closer.

When it comes to dining, the resort’s six restaurants and bars provide plenty of choice. There’s local market-inspired cuisine, French-Japanese fusion and a Mediterranean-inspired beachfront club, not to mention the sky pool bar and speakeasy-style cocktail lounge. The hotel’s Health Club also features a fitness centre, a meditation studio and rooftop yoga pavilions.

But it’s Phú Quốc’s magnificent landscapes that make the Regent experience truly unique. The northern part of the island is home to hundreds of kilometres of lush tropical forest that have been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, while the south is popular for its immaculate white-sand beaches.