125 Years of a Legend: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Celebrates a Milestone Era of Luxury

In the rapidly shifting landscape of modern luxury, rare are the sanctuaries that do not merely witness history, but actively shape it. Since opening its doors in 1901, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has stood as the definitive Grande Dame of Vietnamese hospitality—a living monument of French art de vivre woven intricately into the soul of the capital.

This year, the iconic property officially steps into a monumental new chapter, launching a year-long, immersive celebration under the banner “125 Years of a Legend.” Throughout 2026, the hotel invites global travelers to experience its timeless heritage through a meticulously curated tapestry of culture, artistry, high gastronomy, and nostalgic wellness journeys.

“For 125 years this hotel has been the beating heart of Hanoi — witnessing history, welcoming the world, and setting the standard for refined hospitality,” reflects George Koumendakos, General Manager of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. “This anniversary allows us to honour that remarkable legacy while inviting guests to experience the timeless soul of the Metropole in fresh, unforgettable ways.”

Experiencing the Legend: Curated Stays and Time Travel

For those seeking to truly live the hotel's storied past, the exclusive “Live the Legend Experience” offers an elegant immersion into quiet luxury. Designed as a poetic nod to its 125-year legacy, the package features a lavish daily breakfast buffet and an elevated, authentic Vietnamese lunch at Spice Garden.

The crown jewel of the stay, however, is a private journey along the Path of History tour. Guided by the hotel’s resident historian, guests are granted rare access to the preserved wartime bomb shelter hidden beneath the property—a space that once sheltered international icons and leaders during the city's most turbulent eras.

Note: This commemorative stay package is available for a minimum of two nights from now until September 30, 2026, featuring complimentary room upgrades and extended check-in/out privileges (subject to availability).

A Century of Flavors: Masterful Culinary Nostalgia

True to its epicurean reputation, the Metropole’s anniversary celebrations are deeply anchored in world-class gastronomy, bringing century-old culinary secrets back to the forefront.

• Le Beaulieu: Believed to be the oldest continually operating restaurant in Vietnam (serving guests since 1901), the fine-dining institution is serving a special 3-course menu. Guests can witness traditional guéridon tableside service featuring historic classics like Lobster Bisque and Crêpe Suzette.

• Spice Garden: In a magnificent tribute to the 1920s, the hotel’s elevated Vietnamese restaurant presents a legendary bowl of Pho. The broth is meticulously simmered for an extraordinary 125 hours, served with premium Wagyu beef and a dramatic poetic flourish of gold leaf.

• Bamboo Bar & Le Club Bar: Guests can sip through time with the “Carnet de Voyage” cocktail collection by the pool, inspired by the 1920s Indochina travels of co-founder André Ducamp. At Le Club Bar, the menu pays tribute to former illustrious guests like Charlie Chaplin and Graham Greene, debuting a poignant new cocktail titled “The Last Telegram” alongside the decadent Le Burger ‘1901’.

• angelina: The sleek cocktail lounge and whisky bar introduces the “Metropole Liquid Chapters,” mapping milestones through mixology, including the “1901” golden era, the “1968” wartime bunker tribute, and the forward-looking “2026” modern Hanoi era.

Sensations Orientales: Where East Meets West

The celebration extends deep into the realm of restoration at Le Spa du Metropole. The newly launched “Sensations Orientales” wellness journey is a 90-minute multi-sensory ritual designed to marry Eastern therapeutic traditions with ultimate French cosmetic refinement. Utilizing Sothys’ specialized Digi-Esthétique® techniques, the treatment harmonizes acupressure with fluid Western modeling movements. Infused with the warm, comforting notes of amber and myrrh, the ritual promises deep, timeless renewal and includes a bespoke take-home gift.

A Visual Journey: Art, Archives, and Keepsakes

To ground these experiences in tangible history, the hotel launched a grand, multi-part 125th Anniversary Exhibition across both its historic Heritage Wing and contemporary Opera Wing. The visual display features a rare collection of photographs spanning from early 20th-century colonial Indochina to the present day. Additional mixed-media art exhibitions celebrating the Indochine era will debut throughout the year.

Guests can also stay connected to the hotel’s pulse via Le Petit Journal, an exclusive bi-monthly anniversary newspaper, or purchase the beautifully bound Metropole History Book—an archive of untold tales—available alongside curated special-edition keepsakes at La Boutique and L’Epicerie.

As Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi looks confidently toward the future, it remains an enduring symbol of grace, proof that while time moves relentlessly forward, true legends only grow finer with age.

For reservations or to explore the 125th Anniversary Collection, contact Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi at +84 24 3826 6919 or visit www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com.