The Anam officially opens on April 25, Long Beach in Cam Ranh. — VNS photos

CAM RANH — A new striking multipurpose convention centre ơi with a design inspired by the country’s ubiquitous coracle boat opened today.

Axi Plaza celebrated its grand opening today at its spectacular beachfront location, overlooking Long Beach on Việt Nam’s scenic Cam Ranh Peninsula. It hosts remarkable facilities including a vast state-of-the-art conference hall, a 360-degree rooftop venue, a stunning outdoor beachfront event space and about 10,000sqm dedicated to shopping and dining outlets.

The largest multipurpose convention centre in the region, Axi Plaza marks The Anam Group’s third major development, following the launch of luxurious resorts The Anam Cam Ranh in 2017 and The Anam Mũi Né in 2023.

“We are delighted to say that 2024 shall be a year of growth again," Mr Phạm Văn Hiến told Việt Nam News. “We planned to open the Axi Plaza in 2020 but had to delay due to the pandemic.”

"As the leading tourism destination of Việt Nam, Khánh Hoà Province welcomes this new premium product, which fits very well with the large number of five star hotel in our province,” said Madam Nguyễn Thị Lệ Thanh, Director of Khánh Hoà Province Department of Tourism.

Axi Plaza design was inspired by the region's signature round bamboo boat.

Adjacent to 12-hectare The Anam Cam Ranh with 213 rooms, suites and villas, Axi Plaza is breaking new ground in Cam Ranh, which was once renowned as southeast Asia’s greatest deepwater harbour and is now rising as an upscale alternative to nearby Nha Trang.

Billed as affording “meetings above the beach”, the 1,197sq.m conference hall and ballroom area on Axi Plaza’s third floor accommodates up to 1000 people. Dominated by a high ceiling with timber beams fashioned in a fan formation, the hall features a cutting edge 75sqm LED screen and panoramic vistas encompassing swimming pools, a manicured lawn and the ocean.

Totalling 1,077sqm, the 360-degree rooftop area on the fifth floor has been designed for receptions and company events and offers sweeping views of Long Beach’s white sands and turquoise waters. A dramatic headland named “Song Lo”, meaning the ‘wave next to the mountain’ in Vietnamese, rises up to the immediate north and west.

Meeting room, conference room, large auditorium are located on the 3rd floor of the Axi Plaza. Axi Plaza has the roof top with 360-degree views, overlooking the sea.

The outdoor event space situated between the basket boat-shaped building and the beach is underpinned by the capacious lawn that fronts three picture-perfect swimming pools - one saltwater, one chlorine and a kid's pool - supervised by lifeguards.

Situated behind Axi Plaza’s vast second floor entrance and reception area, the 200sqm Axi Plaza Lounge overlooks the swimming pools and serves Vietnamese fare.

In addition to MICE and indoor and outdoor dining areas on the fourth floor, Axi Plaza’s first floor is dedicated to 46 shops ranging in size from 14sqm to 239sqm.

The exterior of the building is crisscrossed with wood set to last at least 100 years. By night, Axi Plaza changes colours in an elaborate lighting display. At the entrance is a garden updated daily to articulate the day’s date.

Axi Plaza was created to cater to the needs of international holiday-makers, who can shop, have good times and good food, as well as for regional tourists to spend some time waiting for their night flight from Cam Ranh Airport.

“Axi Plaza is a game changer for Cam Ranh and Việt Nam’s entire coastline – there’s nothing like it for business and leisure travellers alike,” said The Anam Group’s founder Phạm Văn Hiến at the grand opening celebrations, including an opening ceremony, cultural performances and gala dinner. “Building Axi Plaza in the shape of a large thung chai boat, resting beside waters still plied by traditional boats, is a bold and striking way to pay homage to Việt Nam with contemporary flair.”

With Axi Plaza Lounge, swimming pools, Long Beach, bathrooms, lockers and more on offer, Mr Hiến described Axi Plaza as a “convenient solution” for travellers who need to check out of their hotels at noon but do not want to wait for hours at Cam Ranh International Airport before their departure flights.

Axi Plaza also fills the bill for future events, corporate events, weddings and other MICE meetings for the entire Nha Trang - Cam Ranh region.

Together, Axi Plaza and The Anam Cam Ranh will offer a complete package of services and amenities for leisure guests in one location.

The basket boat traces its history back to the French colonial era, when the French levied a tax on boat ownership. It’s believed Vietnamese fishermen who could not afford the taxes responded by deploying basket boats, arguing they were not boats but baskets and thus could not be taxed. — VNS