International hospitality specialists take over management and
re-brand Mom Da Chim Resort & Spa

(Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, August 6th 2008) – Celadon International, Vietnam’s first international hospitality and real estate management company, is launching its first 4-star ‘Exotica’ resort brand near Phan Thiet, a traditional fishing village and growing golf destination on Vietnam’s southern coast.

Formerly known as the Mom Da Chim Resort & Spa, the ‘Exotica Playa Resort’ emerges like a mirage, an oasis sat between the beautiful stretch of beach and famous sand dunes beside the East China Sea, 200 kilometers north of Ho Chi Minh City.

Celadon International is now re-branding the resort of 97 rooms, suites and bungalows after taking over the management.

The new resort will be officially opened following an upgrading to an international 4-star standard.

Facilities currently include a Restaurant, Meeting Rooms (150 persons), Business Centre, Karaoke Lounges, Games Room, Children Playground, Spa, Gym, Tennis Court and two Swimming Pools.

“The upgrade will incorporate additional Beachfront Villas, Recreation, Water Sports and Entertainment Facilities,” said Celadon CEO Paul Stoll.

Further tourism real estate developments are planned in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City,  Haiphong, Danang, Hoi An, Cam Ranh, Dalat, CanTho, and Phu Quoc Island.

To realize the plan, Celadon International has entered into a partnership with a leading Global Investment Fund Company to set-up the Vietnam Real Estate Fund of US$700 million which will be investing in hotels, resorts, offices, apartments, and retail malls.

Celadon International, with joint venture partner NAVICO, has also agreed to develop hotels and resorts for US$200 million. The signing of the agreement in Frankfurt, Germany was witnessed by senior governors of both countries including the Prime Minister of Vietnam, during his recent visit to Germany.

Celadon currently also manages the luxury Celadon Palace Hue, The Imperial Hotel & Apartments Vung Tau, the Celadon Green Island Hotel Danang (opening 2010), and Le Indochine Apartment Hotel Hue (opening 2009).

The group has three trademarked brands: Celadon (5-star) and Exotica (4-star), and Chao (4-star).

Mr Stoll is Vietnam’s most prominent hotelier, renowned for opening the country’s first international 5-star resort, The Furama Resort, Danang.

He is closely involved with Vietnam’s national tourism development, having led the country’s first international tourism promotion campaign “Vietnam - A Destination for the new Millennium”.

An active lobbyist for environmental protection, beach lifeguards and licensing of electronic casinos, he also established the ‘Best Hotels Alliance’ of Vietnam’s top hotels, initiated the Vietnam Hotel Association, and promoted Central Vietnam as a destination in its own right through the ‘World Heritage Road’.

Mr Stoll now heads Celadon International, a niche hospitality operator focused on luxury international standard developments which are “immune to recession”.

About Phan Thiet

A three-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, Phan Thiet is a traditional fishing port with beautiful sandy beaches stretching northwards towards the famous sand dunes at Mui Ne.

Sculpted out of the 16-kilometre coastal dunes is one of the most exciting links style golf courses in the region, the Nick Faldo-designed Ocean Dunes Golf Club. The 18 holes Sealinks golf course, also in Binh Thuan Province opened its front 9 holes this year and is set to complete the back 9 by the beginning of 2009. Furthermore, another 36 holes golf course is in the making, to cater for the increasing interest of golf in the South of Vietnam.
Phan Thiet is also renowned for activities as swimming, fishing, climbing, yachting, and golf. Furthermore, there are many great architectural sites such as Po Sha Nu Tower, Ta Cu Mountain, Hang Pagoda, Cham Royal Family Collection and the Kega Lighthouse, constructed by the French in 1899.
The ‘Exotica Playa Resort’ is the first of several other ‘Exotica’ resorts being planned.