THUA THIEN – HUE – Saigon – Morin Hotel in Hue not only attracts tourists by its historical significance but also a unique architecture over a century.
Saigon – Morin Hotel has just celebrated its 120th anniversary on March 26. The hotel was started construction in 1901, just two years after the completion of Truong Tien bridge – one of the iconic architectural works of history – culture of the ancient capital. This is a modern architectural work built on the southern bank of the Perfume River.
For more than a century, despite experiencing many ups and downs in the historic flow of Hue, Saigon – Morin hotel still stands majestically, quietly receiving cool breezes from the poetic Perfume River and vision many lines of people swept back and forth across the legendary Truong Tien bridge.
Here are the shares of Saigon – Morin management about the history of operation and development of this hotel.
The destination of the essentials
Hotel Saigon – Morin has welcomed and served many famous people of the world. Among these special guests were clown king Charlie Chaplin, staying at the hotel on the occasion of his honeymoon with his fiancée in 1936, or the French writer André Malraux.
Having chosen Morin Hotel as a place to stay during his trips to Vietnam has heads of state such as French Prime Minister Francois Fillon (2009), President of the Korean National Assembly Lim Chae Jung (2008), President Norwegian Association Anne Marit Bjørnflaten (2008), Lady of the French President Madam Bernadette Chirac (2004).
Thousands of French-speaking tourists and those who previously worked in Indochina also chose the Morin Hotel as a place of nostalgia. The hotel is also one of the top destinations in Hue to organize international and national conferences.
Witness history
The history of Saigon – Morin hotel began in 1901 when Mr. Henri Bogaert, owner of Long Tho brick factory and former French army officer, started construction. In 1905, the French merchant Alphonse Guerin bought the hotel, named the Grand Hotel de Hue. By 1907, Mr. Wladimir Morin – representative of the Morin brothers union in Da Nang – bought the hotel and officially confirmed his ownership by taking the name of the family named for the hotel, becoming Hôtel Morin Frères (the hotel of the Morin brothers). Morin name is associated with the history of the hotel from then until today.
At the beginning of operation, in addition to serving tourists, Morin hotel also acted as a guesthouse of the South Korean government and the protectionist government, the Middle Ages. The hotel quickly became one of the commercial, cultural and tourist centers of the Nguyen capital of the Nguyen Dynasty. From 1930 to the beginning of World War I, many Europeans living in Hue or in transit in this country were welcomed by the Morin family here.
In the period before the August Revolution in 1945, the hotel had 70 bedrooms, a 120-seat restaurant, a cafe, a bar, a butcher shop, a theater, a sewing factory, a large warehouse … By 1957 , the hotel is the basis of Hue University, then Hue University from the years after the liberation. In 1991, the hotel was taken over by Thua Thien – Hue Tourist Company, serving backpackers and freelance tourists.
From 1994 onwards, when taking over the management, Saigon Tourism Corporation (Saigontourist Group) has in turn renovated and upgraded into 3-star and 4-star hotels. In June 2004, the hotel was built one more floor, increasing the service scale to 180 bedrooms, with high-end services, luxurious amenities but still retaining the ancient space, architectural features. The Fa is as subtle as it is nowadays.
During 120 years of establishment and development, Saigon – Morin hotel as a “witness” of history has undergone many ups and downs of Hue. At least three times Saigon – Morin suffered the destruction caused by the climate, lack of maintenance and especially the war. In 1904, the Dragon year storm made the hotel seriously damaged. From late 1946 to early 1947, the hotel was destroyed and partially burned. In 1968, during the “Tet Offensive” period, the hotel was once again suffering heavy losses during this campaign in Hue.
The cultural, commercial and tourist focal point of the ancient capital
Thanks to its prime location in the prominent center of Hue, located on the banks of the Perfume River, right in front of Truong Tien Bridge, near public buildings and Western entertainment centers, in its heyday, The hotel is the focal point of cultural, commercial and tourist activities of the ancient capital. This building used to be the first “supermarket”, capable of meeting all the requirements of customers in the land of …
Morin Hotel used to be one of the important cultural venues. The cinematic Cinéma Morin is located inside the main building, on the site of today’s conference room, which used to be the city’s first cinema. The library here also attracts a large number of readers. The hotel is also the tourist office of the region, the correspondence office of the tourism industry of the whole of Indochina during the French era. This place was once positioned as the direct starting point of excursions and excursions to popular tourist spots in the region.
Continue to write the story of the oldest hotel in the Middle Ages
With a huge “fortune” in culture – history, Saigon – Morin hotel possesses a special position. It seems that every corner inside or outside the hotel has the breath of the century. Your trip to dreamy Hue will be more poetic and memorable when dreaming on a soft pillow in the heart of this 120 year old hotel.
Before checking in at the hotel, take a few minutes to stop at the front desk to admire the bronze bust engraved with the portrait of Wladimir Morin, the French owner who made the name of the hotel. The statue was made by grandchildren in France in 1997, then handed over to the hotel. Wandering along the corridors of the hotel floors, you are like being turned back in time, reliving the early years of the previous century, when contemplating the 500 precious documentary photos displayed here.
Also remember to ask the service staff for guidance to see the wooden stairs in the old quarter of the hotel, preserved from 1901 and the old corridor from 1925. In particular, visit the room. No. 111, where the Clown King Charlie Chaplin couple used to stay in 1936. And discover why Le Rendez-Vous garden restaurant was voted by culinary critic Steven Downes as one of 100 locations food should be enjoyed before going to heaven.
If you are a culinary fan, few people ignore Le Royal restaurant which is designed according to the royal architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th century, where you both enjoy royal dishes and wear a long coat. role as king or queen.
Years ago, Michael Hitchcock – famous American actor, screenwriter and TV producer – came here and uttered the words for Saigon Hotel – Morin: “Heritage heart land of Hue “(the heritage heartland of Hue). A condensed acknowledgment was later used as the hotel’s slogan. And in turn, you can continue to write the story of this oldest hotel in the Middle Ages with a few guestbook lines on a formal feeling book right in the hotel lobby.
Preserved in the style of colonial French architecture, Saigon – Morin hotel today offers fully equipped bedroom services with large open room area, 40-120 square meters. All bathrooms are covered with luxurious marble. The balcony overlooking the river is a suitable spot for visitors to admire the Perfume River, the historic Truong Tien Bridge and the panoramic view of the romantic Hue city. The hotel has four facades at the intersections of Le Loi – Hung Vuong, Hoang Hoa Tham – Truong Dinh, convenient for visitors to Hue’s top attractions, many commercial centers and daily entertainment venues. , night.
With its special geographical – historical location and the beauty of architectural art, this hotel has been included in the list of 27 typical French architectural works in Hue that need to be protected. This is also one of five ancient hotels in Vietnam and an ancient hotel of the Central – Central Highlands.
On the occasion of the 120th anniversary (March 26 / 1901-26 / 3/2021), Saigon – Morin hotel introduces a special promotion, with room rates from only VND 899,000 per night, buffet service Morning only from 160,000 VND per person, set menu price from 220,000 VND per person. Promotion period is valid from now until 30/6.
Contact: Hotel Saigon – Morin (Hotel Saigon Morin)
Address: 30 Le Loi, Phu Nhuan Ward, Hue City