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Tag: elevates

  • Sheraton Saigon Elevates Event Experience with Level 23: New Multipurpose Venue and Skyline Bar

    Sheraton Saigon Elevates Event Experience with Level 23: New Multipurpose Venue and Skyline Bar

    In celebration of its 23rd anniversary, the Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel, located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, has recently unveiled Level 23. This innovative space showcases a convergence of meeting venues, event spaces, and a rooftop entertainment area, designed to meet the increasing demand from business travelers, international delegations, and local patrons for multi-functional destinations.

    Exploring the Offerings of Level 23

    Level 23 brings together the private event space Altitude 23, Summit – a versatile meeting and event area, and Hai Bar, one of the most elevated rooftop bars in Dong Khoi. This promising project was officially introduced to the public during the “High Above Saigon” event held on June 26, 2026.

    Summit, the meeting and event space, features five adaptable rooms that provide natural daylight and sweeping views of iconic landmarks such as the Nguyen Hue Boulevard, Bitexco Tower, and the city’s skyline. With the largest room, Grand Summit, capable of accommodating up to 212 guests in a theater-style arrangement, 180 for cocktail events, and 160 for banquets, Summit offers a venue solution for a variety of events. The rooms can be used individually or combined, providing the perfect setting for anything from executive meetings, product launches, and corporate events, to galas, weddings, and private celebrations.

    Adding to the allure of Level 23 is Hai Bar, the hotel’s renovated rooftop cocktail bar. Open from 5 p.m. daily, the bar offers breathtaking views of the Saigon Opera House, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Saigon River, and Ba Son Bridge. Patrons can choose from 23 signature cocktails, each inspired by different regions of Vietnam and made with locally sourced ingredients.

    Introducing Altitude 23

    Altitude 23, the private event venue, is a spacious 260-square-meter area that offers panoramic views of Ho Chi Minh City. It can comfortably accommodate up to 200 guests in theater-style seating and up to 150 for banquets or cocktail receptions. The venue, which once housed the Night Spot nightclub, has been redesigned for contemporary events while preserving elements of the original space.

    According to Julian Wong, General Manager of the Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel, the introduction of Level 23 is a significant milestone for the hotel. He emphasized that the concept is not just about height but rather about providing a tranquil, elevated perspective of the vibrant city. Wong affirmed that guests are increasingly seeking destinations that can accommodate multiple purposes within a single visit, and Level 23, with its high-floor experience, perfectly fits the bill.

    The unveiling of Level 23 marks the hotel’s third substantial development in less than a year. Earlier, it opened the Grand Opera Tower, added 120 renovated rooms and suites, and became the first Marriott International hotel in Vietnam to receive LEED Gold Certification under the LEED v4.1 Operations and Maintenance standard.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the concept behind Level 23 at the Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel?
    Level 23 is designed to accommodate the increasing demand for multi-functional destinations that can cater to a variety of events, from business meetings to private parties, all within a single space.

    What unique features does Level 23 offer?
    It brings together three distinct venues: Summit, a versatile meeting and event space; Hai Bar, a rooftop cocktail bar; and Altitude 23, a private event venue. Each offers a unique high-floor experience with panoramic views of Ho Chi Minh City.

    What is the capacity of the venues at Level 23?
    Grand Summit, the largest space at Summit, can accommodate up to 212 guests. The rooftop bar, Hai Bar, is open to all guests, while Altitude 23 can seat up to 200 guests in a theater-style arrangement.

  • Shinsegae Chairman Elevates to CEO Role, Spearheading Growth for E-Mart & Property Division

    Shinsegae Chairman Elevates to CEO Role, Spearheading Growth for E-Mart & Property Division

    Shinsegae Group’s chairman, Chung Yong-jin, is set to expand his role within the organization, assuming CEO positions at both E-mart and Shinsegae Property. This move by the South Korean retail heavyweight signals an aggressive push for growth in its primary sectors.

    Shifting Responsibility and Strategy

    Chung’s dual appointment marks a significant shift within the group, with the chairman now directly overseeing the operations of the nation’s largest retailer and its property development subsidiary. This decision comes at a crucial time when the company, faced with a challenging retail environment, is actively seeking new avenues for expansion. The decision underscores Chung’s resolve to shoulder a larger part of the company’s overall direction and performance.

    Chung appreciates the market’s expectations for clear accountability in the company’s management. As the newly appointed CEO, he is prepared to submit to the evaluation of the board of directors and shareholders.

    In his capacity at E-Mart, Chung will directly oversee the retailer’s operations and future growth strategies. The company believes this change mirrors his dedication to tackling current business hurdles and boosting shareholder value.

    Leadership Changes and Future Plans

    In his role at Shinsegae Property, Chung will supervise the group’s major development projects and support plans to secure locations for a proposed AI data centre that was announced earlier this year.

    This management shakeup follows a recent controversy at Starbucks Korea, where E-Mart is the majority shareholder. Since this incident, the retailer has committed to organizational reforms to bolster governance and operational supervision.

    Shinsegae Property executive Lee Hyung-cheon has been named as co-CEO and will continue to oversee the company’s regular operations and development activities. Shin Dong-woo has been nominated as the new CEO for Starbucks Korea. Shinsegae has stated that he will focus on reinforcing internal controls, enhancing operational systems, and restoring trust among clients and partners.

    Questions & Answers

    What new roles is Chung Yong-jin assuming at Shinsegae Group?
    Chung Yong-jin is taking on the dual roles of CEO at both E-mart and Shinsegae Property.

    What implications does this dual appointment have for the company?
    This move signals a significant shift in Shinsegae Group’s strategy, with Chung Yong-jin assuming more responsibility for the company’s overall performance and direction. It also demonstrates a commitment to tackling current business challenges and enhancing shareholder value.

    How will the roles be distributed among the leadership after these changes?
    Chung Yong-jin will oversee operations and future growth strategies at E-Mart and major development projects at Shinsegae Property. Lee Hyung-cheon will continue to oversee day-to-day operations and development activities at Shinsegae Property as co-CEO. Shin Dong-woo will focus on internal controls, operational systems and regaining trust as the CEO of Starbucks Korea.

  • DHL Express Elevates Herbert Vongpusanachai to Drive Commercial Growth in Asia Pacific

    DHL Express Elevates Herbert Vongpusanachai to Drive Commercial Growth in Asia Pacific

    Global express service giant, DHL Express, has recently announced the appointment of Herbert Vongpusanachai to the position of Senior Vice President, Commercial for Asia Pacific, effective April 1, 2026. Vongpusanachai, in his current role as Managing Director for DHL Express Thailand & Indochina, will relocate to Singapore to undertake his new responsibilities.

    Vongpusanachai’s vast experience within DHL Express spans over two decades, during which time he has effectively overseen several significant markets across the Asia Pacific region. Starting his career with the company in 2003 as Managing Director for Thailand & Indochina, he later assumed leadership of Singapore in 2008, and Hong Kong & Macau in 2016. Vongpusanachai’s return to Thailand & Indochina in 2020 saw him drive consistent profitability and growth year after year, establishing the cluster as a crucial catalyst for regional expansion.

    Exceptional Leadership

    Vongpusanachai’s exceptional track record of notable business performance, coupled with his effective team management across diverse markets, sets him apart from his peers. His deep comprehension of customer needs, his cooperative leadership style and his ability to identify opportunities in complex environments position him as the ideal leader to advance DHL Express’s commercial agenda for Asia Pacific. Ken Lee, CEO of Asia Pacific for DHL Express, expressed confidence that under Vongpusanachai’s stewardship, the region will continue to see a rise in sustainable growth.

    In his new role, Vongpusanachai will set the pace and accelerate the commercial strategy for DHL Express across the Asia Pacific. Collaborating with other departmental leaders, he will evaluate potential new sectors, routes and trade lanes for growth. His focus will remain on deepening customer engagement, supporting their expansion, driving sustainable volume growth, and promoting the integration of new technologies to improve commercial execution across markets. With an extensive understanding of regional nuances and an emphasis on people-first leadership, Vongpusanachai is expected to elevate the commercial performance of both regional and country teams.

    Commercial Success and Future Prospects

    Vongpusanachai commented that the Asia Pacific region’s vital role in global trade as highlighted in the latest DHL Global Connectedness Report underscores the importance of logistics in facilitating the movement of goods. With the introduction of the Heavyweight Express solution, which allows customers to ship heavyweight consignments promptly and reliably, Vongpusanachai anticipates working with the talented teams at DHL Express to help shape the company’s future commercial success.

    The latest DHL Global Connectedness Report reveals the Asia Pacific region’s continued importance in global commerce, with several economies rising in global connectedness rankings and Southeast Asia strengthening its position as a rapidly growing trade corridor. This aligns with DHL Groups’ strategy to enhance support for 20 markets globally to drive growth, with eight of these markets located in the Asia Pacific. This appointment fortifies DHL Express’s position in Asia Pacific, as trade flows diversify and intra-Asia integration deepens.

    Questions & Answers

    What significant experience does Herbert Vongpusanachai bring to his new role?
    Mr. Vongpusanachai brings more than two decades of leadership experience at DHL Express, having effectively managed multiple key markets across the region.

    What is the primary focus of his new role as Senior Vice President, Commercial for Asia Pacific?
    In his new role, Mr. Vongpusanachai will focus on shaping and accelerating the commercial strategy for DHL Express across the Asia Pacific. His responsibilities include identifying growth potential in new sectors, routes and trade lanes, deepening customer engagement, and promoting the adoption of new technologies.

    How does this appointment align with DHL’s overall strategy?
    This appointment supports the DHL Group’s strategy to enhance support for 20 global markets to accelerate growth. The role strengthens DHL Express’s position in the Asia Pacific, a region that plays a critical role in DHL’s global network.