Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is hosting an art exhibition titled “Indochina and After” to mark its 125th anniversary, according to a recent announcement.
The exhibition runs from Aug. 17 to Oct. 8 in the hotel’s Opera Wing lobby. It features three Vietnamese artists: Phan Cam Thuong, Ly Truc Son, and Do Thi Kim Doan.
Curated by Van Vi from The Muse Artspace, the show looks at Vietnamese art from the Indochina era to modern times. The display explores how later generations draw on cultural roots to create new visual languages.
Phan Cam Thuong presents lacquer paintings inspired by ancient heritage. His work distills memory and traditional symbols through imagery and rhythm. Ly Truc Son, who spent time in France and Germany, connects Vietnamese art to broader modern painting currents. Do Thi Kim Doan’s “Garden Corner” series captures everyday family life with emotional depth.
Van Vi noted that the artists meet at a shared point: their ability to transform Vietnamese cultural values into a visual language for the present.
Heritage Meets Modernity in Hanoi
George Koumendakos, the hotel’s General Manager, stated that art and culture are integral to the property’s identity. He emphasized the commitment to preserving heritage while allowing contemporary creativity to flourish.
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Located in the heart of Hanoi, the Sofitel Legend Metropole has welcomed figures like playwrights, ambassadors, and heads of state since 1901. The hotel blends colonial heritage with neo-classical luxury and modern comfort. Its Opera Wing and Heritage Wing house 358 rooms and three legendary suites named after famous residents.
The Muse Artspace focuses on modern and contemporary Vietnamese art. The organization prioritizes research and context, placing artworks in meaningful relationships with history and the artist’s narrative. This approach extends to “Indochina and After,” which examines lacquer works viewed through a modern lens.
While the hotel boasts six restaurants and bars, including Le Beaulieu and Spice Garden, the current focus shifts to the cultural dialogue happening in the lobby.
It is not uncommon for luxury venues to host temporary displays, yet few integrate so seamlessly into the building’s history. The exhibition’s timing aligns with the hotel’s long-standing role as a meeting place, effectively turning a lobby into a gallery without disrupting the flow of business travelers or tourists.
Sofitel Legend is part of Accor, a hospitality group with over 5,500 properties globally. The “Indochina and After” exhibition stands as one of the highlights of the hotel’s “125 Years of a Legend” programme.