Dewan Architects celebrates the opening of TUI BLUE Han River, a landmark collaboration demonstrating how international hospitality expertise, strong operator alignment and local understanding can create unique destinations with lasting value.
DA NANG, Vietnam, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On 8 August 2026, TUI BLUE Han River officially opened its doors in Da Nang, marking an important milestone for both the city's hospitality landscape and Dewan's growing portfolio across Southeast Asia.
Developed by Thaigroup and operated under the international TUI BLUE brand, the 125-room hotel occupies a prominent position along the Han River, bringing together accommodation, dining, wellness and business facilities within one contemporary hospitality destination.
For Dewan, the project represents much more than the completion of a hotel. As Lead Designers for the hotel component, the practice worked to create a destination capable of meeting the expectations of an international operator while establishing a distinctive identity rooted in Da Nang thanks to Dewan's 10 plus years presence in Vietnam and with the support of its multicultural staff base.
The design draws inspiration from Da Nang and its surroundings, combining the cultural heritage of the region with the modern energy of the city. The project also takes full advantage of its unique setting, framing views towards the Han River and the ocean beyond. Architecture and interiors were developed as one connected experience, balancing a contemporary international language with references to local culture, craftsmanship and hospitality. The result is a sophisticated, yet welcoming environment designed to support the TUI BLUE guest experience.
"Working with Dewan, we've brought the TUI BLUE 'Hotels designed for you' philosophy to life on the banks of the Han River. The design seamlessly integrates our core brand pillars—authentic local experiences and modern wellness—with Da Nang's vibrant energy. Dewan's architecture captures the river's fluid grace, while the stylish, functional spaces provide the perfect backdrop for our tailored guest experiences. It's a sophisticated, contemporary sanctuary that feels truly rooted in its environment," Axel de Boynes, Pre-opening Manager / General Manager, TUI BLUE Han River.
Designing with the Operator in Mind
For hospitality developments, successful design is not defined by aesthetics alone. The architecture and interiors must support a brand, an operational model, and ultimately the experience guests will remember.
This understanding shaped Dewan's approach throughout the project. From the overall expression to the guest rooms, public spaces, wellness facilities and rooftop experiences, the design was developed to create a coherent experience aligned with the TUI BLUE brand.
"TUI BLUE Han River demonstrates the value of combining international hospitality experience with a genuine sense of place" says Mohammed Adib, Chief Design Officer at Dewan. "We have worked on hospitality developments across different markets and understand the level of design, coordination and brand knowledge required to deliver at an international standard, whilst optimizing the efficiency of the design to minimize wasted space and time for operations. At the same time, our experience in Southeast Asia allows us to bring an understanding of the market and the character of each location. The strongest projects are those where these perspectives come together to create something distinctive."
This balance between global expertise and local understanding is central to Dewan's approach in Southeast Asia. With more than four decades of international experience and an established presence in Vietnam, Dewan operates as an integrated practice, bringing together design leadership, hospitality knowledge, technical capability and on-the-ground insight.
Recognition for a Distinctive Hospitality Vision
The success of TUI BLUE Han River has already received recognition beyond the project itself. At the 2026 Asia Architecture Design Awards, the hotel received Asia's Best Hospitality Interior Design and Asia's Finest Boutique Hotel. The project was also recognized with a Gold Award at the 2026 VMARK Vietnam Design Awards.
Not only was the project recognized, but Dewan was also named Asia's Best Firm in Architecture Design and Asia's Best Firm in Hospitality Architecture Design. Together, these awards provide strong external recognition for both the project and the wider capabilities of Dewan. This reflects the strength of the collaboration between developer, operator and design team, and reinforce Dewan's growing position as a trusted partner for ambitious hospitality developments across the region.
As TUI BLUE Han River begins its next chapter as a fully operational hotel, it stands as an important example of Dewan's growing presence in Southeast Asia and its ability to deliver ambitious hospitality projects from concept through to a successful opening.
For developers and operators, this is where Dewan brings real value: creating more than visually compelling buildings, but destinations designed to perform, connect with their market and deliver memorable experiences over the long term.
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