Mr. Hylton Lipkin - the first Ambassador to Vietnam of World Wellness Weekend

Hylton Lipkin, originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, has worked as a fitness and wellness training expert in many countries around the world. With extensive knowledge and experience in spas, wellness, and hospitality in Europe, Scandinavia, Polynesia, Hawaii, the Middle East, and Asia, Mr. Lipkin eventually settled in Vietnam as the General Manager of Alba Wellness Valley By Fusion (Hue), a wellness resort.

During World Wellness Weekend 2021 – an international event held annually since 2017 – Mr. Hylton Lipkin had the honor of becoming the program's first Ambassador in Vietnam. To celebrate this occasion, Travellive magazine had a short interview with Mr. Hylton Lipkin.

Hello sir, first, could you share how you came to Vietnam, and also to Alba Wellness Valley By Fusion?

I began my journey with Fusion Group in 2015, participating in the opening and operation of Fusion Resort Phu Quoc for two years. After that, I worked in Laos, for a hotel in Vientiane. Shortly after, I received an offer to manage Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion – a resort with services, strengths, and natural advantages that meet the criteria of a wellness destination. Feeling that the resort needed my expertise and experience, and that it aligned with my passion, I accepted the offer and was delighted to return to Vietnam to work. For me, this was not just an opportunity, but a dream come true.

Since then, what notable activities has he and Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion undertaken to make the resort an ideal wellness destination for tourists in Vietnam?

We have developed and introduced diverse and unique services such as Wellness Holidays, various activities to balance physical and mental well-being, intensive wellness retreat packages, thematic workshops, and are currently participating in the 5th World Wellness Weekend. With the World Wellness Weekend event, we collaborate with tourism and wellness development agencies in Hue and other parts of Vietnam to encourage participation and organize beneficial activities. Despite the difficulties and impacts of the pandemic, we have continued our efforts for over 18 months.

So, how has Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion been affected by the pandemic over the past 18 months?

In 2020, with the Covid-19 outbreak, although international tourism temporarily came to a halt, we were fortunate that 80% of our business came from domestic tourists. However, currently, with domestic tourism slowing down, like many other businesses and organizations during this difficult period, we are adapting, calling for support from our staff, and considering salary reductions, reduced working days, and temporary restaurant closures. Regarding room rates, we are also offering promotional programs and prioritizing service standards above all else.

With the Covid-19 pandemic still ongoing, cost and staff reductions are inevitable. Despite these cuts, we still guarantee 5-star service quality.

What were the biggest challenges he faced when running the resort amidst the pandemic?

We faced many difficulties – business slowed down, sales declined, and it was not easy to keep the business afloat and cover expenses. But we had no choice; we did not give up.

For the staff, everyone is worried about the future and how to secure stable employment. My job is to help reassure everyone, motivate them, and encourage them to do what they can for each member of the resort. Encouraging people to focus on the positive and adapt to any circumstances, as well as making the best choices for each individual, is not always easy.

What was the biggest motivation for you and Alba Wellness Valley By Fusion when you decided to face the challenges of the pandemic to maintain operations?

We have a wonderful staff – like one big family. The resort itself has all the elements of a wellness and relaxation destination – something everyone is looking for: immersing themselves in nature to become healthier and happier. We call this Green Wellness; just coming here and taking a stroll around the resort will make you feel more relaxed and refreshed. Seeing guests happy during their stay at Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion is a huge source of positive energy, joy, and motivation for me and the resort staff.

What does being chosen as the first Ambassador in Vietnam for World Wellness Weekend mean to you personally, and to the resort at this time?

For me, this is a great honor and opportunity to promote wellness tourism widely, contributing to putting Vietnam on the map of world wellness and resort destinations. We are also striving to engage more local people. There is no better time than now to encourage people to adopt a healthy, wellness-oriented lifestyle, and this will clearly help attract tourists back to Vietnam, Hue, and our resort.

So, as an ambassador for an international health event, what are your plans and goals?

My colleague, Mr. Nyoman Yastama, the Spa & Wellness Director of the resort, and I met with representatives from the Hue Department of Tourism. Everyone was very interested and enthusiastic about this wellness concept, and they wanted to turn it into an activity that members and organizations operating in the tourism sector in the area should participate in.

In these challenging times, World Wellness Weekend aims to bring together the Vietnamese Wellness community, fostering a balance between mental and physical health, nutrition, and the environment, and working towards a common goal: "Happiness."

At the same time, Nyoman and I have been spreading the word and calling on many organizations to join World Wellness Weekend. Currently, more than 40 events have been planned across Vietnam.

Some events in Vietnam in support of World Wellness Weekend:

- Alba Wellness Valley will host a CrossFit forest challenge on September 18th, including a 500m zipline ride with over 300 children, and on September 19th, yoga, meditation, and planting 1,000 trees.

- Hotels and resorts belonging to the Fusion group will organize yoga, meditation, and outdoor activities.

- Openasia's "Fun Run" in Saigon and Hanoi attracted approximately 100 participants.

- 30 California Fitness & Yoga centers will be offering wellness classes.

- VnExpress Marvelous Nha Trang 2021, held for the first time in Nha Trang city, attracted thousands of domestic and international athletes.

- 17 spas from Vinpearl Hotels & Spas will participate in the WWW event.

- Six Senses Con Dao & Six Senses Ninh Van Bay will organize beach walks, Hatha Yoga sessions, singing bowls, and beach yoga for staff and guests.

- Reborn Fitness & Health Vietnam: organizes over 20 different online fitness and wellness classes.

- Alyona Moves will be hosting a Yoga Dance Workshop on September 19th. This two-hour session will help you connect with your mind, body, inner intelligence, and intuition through a combination of yoga and dance.

- Vodung Beauty & Spa Int. Academy will be organizing a Thai massage course.

- Mandala Wellness will offer sound therapy sessions (also known as sound baths), guided meditation, yoga & pilates classes, as well as talks and discussions on nutrition, mental health, pre- and post-natal health, and exercise.

- Vietnam Detox & An Nhien Garden will be hosting a 2-hour workshop where participants will learn how to make vegetable/fruit juices, understand their benefits, and receive health advice.

Since there's no precise prediction of when the pandemic will end, what do you think is the future direction for the hospitality industry in Vietnam?

I think the first thing we need to do is ensure everyone gets both doses of the vaccine; that way, we'll all be much safer. As time goes on and more people get vaccinated, travel will return and grow. We will learn to live with the pandemic. We need to stay positive.

Do you have any predictions about the development trends of the tourism and service industry after the pandemic?

Some hotels in Vietnam used to not focus on the domestic tourism market, but this has changed and will continue to change, meaning hotels will offer more services geared towards domestic travelers, as well as wellness tourism services – which makes me very happy.

Tourists are increasingly opting for travel that combines exploration, experiences, and well-being. Therefore, we will see more and more hotels offering wellness packages with services such as health care, spa treatments, activities that balance physical and mental well-being, culinary experiences, and nature exploration.

So what can visitors expect at Alba Wellness Valley By Fusion now that the “safe travel season” is back?

As part of our resort's philosophy: "A journey back to your true self," we aim to be an ideal wellness destination. We will organize more intensive wellness retreat programs, continue to provide the best possible services, and develop and promote our resort services to everyone.

Thank you, sir, and I wish you and your family peace and good health.

Join World Wellness Weekend in Vietnam:

The 5th World Wellness Weekend kicked off in over 130 countries on September 18th and 19th. Everyone could participate in World Wellness Weekend online via social media, following the local time slots.

Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion partners with 14 professional organizations in the sports and wellness fields, offering over 20 diverse activities to motivate and inspire participants and observers. Activities include fitness, dance, yoga, meditation, exercises to activate natural healing energy from within the body, nutrition, and more, all taking place over two days. Register atThis.

Fusion Resort Phu Quoc will be hosting yoga, meditation, Nidra yoga, tai chi, and qigong sessions throughout September 18th. The first session will take place in the lush green garden of Maia Spa starting at 6:00 AM, followed by a Nidra yoga session in the studio at 3:00 PM to help relax the mind and body and improve sleep. There will also be meditation, tai chi, and qigong sessions until 7:00 PM. Everyone is welcome to participate and invite friends to join; all sessions will be livestreamed.FacebookandInstagramof the resort.

Fusion Suites Vung Tau will spread the spirit of healthy living in the local area through basic yoga instruction, home exercise tips, and spa therapists who will introduce some relaxing massage exercises that you can easily perform. At the same time, culinary experts will guide you in making healthy and detoxifying drinks. Stay tuned.FacebookandInstagramof the hotel for 2 days to watch.

Thanh Thúy, LO