Enjoy afternoon tea in an elegant setting.

Pret-a-portea: A feast of colors

Drawing inspiration from the colorful and unique world of fashion, the Pret-a-portea (Fashion & Afternoon Tea) program offers guests a delightful experience combining classic afternoon tea with contemporary fashion. “Pret-a-portea” is a portmantein of “Pret-a-porter” (a French term referring to ready-to-wear clothing from high-end brands) and “tea” from “afternoon tea.”

“Pret-a-portea” was organized with the idea of ​​combining classic afternoon tea culture with eye-catching fashion outfits from Vietnamese fashion brands such as Chula, Huu La La, Jagi Design... The highlight of the program was not only the image of graceful models strutting on the runway but also the visually appealing creations of the pastries served at the afternoon tea event. All were inspired by the diversity and creativity of the fashion world.

The "Fashion & Afternoon Tea" event is held in the elegant setting of the Diplomat Lounge at the InterContinental Hanoi Westlake hotel, surrounded by the picturesque waters of West Lake. To offer guests the most memorable culinary experience, Chef Jeremy Lasserre and his team have created unique sweet and savory pastries. You'll be surprised by chocolate bags and lipsticks, cookies printed with elegant evening gowns and high heels, and a variety of colorful cakes and fruit mousses. Savory options include croissants with French cheese, puffs with grilled chicken, and smoked cheese sandwiches. All will be served with a selection of premium Western teas sourced from the finest regions.

The program is held monthly, with two guest fashion brands participating each month. The schedule for the fashion brands' tea parties in 2016 is as follows: October 8th (Women Rock and Up to Seconds), November 12th (Kilomet 109 & Luala Atelier), and December 17th (Chim Yến & Chula). Guests will have the opportunity to admire outfits from the most talented designers and hear valuable advice and insights.

Afternoon tea is served from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Price: 390,000 VND per person.

Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake

• 5 Tu Hoa Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
• Tel: 04. 6270 8888
• Website: www.hanoi.intercontinental.com

Enjoying tea in a setting with a distinct French atmosphere.

Le Club at the Metropole Hotel Hanoi has long been the ideal place to experience a relaxing afternoon in a quiet, elegant French-style setting. Sipping tea with biscuits, macarons, or other pastries prepared by renowned chefs is a moment to unwind, recharge, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon.

Besides familiar teas imported from China, India, Sri Lanka, etc., the chef also introduces diners to special black teas suitable for late afternoons, such as Darjeeling, Earl Grey, and English Breakfast, with their amber color and pure aroma. You can enjoy black tea on its own or add a little sugar, honey, milk, or cream for a sweeter taste. When drinking Russian-style tea, don't forget lemon, strawberry jam, and a little sugar, and of course, with oriental green tea, jasmine tea, lotus tea, etc., it's best enjoyed on its own or with a few slices of lemon for the simplest and purest aroma.

Tea time is served from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM on weekday afternoons. Price: 465,000++ VND/tray. This tray can be shared among guests, one or two people per tray.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel

• 15 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
• Tel: 04. 3826 6919, extension 8212.

Discover the renowned tea brand Ronnefeldt.

From October, guests can relax and enjoy a premium weekend afternoon tea at The Lounge, JW Marriott Hanoi, with a special menu for two. Discover the world-renowned Ronnefeldt tea brand, choosing from seven flavors to suit your preferences, such as the classic Earl Grey tea, the delicate chamomile, the subtly tart wild berry, and many more.

During the afternoon tea, Chef Raphael and his professional culinary team will present a selection of exquisite savory appetizers and pastries such as French brioche with smoked salmon, rye bread with smoked meat and cheese, traditional scone with orange marmalade and sour cream, spicy red wine-soaked peaches, and many other delicacies. The appetizer menu may change daily, offering delightful surprises.

The upscale weekend afternoon tea party is served from 2 PM to 5 PM every Saturday and Sunday, priced at 495,000++ VND/set for 2 people.

JW Marriott Hanoi Hotel

• 8 Do Duc Duc Street, Me Tri Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi
• Tel: 04. 3833 5588
• Website: www.jwmarriotthanoi.com

Ultra luxury with premium tea lines.

With its collection of premium teas, the afternoon tea experience at Reverie in Vietnam's 6-star hotel offers you an impressive glimpse into the world of British aristocracy of yesteryear. Those passionate about traditional tea flavors will find it hard to resist Assam Gbop, Earl Grey Fleurs, or Darjeeling De Printemps Gfop. While Assam Gbop evokes the springtime flavors of northeastern India with its bright colors and strong malt taste, Darjeeling De Printemps Gfop introduces the spring at the foot of the Himalayas through its floral, almond, and ripe fruit notes. Meanwhile, Earl Grey Fleurs provides a refreshing sensation by combining black teas with bergamot from Calabria (Italy). Other options include Strong Breakfast, Lapsang Souchong, The Rose, Jasmine Pearl, and Chinese Gunpowder. If you're avoiding caffeine, decaffeinated teas like Peppermint Leaves, Chamomile, Rooibos Fruits Rouges, and Pomolone are ideal choices.

One of the highlights of tea time at Reverie is the availability of rare teas such as Genmaïcha Matcha, Yin Zhen Pointes Blanches, and Pont Des Amants Flower. Perhaps the most interesting is Yin Zhen Pointes Blanches. Made from plum blossom buds, this tea offers a refreshing aroma of roasted chestnuts and a delicate cherry blossom scent.

Right on the afternoon tea menu, you'll find instructions on how to best pair tea with various pastries. Some teas aren't suitable with milk and sugar, others go well with fruit jams, dark chocolate, or French éclairs. Some are only compatible with dishes that have a light cheese flavor… What could be better than immersing yourself in the refreshing aroma of mint tea, or the warm notes of pineapple and citrus, enjoying the fragrance of flowers on a chilly day?

Afternoon tea sets include:

- Salon De The: Enjoy unlimited tea and a selection of sandwiches, pastries, cakes, and sconery served with whipped cream, strawberry jam, and cream for 388,000++ VND/person.

- Sparkling Salon De The: Enjoy unlimited tea with a glass of Prosecco Mionetto Prestige Collection Extra Dry sparkling wine and a choice of sandwiches, pastries, cakes, and sconety bread served with whipped cream, strawberry jam, or cream, all for 478,000++ VND per person.

- Taittinger Salon De The: Enjoy unlimited tea with a glass of Taittinger Brut Réserve Champagne and a selection of sandwiches, pastries, cakes, and sconety breads served with whipped cream, strawberry jam, or cream, all for 798,000++ VND per person.

The Reverie Saigon

• Times Square Building, 22-36 Nguyen Hue & 57-69F Dong Khoi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Tel: 08.3823 6688
• Website: www.thereveriesaigon.com

Creative recipe for afternoon tea

While there aren't strict rules regarding afternoon tea menus, a traditional menu typically includes sandwiches, cream-filled mini pastries, fruit, or pretty chocolate cakes. At Park Hyatt, afternoon tea enthusiasts will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of tempting and unique pastries including Mont Blanc tarts, lemon scallops, green tea macarons, chocolate tarts, and mango tarts…

On Saturdays, with the Saturday Afternoon Tea buffet from 2 PM to 5 PM, you can enjoy savory pastries such as grilled pork rice noodles, Japanese-style smoked eel with butter, foie gras terrine, mini croissants, and more. Besides common sweet treats like lemon tarts, cupcakes, various macarons and mocha, chocolate and orange mousse cakes, etc., at the Saturday Afternoon Buffet, you can also enjoy Chef Narae's collection of Religieuse choux pastries with unique fillings such as yogurt, chocolate, caramel mascarpone, raspberry, rose, and blackberry, as well as new fillings like vanilla, raspberry rose, caramel mascarpone, and yogurt.

The delicious pastries at Park Hyatt typically contain 25-30% less sugar than traditional recipes, as Vietnamese palates favor lighter flavors. These pretty, colorful pastries are truly the ideal companions for afternoon tea parties.

- Afternoon tea set: Available from 2 PM to 5 PM daily, Sunday to Friday. The afternoon tea set includes a hot beverage (coffee or tea), scones, jam, ice cream, and a selection of sweet and savory pastries served at your table. Price: VND 410,000++/set.

- Afternoon tea buffet:

+ Sweet and savory pastries + one hot drink, priced at 570,000++ VND/set.

+ Sweet and savory pastries + Prosecco and Cosmopolitan set priced at 880,000++ VND/set.

+ Sweet and savory pastries + a glass of Bollinger champagne, priced at VND 990,000++/set.

Park Hyatt Saigon

• 02 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Tel: 08.35202357
• Website: www.park.hyatt.com

Article by: Que Lan, Cac Truc

The Thanh