OUR STORY
Openasia is the story of a bridge connecting Europe and Vietnam. It all started in 1994 when three friends from diverse backgrounds joined the investment bank Lazard in Vietnam and took the opportunity to acquire Openasia together in 1995. Over the years this partnership has evolved into an independent company with more than 1,500 happy employees.
“Over the years, we had different dreams and took every opportunity to make them come true. In the early days, from becoming a market leader in the field of distribution of mining equipment to opening one of Vietnam’s first luxury stores, our goal was to bring the best from Europe to Vietnam. Then, searching for ways to bring Vietnamese know-how to a wider audience, we had the opportunity to take over a small workshop and transform it into a major supplier of craftsmanship for worldwide luxury houses which led to the creation of Hanoia, the first Vietnamese luxury house. More recently, our dedication to sustainability and love for gastronomy guided us in the opening of Alba Wellness Valley and Press Club.”
“Today, we’re still driven by the passionate desire to bring the true meaning of luxury to Vietnam and to shed light on Vietnam’s formidable cultural heritage. For the future, we intend to continue to develop a platform of excellence in the fields of fashion, lifestyle, hospitality and craftsmanship.”
“We have loved every moment in our long journey with Openasia. We will never forget how happy we were when we opened our first Hermès store and Audi showroom in 2008, or when, we celebrated our 25th anniversary at Alba Wellness Valley with more than a thousand members of the Openasia family. We are proud that the company still runs like a family where everyone can share their knowledge, passion and perspective.”
Milestones
click to see our milestones
1994-2006
FROM INVESTMENT BANKING TO
INVESTMENT FIRM
1994
Lazard Openasia is founded in Paris by Lazard Freres Investment Bank
1996
In two years, Openasia becomes a leading investment advisory firm in Vietnam
1999
The firm is acquired by the 3 managing partners: Mr. Doan Viet Dai Tu, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Nhung and Mr. Christian de Ruty
Openasia Group is founded with its headquarters in Hong Kong, and main offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The company launches its slogan “Business is all about Culture and People”
The first Openasia Group investment is made with the creation of Openasia Heavy Equipment Ltd., an integrated mining equipment distribution company
2001
Omvest (Openasia Management Investment), the investment arm of Openasia Group, is created as a local strategic investment partner
2002
2006
Openasia Consulting becomes the market leader in strategic and investment advisory in Vietnam and establishes a partnership with Morgan Stanley
Omvest invests in a joint venture with Lafarge (cement), and Gras Savoye (Willis, insurance brokerage)
Openasia Heavy Equipment becomes the market leader in coal mining, cement and infrastructure
Tam Son International is created, becoming the Luxury Retail arms of Openasia Group, with Galerie Royale (Kenzo, Emilio Pucci, La Perla, Korloff), and Louis Vuitton
2006-2015
FROM “ENTREPRENEURIAL INVESTORS” TO
LUXURY RETAIL AND DISTRIBUTION
2008
Omvest co-founds Red River Holding with Artemis, a US$250 million fund
Tam Son opens the first Hermès flagship store in Hanoi
Omvest partners with CFAO to launch Audi Vietnam with the first Audi Showroom Terminal in Ho Chi Minh City
2011
Openasia Group launches its first manufacturing investment with Thien Hong, a high-end craftsmanship lacquer factory in Binh Duong
2012
Tam Son opens Hermès in Ho Chi Minh City and new stores with Hugo Boss, Chopard and Kenzo
Omvest launches the Master Franchise of Starbucks in Vietnam and opens the first Starbucks store in Ho Chi Minh City
Omvest invests in Thanh Tan Hotspring and Mineral Water in Hue, and creates Alba brand (Mineral Water, Spa Hotels and Wellness Resorts)
2013
Tam Son opens Bang & Olufsen and hugo boss
Thien Hong expands with a second Lacquer Manufacture in Hanoi
2014
Openasia Group acquires The Press Club Hanoi and The Emeraude Halong Cruise
Hanoia “Craftsmanship of Excellence” and its first Heritage store in Hanoi are created
2015
For its 20 years Anniversary Openasia Group celebrates “The Power of Harmony” with 1,200 staff
Openasia Consulting has a track-record of more than 500 projects in Vietnam and is rebranded Vinaconnect
Press Club opens La Table du Chef with two-Michelin starred chef Alain Dutournier
TAM SON OPENS BOTTEGA VENETA
2015-2020
A LEADING HIGH-END LIFESTYLE
ORGANISATION
Creation of Opal Communication and Event Agency
Tam Son expands new stores with Saint Laurent, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, Metaphore, Sandro and Maje
Tam Son Yachting is created and becomes the official distributor of Beneteau, Lagoon, Azimut, Zodiac, while Vinhomes Central Park Marina and Swanbay Yacht Club are launched
The 50-hectare Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion is launched in Hue
Omvest co-invests with the founder of Toong co-working space company
Hermès marks 10 years in Vietnam with a celebration at the Temple of Literature, with the first-ever Hermès Heritage In Motion Exhibition of this size with 1,000 guests
OPENASIA GROUP AND STS LAUNCH THE DIGITALIZATION OF GROUP AND ONE OPENASIA INNOVATION PROGRAM
Openasia Group employs 2,500 people and for its 25-year anniversary celebrates “ONE OPENASIA” at Alba Wellness Valley
2021-2022
2021
OPENASIA VILLAGE LAUNCHES, BRINGING A CONSUMER EXPERIENCE PLATFORM INTO OUR LIFESTYLE AND BRANDS ECO-SYSTEM WITH TAM SON (RETAIL), PRESS CLUB (F&B), HANOIA (HOUSE OF DESIGN), TAMSON YACHTING AND ALBA (HOSPITALITY)
2022
iN LATE 2021 AND EARLY 2022, TAM SON WELCOMES A SERIES OF NEW BRANDS (MARC JACOBS, LANCEL, RIMOWA, BERNARDAUD), IN THE MEANTIME, REOPENS HERMÈS STORE AND EXPANDS NEW STORE FOR PATEK PHILIPPE IN HO CHI MINH CITY.
WHO WE ARE
OUR
PURPOSE
Pioneering the Vietnamista concept by building an ecosystem where we awaken emotions and well living lifestyle.
OUR
AMBITION
To be the most inspiring lifestyle company hence contributing to Vietnam’s excellence.
OUR
VALUES
POSITIVE THINKING
If we can’t change the person and the situation, we can change the way we look at the person and the situation. This is the key factor for achieving our goals.
CREATIVITY
“You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the ocean in a drop.” Refresh yourself, think outside of the box and surprise others with disruptive ideas, because there’s an endless supply of creativity within you.
EXCELLENCE
Excellence is never an accident; it is the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities.
PASSION
“Passion is the fire that lights your way.” It creates momentum to accomplish any desire and overcome any obstacle.
SUSTAINABILITY
We cannot help people who refuse to help others. Respect people, train them, help them to add their own values and bring their values to help others. This is part of the journey where giving becomes receiving.
Our ORGANIZATION
Openasia was founded by three partners who share the same entrepreneurial values and vision, and part of that is integrating global best practices alongside deep local understandings. Thanks to them, Openasia has been steadily developing for 30 years as an independent company with the mission of building a cultural and business bridge between Europe and Vietnam.
Today, Openasia has become
one group with two pillars:
Openasia Village
and Openasia Insiders.
Openasia Village offers a lifestyle eco-system to light up people’s daily lives. It includes prestigious international brands and high-end local labels in the fields of lifestyle, hospitality and F&B.
Openasia Insiders is our center of expertise to build strategies, manage businesses and boost brands. It offers corporate clients a platform of innovative services and partnerships to analyze, manage, promote, produce and improve their businesses.