Vietnam unveiled a striking multipurpose convention center, its design drawing inspiration from the country’s iconic coracle boats. Axi Plaza celebrated its grand opening today at a stunning beachfront location overlooking Long Beach on Vietnam’s scenic Cam Ranh peninsula. The facility boasts a range of impressive amenities, including a vast conference hall, a rooftop venue, an outdoor event space, and a shopping and dining area spanning about 10,000 square meters.
As the largest multipurpose convention center in the region, Axi Plaza represents the third major development by The Anam Group, following the successful launches of the luxurious resorts The Anam Cam Ranh and The Anam Mui Ne in 2017 and 2023, respectively. Situated adjacent to the 12-hectare The Anam Cam Ranh, Axi Plaza is setting new standards in Cam Ranh, evolving from its historical status as southeast Asia’s prominent deepwater harbor to an upscale destination rivaling nearby Nha Trang.
Promising “meetings above the beach,” Axi Plaza’s conference hall and ballroom area on the third floor cover 1197 square meters and can host up to 1000 people. The hall features a striking design with high ceilings adorned with timber beams, a cutting-edge 75-square-meter LED screen, and panoramic views of swimming pools, a manicured lawn, and the ocean.
The rooftop area on the fifth floor spans 1077 square meters, offering a 360-degree view, perfect for receptions and corporate events, overlooking Long Beach’s pristine sands and azure waters, with the dramatic headland of “Song Lo” to the north and west.
Nestled between the basket boat-shaped building and the beach, the outdoor event space features a spacious lawn flanked by three picturesque swimming pools – one saltwater, one chlorine, and a kids pool – all supervised by lifeguards.
The first floor of Axi Plaza hosts 46 shops, while the second floor features the expansive entrance and reception area, along with the Axi Plaza Lounge serving Vietnamese cuisine. The building’s exterior is adorned with wood designed to withstand the elements for at least a century, and at night, it comes alive with a colorful lighting display.
Together, Axi Plaza and The Anam Cam Ranh will offer a comprehensive range of services and amenities for bleisure guests in one convenient location. Various corporate events, weddings, and forums in collaboration with the local tourism department are already planned at Axi Plaza this year, with The Anam Group considering organizing additional events such as classical concerts, fashion shows, and product launches.
The history of the basket boat dates back to the French colonial era, when the French imposed taxes on boat ownership. Vietnamese fishermen, unable to afford these taxes, reportedly deployed basket boats, arguing they were baskets rather than boats and thus exempt from taxation.