Phạm Hà – Chairman, LuxGroup®
In 2026, as the global business environment enters a new cycle of uncertainty, business leaders no longer travel to escape pressure—but to confront themselves. They seek journeys slow enough to restore inner clarity, rich enough in cultural identity to nurture a leadership mindset rooted in sustainability and long-term values.
For those who have traveled widely, the pursuit of instant spectacle and surface-level luxury gradually fades. What replaces it is a desire for experiences with intellectual depth and emotional stillness. Each travel choice becomes a statement of leadership philosophy—reflecting responsibility toward society, the environment, and the future of enterprise.
From the perspective of someone who has designed and invested in experiential travel for more than two decades, I believe 2026 marks the rise of luxury as a cultural value—personalized, locally narrated, and deeply human. Travel is no longer a discretionary expense; it is a strategic investment in mental resilience and leadership capacity.
Moments of Stillness for Leaders on the Saigon River
Amid Vietnam’s most dynamic economic hub, the Saigon River retains its unhurried rhythm—like a quiet layer of memory flowing beneath modern life. As a heritage cruise by LuxGroup glides across the water, a different space unfolds: calm, reflective, and deliberately slow.
This contrast holds particular appeal for business leaders. On the river, the pressure of constant meetings and critical decisions softens. What emerges instead is the rare opportunity to observe—something leaders often lack amid daily urgency.
Journeys lasting from two to seven nights, drifting downstream toward the Mekong and onward to Cambodia, gently disconnect travelers from ringing phones and relentless schedules. The river’s pace dissolves haste. Life along its banks recalls a land that once witnessed historic departures—individuals leaving in search of independence, freedom, and dignity for their people.
Designed around depth rather than spectacle, Amiral Cruises for Presidents traces cultural lifelines and personal stories of river communities. These moments invite reflection—allowing leaders to pause, reassess, and shape long-term strategies with renewed clarity. Sustainable leadership begins with the ability to listen, and the river is the most patient teacher of all.
Green Cuisine – The Vital Energy of Leadership
In 2026, ESG values no longer reside in corporate reports alone. They are lived—most tangibly—at the dining table, where leadership responsibility toward ecosystems and communities becomes visible.
Across high-end journeys, cuisine is conceived as philosophy. In northern Vietnam, farm-to-table models ensure transparency and integrity from source to plate. In the central regions, culinary traditions emphasize balance and restraint, echoing the reflective spirit of heritage lands. Meanwhile, the southern kitchen celebrates adaptability and openness—qualities essential to modern leadership—through menus guided by seasonal rhythms.
Avoiding Crowds to Preserve Mental Depth
In an age of information overload, senior executives increasingly seek untouched landscapes to restore focus.
In Mai Châu or Pù Luông, walking journeys through villages, terraced fields, and forest paths offer both physical renewal and psychological grounding. Movement in nature stimulates positive energy while cultivating patience and attentiveness—core traits for those who lead under pressure.
Deep within Cúc Phương National Park, detachment from technology restores mental space. With fewer external stimuli, the mind reorganizes itself, allowing complex management challenges to be viewed with greater coherence.
Elsewhere, afternoon tea at sunset in Ninh Vân Bay offers a lesson in preservation and authenticity. As night falls, an evening aboard the imperial-inspired Emperor Cruises introduces a new benchmark of responsible luxury—where indulgence exists in harmony with nature.
Slow Travel and the Rhythm of Local Life
A defining shift in executive travel is the transition from “passing through” to staying with a place.
Rather than hurried check-ins, leaders immerse themselves in local rhythms. A five-day, four-night net-zero journey from Huế to Hội An prioritizes green cuisine, basket-boat experiences, and riverside living at Namia River Retreat—far from the crowds.
Business, at its core, is about people serving people. When leaders truly understand local lives and cultures, their management philosophies naturally become more humane and inclusive.
Personalization – Luxury as Cultural Expression
In the high-end segment, luxury no longer follows rigid templates. Its true value lies in uniqueness—each journey shaped to reflect the guest’s personal values and identity.
Across Lux Cruises Group itineraries, culture forms the core, while service becomes its language. The four-night Gulf of Tonkin heritage voyage aboard Heritage Cruises Bình Chuẩn, connecting Hạ Long, Lan Hạ, and Bái Tử Long, is often regarded by business leaders as a holistic mind–body–spirit retreat.
Within Indochine-inspired spaces, guests encounter the story of Bạch Thái Bưởi, the legendary “King of Vietnamese Shipping,” whose legacy of ethical entrepreneurship, trust, and national aspiration continues to inspire generations of leaders.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As 2026 unfolds, travel becomes a pathway to renewal and leadership maturity. Slower rhythms deepen experience, personalization preserves identity, and culture anchors long-term vision.
When leaders achieve harmony between people, nature, and heritage, the enterprises they guide gain the resilience needed to navigate an increasingly volatile world.