CEO Group breaks ground on Novotel Cam Ranh Resort, cementing commitment to Vietnam’s luxury tourism landscape

CEO Group, a prominent Vietnamese conglomerate, has officially launched construction on the Novotel Cam Ranh Resort, a $150 million development that marks the latest expansion of its high-end resort portfolio and deepens its strategic partnership with global hospitality giant Accor.

Situated on nearly 8 hectares of pristine beachfront at Bai Dai, the 387-key resort will be operated under the Novotel brand, reaffirming CEO Group’s long-term ambition to build an international-standard resort ecosystem in Vietnam. The project includes a Presidential villa, sky bar, high-end restaurants, and family-focused amenities.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by top officials from Khanh Hoa province, executives from Accor, and major industry stakeholders, highlighting the political and commercial importance of the development.

Strategic expansion in a high-growth region

Khanh Hoa, home to Cam Ranh International Airport and a rapidly expanding infrastructure network, is emerging as a key node in Vietnam’s tourism economy. Long known for its natural beauty, the province is now positioned as a hub for international resort investment.

“We are not only creating a resort, but also creating a new symbol for Central Vietnam tourism - where indigenous nature, classy design and international operating standards converge to bring the most complete experience to visitors,” said Doan Van Binh, Chairman of CEO Group, during the event.

Binh emphasized that the resort is part of CEO Group’s broader vision to contribute to national tourism goals while creating sustainable, high-value destinations. He described the project as a “milestone in our journey to deliver 3,000 to 5,000 international-standard hotel rooms across Vietnam by 2030.”

Accor-CEO: A decade-long alliance

The Cam Ranh property builds on a long-standing alliance between CEO Group and Accor, Europe’s largest hotel operator. Their previous collaboration on Novotel Phu Quoc Resort set benchmarks in resort design and operations, earning accolades from both domestic and foreign travelers.

“We are very proud to continue to accompany CEO Group in the journey of expanding the Novotel branded hotel chain in Vietnam. Novotel Cam Ranh Resort promises to become the next bright pearl in Accor's collection of destinations in Asia, ” said Xavier Cappelut, Vice President of Operations for Accor Vietnam, Philippines and Maldives. 

This sustained partnership reflects not only operational synergies but also a mutual alignment on long-term positioning: bringing world-class hospitality experiences to Vietnam’s coastlines while developing resilient local ecosystems.

Financial confidence and project backing

Backing the project is a strong consortium of stakeholders. VietinBank provides credit financing, while design and construction are led by Kume Asia, CEO Design, and CEO Construction. The full project supply chain engages both international and domestic vendors, reinforcing local economic linkages.

CEO Group’s project development model emphasizes strict quality control, timely execution, and community impact. “We aim to build more than buildings - we aim to generate value for society and the national brand,” said Binh.

When completed, the resort is expected to create hundreds of jobs, raise local hospitality capacity, and support Khanh Hoa’s tax base. The province has been actively positioning itself as a destination for strategic tourism investments and has extended support to large-scale developers like CEO Group.

Novotel Cam Ranh Resort is scheduled to open in October 2026, coinciding with CEO Group’s 25th anniversary. The timing underlines the company’s intention to use the project as a launchpad for its next growth phase - potentially expanding into other central coastal provinces.

With flagship properties already operating in Phu Quoc and Van Don, CEO Group is leveraging its experience to replicate success in other high-potential regions. The Cam Ranh development signals a firm bet on Central Vietnam’s future as a luxury tourism hub.