The founder of ThirdHome, the globally renowned vacation exchange club for luxury villa owners, has just arrived in Vietnam with the ambition of turning the S-shaped country into a new focal point for the high-end resort tourism market in Southeast Asia.
On the afternoon of November 26 in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Wade Shealey, Founder and Chairman of ThirdHome, a vacation exchange club for owners of luxury holiday properties in destinations such as the Maldives, Phuket, Miami, and Tuscany, met with Vietnamese media for the first time.
Mr. Wade Shealey, Founder and Chairman of ThirdHome, expressed his excitement during his first visit to Ho Chi Minh City. PHOTO: LÊ NAM
"We have come to Vietnam and witnessed a market growing at a remarkable pace, both in terms of demand and product quality. Vietnam is now among the fastest-growing destinations in the world for second homes, beach resorts, wellness tourism, and luxury accommodation models", Mr. Wade Shealey commented.
According to Mr. Shealey, the most sought-after areas include Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Binh Thuan. These locations offer a high-quality inventory of second homes, prime locations, and promising prospects for sustainable development.
ThirdHome currently operates more than 7,000 luxury second homes in Mexico. Therefore, he expects that Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, could achieve similar or even greater growth rates in the future.
The luxury vacation exchange club ThirdHome makes its debut in Vietnam. PHOTO: ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
According to ThirdHome representatives, luxury travelers to Vietnam tend to seek experiences they cannot find in Europe or the United States. A secluded villa on a small island, a house with a garden facing the sea, or a wellness lifestyle by a mineral spring are all considered "unique" offerings.
A prime example is a villa on a small island in Con Dao, which is part of the ThirdHome network. For Europeans, this is a rare experience. They are willing to fly several extra hours to enjoy the absolute privacy that such a location provides, something unavailable elsewhere.
Mr. Wade Shealey shared that the club was founded in 2010, inspired by a simple yet strategic question: "How can second home owners optimize their investment"? He realized that millions of vacation villas worldwide remain vacant for months each year.
From this, he developed a platform that allows villa owners to exchange vacation stays with each other through a points system, enabling them to make use of their property's "idle time" to experience thousands of other homes around the globe.
What is the branded residence trend?
Although there is no universally agreed-upon definition, Branded Residences can be understood as properties associated with a brand to create a premium living and vacation experience, ranging from beachfront apartments and villas to urban residences, spanning from upscale to luxury segments.
The top 10 global Branded Residence markets, as ranked by Savills, include both Thailand and Vietnam, highlighting the growing prominence of Asia in the coming decade. PHOTO: LÊ NAM
Asia is forecast to see strong growth in the next decade. Dubai leads the way, while Vietnam and Thailand are both among the top 10 fastest-growing markets.
In Vietnam, Branded Residences first appeared more than 12 years ago, mainly in the coastal segment. Urban projects remain limited, with only a few developers such as Masterise Homes making significant progress. However, the pace of expansion is accelerating—from just two brands initially, the market now features nearly 25 international brands, led by InterContinental, Marriott, and Meliá.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has approved Gia Lai Province to host the Việt Nam National Tourism Year 2026, according to the provincial People’s Committee.
Gia Lai Vice Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Thanh Lịch on November 17 inspected Ơp Village in Pleiku Ward and Ia Nueng Village in Biển Hồ Commune to evaluate their potential for developing community-based tourism rooted in Jrai cultural heritage.
(GLO) – The American travel magazine National Geographic has just featured seven of the world’s most stunning sunrise spots, with Da Lat, Vietnam topping the list.
Once focused solely on agriculture, Gia Lai’s lush organic coffee farms and thriving orchards are now becoming sought-after destinations for experiential tourism. Visitors can pick fresh fruit, enjoy local produce, and immerse themselves in the tranquil rhythms of rural life.
The People's Committee of Gia Lai Province has announced that the main activities of the wild sunflower - Chu Dang Ya volcano festival will be merged with Vietnam’s Cultural Heritage Day celebration, in an effort to redirect resources toward recovery from the severe impacts of Storm No. 13.
Home to numerous civilizations that date back thousands of years, Asia is a continent rich with fascinating historical narratives, from the rise of powerful dynasties to the spread of diverse religions.
(GLO) – The long-abandoned brick kilns, standing in silence like ancient, deserted towers along Nguyen Binh Street (Hoi Phu Ward, Gia Lai Province), spark curiosity among passersby.
Amid modern life, when many traditional values risk being lost, developing tourism in tandem with preserving local ethnic cultures is seen as a sustainable direction that enables communities to grow economically while maintaining their unique identities.
The 2025 Chư Đang Ya wild sunflower and volcano festival is underway across Gia Lai province, featuring a vibrant series of cultural and sporting events from November 2 to 16.
The 2025 wild sunflower - Chu Dang Ya volcano festival will be held from November 14 to 16, featuring a series of cultural, sports, and tourism activities that highlight the rich identity of the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai.
Local authorities in Gia Lai province have launched a campaign urging residents and visitors to help preserve the famed wild sunflower fields that bloom each October on the slopes of Chu Dang Ya volcano in Bien Ho commune.
(GLO) - At the end of October, the Central Highlands sky turns a clear blue, with wisps of white clouds drifting playfully in the golden sunlight. The foxtail grass along the path down to the coffee fields has grown tall, swaying gently in the breeze.
Quy Nhon Dong Ward in Gia Lai Province is emerging as a model for sustainable coastal tourism by linking its development with OCOP (One Commune One Product) initiatives.
Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam’s “Pearl Island,” has become the leading destination for Eastern European travelers, according to data from digital travel platform Agoda. The report shows a 113% rise in accommodation searches for Phu Quoc compared with the same period in 2024.
The rich, rustic cuisine of Gia Lai province is taking center stage at the Autumn delicacies food festival 2025 in Hanoi, drawing visitors with the distinctive tastes of Vietnam’s Central Highlands and the warm hospitality of the coastal “Xu Nau” region.
The Australian travel magazine Lonely Planet has listed Quy Nhon among the top 25 destinations worldwide for 2026, recognizing the coastal Vietnamese city for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and tranquil atmosphere.
A delegation from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) joined local leaders and industry representatives in Gia Lai province on Friday to discuss strengthening tourism product linkages and promoting ethnic minority culture.
At the Best Tourism Villages 2025 awards ceremony in China on Friday, UN Tourism recognized Lo Lo Chai Village in Tuyen Quang Province and Quynh Son Community-based Tourism Village in Lang Son Province for their outstanding contributions to sustainable rural tourism.
From a legendary resistance village during the war against French colonialists, Stor has today evolved into a shining example of cultural and historical tourism, contributing to the building of new-style rural areas while preserving and promoting ethnic identity.
Vietnam continues to enchant international visitors who choose not only to travel, but to stay, drawn by its warmth, vibrant culture, and captivating landscapes. From Ho Chi Minh City to Phú Quốc and Hội An, many foreigners describe the country as a place that has changed their lives.
In mid-October, the hillsides of Tram Lap hamlet in Son Lang commune, Gia Lai province, turn into a sea of soft pink as wild pampas grass bursts into full bloom, creating one of the Central Highlands’ most enchanting natural scenes.
Young people across Gia Lai province are driving a wave of tourism promotion through a short-video competition launched by the Gia Lai Provincial Youth Union.
Vietnam has added three more sites, Pù Mát National Park, Đồng Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, and Xuân Thủy National Park, to the list of ASEAN heritage parks, further cementing its status as one of the countries with the highest number of recognized conservation areas in Southeast Asia.
The western region of Lam Dong province is emerging as a beacon of Vietnam’s green culinary movement, where indigenous dishes rooted in nature and tradition are being reimagined to meet modern sustainability standards.
