Cover Mark Van Der Wielen, Area General Manager and General Manager of JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon
Mark Van Der Wielen, Area General Manager and General Manager of JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon
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Reflecting on a 30-year journey in Vietnam, what is the most meaningful legacy that Mark van der Wielen wishes to leave behind on this land?
“Cảm ơn em!” - a heartfelt "thank you" in Vietnamese rang out just before our interview began. It was a simple gesture as he received a glass of water from his team, yet it was enough to dissolve all professional distance. Among the circle of expatriate hotel executives in Vietnam, it is rare to find a General Manager who speaks Vietnamese so naturally. For Mark van der Wielen, this isn't just a linguistic skill or the social etiquette of a visitor; it is the familiarity of a man who has considered this southern land his second home for three decades.
Mark’s journey began in Boven-Leeuwen, a peaceful town in the Netherlands with only 2,000 residents. Imagine the sheer scale of the "culture shock" when a young Mark landed in Hanoi in 1995, amidst the bustling energy of a nation just beginning to open its doors. Yet, from those first days at the Hanoi Daewoo Hotel, Mark found the brilliant path for his future career, met his Vietnamese wife, and built a home with two sons who are now grown.
Nearly 30 years later, Mark is still struck by the pace of change in the S-shaped land. In an intimate conversation, we discussed the renovation of JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon to redefine luxury hospitality and decoded the magnetic allure of Vietnamese culture. Is the world underestimating Vietnam’s potential? And what must international brands truly understand to not just "come and go," but to take deep roots in this promising market, just as Mark van der Wielen has chosen to do?
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The “promised land” for the youth
Above Mark Van Der Wielen, Multi-Property Vice President for Vietnam and General Manager of the JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon
Mark Van Der Wielen, Multi-Property Vice President for Vietnam and General Manager of the JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon
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Let’s go back to 1995, when you first landed at Noi Bai. That was a very different Vietnam - primitive, no ATMs, and infrastructure that was practically zero. What truly kept a young Dutchman in this land for so long?
When I landed at Noi Bai, the runway was tiny, and everything felt “empty.” But within that simplicity, I fell in love with this country. Of course, my wife deserves the most credit; she helped me understand and love Vietnam more deeply every day. From a professional standpoint, the hospitality industry here offered immense opportunities. Behind the lack of infrastructure back then were people full of passion, a hunger to learn, and, remarkably, an incredibly sharp business acumen. That is why I could never leave this land. I believe in the combination of experience and the “right person, right time” factor.
When I started, Marriott had only one hotel. Today, we just welcomed our 30th property in Nha Trang. Being part of this growth trajectory is the greatest honor of my career. I truly believe that for the younger generation, hospitality is your “promised land.” What happened in China or India ten years ago is happening in Vietnam today, but with even greater speed and scale.
Your three-decade journey with Marriott has taken you through many "promised lands", from Vietnam in the 90s to Singapore, China, India, and finally back to Ho Chi Minh City. How did it all unfold?
I believe in the combination of experience and the “right person, right time” factor. I was fortunate to witness the iconic economic booms in China and India. And now, I have a very distinct feeling that history is repeating itself right here in Vietnam.
When I started, Marriott had only one hotel. Today, we just welcomed our 30th property in Nha Trang. What makes me proudest is our footprint: we are present from Hai Phong and Ha Nam to Can Tho and Hoi An. Being part of this growth trajectory is the greatest honor of my career.
Vietnam is my home now. My two sons hold dual citizenship and speak fluent Vietnamese, though I must apologize that my own Vietnamese is still at the "I understand more than I can speak" level (laughs). But through the intuition of someone in this industry for 30 years, I truly believe that for the younger generation, hospitality is your "promised land." What happened in China or India ten years ago is happening in Vietnam today, but with even greater speed and scale.
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I truly believe that for the younger generation, hospitality is your "promised land." What happened in China or India ten years ago is happening in Vietnam today, but with even greater speed and scale.
In your opinion, what are the core pillars that will define Marriott's growth in Vietnam over the next decade?
First is the alignment and collaboration among all key stakeholder. We cannot walk this path alone. Support from the government is essential to managing growth so that infrastructure doesn’t fall behind. Visa policies; this can be turned into “welcoming invitation,” compelling enough to draw global elite travelers who have no shortage of international options. However, policy liberalization is meaningless if we lose our most precious asset: our natural heritage. Once we have the foundation of infrastructure and sustainable nature, the next step is market diversification.
Among those three pillars, what excites you the most?
Definitely human development. I am incredibly proud that Marriott now has four Vietnamese General Managers. I want to see this development to continue further. See talents from major cities return to their hometowns to lead the new hotels opening there. A story of “homecoming.” We want to build a clear career map so they can see themselves as top executives in the future. That is the most meaningful thing I am doing.
The grace of identity in adversity
If you had to use just one word to describe the Vietnamese people in the service industry, what would it be?
It’s “warm”. Vietnamese people have a natural instinct for hospitality and openness. You are willing to invite a stranger to your table just to talk. That is a cultural superpower that makes guests fall in love with this country.
To be honest, sometimes when I go back to Europe, I try to strike up a conversation with strangers the Vietnamese way, and they look at me like, "What on earth are you doing?" (laughs). I feel it’s a shame, because I wish that warmth existed everywhere in the world.
In today’s global economy, full of uncertainty, how do you help your team maintain their confidence to overcome the toughest times?
In nearly 30 years, I encountered many situations: from protests in Thailand and terror attacks in Mumbai to financial crises and the 2019 pandemic. Even now, as the world faces inflation and tightening spend, the pressure on our industry is immense.
My rule is: The more volatile the world, the more you must be present. I choose to be optimistic but honest with my team about what is happening. At Marriott, we stay committed to our core value of “Take Care of People”, because when associates feel protected, they can protect our guests. In economics, numbers go up and down, but trust must never waver. When you are willing to adapt, constantly innovate, and always appreciate every effort of your staff, you will find that adversity is exactly when our identity shines the brightest.
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Best of Asia 2026 marks the first time Tatler Vietnam brings together thirteen General Managers of Vietnam’s leading hotels and resorts on the January cover. This moment reflects a powerful shift within the hospitality industry as Asia enters a period of profound redefinition. Today, the leaders behind global brands are no longer merely operating systems; they are collectively shaping new benchmarks for luxury hospitality in Vietnam.
This January cover captures Tatler’s vision of industry leadership: transcending competition to assume a shared responsibility for preserving experience, standards, and the enduring stature of the art of hospitality, positioning Vietnam as a leading destination in Asia.
Tatler is proud to present thirteen features - thirteen touchpoints between thought and emotion, guiding readers from iconic destinations to East–West culinary dialogues, from international standards to local spirit, from sustainability philosophies to an aesthetic distilled in every detail of service.
This article is a reproduction of an original piece from Tatler Vietnam's January 2026 issue.
CREDITS:
Editor-in-Chief: Nikita Chu
Art Director: Andy Tran
Head of Dining & Travel: Hong Dang
Photographers: Le Lai, Tran Khoa
Producers: Giang Thảo, Joanne Dao
Videographers: Hai Pham, Nguyen Duc Kha, Tu Le, Pham Gia Khanh
Editors: Xuan Phuc, Priscilla N., Tra My
Designer: Chau Duong
Marketing & Social: Joanne Dao, Pham Gia Khanh, Tat An Thuan
Stylists: Tran Cong Linh, Long Ngoc
Makeup: Nguyen Huynh Nhi, Mai Mai, Vuong Cam Thien, Ngan Kim
Production Assistants: Huynh Hai Dang, Tuan Sang, Brian Nguyen
Photo Assistants: Nhân Tomato, Võ Hoàng Huy
Video Assistant: Hung Van
Gaffer: Bao Hoang Nguyen, Long
Stylist Assistant: Quoc Nam
Fashion: Canali
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