Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ho Chi Minh City recently collaborated with Mandarin Oriental in Vietnam to share insights on their direction of design language: elevating heritage.

Heritage, as defined by the dictionary, encompasses values of significant cultural and historical importance, not only referring to physical masterpieces but also to spiritual symbols. In an era where technology is rapidly advancing and being maximised, heritage becomes even more special, with its rustic elegance captivating hearts.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, a 120-year-old British brand, defines each car as a work of art, while Mandarin Oriental, a global real estate brand with a 60-year history, focuses on delivering luxurious travel experiences. Despite their different stories and seemingly unrelated paths, these two brands converge on a shared journey of honoring and elevating heritage. By blending heritage with modern styles, both brands have introduced masterpieces with a "quiet luxury" design language – eschewing external flamboyance in favour of inner tranquillity and calm.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Scintilla – A tribute to the Spirit of Ecstasy

With a history spanning over a century, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars takes immense pride in its heritage. From the first model, the Royce 10 horsepower, to the Silver Ghost, the first car with a rolling chassis, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has meticulously preserved and maintained these masterpieces. However, the essence of heritage extends beyond vintage cars; it is embodied in the brand's iconic symbol, the Spirit of Ecstasy.

To celebrate its 120th anniversary, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars introduced a limited edition Phantom model named Scintilla, inspired by the Spirit of Ecstasy. With the figure of a muse draped in flowing robes, the Spirit of Ecstasy has graced nearly every Rolls-Royce vehicle since the brand's opening days, symbolising elegance and mystique.

Every detail of the Phantom Scintilla is handcrafted, inspired by the ethereal beauty of the Spirit of Ecstasy – poetic, mystical, fleeting yet leaving a lasting impression. The Winged Victory of Samothrace was the initial inspiration for the creation of the Spirit of Ecstasy, sculpted from Parian marble, renowned for its translucency, purity, and brilliance. To evoke a sense of connection, for the first time, the Spirit of Ecstasy on the limited edition Phantom Scintilla is finished in ceramic.

The car doors and seat fabrics feature embroidery patterns reminiscent of watercolour artworks, called "painting with thread’. To create the luminous effect, artisans used four different colours, thread thicknesses, and stitching styles, totalling 869,500 stitches and taking over 40 hours to complete. At night, the high-gloss silver Twill fabric eerily reflects the embroidery, making the interior sparkle with a mystical, ethereal quality, akin to the flowing robes of the Spirit of Ecstasy.

The centrepiece of Phantom Scintilla is a Bespoke artwork in the Gallery which runs the full width of the front fascia. Entitled Celestial Pulse, the work consists of seven ribbons, each individually milled from solid aluminium, before being adorned with the same finely-grained ceramic finish as the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine – leveraging technological advancements to elevate the essence of heritage.

Mandarin Oriental Da Nang – A tribute to the heritage of the Nguyễn dynasty

Mandarin Oriental is a luxury real estate brand that has left a lasting impression on its clientele by harmoniously blending Eastern and Western architectural influences. The Mandarin Oriental Da Nang beach villa project is no exception. Located on Non Nuoc Beach, Da Nang – recognised by Forbes as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world – the project elevates Vietnamese heritage by embracing traditional architecture that reflects the aesthetic and sophistication of the Nguyễn Dynasty palaces, while incorporating contemporary minimalist European design elements.

As stepping through the entrance gate, the traditional Vietnamese roof architecture immediately captivates with its faithful reproduction of Emperor Minh Mang's reign. Handcrafted ceramic details, artfully accentuated on the roof's apex, create a unique design unmatched anywhere else. Bamboo materials are also elegantly integrated into the walls, recreating the rustic simplicity of ancient palaces, serving as a bridge between heritage and the future.

While the Phantom Scintilla features white ceramic inspired by ancient Greek style, Mandarin Oriental Da Nang opts for brown floral ceramics, commonly used in Vietnamese palaces and tombs. During Emperor Minh Mang's reign, ceramics symbolized sophistication and craftsmanship, crafted into various decorative items like vases, dining plates, and betel nut trays. To recreate the beauty of a flourishing dynasty, ceramics are intricately woven throughout the project, infusing each exquisite artwork with the rustic essence of heritage.

Moreover, traditional Vietnamese materials such as wood, bamboo, rattan, and terracotta are chosen to create a connection with heritage, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship – a core value that Mandarin Oriental Da Nang aims to convey through its design language. At Mandarin Oriental Da Nang, each villa is a meticulously crafted mansion, perfectly blending ancient elegance with contemporary luxury.

“Timeless Elegance” Event – Shaping design art with heritage

To showcase the heritage-elevating design language of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Mandarin Oriental, a cozy evening event was held at the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars showroom in Ho Chi Minh City. Guests not only had the opportunity to hear representatives from both brands discuss their design language but also immersed themselves in an atmosphere rich with traditional Vietnamese culture.

The Rolls-Royce Motor Cars showroom was newly adorned with terracotta, ceramics, and bamboo, accented by lotus flowers, to recreate the local cultural heritage of Mandarin Oriental Da Nang. The dinner menu featured traditional Vietnamese dishes with a modern twist, blending Asian and European styles. As guests enjoyed their meal, they were serenaded by an artist playing the pipa – a traditional instrument from the Nguyễn Dynasty's royal court. This multi-sensory event introduced guests to a celebration of Vietnamese heritage, elevated with a contemporary flair.

Boutique Rolls – Royce Motor Cars  
Union Square Shopping Center 
171 Dong Khoi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Hotline: 081 977 8558 
Working hours: 9:00 – 22:00 from Monday to Sunday

S&S Automotive Service Centre Hanoi 
5 Nguyen Van Linh, Gia Thuy Ward, Long Bien District, Hanoi 
Hotline: 0868 190 485 
Working hours: 8:00 – 17:00 from Monday to Friday

S&S Automotive Service Centre HCMC 
20 Cong Hoa, Ward 12, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Hotline: 0858 480 088 
Working hour: 8:00 – 17:00 from Monday to Friday