A large gingerbread house and winter wonderland display, vibrant outdoor Christmas markets, an artists-in-residence program, Christmas choir performances, pool parties and magic shows are among an array of festivities ushering in Alma’s first season to be merry.

From Dec. 23 until Jan. 2 the five-star beachfront resort, that opened December 29 last year, will host events including Christmas and New Year’s Eve cocktail parties, dinners, buffets and degustation menus, as well as activities ranging from face painting and kite competitions to pastry workshops, Christmas movies at the resort’s cinema and visits by colorful clowns and Alma’s teddy bear mascot.

“At Alma on Cam Ranh peninsula, we’re pulling out all the stops to celebrate our one-year anniversary with plenty of jolly good cheer, despite what has shaped up to be a very challenging year for tourism due to the global pandemic,” said the resort’s general manager Herbert Laubichler-Pichler.

The jam-packed program begins with the unveiling of the gingerbread house and winter wonderland decorations at 11am at Alma Food Court, affording photo opportunities for guests. The Food Court’s French Bakery will also sell Christmas cookies, stollen bread, cakes and gingerbread throughout the day.

An hour-long “Become a pastry chef” workshop, in which the young and the young at heart learn how to create and decorate gingerbread and cookies, will be staged at the resort’s main kitchen from 3pm. There will also be a wine tasting at La Casa, where guests select wine to imbibe with their Christmas Eve dinner celebrations.

On the evening of Dec. 23, the artists-in-residence program begins with a buffet dinner at Alma Garden, featuring a group of talented local artists who will showcase their artwork and craft portraits of guests. On Christmas Eve, a buffet breakfast and an a la carte breakfast will be served at Alma Garden and Italian restaurant La Casa respectively. In addition to face painting at the Kid’s Club in the morning, afternoon activities include a Christmas movie at the resort’s 70-seat cinema, another ‘Become a pastry chef’ workshop focused on baking and decorating Christmas cookies, and a kite flying competition at Alma’s grass hill.

Laubichler-Pichler and the management team will host a cocktail party at Alma Lounge for guests before a five-course degustation with optional wine pairing is served at La Casa, where the Alma Choir and resident pianist and singer will perform Christmas songs. Alma Garden will offer a Christmas-themed buffet. Atlantis, that specializes in fresh, local seafood, and modern Asian dining restaurant Asiana will also hold special a la carte dinners.

The main thoroughfare from Alma Garden to the Kid’s Club will burst to life from 8pm until late with a Christmas market for all ages. In addition to offering street food staples from across Vietnam and beverages ranging from milk tea and iced tea, to draft beers, whiskey and cocktails, highlights among the outdoor market’s array of stalls will include a ‘Kid’s Hut’ replete with lollipops, ice-cream and candies, a ‘Gifts Hut’ brimming with toys and local handmade souvenirs. Balloon-toting clowns and the teddy bear mascot will entertain the kids.

At the large swimming pool nearest to the market, surrounded with cabanas, a Christmas pool party will unfold from 8pm until late. Entertainment will include a magic show, Christmas carols by Alma Choir, a rock band and fire dancing.

On Christmas Day Alma Garden will serve a Christmas breakfast buffet from 6.30am-9am and Christmas brunch from 10am-2pm complemented with a live band. The American Bar will host sunset cocktails followed by mulled wine and Christmas snacks, and La Casa will offer Christmas desserts.

During the evening of Dec. 26, Atlantis restaurant will set up a seafood buffet with 15 food stations as fire dancers mesmerize guests. From Dec. 29 until Jan. 1, local artists will create portraits of guests and their families at Alma Garden and Alma Food Court. Each afternoon from Dec. 29-31, the artists will conduct free painting classes at the resort's Art Workshop for kids and adults, with themes ranging from protecting the environment to living with happiness.

To mark Alma’s one-year anniversary since its opening, a gala dinner will be staged on Dec. 29 from 6pm at the resort's ballroom, where the artists' work will also be displayed.

On Dec. 30, there will be another “Become a pastry chef” workshop focused on making cupcakes will be held from 3pm, as well as wine tasting at La Casa and a buffet dinner with the artists at Alma Garden.

On New Year’s Eve, Laubichler-Pichler and his management team welcome guests at Alma Lounge from 6pm for a cocktail party before another five-course degustation with optional wine pairing at La Casa from 7pm, where the Alma Band and Alma’s resident pianist and singer will also perform. Alma Garden will host an indulgent buffet, and Atlantis and Asiana will serve a la carte dinners. There will also be another outdoor market from 8pm.

On the first day of 2021, there will be a celebratory breakfast buffet and brunch at Alma before The American Bar hosts sunset cocktails. The following day, guests will savor another pure seafood buffet at Atlantis. Throughout the festive season program, art will adorn Alma Lounge as part of an exhibition to celebrate the region's emerging art scene. In Alma's shopfronts adjacent to the Food Court, plenty of luxury goods including designer clothing and accessories, cosmetics, perfume, whisky, cigars and chocolates will be available at heavily discounted prices as part of a "Stay and Shop" promotion in partnership with prominent luxury goods company IPPG.

For further information, visit www.alma-resort.com or contact Alma on +84 258 399 1666, or email info@alma-resort.com

The Christmas and New Year’s Eve evening buffets at Alma are priced at 700,000 VND (USD 30) per person. The five-course Christmas and New Year’s Eve menus at La Casa are 1,400,000 VND per person (USD 60), and 1,950,000 VND (USD 84) with wine pairing. Activities such as face painting, the kite flying competition, live music performances and magician shows are complimentary.