Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi: A Glimpse Inside the Historic Hotel Hosting Trump and Kim's Summit

Hanoi is buzzing with excitement as the second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un takes place on February 27-28 in the city.

Similar to last year’s summit in Singapore, neither leader is staying at the summit venue—this time, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.

However, both leaders have had the chance to savor the hotel’s exceptional cuisine.

On the evening of February 27, Trump and Kim shared a dinner at the Sofitel Legend Metropole, enjoying a blend of Western and Korean dishes prepared by the hotel's chefs, with a few guest Korean chefs lending their expertise.

Sources close to the summit reveal that the dinner menu included: shrimp cocktail with romaine lettuce, avocado, and fresh herbs; grilled sirloin steak paired with pear kimchi; and for dessert, a rich chocolate lava cake.

On February 28, the two leaders will also share a lunch at the Sofitel Legend Metropole.

Previous guests of the hotel have included notable figures such as Charlie Chaplin and Graham Greene.

With 364 rooms, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi exudes French colonial elegance and is arguably the most luxurious hotel in the city. At the very least, it boasts one of the most captivating histories among Hanoi’s luxury hotels.

Once the residence of the French Governor of Tonkin (the historical name for northern Vietnam), the hotel enjoys a prime location just around the corner from the Hanoi Opera House and the neo-Gothic St. Joseph's Cathedral.

Opened in 1901, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi quickly became a favorite gathering spot for dignitaries and celebrities. Back then, guests would linger at the hotel’s street-facing restaurant, spending entire afternoons watching the vibrant scenes of Hanoi’s bustling streets.

A plaque displayed within the hotel commemorates the many distinguished visitors who have passed through its doors.

Among the hotel's notable past guests, Charlie Chaplin spent his honeymoon there, and it is said that Graham Greene wrote much of his renowned novel, 'The Quiet American,' during his stay at the Metropole.

In recent years, notable guests of the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi have included Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and former US President Bill Clinton.

During the Vietnam War, or the American War as it's known locally, the hotel’s once-glamorous appeal waned, falling into neglect and disrepair. However, in the years following the conflict, Pullman Hotels and Resorts revived the property, restoring its former splendor.

Later, the renowned international hotel group AccorHotels took over management, restoring the prestigious hotel to its luxurious status, where guests now enjoy opulent antique furnishings, spacious accommodations, and inviting dining options.

For a truly historic experience, we recommend staying in the Metropole Wing, which features preserved period furniture, silk tapestries, green shutters, and original wrought-iron details.

When it comes to dining and drinks, guests can indulge in a selection of upscale restaurants, including the French-inspired Le Beaulieu and the charming Bamboo Bar, set in a lush courtyard by the pool.

The hotel is home to an underground bunker, one of its most intriguing features.

Arguably the most fascinating aspect of the hotel is its underground bunker, which visitors can explore as part of the hotel's 'Path of History' tour.

According to the hotel's historians, this bomb shelter once safeguarded guests from air raids during the war, including notable figures such as Joan Baez and Jane Fonda.

After the war, the bunker was closed off and forgotten for years, until it was rediscovered by the hotel's engineering team during the renovation of the Bamboo Bar in 2011.

The bunker was reopened in May 2012 as a tribute to the bravery and resilience of the hotel's staff during the wartime hardships, serving as a memorial to their courage. It is now an integral part of the 'Path of History' tour, where guests are reminded of the past and what should never be forgotten.

Guests at the hotel can participate in one of the daily guided tours led by historians, offered at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

(You can read more about the bunker’s discovery in our 2012 coverage here.)

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, 15 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam; +84 24 3826 6919