Daniel Wood

Background

About Daniel Wood

In today’s hospitality landscape, many property owners struggle to create experiences that are not just beautiful—but operationally sound, sustainable, and profitable. That’s where I come in. With 30+ years in hospitality and over 16 years in Vietnam, I bring deep, hands-on experience across hotel operations, project development, sales and marketing, and F&B—having built and led hotel, resort, and cruise concepts across Asia, the UK, and the Caribbean. Currently, I serve as Project Director at Thien Minh Group, where I’m leading the design and development of the next-generation Victoria Mekong River cruise fleet—a bold evolution of river tourism, blending elevated guest experience with authentic regional storytelling. My background spans everything from launching the EMM Hotels and Spice Viet Restaurants to overseeing operations for iconic properties like Ana Mandara Villas Dalat and Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. Whether creating concepts from the ground up or repositioning legacy brands, I specialize in aligning owner vision with market demand—bringing both creativity and commercial focus to the table. I began my journey as a chef and grew through the ranks—from kitchens in London and Hong Kong to boardrooms in Hanoi and Saigon. That foundation keeps me grounded in the operational realities of hospitality, while my strategic roles have sharpened my ability to see the bigger picture. One truth I’ve learned: the most successful projects are those rooted in place, culture, and purpose. And often, the best ideas start not in a boardroom—but with a local coffee, a sketchpad, and a clear vision.