How RH1 Built Awra: An Immersive VR Experience in Vietnam
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Awra is RH1’s story-led immersive VR experience, first launched at Alma Resort Cam Ranh in Vietnam. Designed for guests to move through the space, interact with their surroundings, and experience a story together, Awra gives resorts, hotels, shopping malls, tourist attractions, entertainment venues, and mixed-use destinations a distinctive new entertainment anchor that can encourage repeat visits and generate an additional revenue stream.
Awra at Alma Resort Cam Ranh, its first location in Vietnam. Awra at Alma Resort Cam Ranh, its first location in Vietnam.
The idea grew from rising demand for more interactive, social, and memorable entertainment, alongside conversations with clients looking for new ways to activate their spaces and strengthen the guest journey.
RH1 then took the concept through a full development process - from market research and customer validation to experience design, technical setup, and operations - developing Awra into a ready-to-deploy immersive VR experience.
Opportunity for an Immersive VR Experience in Vietnam
Before moving to execution, RH1 first needed to establish whether there was a real audience and business opportunity behind the idea through comprehensive market research.
Working with industry experts Bob Cooney and Kylie Savage, RH1 reviewed how entertainment trends were evolving across Asia and visited a range of VR and entertainment venues in Ho Chi Minh City to benchmark existing concepts firsthand. The team looked at how other immersive formats were positioned and operated, how the guests engaged with the experiences, and where there were still gaps in the market that Awra could address.
RH1 working sessions with industry experts to shape Awra’s direction. RH1's on-site VR experience trial with Bob Cooney and Kylie Savage RH1's on-site VR experience trial with Bob Cooney and Kylie Savage
A week of working sessions, then turned those observations into concrete development decisions. Together, the team challenged the initial idea and refined Awra’s business model, target audience, go-to-market direction, and launch plan - giving the concept a stronger commercial foundation before moving into detailed design and execution.
Awra was not shaped through discussion alone. RH1 also went directly to the target customers through on-site surveys, speaking with different groups to understand their interest in VR, the experiences they would consider trying, their expectations, and what might stop them from participating.
The RH1 team goes on-site, speaking with audiences to understand their preference. The RH1 team goes on-site, speaking with audiences to understand their preference. The RH1 team goes on-site, speaking with audiences to understand their preference.
Together, these insights helped RH1 refine the experience format and strengthen the commercial and operating model before moving into experience design and technical execution.
Selecting the VR Content for Awra's immersive VR experience
With a clearer understanding of customer expectations, RH1 assessed and trialled VR content from established international producers and studios in the immersive entertainment industry, spanning genres from history and adventure to fantasy and family storytelling. The team evaluated each experience for its storytelling quality, audience appeal, and ability to create a strong shared journey for guests.
The RH1 team joined the VR Content trial sessions with Eclipso The RH1 team joined the VR Content trial sessions with Eclipso The RH1 team joined the VR Content trial sessions with Eclipso
From these trials, RH1 selected Titanic: Echoes from the Past by Eclipso as Awra’s first journey. Developed in Europe through two years of historical research, production, and testing, the experience carefully reconstructs one of the world’s most unforgettable stories through immersive storytelling.
Bringing this kind of edutainment content to Awra reflects RH1’s ambition to deliver international-standard entertainment experiences that spark curiosity and bring people together across the region.
Designing the Layout for the VR Experience at Alma Resort Cam Ranh
For its first location at Alma Resort Cam Ranh, the layout needed to make the best use of the available space while meeting the technical and operational requirements of the VR experience.
RH1 translated the concept into a workable venue layout that supported the full guest journey, from check-in and onboarding to equipment preparation, entry into the experience, and staff movement within the space. The team also developed detailed 3D design views to test the layout more clearly, refine spatial details, and adjust before construction. Specific VR requirements were built into the design, including floor tracking patterns that allow the headsets to detect and map the play area accurately.
Awra 3D layout and experience design development Awra layout and experience design development RH1 Team working on Awra layout and experience design development
Beyond flow and functionality, the team also considered how the venue could create a stronger visual impact while using the available space efficiently. The facade and entrance archway incorporated Awra’s brand colours to strengthen its presence within the resort, while integrated lightbox displays doubled as headset storage - helping maximise the footprint without compromising the look of the venue.
Awra facade, entrance, and headset storage technical and 3D design. Awra facade, entrance technical and 3D design. Awra headset storage technical and 3D design.
Throughout construction, RH1 carried out regular on-site checks to ensure both the operational and visual details were implemented in line with the approved design.
Getting the layout and experience design right was critical, as these decisions would directly shape day-to-day operations, from guest capacity and session turnaround to staff efficiency and the overall guest experience.
Technical Setup and Installation for VR Experience
As the project moved closer to launch, the technical setup became another critical stage in preparing Awra for operation. It required not only a clear understanding of the VR system, but also close coordination between teams across different locations.
At the beginning of May, Tammy Phan and Binh Nguyen travelled to Paris to work directly with Eclipso and Small Creative, gaining hands-on experience with the full technical setup and operating process. This included headset connectivity, tracking, and play-area mapping, as well as how the system is configured and managed throughout each VR session.
RH1 team working with Eclipso and Small Creative in Paris on Awra’s technical setup and operations. RH1 team working with Eclipso and Small Creative in Paris on Awra’s technical setup and operations. RH1 team working with Eclipso and Small Creative in Paris on Awra’s technical setup and operations.
Multiple calls connected the teams in Paris, Ho Chi Minh City, and Cam Ranh throughout the setup process, enabling the knowledge gained in Paris to be transferred directly to the teams preparing Awra in Vietnam.
The discussions covered the complete operating framework of the VR system, including headset and session management, content configuration and monitoring, play-area mapping, safety parameters, and equipment maintenance. The team also addressed the guest journey from an operational perspective - from onboarding and headset preparation to session monitoring and guest support throughout the experience.
During the RH1 team’s calls across Paris – Ho Chi Minh - Cam Ranh RH1 team connected the VR headset on-site at Alma Resort RH1 team trial on-site at Alma Resort
Despite the distance and different time zones, this ongoing coordination helped ensure that the venue preparation, technical setup, and operating procedures were implemented consistently with the global standards.
Preparing the VR Experience for On-Site Operations
Before launch, RH1 developed the operation plan and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Awra, defining how the experience should run day to day - from guest flow and session management to equipment handling, safety procedures, and staff responsibilities.
With this framework in place, the team worked closely with the on-site staff to put the procedures into practice. Training covered the complete guest journey in the actual venue, from welcoming and preparing guests to headset fitting, session operation, and guest support. Running these processes on site also allowed RH1 to refine the flow under real conditions and make final adjustments before opening.
Awra on-site operations training and final pre-opening checks at Alma Resort Cam Ranh. Awra on-site operations training and final pre-opening checks at Alma Resort Cam Ranh. Awra on-site operations training and final pre-opening checks at Alma Resort Cam Ranh.
Beyond the SOPs, RH1 also developed an operations management platform to support the venue after launch. The system gives on-site staff and operations managers a structured way to record incidents, monitor daily performance, and flag issues that require follow-up.
Together, these tools and processes gave the local team a clear structure to operate Awra consistently and safely, while giving operations managers greater visibility and control over performance both on-site and remotely.
After months of shaping, testing, and preparation, Awra was ready to welcome its first guests - bringing a new entertainment experience to the destination and giving guests a new way to explore and connect. Since opening, Awra has been warmly received at Alma Resort Cam Ranh, earning more than 80 five-star reviews from guests.
RH1 team at Awra in Alma Resort Youth Club
Explore Awra for Your Property
For resorts, hotels, shopping malls, entertainment venues, and mixed-use destinations looking to strengthen the entertainment offering, activate available space, or introduce a more distinctive experience, Awra offers a ready-to-deploy immersive VR format that can be adapted to different locations, audiences, and operating needs.
Share your property, location, or available space with us to explore how Awra could be adapted for your destination.
