Changdeok Palace, Seoul
Seoul’s 600-year-old Changdeok Palace has only just begun opening its doors for private events. A good thing too, as this Unesco World Heritage Site has plenty to offer. The palace features notable architecture throughout, as well as gardens, lotus ponds and bridges.
 
Also referred to as the East Palace, Changdeok’s special features include a large open space that can be used for cultural activities. Injeongmun, the palace’s original audience chamber where coronations would have taken place, is a large open space with a stone laid surface. The venue was most recently used for a spouse event as part of last year’s G20 Summit.
english.cha.go.kr
 
Reunification Palace, Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam’s commercial capital has many historic venues, but none quite as memorable as the Reunification Palace. The venue is now becoming easier to book for private events and has hosted several meetings, cocktail receptions and corporate dinners.
 
The Ministers’ Room seats 100 people or holds 150 for a reception. The Restaurant Deck can seat 80 and the conference hall seats 600 theatre style. The second-floor restaurant deck offers a great view over the entrance, lawn and Tao Dan Park (opposite). For themed events, there is an underground bunker that still contains a network of offices and rooms filled with original communications equipment, maps and war memorabilia.
www.transviet.de
 
Phayathai Palace, Bangkok
The great palaces of Bangkok are becoming available for private events, including Phayathai Palace, built in 1909 by King Rama V as a secondary residence. The last remnant of the original building is Thewaratsaparom Hall. It is a fantastic setting for corporate functions. The building was originally used as a theatre and reception hall, and so lends itself well for events of up to 100 people.
 
Cocktail receptions can be held at the entrance to the adjacent Phiman Chakri Throne Hall and arrangements can be made to take a look inside. Outside catering is allowed – Conrad Bangkok is among the international hotels to have catered an event here.
www.tceb.or.th