Hotel Nikko Saigon has launched the OH Bear Project, an art initiative developed in partnership with Hoa Sen University, as part of its activities celebrating the hotel’s 15th anniversary in 2026.
The project, titled “Cultural Art One Harmony,” includes an art competition to design 15 OH Bear sculptures, each 80 centimeters tall. The hotel provided the sculptures, which were created by students from the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design at Hoa Sen University, working alongside employees from Hotel Nikko Saigon.
According to the hotel, the project reflects its 15-year development journey in HCMC and the spirit of Omotenashi, the Japanese philosophy of sincere and thoughtful hospitality that has guided its operations since opening.
The polar bear, long serving as the hotel’s mascot, was chosen for its connections to warmth, friendliness, and approachability, representing care and appreciation for both guests and staff.
Launched in December 2025, the competition drew over 20 conceptual entries inspired by hospitality, cultural exchange, and the character of Saigon. Fifteen shortlisted designs were then turned into hand-painted composite sculptures.
