Starting with its first store on Calmette Street (Ho Chi Minh City) in 2016, Maison Marou quickly expanded to Hanoi just a year later. The establishment of these two stores helped spread the taste of Vietnamese chocolate from north to south, contributing to the brand founders' dream: to create a distinctly local "chocolate trail," connecting chocolate lovers with Vietnamese culture, cuisine, and spirit.

Over eight years, journeying from abundant cacao regions to cities across the country, Marou has completed its "Chocolate Trail" with six stops: Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City. Pictured is the Hoi An store, rich in ancient town charm with its yellow walls and wooden doors.

In each location, the brand doesn't just exist as a store or cafe but calls itself a "stop"—a place to awaken customers' senses, from the aroma of roasted cacao and the taste of freshly baked goods to the artistic atmosphere of the store.

Today, the brand owns over 20 stores, contributing to a nationwide community of chocolate and cacao enthusiasts.

Launched on International Chocolate Day (7/7), the "Chocolate Trail" collection is Maison Marou's tribute to its customers, marking an eight-year journey of promoting Vietnamese cacao across six cities from north to south. "It's an adventurous, enduring, and inspiring journey, crystallized from the spirit of continuous innovation and love for our homeland's cacao heritage," a brand representative emphasized.

The six chocolate bars embody the unique cultural identities of Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City. Accompanying the flavors is a photo series inspired by familiar scenes close to the hearts of locals. For example, the Saigon salted coffee chocolate bar's design is inspired by the saying "Saigon lights, green and red." Both the packaging and the photos capture the beauty of the magnificent city at night, a memorable mark for both locals and tourists. This was also the first bar that inspired the special collection.

"Let's go see the scenery of Sword Lake, The Huc Bridge, and Ngoc Son Temple" is a familiar verse about famous Hanoi landmarks. The crimson bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple amidst the green waters of Hoan Kiem Lake has become a beloved symbol of the capital's residents. Now, Maison Marou recreates that image on the packaging of its puffed rice chocolate bar.

The next stop is Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), known as the pearl of the East Sea. This coastal city is famous for its clear blue waters, golden sunshine, white sand, and rows of coconut trees. This scenery inspired the packaging design and the spirit of the photo series introducing the Nha Trang chocolate bar.

Since its inauguration, the Dragon Bridge has become a symbol of Da Nang for both residents and visitors. The moment the bridge breathes fire and water inspired Maison Marou to create a chocolate bar named after the city, embodying the blend of tradition and modernity.

Finally, the journey brings Maison Marou to the ancient towns of Hoi An and Hue. The image of Hoi An's ancient town with its tiled roofs, yellow walls, and colorful lanterns has become an iconic symbol of this heritage site. The rhythm of life here inspired the packaging and flavor of the Hoi An chocolate bar.

The Imperial Citadel, part of the ancient capital's complex, preserves the golden mark of a glorious dynasty. Inspired by this beauty, the Hue chocolate bar's packaging features the image of Long Ma (Dragon Horse), symbolizing power and wisdom, paying tribute to the region's unique cultural heritage.

According to a brand representative, each chocolate bar combines local ingredients, regional cultural inspiration, and city symbols, creating a "trail" of flavors across the country. Each package design is unique, reflecting local spirit with modern aesthetics, transforming each bar into a gift imbued with local artistic flair.

From 7/7, customers can experience the entire "Chocolate Trail" collection at Maison Marou stores nationwide. The collection is accompanied by themed products and various experiential activities such as chocolate tasting classes, baking classes, and tours of a miniature chocolate factory.

In the photo, customers are enjoying a macaron baking class.

Founded in 2011, Marou Chocolate is a "bean-to-bar" craft chocolate company in Vietnam. Committed to quality and environmentally friendly practices, the brand selects top-quality cacao beans directly from local fermenters and farming communities. The company has received international recognition for its unique flavors through numerous prestigious awards. Today, Marou is present in over 20 countries, continuing to honor Vietnam's heritage through exceptional chocolate creations.

Dan Minh

Photo: Maison Marou