The facade of 25-storey hotel in the downtown area of Hanoi is being covered with gold-plated tiles, with construction expected to complete just in time for the Formula One race next year.

A large wall of the Hanoi Golden Lake hotel on the bank of the Giang Vo Lake in Ba Dinh district has startled many passers-by with its glistering gold-plated tiles shining day to night.

While hotels boasting gold-plated rooms or accessories are not something new around the world, those using gold-plated tiles are rare.

Nguyen Huu Duong, general director of Hoa Binh Group which is developing the 400-room hotel, proudly claims that Hanoi Golden Lake would become the world's first hotel having its facade gold-plated.

It is not going to be the tiles that are gold plated but many other construction materials and furniture of the hotel that are also going to be covered with real gold.

Once completed and going into operation, hotel guests can expect to dine with gold-coated cutlery and eating utensils.

Part of the Hanoi Golden Lake’s wall has been covered with gold gilded tiles

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