Three Wink Guides share their personal sleep secrets and bedtime rituals that help them rest well after long days of making guests feel at home in Saigon and Can Tho.

We spend approximately one-third of our lives sleeping, yet about one-third of the adult population is sleep-deprived. It’s a curious paradox of modern life. Despite knowing that quality sleep is essential for our health, happiness, and productivity, many of us struggle to achieve the restful nights we desperately need. At Wink Hotels, where hospitality never sleeps, our team members have learned to master the art of rest and recovery through trial, error, and discovering what works best for their individual needs.

Our Wink Guides are the heartbeat of every Wink Hotels location, from the bustling streets of Saigon to the serene waterways of Can Tho. They’re the friendly faces who welcome you at check-in, recommend hidden local gems, and somehow manage to radiate positive energy even after serving over 250 guests at breakfast or coordinating more than 140 check-ins in a single day. These hospitality professionals have turned sleep into an art form out of necessity, developing personal rituals and habits that ensure they show up bright-eyed and ready to make every guest’s stay memorable.

But what makes their approach to sleep unique isn’t just that they work demanding jobs in a 24/7 industry. It’s that they’ve discovered what science has been confirming for years through fascinating research: that quality sleep isn’t about following a one-size-fits-all formula. Instead, it’s about understanding your own patterns, creating the right environment, and developing rituals that signal to your body and mind that it’s time to rest. Whether it’s through the soothing scent of essential oils, the familiar voice of a podcast, or simply ensuring your phone stays off the bed, these small practices add up to profound differences in sleep quality.

Tips For Sleeping: The Science Behind Rest

Before diving into our Wink Guides’ personal sleep secrets, it’s worth exploring some fascinating insights that sleep research has uncovered. Research shows that if it takes you less than five minutes to fall asleep at night, you’re probably sleep-deprived. The ideal falling-asleep window is actually between ten and fifteen minutes, suggesting that your body should be relaxed but not utterly exhausted when bedtime arrives. Even more surprisingly, in the days leading up to a full moon, people go to bed later and sleep less, though scientists still aren’t entirely sure why this ancient pattern persists.

Technology has become one of the biggest barriers to quality sleep in modern life. The median household has five electronic devices, and fifty-seven percent of teens who use technology in the bedroom suffer from sleep problems. This digital invasion extends to our caffeine habits too—according to a Sleep Foundation poll, the majority of respondents drink coffee regularly and over half of those coffee-drinkers reported difficulty meeting the recommended hours of sleep. Your sleeping environment matters more than you might think as well. Your core body temperature fluctuates by about two degrees throughout the night, which is why a cool room often facilitates better sleep than a warm one. Perhaps most intriguingly, before colour television, only fifteen percent of people dreamt in colour, but today seventy-five percent of us do, demonstrating how deeply our waking experiences influence our sleeping minds.

Letty, Wink Hotel Saigon Centre: Tips For Sleeping When You’re Always On The Go

In your own words, who are you and what do you do?

I’m Letty and I work at Wink Hotels in Saigon. My job is to make sure guests feel bright, cared for, and a little happier than when they walked in. Even if their requests seem impossible or I have no clue how to solve them, I make sure they still walk away with good energy. It’s all about the vibe, you know? When you’re in hospitality, you’re not just solving problems—you’re creating experiences and moments that people remember.

How well are you sleeping lately and why?

I’m an easy sleeper, to be honest. Lately, my sleep has been great because after running full speed all day, sleep is my best way to recharge. When you give it your all during the day, your body just knows it’s time to shut down at night. There’s something about physical and mental exhaustion that makes falling asleep effortless. I don’t fight it—I embrace it.

What’s your hack for falling asleep when you can’t sleep?

A random podcast on Spotify always does the trick. I just pick something interesting but not too exciting—something that lets my mind wander without keeping me alert. It’s usually about topics I’m curious about but not invested in, like deep-sea exploration or the history of random inventions. If that doesn’t work, flipping through a few pages of a book will knock me out pretty quickly. I think it’s the combination of the soft light and the mental engagement that just makes my eyes heavy.

Do you have any secrets, rules, or other rituals to help you sleep peacefully?

Cool room, comfy bedding—that’s non-negotiable for me. A nice scent is a bonus; I love having something subtle in the air, maybe lavender or something clean and fresh. And I try to cut off my phone twenty to thirty minutes before bed. Otherwise, it drains all my energy for the next morning, and I can feel it. Those late-night scrolling sessions might seem harmless, but they really do affect how you wake up. When I stick to this routine, the difference is night and day—literally.

What’s the last dream that you remember?

I was back in high school, running around with exam pressure on my shoulders. It was weirdly stressful but also kind of awesome to hang out with friends again and even experience those butterflies from seeing my crush. Sometimes our brains just take us back to those formative moments, don’t they? I woke up feeling nostalgic but also grateful that I’m past all that drama and pressure.

Chris, Wink Hotel Saigon Centre: Tips For Sleeping After High-Energy Days

In your own words, who are you and what do you do?

I’m Chris, a hospitality guy working at Wink Hotels—where every day’s about making guests feel at home and sometimes running around a bit too much! It’s fast-paced and demanding, but honestly, I love it. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing a guest’s face light up when you’ve solved their problem or made their stay just that little bit better. That’s what keeps me going.

How well are you sleeping lately and why?

Pretty well, actually! With over two hundred and fifty guests at breakfast and more than one hundred and forty guests checking in daily, I’m usually knocked out right after work. Finishing all my tasks before heading home also helps—no stress, no pending work, just a calm mind and a deep sleep. I’ve learned that mental closure is just as important as physical tiredness when it comes to quality sleep.

What’s your hack for falling asleep when you can’t sleep?

I turn on a long, boring movie or flip through a slow-paced manga. Something that doesn’t demand too much attention but keeps my mind occupied just enough to drift off. I’ve found that if I pick something too interesting, I’ll stay awake to see what happens next, so the key is finding that sweet spot of mildly engaging but ultimately forgettable content.

Do you have any secrets, rules, or rituals for peaceful sleep?

Always shower before bed, keep the phone off the bed, and only go to bed when I’m really ready to sleep. My rule is simple: the bed is for sleeping, not for working or scrolling! Once I started following this principle, my sleep quality improved dramatically. Your brain needs to associate the bed with rest, not with stress or stimulation. It’s like training yourself—and it really works.

What’s the last dream you remember?

I was on stage at Tomorrowland! The music, the crowd, the energy—it was electric and absolutely incredible. Even in my dreams, I can’t escape the hospitality mindset of being around people and creating experiences. I guess that’s what happens when you love what you do—it follows you into your sleep, but in the best possible way.

Hieu, Wink Hotel Can Tho: Tips For Sleeping With Aromatherapy And Gratitude

In your own words, who are you and what do you do?

Hey everyone! I’m Hiếu—your friendly Wink Guide at Wink Hotel Can Tho! When I’m not helping guests have an amazing stay, you’ll probably find me behind the drums or hyping up the crowd as an MC. Life’s a party, and I’m here to keep the vibes high! I believe that every day should be lived with energy and enthusiasm, and that starts with getting proper rest the night before.

How well are you sleeping lately and why?

Lately, I’ve been sleeping like a baby! After spending all my energy on a fun and active day at work, all I want to do when I get home is flop onto my cozy bed and relax. When you live life fully during the day, sleep comes naturally. There’s no tossing and turning when you’ve genuinely given your day everything you’ve got—your body just knows it’s time to rest.

What’s your hack for falling asleep when you can’t sleep?

When I can’t fall asleep, I like to turn on my essential oil diffuser with cheerful scents like lemongrass or lovely lavender—it instantly puts me in a cozy mood. I’ve also got a little secret: I lie on my right side, take deep, happy breaths, and think about all the awesome things that happened that day. Before I know it, I’m fast asleep, dreaming sweet dreams instead of nightmares! The combination of aromatherapy and gratitude practice really works wonders for my mind and body.

Do you have any secrets, rules, or rituals for peaceful sleep?

Essential oils are definitely my thing. The right scent can completely transform your sleep environment from ordinary to extraordinary. And practicing gratitude before bed—reflecting on the good moments—really helps me sleep more peacefully and wake up in a better mood. I’ve noticed that when I focus on positive memories from the day, my dreams tend to be happier and more pleasant. It’s like programming your subconscious for positivity.

What’s the last dream you remember?

My latest dream was about me turning back into a little kid, running and playing in the middle of a beautiful rice field—the wind was gentle, the sun was warm, and everything felt so free and happy! It was one of those dreams you don’t want to wake up from. There was something magical about that feeling of pure, uncomplicated joy that I used to experience as a child, and it’s nice that my brain takes me back there sometimes.