Newsletter July . September 2014 | 9 · Newsletter uly . September 9 Nearly all nations in Asia...

Newsletter July . September 2014 | 9

5 Le Loi Street, Hue City, VietnamTel: +84 (0)5 43 83 74 75

Fax: +84 (0)5 43 83 74 76Email: [email protected]

www.la-residence-hue.comwww.mgal ler y.com

For more than 8 decades the grandiose Governor’s mansion

has looked out across the Perfume River towards Hue’s Imperial Citadel. Now converted to a

boutique art-deco hotel, MGallery La Residence Hotel and Spa still

has a charm that evokes a bygone era of style and romance.

| Newsletter July . September 2014 8


The Martial Artsof indochina

Nearly all nations in Asia have their own unique form of

martial arts, and the nations of Southeast Asia are no

exception. It is thought that many forms of martial arts are

descended from a common tradition which then spread

and evolved over thousands of years, eventually becoming

the many traditions that we have today.

Before the widespread use of gunpowder and firearms

in the region, members of the upper classes and

professional fighting men trained for years to hone their

skills in a particular form of martial arts. For soldiers and

mercenaries, the martial arts were an important asset

on the battlefield, and the same was true for noblemen.

In the past, the nations of Vietnam and Cambodia were

under constant threat of foreign invasion. Martial arts were

an essential asset to defend the nations and have been

passed down from generation to generation.

Over time, many forms of martial arts have evolved into an

art form, and nowadays, people mainly study martial arts

for the health benefits, but many also enjoy internalising

the graceful movements that have been passed down

through tradition for thousands of years. Martial arts help

develop discipline and self control, and younger people

are encouraged to take up these traditions as they are

rich in culture and heritage. We at Vidotour invite you to

come with us and gain a unique perspective on some of

these traditions. See how masters impart lessons and the

students drill. Learn a few moves yourself that will give you

insight into just how much training really goes in to these

martial arts. These excursions are especially suitable for

families with children. Visiting children should know that in

many places martial arts are a required subject in school.



Nearly all nations in Asia have their own unique form of martial arts, and the nations of Southeast Asia are no exception. It is thought that many forms of martial arts are descended from a common tradition which then spread and evolved over thousands of years, eventually becoming the many tradi-tions that we have today.

Kinh Van An: Imperial Vietnamese styleThis unique martial art tradition was

born in the former imperial capital

of Vietnam, Hue, during the last

dynasty. The style and techniques

were spread to the general population

after the fall of this dynasty and

hence the Kinh Van An style of martial

arts is widespread in Vietnam and

it has even spread to some other

countries around the world. The

master here, named Kim, has turned

his martial arts school into a shelter

for disadvantaged children who find

the school to be a safe place. When

visiting this martial arts school, guests

will see a demonstration by the

students and learn some basic self

defence techniques.


Ky Son style in Hoi AnThe Ky Son martial art school was founded in 1973 and is run by

a former pupil of the founding master. Visitors are welcomed and

in addition to watching drills and sparring, may even learn a couple

basic movements themselves.


Khmer style BokatorThe most famous style of martial arts in the nation, the Cambodian form of Bokator is a national sport and shares roots

with Muay Thai in Thailand. This martial art style has been practiced for thousands of years and is even depicted in bas-

reliefs on many of the temples at Angkor Wat.

20 | Newsletter July . September 2014 20

| Newsletter April . June 2014



Discover the Gemof Myanmar



Gemof Myanmar


Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda

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Vietnam39 new caves found in Vietnam’s

Phong Nha-Ke Bang Park

A total of 39 caves have been newly

explored in the national park by a

joint team from the British Caving

Research Association, Hanoi Natural

Sciences University and the park’s

administrators. The 39 caves cover a

total length of 17km and were carefully

measured, charted and photographed

providing new and precise figures to

the administrators of Phong Nha- Ke

Bang National Park. The three most

notable caves were the 1,100 meter by

200 meter cave named May Dai, the

213 meter high Vuc Moi, and the 1,230

meter wide Lan Dai. A Ky, a 1,260

meter wide cave east of Road 20, was

noted for its unique hydrography –

that is, a long stream running through

the cave which begins in neighboring

Laos. The Tu, located west of the Ho

Chi Minh Highway, is an upright cave

stretching 444 meters into the air. The

new caves brought the park’s total

explored cave space to 200 kilometers.

Travel news

Pilot helicopter tours in Quang Binh

On the occasion of the 410th

anniversary of its establishment, the

central province of Quang Binh in

coordination with Vietnam Helicopter

Corporation launched two pilot

helicopter tours of heritage sites and

other tourist destinations in the locality.

On 26 and 28 April, the flights carried

provincial leaders and 10 journalists

from Dong Hoi City on a one hour tour

of Quang Binh attractions including

the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park

which is home to the Son Dong Cave,

the world’s largest cave. This is a first

step to developing helicopter tours to a

permanent service in the region.

One Pillar Pagoda

undergoes renovation

Constructed in the 11th century, the

One Pillar Pagoda is one of the most

important historical sites in Hanoi. The

pagoda is located in the park behind

the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and is

a must-see to any visitors. Recently,

renovation work on the One Pillar

Pagoda started and is expected to

last until the end of 2014. During the

closure of the pagoda, Vidotour will

arrange visits to one of the following as

a substitution: the Tran Quoc Pagoda,

Quan Thanh Temple, B52 Lake, Bach

Ma Temple or the Kim Lien Pagoda.

Trang An complex receives

UNESCO title

The UNESCO Heritage Committee

has recognised Vietnam’s Trang An

Scenic Landscape Complex in Ninh

Binh province as a World Heritage Site,

according to the Ministry of Culture,

Sports and Tourism (MoCST). The site

was honoured at the 38th meeting of

the UNESCO Heritage Committee in

Doha, Qatar, on June 23. Dubbed “Ha

Long Bay on land”, the 10,000ha Trang

An complex comprises three areas:

the Trang An - Tam Coc - Bich Dong

ecological sites, the Hoa Lu imperial

capital, and the Hoa Lu primitive

forests. The region is scattered with


karst topography such as limestone

mountains, caves and lakes. It is home

to more than 800 species of fauna and

flora, including those listed in Vietnam’s

Red Data Book.

Hue becomes ASEAN’s 3rd City

of Culture

Hue has been awarded the title “City

of Culture of ASEAN” in 2014-2015,

and was the first city in Vietnam to be

bestowed this honor. This recognition

reflects recent cultural achievements

of the city which is the former imperial

capital of Vietnam and is home to two

world heritage sites. During its two

year term holding this title, Hue will

play a role in enhancing exchanges

and cooperation between cultures

and nations, raising awareness in the

population of Southeast Asia about the

value of ASEAN identity.

Vietnamese savoury cakes win

National Geographic honour

The US travel magazine National

Geographic has introduced Vietnam’s

savoury Chung (square) and Giay

(round) cakes among the world’s top

ten traditional dishes. Chung (made

of sticky rice, green bean, pork, and

pepper) and Giay (made of ground

glutinous rice) cakes are indispensable

dishes during Vietnam’s Lunar New

Year celebrations. Lunar New Year

is Vietnam’s most important holiday

during the year, when people pay

farewell to the old year and welcome

a new year with many expectations.

In Vietnamese culture, Chung cake

wrapped in Dong leaves symbolizes

the earth, while Giay cake symbolizes

the sky. Vidotour offers an excursion

“Hue Savours,” which offers guests an

opportunity to taste Hue’s authentic

cuisine including the Chung cake.

Vietnam looks to boost tax refunds

to foreigners with new draft

As reported by the Saigon Times, a

draft circular introduced by the Ministry

of Finance will likely offer foreign

visitors better access to value-added

tax refunds by opening more airport

refund booths and duty-free shops.

The booths will open at Danang airport,

Cam Ranh Airport (Nha Trang) and

a number of international seaports.

Currently VAT refund booths are only

available at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son

Nhat International Airport and Hanoi’s

Noi Bai International Airport. Vietnam

started a pilot project to refund VAT tax

to foreign visitors in July 2012 in order

to attract more tourists and introduce

local goods overseas. Under current

regulations, goods eligible for the tax

refunds must be brand new and worth

at least 2 million VND ($95 US).

Ethnology Museum receives

TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

TripAdvisor – the world’s largest travel

site – recently presented its prestigious

Certificate of Excellence Award to

the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.

Only establishments that consistently

achieve outstanding traveller reviews on

TripAdvisor are conferred this accolade.

Based on more than 1,500 reviews by

travellers on the TripAdvisor website,

the museum maintained an overall

rating of four or higher, out of a possible

five. The museum is honoured to have

received the TripAdvisor Certificate of

Excellence for the third consecutive

year in a row.

Hoi An - one of world’s best nightlife

destinations

The UK magazine Rough Guides

has named Hoi An - a world cultural

heritage site in the central province

of Quang Nam - as one of the most

interesting places in the world to

experience life at night. According

to Director of the Hoi An Centre for

Culture and Sports Vo Phung, Hoi An’s

full moon festival was ranked 15th out

of the 20 unforgettable things to do at

night by the magazine. Every month on

the 14th day of the lunar calendar, the

town switches off its street lights while

hanging multi-coloured lanterns. Visitors

can take a stroll on the cobbled streets

along the Thu Bon River where splendid

flower garlands and coloured lanterns

float. Last year, Hoi An won the second

best city for tourists in Asia after Kyoto,

Japan, by the world’s premier travel

magazine, Conde Nast Traveller.

Vietnam opens first tourism office in

Japan

On 4 June, Vietnam tourism opened its

first overseas representative office in

Japan. The office is established to not

only assist Vietnamese and Japanese

tour operators to attract tourists but

also help state agencies on tourism

management and provinces in Vietnam

to promote tourism in this market.

The opening of the office in Tokyo will

contribute to realize the two countries’

plan to raise the number of Japanese

tourists to Vietnam to one million in the

coming years.

CambodiaBattambang aims for heritage list

The Battambang provincial government

and tourism officials recently held talks

on plans to list the province on the

UN’s World Heritage Cities Programme.

UNESCO country director for

Cambodia, Anne Lemaistre, told local

media that the inclusion of Battambang

in the UNESCO programme could

help ensure the protection of the


province’s natural and cultural heritage

sites. Battambang was named by

UNESCO as a City of Performing Arts,

because it has more than 100 ancient

Khmer and colonial buildings and

1,000 ancient pagodas and temples.

It is also the home of a circus school

called Phare Ponleu Selpak, which

has strong potential to attract visitors.

Battambang is Cambodia’s second

most populous city and already popular

with tourists because of its small-town

friendliness and some well-preserved

colonial architecture that gives the town

added charm.

Angkor Night Market to be relocated

The Angkor Night Market is closing

and will relocate to new premises not

far from where it is currently located.

The new market will have upgraded

infrastructure, especially fire prevention

facilities. The Managing Director of

the market stated “The ambiances

of the market will remain the same.

We will keep Angkor Night Market’s

identity. We will use the same design

and architect team, although it will no

longer have straw roofs because that

is now prohibited in the city due to fire

hazards”. The relocation of the market

is due to be complete in October. The

market is one of the night highlights of

Siem Reap where visitors can find a

good selection of local products and

souvenirs.

MyanmarMyanmar designated 2014

“World’s Best Tourist Destination”

The European Council on Tourism and

Trade will hand Burma the “World’s

Best Tourist Destination Award” for

2014, one of the highest accolades in

the global travel and tourism industry,

according to the Ministry of Hotels

and Tourism. The European Council

on Tourism and Trade, which draws

its members from 27 nations of the

European Union, has been awarding

the honor annually since 2007. Syria,

Turkey, the United Arab Emirates

(twice winner), South Korea, Trinidad

and Tobago, and Laos are all past

recipients of the World Best Tourist

Destination Award, according to the

ECTT website. The award goes to

“countries that are embracing tourism

as a resource for cultural and social

development, who respect ethics of

human relations and preserve cultural

and natural heritage. As the receivers,

cities and countries must prove their

commitment towards sustainable

development, fair tourism and historical

preservation,” the ECTT website states.

More border gates open for

visitors to Myanmar

Muse-Shwe Li Border Gate will be

upgraded to a new tourist entry point

for foreigners who wants to cross the

border from Thailand to Myanmar.

There are 16 border gates so far in

Myanmar sharing the frontier lines

between Myanmar and neighboring

countries, but many of them still have

limited access. Last year, Myanmar

fully opened four checkpoints on

the Myanmar-Thai border, namely

Tachileik- Mae Sai, Myawaddy-Mae

Sot, Tiki-Sunarong and Kawthoung-

Ranong. Currently, travelers can

enter the country via one port and

exit via another.

Hot air balloon rides to open at

Inle Lake

Hot air balloon rides have become

increasingly popular, with tourists

queuing to see some of Myanmar’s

more stunning sites by air. The

Myanmar Ballooning Company recently

announced that it will open balloon

rides over the scenic Inle Lake in

Shan State next season. Meanwhile,

The Oriental Ballooning Company is

finalizing test flights over the Inle Lake

ahead of an official launch. Currently,

most excursions around Inle Lake are

conducted by boat. There’s no better

way to contemplate the scenic beauty

of the lake than taking a stunning hot

air balloon ride.


Promotions

VietJet Air receives three new Airbus

A320-200 aircraft

On 1 June, VietJet Air received the new

aircraft at Ho Chi Minh city’s Tan Son

Nhat International Airport, increasing

the carrier’s fleet to 15. The new aircraft

will provide more than 37,000 seats a

week to the carrier’s flight schedule.

VietJet Air launched its commercial

activities in Vietnam and made its

debut as a low-cost carrier at the end

of 2011. To date, the carrier currently

operates 16 domestic and foreign

routes.

VietJet Air to launch Can Tho-Da

Nang route

Vietnam VietJet Aviation Joint Stock

Company (VietJet Air) is opening a new

route connecting the Mekong Delta

city of Can Tho and central Da Nang

on 15 July. The route will operate three

return flights per week on Tuesdays,

Thursdays ans Saturdays. Last year,

the airline served more than 4.3 million

passengers, accounting for about 26%

of the domestic market share.

VietJet launches HCMC-Singapore

service

VietJet Airlines announced the launch

of its new international route between

Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City. The

route will officially operate starting on

23 May, 2014. The Ho Chi Minh City

to Singapore route will initially operate

seven round trip flights per week and

the duration is 1 hour and 50 minutes.

The flight will depart Tan Son Nhat

International Airport at 8:50 a.m. (local

time) and Changi International Airport at

12:40 p.m. (local time) daily. VietJet will

Transportation

look to increase its flight frequency for

this route to 14 round trip flights weekly

in the near future to meet increasing

demand. VietJet currently operates 24

domestic and international routes and

has plans in the pipeline to expand its

routes in the Asia Pacific region as well

as engage in joint ventures with other

regional airline partners.

Vietnam Airlines launches direct

Hanoi -Tokyo route

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines

inaugurated a new international direct

air route linking Noi Bai International

Airport in Hanoi and Haneda Airport

in Tokyo on 1 July. The new Hanoi-

Haneda daily flight departs at 8 a.m.

from Noi Bai international airport,

using Airbus A321 aircraft. The airline

currently conducts daily flights on 9



international air routes connecting

Vietnam to Japan.

Hai Au Aviation to take off

in September

Hai Au Aviation has announced plans

to begin offering seaplane tours

this September, to tap Vietnam’s

untouched premium travel sector.

In their first stage of operation, the

company is will service the Hanoi – Ha

Long route before expanding to other

routes, including Ho Chi Minh City –

Phan Thiet – Nha Trang and further

south into the Mekong Delta.

AirAsia resumes Kuala Lumpur-Da

Nang route

Malaysia’s budget airline AirAsia has

announced that it will resume the route

between Kuala Lumpur-Da Nang, flying

on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays,

and Sundays. It will offer a discount on

single airfares from Kuala Lumpur to

Da Nang, starting from RM99 between

29 August, 2014 and 31 July, 2015.

AirAsia launched a direct flight between

the two destinations on December

16, 2011, but terminated the route

as of June 10, 2013 to rearrange the

schedule. Besides Da Nang, AirAsia

also flies to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi

in Vietnam.

Vietnam’s Noi Bai airport to close

runway for repairs

Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi

will have only one operating runway for

four months starting this August as the

other runway will be closed for repairs.

The airport can receive 25 flights per

hour and it is expected to maintain this

capacity even with just one runway in

operation. However, airlines will have to

adjust their flight timetables.

AAA tests Siem Reap flights

Asia Atlantic Airlines recently made its

first charter flight from Japan’s Narita

International Airport to Siem Reap

with more than 260 tourists on board.

According to Cambodia’s Tourism

Minister, AAA ran the test flight before

committing to two flights a week

starting this July, while daily flights

could start later this year. Japan is one

of the main markets for Cambodia

tourism and investment. Last year, the

country welcomed 206,932 Japanese

visitors, an increase of 15.4% from

179,327 visits in 2012. It is expected

that the number of Japanese visitors

to Cambodia will increase strongly in

the future after the launch of this direct

service.

Myanmar’s Myeik - Bangkok air ser-

vice launched

The first flights between Myeik and

Bangkok were conducted on 8 May,

bringing the remote Myeik closer to

the rest of the world. Myeik Public

Corporation Limited and Myanmar

Union Express Aviation Group operate

the flight by leasing an aircraft from

Myanmar Union Express Chartered

Airlines. Boeing 737 aircraft will be used

for the new flight scheduled for Tuesday

and Friday. Myiek Archipelago is a

hidden destination located in distant

southern Mynamar. It consists of over

800 islands and has a lot to offer,

including secluded sandy beaches,

extensive coral reefs, and wildlife.

SilkAir on the road to Mandalay

On 10 June, Silkair made its first flight from Singapore to Mandalay, marking the start of services to its second Myanmar destination after Yangon. The thrice-weekly service operates

with a circular route with Yangon on Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft in a two-class configuration. Flights depart Singapore at 11:35 a.m. and touch down in Mandalay at 3:00 p.m., while return flights take off at 3:55 p.m. and land in Singapore at 8:50 p.m. Service runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.


VietnamIndochina Sails introduces new

cruise itinerary

Indochina Sails announced a change

in its cruise itinerary that took effect

as of 1 May, 2014. The reason for this

adjustment is to ensure passengers

best experience Ha Long Bay while

there is more and more traffic on the

bay. On the first day, the cruise takes

passengers through the beautiful Bai

Tu Long Bay before stopping for a visit

to Cua Van Fishing Village by small

sampan. The next day, the cruise calls

at the Titov Islet for a swim on the

sandy beach and a panoramic view of

the bay from the its summit. A cooking

class is also offered on board. This new

itinerary applies to the Indochina Sails

Fleet, including the Valentine boats.

The Dragon Legend makes

maiden voyage

Indochina Junk has just launched

its new addition the Dragon Legend

which made its maiden voyage on 11

July. The boat has 24 well appointed

cabins, all located on the 2nd or 3rd

floor offering magnificent views of the

bay. The first floor accommodates the

kitchen, warehouse, and administrative

office, which strategically serves to

minimize noise from the engine to the

guests rooms on upper floors. The

sun deck is where passengers can

get the most of the surroundings

while indulging in a salt water pool,

the only of its kind on Ha Long Bay.

With elegant design and meticulous

decoration, the Dragon Legend boasts

a harmonious blend between modern

and traditional elements.

Bhaya Legend rebranded to

Legend Ha Long

This rebranding took effect as of 1

July, 2014. With 8 luxury vessels, The

Legend Ha Long, which is part of Bhaya

Cruises, is the only charter fleet in the

area offering private and personalized

cruising service in the bay. The name

change and rebranding, in addition to

the appointment of a new team, reflect

the fleet’s continuous effort to offer a

Hotels - Restaurants - Cruises

diversified, high quality and customized

product to its passengers.

Mai Chau Ecolodge opens

Opened in June, the Mai Chau Ecolodge

seeks to bring local culture and hospitality

to its guests. The lodge boasts 19

charming traditional stilt style bungalows,

a 30m by 10m pool, a massage centre,

a poolside bar and a restaurant which

specializes in the fusion of traditional

Vietnamese cuisine and Thai tribal food.

Set in the beautiful landscape of Mai

Chau Valley, the Mai Chau Ecolodge

is an ideal refuge for those who seek

ultimate serenity and peace of mind.

There is also a wide range of activities on

offer for guests to discover the nearby

villages home to the White Thai, H’mong,

Muong and Dao ethnic peoples.

Hotel Le Carnot rebranded to Super

Hotel Hanoi Old Quarter

As of 1 June, the hotel is under

the management of Super Hotel, a

Japanese hotel management company,

and has been rebranded the Super

Hotel Hanoi Old Quarter. Located right

in the Old Quarter of Ha Noi within

walking distance of such highlights as

the Dong Xuan market and Hoan Kiem

Lake, the hotel boasts 46 rooms along

with impeccable service.

Melia Hanoi Hotel

conducts refurbishment

The hotel is carrying out a major interior

refurbishment which is expected to be

complete in December 2014. The work,

scheduled daily except Sundays from

9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m., will

involve changing the carpet, curtains

and furniture, as well as painting and

replaced wall paper. In order to prevent

any noise or disturbance to in house

guests, the hotel will maintain at least

two buffer floors. The hotel guarantees

that main service areas such as the

swimming pool, lobby, restaurants and

bars will not be affected.

Premier Village Danang Resort

makes debut

The Premier Village Danang Resort has

opened its doors on the pristine and

secluded My Khe Beach in Da Nang,

central Vietnam. Conveniently located just

15 minutes from Da Nang International

Airport and 30 minutes from the Ancient

Town of Hoi An, the resort, managed by

Accor, features 111 contemporary villas

categorized into three types of Garden

View, Ocean View and Beachfront

residences, all with a private swimming

pools. Its two restaurants, specializing

in traditional Vietnamese recipes and

international cuisine, offer unique dining

options. The resort’s state-of-the-art

Fitness Centre and 30-metre swimming

pool should please the most active

guests. Other facilities include the Kid’s

Club managed by experienced staff in a

safe environment, recreation centre with

beach activities and indoor games, and

rooftop jacuzzi where one can soothe

their senses in the warm water and

enjoy the spectacular view of Saigon.

The hotel’s roof top is also arrayed

with a bar, a gym and a spa.

Salinda Premium Resort and Spa,

first five star resort on Phu Quoc

island

Conveniently located on the west coast

of Phu Quoc island within a short drive

of the Phu Quoc International Airport,

Salinda Premium Resort and Spa is

the first 5-star resort on the island.

The resort is set amidst 2.5 hectares

of tropical garden stretching along

the sandy Long Beach, which gives

the property full exposure to the sea.

Salinda features a collection of 121

deluxe rooms, villas and a spacious

presidential suite. The resort also

offers a full range of luxury facilities

including a restaurant, a pool, a pool

bar, a gym, a kid club, a spa and a fully

equipped fitness centre. The resort is

scheduled to open its doors in August.

The Shells Resort and Spa opens

its doors in Phu Quoc

Set on the prime location of the

unspoilt Ganh Gio Beach, the newly

opened five-star Shells Resort and

Spa offers the ultimate luxury well

blended with beautiful surroundings.

With a unique design and tasteful

style, the resort boasts 40 spacious

rooms including 28 Ocean View Deluxe

rooms (70m2), 8 Ocean View Super

Deluxe rooms (74m2), 2 Ocean View

Spa Suites (123m2) and 2 Ocean

View Spa Suites(125m2), all with a

private balconies overlooking the sandy

beach and infinite blue sea. The resort

features a magnificent swimming pool

with a pool bar and relaxation spaces,

a restaurant offering world-class

two large outdoor swimming pools with a

dedicated children’s pool.

Muca Hoi An Boutique Resort opens

Set in the tranquility of Hoi An

countryside, The Muca Hoi An

Boutique Resort is the newest property

to be opened near the World Heritage

Site. With 36 rooms, the resort features

a unique fusion design combining

traditional Hoi An and European arch

style architecture creating a charming

old world ambiance and atmosphere.

Just a 10-minute walk from the Cua Dai

beach and 10 minutes by car from the

old quarter of Hoi An, the Muca Hoi An

Boutique Resort is ideal place for those

who seek to discover and appreciate

local culture and beautiful nature.

Liberty Hotel Saigon Greenview

closed for major renovation

The hotel has announced it will close

from 15 May until 20 August, 2014 in

order to refurbish all if its rooms and

build one more restaurant. Affected

bookings will be transferred to its nearby

sister hotel, the Liberty Hotel Saigon

Parkview located at 265 Pham Ngu

Lao Street, District 1. Should you have

bookings at the Liberty Hotel Saigon

Greenview during the hotel’s closure,

please contact our travel consultants

for more detailed information. We look

forward to seeing the hotel in its fresh

look after the facelift in August.

Silverland Sakyo Hotel & Spa rolls out

in downtown Saigon

The Silverland Hotel Group has

recently inaugurated its newest

property, the Sakyo Hotel & Spa, in

the vibrant downtown of Saigon. The

hotel, a fusion of Vietnamese and

Japanese styles, features 60 spacious

rooms, a restaurant specialized in

authentic Japanese cuisine, and a



Vietnamese and International cuisine,

and a well equipped meeting room.

Being an ideal venue for weddings,

the Shells Resort and Spa is also a

romantic haven for honeymooners.

CambodiaLa Rose Boutique Hotel & Spa

Won TripAdvisor’s Certificate

of Excellence

La Rose Boutique Hotel & Spa

in Phnom Penh has just won a

TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence

2014. This came as no surprise as the

hotel is always keen to render all-round

service and whole-hearted hospitality

to its guests. The evaluation is based

on customer reviews and the award is

a great encouragement for the hotel to

keep up with its excellent service.

Cheung Sheng Global Holdings

Announces Plans for Integrated

Resort in Cambodia

Earlier this month, Cheung Sheng

announced the plans for the Oasis

Integrated Resort, sited along the ring

road of Siem Reap and 3 minutes away

from the Siem Reap Night Market. The

project covers an estimated area of

18,000 square metres, and includes

a 120 room medium-sized boutique

hotel, retail and pub areas, and a large

open concept glass-lined ceiling food

street, which will house a mix of local

and international culinary delights.

Construction on this project is set to start

in June 2014 and all its elements should

be operational by the first quarter of 2015.

Lotus Blanc Resort in Siem Reap to

undergo major renovation

The resort has announced it will

temporarily close for a major facelift

from 16 June to 30 September, 2014.

Bookings previously confirmed at the

Lotus Blanc Resort for this period of

time will be upgraded to the Borei

Angkor Resort and Spa. We will keep

you posted when the resort is ready for

the upcoming high season.

Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf &

Spa Resort reopens its pool

After over one month being closed for

maintenance, the swimming pool at

Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa

Resort has reopened and is back to

normal operations. With its fresh look

after the work, the pool is again a popular

corner to chill out at this property.

MyanmarNew Amazing hotel in Mandalay

The Amazing Hotel Chain recently

inaugurated its first property in

Mandalay, the Hotel Amazing

Mandalay. Located opposite the

Mandalay Railway Station and within

walking distance of the Royal Palace

and the main market, the hotel features

16 Deluxe Rooms furnished with the

tasteful decorations with a traditional

Myanmar character. All rooms offer

latest amenities, waterfall showers, and

comfort that one would expect to have

at a luxury hotel. The hotel’s restaurant

is specialized in both Western and

Asian cuisine and offers options of

dining inside or alfresco on the terrace.

Merciel Retreat & Resort rolls out on

Ngapali Beach

The resort was put into operations after

completing its first phase with 42 rooms

categorized as Junior Deluxe, Executive

Deluxe & Merciel Room. Conveniently

located on the most beautiful section of

the Ngapali Beach, and just 5 minutes

from the airport, the resort offers full

exposure to nature and easy access to

lively local culture. The resort will have 34

more rooms when it completes its second

phase by the upcoming high season.


Vidotour seat-in-coach tours

07 . Oct . 2014 21 . Oct . 2014 04 . Nov . 2014 18 . Nov . 2014 02 . Dec . 2014 16 . Dec . 2014

List of Hotels

Destination DestinationHotels Category . Superior Hotels Category. First class

Departure Dates

Quoc Hoa (Deluxe) or similar

Bai Tho (SIC) or similar

Ancient House Resort (Superior) or similar

Mondial (Superior) or similar

Lavender (Real Window room) or similar

May De Ville Han Thuyen (Deluxe) or similar

SeaLife (Suite) or similar

Hoi An Trails (Deluxe) or similar

Romance (Deluxe Mountain/City view) or similar

Grand SIlverland (Premium Deluxe) or similar

HANOI

HA LONG

HOI AN

HUE

HO CHI MINH

HANOI

HA LONG

HOI AN

HUE

HO CHI MINH

Highlights of Vietnam 9 DAYS . 8 NIGHTS

05 . Aug . 2014 19 . Aug . 2014 09 . Sep . 2014 23 . Sep . 2014

06 . Jan . 2015 20 . Jan . 2015 03 . Feb . 2015 24 . Feb . 2015 10 . Mar . 2015 24 . Mar . 2015

Brief Itinerary

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Arrive Hanoi

Hanoi (B,L)

Hanoi . Ha Long Bay (B,L,D)

Ha Long Bay . Hanoi . Da Nang . Hoi An (Brunch)

Hoi An

Hoi An . Hue (B,L)

Hue . Ho Chi Minh City (B)

Ho Chi Minh City (B)

Departure (B)


Vidotour News| Vidotour celebrates Vietnam Family Day

| Vidotour’s 24th Anniversary Celebration

| Vidotour’s 24th Anniversary Celebration

Event Booth numberDates

ITE - Ho Chi Minh City

WTM - London

11 – 13 Sep. 2014

03 – 06 Nov. 2014

563

AS375


| Vidotour team on annual incentive trip in Vung Tau.

| Vidotour team on a recent FAM trip in Sapa


We are excited to introduce our promotional packages for summer 2014. These packages

are combinations of fantastic offers from our local partners, which guarantee the best

savings and an unforgettable travel experience.

The Classic Vietnam Tour (9 Days / 8 Nights) is an ideal choice for those who wish to explore

the S-shaped country from Halong Bay to the Mekong Delta. You may also fly to Cambodia

to explore the majestic Angkor Complex with our special package of Majestic Angkor (4

Days / 3 Nights). Your adventure to the Indochina region is not complete without a visit to

the UNESCO-recognised, peaceful town of Luang Prabang with our tour of Classic Luang

Prabang (4 Days / 3 Nights).

2 0 1 4Summer promotion

Private toursGreat savings

of up to

20% offValid from 2nd May through

30th September, 2014

Day 1 Hanoi arrival. O/N Hanoi

Day 2 Hanoi sightseeing. O/N Hanoi.

Day 3 Ha Long Bay. O/N on Junk.

Day 4 Ha Long Bay – Boat Cruise – Hanoi – Hue. O/N Hue.

Day 5 Hue sightseeing. O/N Hue.

CLASSIC VIETNAM TOUR 9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS

Hanoi . Ha Long Bay . Hoi An . Hue . Ho Chi Minh City . Mekong Delta

Day 6 Hue - Hoi An. O/N Hoi An.

Day 7 Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi

Tunnels – Sightseeing. O/N Ho Chi Minh.

Day 8 Ho Chi Minh City – Ben Tre – Boat Cruise. O/N Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 9 Ho Chi Minh City – Departure

City Standard First Class Deluxe

La Belle Vie (Deluxe)

Image (SIC ROH)

Lotus (Superior)

Gold Hotel (Deluxe City View)

Signature Saigon (Deluxe)

Chalcedony (Deluxe)

Indochina Sails (Superior)

Hoi An Riverside (Superior)

Mondial (Superior)

Northern (Deluxe)

Nikko (ROH)

Paradise (Deluxe ROH)

Golden Sand resort (Superior Garden View)

Imperial (Deluxe City View)

Grand Hotel (Deluxe)

HANOI

HA LONG

HOI AN

HUE

HO CHI MINH CITY

Vidotour introduces summer promotional packages


CLASSIC VIETNAM TOUR 9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS

Day 1 Siem Reap arrival.

Day 2 Siem Reap – Angkor Complex.

Day 3 Siem Reap – Banteay Srei – Banteay Samre – Ta Prohm

Visit Local Monastery for Blessing Ceremony.

Day 4 Siem Reap departure.

Day 1 Luang Prabang arrival.

Day 2 Luang Prabang – Alms Giving - half day city tour.

Day 3 Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves.

Day 4 Luang Prabang departure.

MAJESTIC ANGKOR COMPLEX 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS

CLASSIC LUANG PRABANG 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS

Siem Reap

Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves

Hotel Category

Hotel Category

Hotel

Hotel

Angkor Holiday (Superior)

Khemara Angkor (Deluxe)

Sokha Angkor (Deluxe City View)

Le Sen Boutique (Deluxe)

Kiridara (Deluxe)

Victoria Xieng- thong Palace (Palace room)

Standard

First Class

Deluxe

Standard

First Class

Deluxe

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR FULL ITINERARY, AND RATES.

HO CHI MINH CITY HEAD OFFICEt: +84 (0)8 3933 0457

f: +84 (0)8 3933 0470

e: [email protected]

w: www.vidotourtravel.com

145 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

HA NOIt: +84 (0)4 3734 5429

f: +84 (0)4 3734 5430


57 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi, Viet Nam

DA NANGt: +84 (0)511 371 2790

f: +84 (0)511 371 2791


760 Tran Cao Van Street, Thanh Khe District, Da Nang, Viet Nam

Design & Production by vidomedia.vnCopyright © VIDOTOUR. All rights reservedAdvertising: Diep My Quan - 090 999 6939

t: +84 (0)54 382 4813 | e: [email protected]

HUEt: +84 (0)54 382 4813

f: +84 (0)54 382 4815


10 Tran Thuc Nhan Street, Hue, Viet Nam

PHAN THIETt: +84 (0)62 384 7699

f: +84 (0)62 384 7727


65B Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Ham Tien Ward, Phan Thiet, Viet Nam

PHNOM PENHt: +855 (0)23 987 876

f: +855 (0)23 210 531


No. 7, Mao Tse Tung Boulevard, Sangkat Boeung Keng Kang I,

Khan Chamkarmorn, Phnom Penh.

SIEM REAPt: +855 (0)63 963 686

f: +855 (0)63 963 687

e: [email protected] z

153, Street 6 (Airport Road), Sangkat Svay Dangkom,

Khan Siem Reap, Siem Reap, Cambodia

VIENTIANEt: +856 (0)21 241 989

f: +856 (0)21 241 990


1st Floor of AIS Asia Building, Samsenthai Road, Ban Anou,

Chanthabouly District, Vientiane, Laos


Newsletter July . September 2014 | 9 · Newsletter uly . September 9 Nearly all nations in Asia...

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