Newsletter January . March 2015 | 1 PARK HYATT SAIGON CONFIRMS ITS LUXURY REDEFINITION Park Hyatt Saigon will close for approximately 13 weeks, commencing on 3 March 2015. The projected completion date is currently scheduled for early June of the same year, with the fitting out of the remaining guestrooms continuing until November 2015. Whilst still maintaining its French colonial feel, guests will see an increased emphasis on Indochine décor and the addition of more dramatic elements combined with classical luxuries. Guestrooms and suites will be redesigned combining traditional comforts with the contemporary. Further enhancements include state-of-the-art technology, redefining the overall guest experience and providing the ideal destination for today's traveller. 2 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, V ietnam T: +84 8 3824 1234 www.parkhyattsaigon.com E: [email protected] foreword Dear Valued Partners, From all of us at Vidotour, Happy New Year! We hope that you all rang in the new year full of joy and are beginning 2015 with renewed vigor and purpose. The year 2015 is one of special significance to use at Vidotour as it marks the 25th anniversary of our founding. We are looking forward to holding a few celebratory events throughout the year to mark this milestone. As this is a special year for Vidotour, we are looking forward to strengthening collaboration with our partners worldwide. Part of this strengthening of our collaboration began last year when Asia Vietnam was launched in October. In this edition, we would like to invite you to embark on some of our specially designed excursions that offer deep insight into local culture. Take an adventure exploring the narrow alleys of Saigon where you are exposed to the sights and sounds of local life. Join our excursions to age-old handicraft villages around Hanoi where surprises are awaiting. Indulge yourself in the peacefulness of garden houses in Hue which are home to a wealth of hospitality and philosophy. Last but not least, don’t miss our Phnom Penh architecture tour where some Khmer and colonial architecture masterpieces tell their own stories. Representatives from Vidotour will be at the upcoming ITB Berlin, and we look forward to catching up with our partners and meeting some new clients. Please take some time to stop by our booth and say hello. Once again, we would like to wish all of our colleagues and valued partners a Happy New Year as we look towards a more prosperous future. Let’s make 2015 a great one! Sincerely, Nguyen Tuyet Mai President & CEO 4 | Newsletter January . March 2015 index HIGHLIGHTS 08 14 The Hidden Saigon Phnom Penh Architecture Tour 22 28 Hue Garden Hanoi Handicraft Houses Villages OTHERS 32 Travel news 36 Promotions 40 Transportation 42 Hotels - Restaurants - Cruises 46 Vidotour Corner 6 | Newsletter January . March 2015 Newsletter January . March 2015 | 7 The hidden Saigon Most of the people living in the narrow alleys hand, enjoy sitting at low tables with a glass around Saigon are low to average income of tea or coffee while shooting the breeze or workers. Living in such close quarters tends to playing Chinese chess. Young people tend to bring them together and they spend a great prefer meeting up in small, local cafes to sip deal of their time socializing in frugal ways. on cool drinks. Married women tend to meet up at local In the small alleys of Saigon, even though markets where they buy fresh food every space is very limited, every household will set The day; this is also a great chance for them to aside space for ancestor worship and altars HIDDENSAIGON socialize with each other. Men, on the other to venerate deities. There are several major As the largest city in the nation and the economic centre of the country, Saigon is a huge draw for people throughout the country. As such, it has become a melting pot of different cultures, traditions and lifestyles. Visitors to this large city usually visit some of the major landmarks such as the Ben Thanh Market and the War Remnants Museum. But by sticking to the major streets and tourist sites, visitors can miss out on some of the most interesting aspects of the city. Vidotour has created some new and unique walking tours to give visitors an up close and personal glimpse of everyday life in the alleys of Saigon. 8 | Newsletter January . March 2015 Newsletter January . March 2015 | 9 religions in Vietnam, but neighborhoods tend to be a mosaic of beliefs and households of different faiths get along well with each other. Many people make a living around their neighbourhood. Spend half an hour sipping a cup of coffee in a local cafe and you can witness the lively scenes of locals in their daily life. It could be a whole family working at a food stall, a motorbike taxi driver waiting for his customer, a fruit vendor selling from door to door or an elderly motorbike repairman working on a bike as old as him. Spending some time exploring the alleys of Saigon will open visitors’ eyes to the fascinating realities of how the average resident of Saigon lives. 10 | Newsletter January . March 2015 Newsletter January . March 2015 | 11 Address: No 152, Le Duan Str., Dong Da, Ha Noi Telephone: (84-47) 307 6968 Fax: (84-47) 307 6698 Hotline: 84-936 995 636 Email: [email protected] Website: www.huonghaihalong.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. 5 Le Loi Street, Hue City, Vietnam Tel: +84 (0)5 43 83 74 75 Fax: +84 (0)5 43 83 74 76 Email: [email protected] www.la-residence-hue.com www.mgallery.com CAMBODIA Vidotour is proud to offer an architecture tour through“ downtown Phnom Penh which highlights some historical buildings in the area. As with all developing countries, many of these historic structures are quickly “disappearing, but the ones that remain offer a unique glimpse into the rich history of Phnom Penh and Cambodia Although most people visit Cambodia to see the temple complex at Angkor Wat, the country offers numerous other attractions. The nation is blessed with a distinct mix of rich culture, history and natural beauty. A wonderful place to see the culture and history up close is in the capital of Phnom Penh. The small, yet cosmopolitan capital of Phnom Penh boasts a pleasant mix of old and new. Here, you can see people dressed in modern fashions engaged in centuries-old traditions: Elderly people maintain their conservative customs while younger people play with their smart phones. Vidotour is proud to offer an architecture tour through downtown Phnom Penh which highlights some historical buildings in the area. As with all developing countries, many of these historic structures are quickly disappearing, but the ones that remain offer a unique glimpse into the rich history of Phnom Penh and Cambodia. What follows are some highlights of the excursion. 14 | Newsletter Jul . Sep 2014 Newsletter January . March 2015 | 15 THE POST OFFICE This French colonial era building has been recently restored and is an impressive addition to Phnom Penh’s architectural heritage. Situated in the old French quarter of the city, visitors can explore the surrounding colonial-era buildings in various states of restoration. If guests visit the post office during opening hours, be sure to check out the historical photographs lining the walls. THE CENTRAL MARKET The Central Market is usually on the must-see lists of visitors to the capital. When it was completed in 1937, it was said to be the largest market in Asia. Build by the French, the Central Market is a unique style that is a charming mix of French design and traditional Khmer decoration. Good deals on clothing and souvenirs can be found in the market, and the recently restored structure can be enjoyed while shopping. 16 | Newsletter January . March 2015 Newsletter January . March 2015 | 17 The NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CAMBODIA Although it is widely considered a traditional Khmer structure, more accurately it can be described as a modern interpretation of traditional Khmer architecture, as it was inaugurated in 1920. Not only is the National Museum a very interesting building architecturally, but it also houses some of the best examples of Khmer culture and tradition in the country. The ROYAL UNIVERSITY OF FINE ARTS This fine arts institution has been in operation in Phnom Penh for nearly a century. Although it has changed names over the years and was inactive during the reign of the Khmer Rouge, it is not a fixture in downtown Phnom Penh and over 1600 students attend. 18 | Newsletter January . March 2015 Newsletter January . March 2015 | 19 HUE - VIETNAM Immerse yourself in the very best of local culture and genuine Asian hospitality .… FINDING LUXURY IN HUE, VIETNAM Hue, the ancient capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, is the junction where northern and southern ecosystems meet. Hue boasts charming rivers, verdant hills, ancient pagodas and churches, and a rich history. Hue remains a must-see destination when visiting Vietnam, not only because of its cultural values and history, but also for its beautiful landscape and people. Recognised as one of the most idyllic stretch of coastline in Vietnam, Phan Thiet is famous for its beautiful beaches, charming fishing village, desert-like sand dunes and numerous types of rare The majestic Imperial Hotel Hue is nestled along the famous Perfume River, conveniently flora and fauna.