December 2011
Indochina is a land of varied attractions, unforgettable landscapes and a unique blend of culture. It is also an opening golf destination featuring international standard courses. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap, among other cities offer several possibilities to play in excellent conditions. However, at some other locations, if the green does not match the international golf standards, the breath-taking surrounding easily compensates it.
Some have been designed to play in natural undulating terrain, some others give fabulous view over the sea, hundred year-old temples or serene pine forests. A wide range of greens is awaiting in Indochina, along with memorable traveling experience.
For people traveling with golfers but who do not share their passion for the white ball, alternative programs will be proposed. Whether it is shopping for local crafts, meditation courses or a stroll through the tropical forest to a ruined temple, non-golfers are taken care of while others are playing.
Endowed with a large variety of fairways, beautiful scenery as well as rich natural and cultural attractions, Indochina offers a memorable golfing vacation for all.
List of cities featuring selected golf courses
Vietnam : 1 Hanoi - 2 Hai Phong - 3 Danang - 4 Nha Trang - 5 Dalat - 6 Phan Thiet - 7 Ho Chi Minh City.
Cambodia : 8 Siem Reap.
Laos : 9 Vientiane - 10 Luang Prabang.
Myanmar : 11 Yangon - 12 Bagan.
In Vietnam
Vietnam is a main golfing destination in Indochina. Cities such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Danang, Nha Trang, Dalat, Phan Thiet and Ho Chi Minh City feature top-quality fairways and greens. Some courses are set within impressive landscapes, surrounded by karsts or overlooking the sea. Among them, the Ocean Dunes Golf Club located in Phan Thiet and designed by Nick Faldo, offers one of the best golfing experiences available in Vietnam. Its 9th hole (par 3) was selected as one of the 500 best holes in the world by the Golf Magazine (USA).
In Cambodia
If Cambodia features fewer courses than Vietnam, 3 of them clearly propose memorable golfing experiences. These 3 best options are all located in Siem Reap, a few minutes from the 1000-year old angkorian temples. The Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort manages one of them. The Phokeethra Country Club features 18 holes over 7.145 yards. Natural lagoons and sand traps are set along the course, with some holes requiring some skills and power.
In Northern Thailand/Laos
Golf courses in Northern Thailand offer an excellent game play. The best 18-hole course in Chiang Mai is the Chiang Mai Highlands. Excellent fairways and greens spread over 7003 yards of designed layout. Jungle and mountains are all around. This is a first class experience.
Compared to its neighbors, Laos does not offer much opportunity for golfers. If no course is directly available in Vientiane, the Dansavanh Golf & Country Club is located 60km from there, on the shore of the Nam Ngun Lake. This 18-hole course offers a good challenge in a nice environment.
But the best course awaits the player in Luang Prabang. The newly opened Luang Prabang Golf Club is located about 15mn drive from the city center and offers 18 holes (par 72) over 7.443 yards. Some holes offer spectacular views over the historical town and the surrounding mountain ranges.s.
In Myanmar
Golfing experience in Myanmar can be pretty rewarding. Yangon features one of the best courses in South East Asia with the Pun Hlaing Golf Club. This 18-hole course over 7.012 yards, is located 45mn from Yangon city center. It was designed by Mr Gary Player to provide challenge to all types of golfers. Fairways and greens are manicured and the setting is memorable. The second course that deserves mentioning in Myanmar is the Bagan Golf Club. Although it is far from matching the international standards, it is unique. Players can enjoy 18 holes over 7.147 yards, some of which are played among the pagodas with the UNESCO archeological site as a background.
Since all these destinations allow golfers to enjoy their passion for half days or full days, Phoenix Voyages is thinking of people traveling with them but who do not play. Although the major tourist attractions will be visited along with the players, non-golfers can have extra time to experience a deeper discovery of the destination.
Aside from relaxing mornings spent at selected Spas or shopping sprees in colorful boutiques, non-golfers can enjoy visits to local people and exclusive excursions. Among them: meditation classes, meeting a traditional doctor for a Yin-Yang health-check, learn to play local games under the shade of a Banyan tree or visit secret temples away from the main tourist tracks. Upon request, Phoenix Voyages proposal will include a selection of alternative visits for non-golfers.
Last month the Ethnology Museum of Dak Lak (Buon Ma Thuot) was inaugurated in the presence of the French Ambassador H.E Amb. Mr Jean-Francois Girault and our President Mr. Edouard George. The 2-storey building was designed as an architectural imitation of nha dai (traditional long house) of the Ede people, the major ethnic group of the region. Covering an area of 9.200 m2, the project was jointly constructed by museum experts from Vietnam and France since February 2008.
The Museum focuses on biology, ethnic culture and history. The year-round exhibition will display in its first section, pictures and artifacts about the natural environment of Dak Lak province and the Ede culture (stilt houses, costumes, tools, funeral art, jars…). The second part is focusing on the resistance wars against the French and the Americans.
Phoenix Voyages was invited to the opening ceremony. Indeed, wishing to participate in the preservation of the ethnic and cultural heritage of Vietnam, Phoenix Voyages offered to sponsor the edition of a beautiful book about the museum's collections.
Dak Lak Ethnology Museum is situated at 182 Nguyen Du Street, Buon Ma Thuot City.
NEW TERMINALS IN DANANG AND BUON MA THUOT
The cities of Danang and Buon Ma Thuot recently opened new terminals. Danang raises its capacity to nearly 6 million passengers a year. The small provincial town of Buon Ma Thuot has now an airport able to accommodate four A321 aircrafts and up to 1 million passengers per year.
TET 2012
In Vietnam, the Year of the Cat will end on 22 January 2012 and make way for the Year of the Dragon. Traditionally, Phoenix Voyages' office will be closed during the Tet Holidays, from 23 to 26 January 2012 (inclusive). However, a skeleton force will be on duty to handle all emergencies.
HUE ORPHAN'S CHRISTMAS
As per every year, Phoenix Voyages Support Sister Chautal is organizing a real Christmas for 160 orphan children. Phoenix Voyages has been sponsoring Hue's orphanage for several years. Merry Christmas Children!
