September - October 08
PHOENIX NEWS
Phoenix Voyages bring the oldest tourist to North Korea
In September, Phoenix Voyages organised a trip to North Korea with the oldest person that North Korea has ever received as tourist. Our young lady of 90 years old from Switzerland has received on this occasion a nice Ginseng root, symbol of longevity from the local tourism authorities.
During the same trip, our President Mr Edouard GEORGE has received the Kim II Sung Insignia from the Vice Minister of Tourism for his efforts to develop tourism in the DPR Korea. We are now ready to offer trips to North Korea for our clients and our 2009 North Korea production is now available.
Change of telephone numbers in Vietnam for fixed phone number
Fixed telephone lines in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are now using 8 digits number instead of 7, while other provinces are using 7 digits instead of 6.
As there are several telecom suppliers in Vietnam the changes have been made differently and to simplify, it can be summarized as follows:
Since the 26th of October all fixed telephone numbers starting from:
- 20 to 24 => add the number "2". Example (08) 200 0000, becomes (08) 2200 0000.
- 25 to 29 => add the number "6".
- 30 => add the number "7".
- 31 to 39 => add the number "3".
- 40 to 44 => add the number "5".
- 45 => add the number "4".
- 46 to 49 => add the number "2".
- 50 to 99 => add the number "3".
This is supposed to be applicable for all fixed telephone lines in the country.
Should you need to receive our updated contact detailed list, please do not hesitate to contact us.
VIETNAM
IMPORTANT NEWS
Free visa for Russian citizens visiting Vietnam
From the 1st of January 2009, Russian citizens will no longer need visa to visit Vietnam if their stay does not exceed 15 days.
HOTEL UPDATES
Thao Dien Village in Ho Chi Minh City, a new complex with colonial style hotel and restaurants by the River
Located in a quiet area on the river bank, which is 6 km from the town center, Thao Dien Village consists of two different areas:
- A lovely colonial style villa facing the river with a nice swimming pool, housing 22 rooms including 5 Suites. The Villa Romain features also an Italian restaurant with an Italian Chef.
- A Hoi An style complex, with Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese restaurants, perfect for a romantic dinner in front of the river. The Vietnamese restaurant is especially offering an open air traditional water puppet show three times per week.
Maison D'Hanoi, a new 4-star hotel
The Maison D'Hanoi boutique hotel is located within 3 minutes walking distance to the famous Hoan Kiem Lake. The hotel is nice with a tasteful decoration and an ideal location, however out of 55 rooms only 10 feature windows.
The hotel from the chain Hanova will open its doors on 15th of November 2008.
Six Senses ceased the management of the Evason Ana Mandara Villa.
On the 28th of October, the Six Senses Group officially announced it will cease the management of the Evason-branded property in Dalat from 31 October 2008.
The Six Senses Group made the decision to terminate the Management Agreement due to some differences in the point of views between the Group and the Owner, on the management of the property.
However, the Group said that the Owner will honor the contracted rates and offers for the coming season. The name of the hotel should change at a later stage.
Swiss-Belhotel opens a 4-star hotel in Buon Me Thuot
The Swiss-Belhotel Dakruco will be the first international 4-star hotel in Buon Ma Thuot City.
The hotel will officially open in January 2009 with 140 rooms, a ballroom for up to 400 guests, 2 restaurants, a fitness center, a swimming pool and indoor tennis courts.
Yen Nhi Hotel, a new 2-star hotel in Ninh Binh (Hoa Lu)
The Yen Nhi Hotel is a new 2-star hotel located 200 m from Tam Coc pier, better known as the Halong Bay on land.
The Yen Nhi Hotel features 48 rooms from the 1st to the 4th floor with a view including 45 double & twin rooms of 23 by 25 m2 and 3 family rooms of 40m2.
The hotel offers a large terrace with a panoramic view of Tam Coc and is mainly used to organize barbecue.
Hotel infrastructures are still poor in this area and the Yen Nhi Hotel is therefore a good alternative for clients staying overnight.
Novotel Nha Trang will open on November 15, 2008
The Novotel Nha Trang, a new 4-star hotel, is located on the main Boulevard of Nha Trang facing the sea.
The hotel will open on November 15, 2008 with 152 guest rooms and 2 suites with balconies all with a view of the beach front.
Four Points' Sheraton Halong Bay Management Agreement terminated
The Management Agreement of Four Points' Sheraton Halong Bay was terminated on October 18, 2008.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts and the hotels owning company mutually agreed not to continue the contract under the Four Points' Sheraton brand. This also applies to the Sheraton Halong Bay that was scheduled for development and opening at a later stage. Starwood Hotels & Resorts however continues to develop hotels in Vietnam with the opening of the Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa planned for the second term of 2009.
News from Furama Resort Danang
The five-star Furama Resort Danang is offering since September a new health club and spa, a nightclub and an on site diving centre.
The Nam Hai in Hoi An awarded "Best Beach Resort"
The TTG Travel Awards 2008 has awarded The Nam Hai hotel in Hoi An as "Asia's Best Resort".
USEFUL THINGS TO KNOW
Airlines news
Can Tho Airport in operation soon for commercial flightsThe Can Tho Authorities have taken over the construction works of the temporary terminal in Can Tho City at end of September.
According to a source, the first commercial flight of Can Tho’s airport will start in January 2009 with the flight Hanoi - Can Tho.
Boat news
Bhaya II starts operation in Halong
The Bhaya II is another wooden cruise vessel designed by talented French architects who have previously designed the Bhaya I.
The Bhaya II which will be in operation at the beginning of November, will provide 20 spacious and luxurious cabins including 2 Royal Suites (16.5 m2), 2 Bhaya Suites (14.5 m2) and 16 Deluxe cabins (12.5 m2).
The 40-meter vessel also features a spacious restaurant, a sundeck, a spa, a shop, a library extending over the three decks.
Bonsai Cruise in Ho Chi Minh City changed its dinner cruise schedule
Since the beginning of October and until the end of January 2009, the Bonsai dinner cruise will be operated twice a day as follows:
Early Dinner Cruise: 17h45 - 19h45
Late Dinner Cruise: 20h15 - 22h30
New fleet of speedboats at Victoria Chau Doc Hotel
The Victoria Chau Doc Hotel has a new fleet of speedboats (two 22-seater and one 6-seater) reserved exclusively for guests staying at Victoria to cruise along the Mekong River from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh or vice-versa.
RV Indochina Pandaw will provide cruises of 2 nights between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh in July 2009
The RV Indochina Pandaw, currently under construction, should be completed in January 2009 and from July 2009, it will be operated for cruises of 2 nights from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh or vice versa.
The RV Indochina Pandaw will offer 30 state-of-the-art rooms and is a new boutique version of the colonial-style Pandaws, currently existing.
Hai Long Junks will slightly change their program from the 1st of January 2009
From January 1, 2009 Hai Long Junks will provide brunch instead of breakfast and lunch on the second day of its cruise in Halong Bay.
Miscellaneous
Phoenix Voyages made a donation for the people of Northern Vietnam
After a tropical storm that hit the remote areas around the province of Lao Cai last September, Phoenix Voyages’ team has organised a collection of money among all the staff to support the people that have been affected by the storm.
MYANMAR
HOTEL UPDATES
Reopening of The Governor's Residence in YangonThe renovations and reparations have been completed at The Governor's Residence which reopened its doors on the 1st of September.
Developments at Aureum Hotels & Resorts in Bagan and Ngwe Saung
The Aureum Bagan will put into operation in November its new two-storey Deluxe building with 42 deluxe rooms.
The Aureum Resort & Spa Ngwe Saung will also open its new two-storey building with 36 rooms this coming month.
Refurbishment of Bayview Beach Resort
The Bayview Beach Resort, a 33-room 4-star boutique resort, at Ngapali Beach has undergone an extension and the refurbishment of its bathrooms during the monsoon season. The hotel also houses a spa with a rich variety of massage and beauty treatments.
Myanmar Cultural Show at Kandawgyi Palace Hotel
Since October, the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel is providing yet again Myanmar Cultural Show with Thai and Asian Buffet Dinner.
USEFUL THINGS TO KNOW
Miscellaneous
FAM trips Myanmar 2008/2009
For the season 2008-2009, the Myanmar Marketing Committee is planning 21 fixed departure dates from November 08 to September 09 for the FAM Trips of the travel trade professionals worldwide.
One program of 9 Days / 8 Nights covers Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, and Inle Lake, and the second program of 5 Days / 4 Nights covers Yangon, Bagan, and Mandalay or Inle.
For further details, please contact us.
CAMBODIA
IMPORTANT NEWS
Domestic airport tax is now included in the price of airfares in Cambodia
The domestic airport tax in Cambodia is included in the airfare price of all tickets issued from September 1, 2008 onwards.
For all tickets issued before this date, please inform your clients that payment will be made on the spot.
HOTEL UPDATES
The Sothea will open in Siem Reap in January 2009
A member of “The Preferred Boutiqueâ€, a world-renowned collection of independent hotels, the Sothea Siem Reap boutique hotel is expected to open in January 2009 with 39 suites consisting of 17 kings and 16 twins Deluxe suites (48 by 65 m2), 2 Queen suites, and 4 Kings suites.
New scheduling of Apsara Theatre at Angkor Village
Since the 1st of October, the new daily schedule of Dinner and Dance show at the Apsara Theatre is as follows:
1st Dinner with Show:
From 18h30: Welcome of the guests and dinner starts
18h50: Show starts
19h40: End of the Show
2nd Dinner with Show:
From 20h30: Welcome of the guests and dinner starts
21h00: Show starts
22h00: End of the Show.
Tara Angkor Hotel, Apsara Dance show with dinner until March 31, 2009
The Tara Angkor Hotel will offer every Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays a special evening of entertainment with “Apsara Dance Show and Dinnerâ€. Guests will have the pleasure to enjoy an international buffet (opened from 18h30) while watching the performances of the Apsara Dancers (show starting at 19h30).
USEFUL THINGS TO KNOW
Airlines News
Siem Reap Airways operate flights Siem Reap - Ho Chi Minh City
Since the 26th of October Siem Reap Airways is operating a daily flight on the route Siem Reap - Ho Chi Minh City and v.v.:
FT 981, REP-SGN 11h00, arrival: 11h55
FT 982, SGN-REP 12h40, arrival: 13h35
Miscellaneous
Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia Branding Campaign
The Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia has launched an official branding campaign. We are glad to present you the flagship logo which is inclined to 6 other logos promoting culture, cuisine, ecotourism, nature, wildlife and beaches.
