May 2011
For the last ten years, Central Highland area has started to open to tourism. This vast region, long time considered as
inaccessible, offers breathtaking landscapes, undamaged wooded area, impressive waterfalls and numerous ethnic
minorities whose culture are very different from the rest of the country.
For those who love classical itineraries, the area offers a very good alternative. One can discover another Vietnam, as unique as Halong Bay or Mekong Delta. Whereby, heveas are growing besides Coffee and Tea plantations while laterite red paths lead to wild landscapes. From freshness of Dalat's pines to the wide and plain area of Kontum, this region abound with natural and cultural resources.
Nowadays, airports in Dalat, Buon Ma Thuot and Peiku are served by frequent Vietnam Airlines flights while road infrastructures are improving every year. Indeed, it is now very simple and pleasant to reach those unknown areas from Ho Chi Minh City or Phan Thiet. Notice that the road 24 starts from Kontum from the East and goes down seaside in the middle of an unforgettable landscape.
A beautiful way to leave central highlands to reach the next step of a trip in Vietnam is the charming city of Hoi An and its historic heritage which is classified a UNESCO site.
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| Day 1: HCMC – Buon Me Thuot (Visits: Ho Chi Minh route, Drei Sap Water fall, Edé minority village) |
Day 2: Buon Ma Thuot – Lak Lake (Visits: Minority village, Elephant ride around a lake, back on board a Sampan) |
Day 3: Buon Ma Thuot – Kontum (Visits: Tea and Coffee plantations, Yali Lake, Jarai Minority Village) |
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| Day 4: Kontum (Visits: Wooden Church, seminary, Trekking through villages) |
Day 5: Kontum – Hoi An (Visits: Departure through road 24, Sedra minority village, Cham Towers) |
Located in the north of central highlands, the small city of Kontum is unexpectedly charming with a relaxing environment. This city was the the scene of violent battles during Vietnam War but is nowadays the perfect place to discover the authentic Vietnam. From the moment one pass the city area, one can only be surprised by the hilly, red laterite roads and magnificent wooden houses villages. Within one day, one visitor will discover the unique funeral ritual of Jarai tribes living at the border of Yali Lake. Besides, it will also be possible to visit Rong houses with those typical high roofs which dominate each village. Besides Kontum surroundings which also offer amazing trekking opportunities, the city is a treasure of surprising places. For instance, a wooden church built in 1913 is perfectly maintained and host a couple of times a week divers tribes who adopted Catholicism during the French colony. A few minutes from there, also exist a very beautiful edifice: the seminary.
45 minutes flight from Ho Chi Minh City, Dalat is a perfect stopover on the way to central highlands. Surrounded by lake and a golf course, Dalat Palace offers 43 rooms designed in colonial style with all amenities and services of a 5-star hotel in an elegant and refined atmosphere. Dalat Palace restaurant – Le Rabelais serves fine French cuisine and a wide range of wine. The hotel's bar called Larry's Bar also has a particular design. In addition, for wine connoisseurs, L'Escoffier, Wine workshop suggests a very well chosen range of wine from all around the world.
More details on: www.dalatpalace.vn
Promotion at victoria Phan Thiet from October 5th to October 31th 2011
Victoria Hotel in Phan Thiet offers special deal from single room to full board package with spa included. Contact us for more information.
Victoria Sapa and Can Tho under renovation
Victoria in Sapa undergoes renovation from May 20th to October 17th 2011 between 10am and 5pm. First and second Floor rooms of Victoria Can Tho will also be refitted from June 5th to August 5th 2011.
Lao Cai chosen by Lonely Planet
The famous travel guide just chose Lao Cai province among the 10 best places in the world for trekking
New recommended hotels in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia
While Pristine Lotus Spa has changed its management in Inle, Kidara Hotel in Luang Prabang will open from june. In Cambodia, Landscape hotel has just been renovated and now fulfill Phoenix Voyages' standards. Those 3 hotels are now recommended hotel by Phoenix Voyages
Hotels in Myanmar closing for renovation
Hill Top Villa Resort in Kalaw is closing its doors to the public from 1st June to 31st July 2011 for the major renovations. It will be reopened on 1st August 2011 . Kandawgyi Palace Hotel is closing its doors to the public from 1st June to 16th August 2011, during this period the hotel is going to undergo major renovation. Tharabar hotel will carry out minor renovations on the hotel compound but will not close.
