According to the Government Statistical Office, international tourist arrivals to Vietnam in 2007 marked a 23.4% increase over the same period last year. This growth could be due to Vietnam’s entry into WTO as well as successful organization of APEC 2006.

As per Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, during the period of January-June, the majority of visitors came from South Korea and China; and they are targeting more countries for new markets. Similarly, domestic tourist arrivals would also rise due to the growing ease of travel within the country as well as rising disposable incomes. By 2010, foreign tourists arrivals in Vietnam are expected to 5.5-6 million thereby generating a revenue of US$4-US$4.5 billion.

Since the emerging trends in the Vietnam tourism sector, future Outlook and Key driving forces, Vietnam has emerged as a fascinating tourists destination.

Hikers now have more oppotunities to explore the beautiful mountains in Myanmar. Set on the slope of Mount Popa Mountain in Bagan, the Popa Mountain Resort features bungalow style accommodation which is designed to blend perfectly with its surroundings. In addition, using biodegradable products and adopting their own recycling practices to avoid environmental damage, the Popa Mountain Resort helps you get back to nature, simply.

Cambodia is a relatively small country situated in the heart of Southeast Asia. Angkor Wat and the Killing Fields are usually linked to Cambodia. What most people know about Cambodia comes from the guidebooks, the news or the Internet. What people don’t know is that there is a complete different culture to explore beyond the temples of Angkor and Phnom Penh.

Cambodian people are a people of friendliness and warmth and will always welcome you with a broad smile. They will ask you questions that you thought you would never encounter. Very few tourists actually get to know the real Cambodians and their tenderness. In the tourist overridden centers of Siem Reap (Angkor) and Phnom Penh you will have a very different perception of the country then you would come across in the rest of Cambodia. In between the two cities simply lies a different world.

The flat landscape, limited traffic on the roads and beautiful back roads that lead through paddy fields, small villages and to hidden temples all are a magnificent experience. Just imagine that you are cycling over a small dirt track with on your left hand side the cool breeze coming from the Gulf of Thailand. You can see the blue water through the palm trees while on the other side you look over endless paddy fields. A small group of young children awaits you curiously a couple of meters ahead and smile and wave to you while saying “Hello Mr.” you pass an ox cart with on top an amount of load you have never seen before. Amazed and amused at the same time you look over your shoulder and you only see a few teeth smiling at you from under the rice hat the driver is wearing.

Your next stop is a Pagoda, where monks are eager to meet you and strike up a conversation to practice their English. They will ask you what you think of their country and explain you about their lives in a monastery. In the meantime you enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the religious structures around you. After a while we continue over small roads and through green fields before we finally arrive at the white sand beaches where you take a dip in the empty sea and late afternoon sunlight.

You have not seen a single tourist, you have met countless local smiles, seen everything other tourists will never see and stored memories that will never leave your mind. When you leave Cambodia, you are simply captivated and determined to experience this all, not one, but many more times.

Cycling through Cambodia simply captivates and on top of that all you challenge yourself to do something you’ll be proud of once you tell the story back home!

Exotissimo has been operating cycling tours through Cambodia for nearly 4 years and uses professional equipment and staff for each cycling tour. Our guides are members of the National Cambodian Cycling Team and all speak English. No matter which path you decide to follow, Exotissimo and its guides will look after you!

The Lady Hau Boat of the Victoria Can Tho Resort will undergo maintenance from 1st to 10th September 2007. It will expand capacity for on-board breakfast service after this period. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause but strongly believe that the Lady Hau will be back and better than ever.

The Bagan Hotel River View – Old Bagan has completed renovations and now offers 44 junior suites and 8 suites with upgraded amenities. The Ancient Pagoda Restaurant is now open and available for private dining (150 pax) and theme parties for up to 250 pax. The restaurant serves a wide variety of international cuisine including: German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Thai and traditional Myanmar cuisine. Cultural shows highlighting ancient Bagan are also included with the meal, making it a fine option for leisure groups visiting this storied area.

The Ock Pop Tok Textile gallery brings people together through the appreciation of Lao textiles. They gallery offers visitors many fun learning activities including: Weaving classes, cultural exhibitions, lectures and workshops. There are also tours to explore subjects like: “What to look for in a textile?,” “What is a Naga?,” “Discover Lao Textiles,” “Explore Lao Cuisine,” “Meet the Weavers and Silkworms,” “Enjoy Cocktails at Sunset,” and “the Fibre2Fabric Gallery (cultural exhibition and clothing from 12 ethnic groups).”

In Ban Vat Nong, the gallery is part shop and part museum. Their staff are trained to inform visitors about weaving techniques, ethnic groups, motifs and designs. The weaving centre, in Ban Silom, is set in a beautiful garden on the Mekong. Their facilities include a weaving workshop, a dyeing area, a permanent weaving exhibition and a café.

Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently revamped the e-visa application form. The ministry now promises a smooth process online and promises that Cambodian Embassies will no longer need to be visited.

The on-line form costs 20 USD plus a 5 USD processing charge. These fees must be paid using a credit card, and the e-visa will be approved within three business days. The site is available in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Hungarian, Bahasa Indonesian, Vietnamese, Swedish and Portuguese.

It’s important to note that e-visas can only be used at valid entry points to Cambodia. There are currently five: by air at Phnom Penh International Airport and Siem Reap International Airport; by land at Bavet (Svay Rieng-Moc Bai (Tay Ninh) for Cambodia-Vietnam and Cham Yeam (Koh Kong)-Hat Leuk (Trat) and Poi Pet (Banteay Meanchey)-Klo Leuk (Sakaew) for Cambodia-Thailand.

Bangkok Airways will reintroduce its Bangkok-Krabi route on 29th October 2007 after a two-year break. With six flights a week and using a 180-seat Airbus 320 to Krabi, the airline will also introduce a 70-seat twin turbo-prop ATR 72 for this route. “Demand in Krabi is stronger and the destination still needs more seat capacity”, says an airline spokesperson.

Bordered by the golden sands and gentle waves of the Andaman Sea, Thailand, the Banyan Tree Phuket deserves its title as one of the “World’s Best Places To Stay”. The Banyan Tree Phuket is truly an oasis of peace and tranquility. Take a deep breath, leave everything behind you, and spend some time with its heavenly facilities. This “Land of Smiles” property is sure to exceed your expectations.

Little-known Nan is one of the four northeasternmost provinces of the North and probably the most remote, hence the best preserved. The region’s wealth in terms of architecture (Thai Lu temples), history (former Lanna principality), nature (National Parks), culture (unique hill tribes including the mysterious “spirits of the yellow leaves”) and adventure activities (trekking and white water rafting), makes Nan one of the most interesting provinces to visit. Nan can be included in northern itineraries from Bangkok or combined with Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

Contact us at Thailand@exotissimo.com for a tailored made package including the Nan Region.