Typhoon Ketsana attained Category 2 level yesterday (Tuesday) before reaching the Vietnamese coast near Quang Nai. After landfall, the storm weakened rapidly and although it claimed 38 lives unfortunately, its passage was less destructive than what we have seen in the Philippines. Rains have stopped and this morning, the sun even broke through in Hoi An!

The streets close to the river in Hoi An town are flooded but water levels are receding. Visits are currently impossible. The affected streets are Bach Dang, Tran Phu, Le Loi, Nguyen Thai Hoc. The access road to Hoi An from Cua Beach is also underwater. The other access road to Hoi An via Tra Que village and the main coastal road from Danang remain open.

Hue and Danang airports have re-opened since this morning.

The damage assesment and clean-up is in full swing now and below is a list of facts as per Wednesday afternoon (Vietnam time).

The situation evolves by the hour and we will post updates on our website from tomorrow onwards. Please check http://traveltrade.exotissimo.com/ for the latest updates.

1. Open hotels

Danang & Hoi An:

- Furama Resort

- The Nam Hai

- Sandy Beach Resort

- Palm Garden Resort

- Hoi An Hotel

- Hoi An Beach Resort

Hue:

- La Residence

- Pilgrimage Village

- Huong Giang

- Century

- Saigon Morin

Some smaller hotels in the low-lying center such as Asia Hotel, Camelia and Queen have flooded access but remain open.

2. Inaccessible/damaged/closed hotels

Danang & Hoi An:

- Golden Sand: road access is blocked and clients have to walk 1 km to the main road for pick up. Hotel will be closed until 7 Oct 09.

- Victoria Hotel: road access is blocked, closed for 1 week to repair damage. Opens on 7 October 09.
- Life Resort: hotel’s ground floor is underwater with substantial damage. Closed until 14 Oct 09.

- Hoi An Riverside: hotel’s ground floor is underwater with road access blocked as well.

- Pacific, Ancient House and Lotus: inaccessible due to flooded roads.

3. Roads

- The main coastal road between Hoi An and Danang is partially covered with sand but remains passable.

- Access to Victoria and Golden Sand: full of sand, needs to be cleaned up. Guests must walk to main road.

- The National Road No. 1 between Hue and Danang is cut off and not passable at the moment.

4. Trains

No departures/arrivals from/to Danang and Hue. Just from Quang Ngai in the south and Quang Binh in the north.

5 . Restaurants

Hoi An:

- Brother’s Cafe, Nam Long, Fullmoon, Cargo Club, Morning Glory, Pho Hoi Garden: flooded and closed.

- Secret Garden, Ngoc Tuyet, Pho Hoi 1: OK, remains open.

Hue:

- Ancient Hue, Tropical garden, Royal Park: not accessible

- La Thong, Biet Phu Thao Nhi: OK

6. Sightseeing

- Hoi An & My  Son: No sightseeing possible until water recedes. We expect things to be OK by Thursday afternoon although clean-up in town will still be going on.

- Hue: Thien Mu Pagoda, Minh Mang Tomb, Citadel: not accessible right now due to flooded access. OK by tomorrow.

- Tu Duc, Khai Dinh tombs: OK

- Cham Museum Danang, Marble Mountains: OK

- Boat trips in Hue and Hoi An: impossible

WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW?

- We do not see any reason to postpone or bypass a trip to Hoi An and central Vietnam after today.

- Sightseeing: all itineraries and meals will be re-arranged as best as possible by us in agreement with our clients.

- Existing and coming bookings: all current clients and clients arriving in the next week booked in hotels touched by the storm will be moved to the best possible alternative hotel of the same standard (in case the original hotel does not operate properly).

We will do all our best to fix any issue and to minimize any inconveniences for your and our clients.

Please contact your usual Exotissimo contact for any question and more details about a service/supplier not mentioned above.

The heart of tropical storm Ketsana reached the central vietnamese coast on Tuesday 29 Sep evening 200 kms south of Danang near Quang Ngai. The affected areas are mainly Danang and Hoi An.

Rains have been very heavy in the last 2 days and some streets in downtown Hoi An are flooded and it is now impossible to move around as car transfers are interrupted due to downed power lines. Some clients in hotels close to the beach have been moved to hotels further inland in Hoi An or to Danang. The rest of clients remain in their hotels in protected areas in the main building. The Victoria Hotel Hoi An has already announced a closure of 1 week since Tuesday.

We have been in touch with all clients in the last 36 hours to keep them informed about the situation and have moved some clients out in the last 48 hours by plane when possible and else by train. The airport in Danang closed on Monday mid-morning and Hue Monday afternoon and today Tuesday both airports are closed. We do not expect them to reopen before Wednesday 30 Sep 09 afternoon, but could be Thursday morning 1st October.

All passengers are safe and are now advised to stay in their hotels until the storm has passed. We expect the worst of the storm to be over soon.

Once the storm has passed we will continue to work on program changes individually with each client in order to re-arrange itineraries and minimise inconveniences.

For any questions please contact your usual Exotissimo operator at any time.

In case you cannot contact us by mail or office phone please see below our usual 24hrs contact details:

Main Emergency contact (24 hrs)
Mr. Long (English and French): +84 (0) 9 1380 1350
When in Vietnam dial: 09 1380 1350

Additional Emergency contacts (24 hrs)
German: Mr. Dominik Schaufler : +84 (0) 9 0999 2797
When in Vietnam dial: 09 0999 2797
Spanish: Ms. Saskia Butin : +84 (0) 9 3857 9734
When in Vietnam dial: 09 3857 9734
North Vietnam (French/English): Mrs. Thuy : +84 (0) 9 1323 7135
When in Vietnam dial: 09 1323 7135
Central Vietnam (English) : Mr Quang : +84 (0) 9 0544 3009
When in Vietnam dial : 09 0544 3009

OFFICES
- Ho Chi Minh City Office
9 Dinh Tien Hoang, District 1
TEL: +84 (0) 8 3825 1723 | FAX: +84 (0) 8 3829 5800

- Hanoi Office
26 Tran Nhat Duat
TEL: +84 (0) 4 3828 2150 | FAX: +84 (0) 4 3828 2146

- Danang Office (Central Vietnam incl. Hue and Hoi An)
206 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Danang
TEL: +84 (0) 511 3647 755 | FAX +84 (0) 511 3647 744

Isaan Insight is a new 9-day cultural program that offers rewarding insights into Thailand%u2019s northeastern provinces, a region least known to foreigners. This program includes visits to Khmer-style temples, Mekong River, pre-historic sites and villages with Vietnamese and Lao influences. This itinerary also features stays at unique properties, including Phunacome Resort in Loei which is part of the Isan Boutique Collection. For clients desiring a lavish stay, Sedhapura makes a fabulous alternative in Ubon Ratchatani.

Click here to view the details of Isaan Insight tour.

Exotissimo’s Wonders of Vietnam tour, which was designed especially for Saga Holidays UK, has been named 2009 Top Tour Award in recognition of our excellence of service as a supplier. Based on Saga customers’ responses to surveys, this award is given to companies which garner consistently high standards of client satisfaction.

Combining relaxed sightseeing and visits to charity projects, Exotissimo’s new 6-day Cambodia tour is suitable for travelers looking to make a positive difference while on holiday in Southeast Asia. This program features visits to the Angkor temples in Siem Reap, a special circus performance by a children’s charity and a bamboo train ride in Battambang. Opportunities to support charity causes are incorporated into the tour, such as dining at charity-run restaurants and shopping for handicrafts made by locals employed under fair terms.

An optional extension to the coastal town of Kep can be added to this program. For tour details and pricing information, read here or contact cambodia@exotissimo.com.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Leon van Neer as the General Manager of Exotissimo Myanmar. A Dutch national, Leon joins us with more than 15 years of experience in the travel industry, having conducted tours to many parts of the world and provided tourism consultancy, training and marketing services in various countries. In his new appointment, Leon will be responsible for the strategic development of Exotissimo Myanmar as well as overseeing all operational facets. He can be contacted at leon@exotissimo.com.

As part of our commitment to staff development, Exotissimo has embarked on a series of training programs across all our regional offices. Completed in Vietnam and Laos, we are continuing our training over the next month in Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand. The goals are to foster team unity, management training and improve service and communication skills. Our training program is held annually which is then followed up by monthly sessions. The training is conducted by Embers Asia, one of the region’s top facilitators and is part of the Apple Tree Group.

The two new wooden riverboats, Satra and Dara, are available for day trips and charters from Phnom Penh. The Satra can host 10 passengers on day trips and 2 guests on overnight trips, whereas the larger Dara is suitable for 20 passengers on day trips and 7 overnight guests. Both boats are equipped with elegant cabins with ensuite bathrooms and spacious living space.

Day trips will take guests to unexplored places along the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers such as Koh Chen, an island where silverware is produced, the beaches of Preak Bang Kang and several floating villages. These boats can be chartered for trips anywhere along the rivers, making them a private and tranquil way to explore Cambodia’s rivers.

Contact cambodia@exotissimo.com for more information.

The new Montgomery Links 18-hole golf course debuted in Danang in July. Located 20 minutes from the airport, the course is designed to challenge golfers of all levels and will be an excellent inclusion in any golf tour of Vietnam or as an excursion from Hue or Hoi An.

To view a sample of Exotissimo’s golfing itineraries, click here.

Newly opened beside the Chao Phraya River, Chatrium Suites offers 396 spacious rooms with easy access to the city center, expressways and airport. It is currently featuring great value soft opening prices that make this new property one of the best deals for Bangkok’s riverside hotels.

Contact thailand@exotissimo.com for booking details.