August 24th, 2010
New Department Manager in Vietnam
Vietnam welcomes Mr. Christian Byczek as the new German Department Manager who takes over from Dominik Schaufler who will be heading to Exotissimo Bangkok to take on a new role. Christian has spent 3 years in Vietnam working in the tourism industry as well as traveling extensively and mastering the Vietnamese language. A keen amateur photographer, surfer and with a background in Southeast Asian Studies, Christian knows the in and outs of the country extremely well.
This hidden gem is a small island located off Vietnam’s southern coast. Pristine marine life surrounds Con Dao and there is no hustle and bustle here except the fisherman’s market first thing in the morning. This island paradise is a short flight from Ho Chi Minh City and at present the accommodation offered on the island is First Class (3-star). The end of 2010 should see the opening of the luxurious Six Senses Hideaway Con Dao which is sure to put a spotlight on this ideal holiday destination
After identifying the Ha Long Bay fishing villages as a key area for a charity project Exotissimo Travel got together with an overseas agent who had an interested and committed client who donated the money to make it happen. The long term aim and focus was to reduce the pollution on the bay through education and greater understanding of the local environment and there is no better way to do this than building a floating library for the local children. This also provided a great opportunity through better learning for the children to escape poverty. 12,000USD was raised with all the funds going towards the project. As well as the floating library an indoor games rooms was built as well as new bathrooms and a fresh coat of paint for the village’s floating school.
Discover the historic monuments and architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site that straddles the Perfume River in Central Vietnam. On this tour travelers will cycle through the backstreets of Hue and explore the rich traditions and culture of this region. Meet friendly locals, have lunch with a Vietnamese family in the ancient village of Phuoc Tich in a 200 year old house. Note that the route takes place over flat terrain and is not too strenuous and can be enjoyed by those of all fitness levels. 
This 4-day Vietnam tour delves deeper into the captivating mountains of Vietnam exploring Hagiang, one of Vietnam’s least discovered and most picturesque provinces. Rice terraces, lush valleys, crystal clear mountain streams, friendly locals and a vibrant hill tribe culture make this an exciting region to discover. This four day trip will take you to the lovely Pan Hou Lodge in the district of Hoang Su Phi, from here take a overnight trek to a Red Dao hill tribe village where the night will be spent in a traditional stilt house with a family. The trekking will require a medium level of fitness though the experience is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on this captivating part of Vietnam. 
The rural villages around Vietnam’s capital Hanoi offer a glimpse into country life largely untouched by commercial development. Our new half day tour takes you to an area which is cradled in the Red River Delta – here visit an ancient temple with superb architecture, a country style market where an abundance of produce can be seen and meet a local family in their 150-year old home for lunch. 
One of the most hotly anticipated hotel openings of the year debuted last month with The Starwood Hotels and Resort group opening their 3rd property under the luxury Sheraton brand in Vietnam. The first international upscale hotel chain to open on the beach features six food-and-beverage outlets, nine multi-purpose function rooms, a full-service spa, an infinity-edge swimming pool overlooking the sea and stunning ocean views from all 284 rooms.
Exo’s popular join-in tour extended until April 2011
