Exotissimo News Blog

The Hoa Tuc Restaurant is a charming new venue for Vietnamese dining in Saigon. Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, it is opposite the Park Hyatt and a two-minute walk from the historic Opera House. Housed in the back courtyard of a former Opium Refinery, Hoa Tuc means “opium flower” in Vietnamese. The hues of green and purple lend an elegant ambience to the chic interiors, making it a popular dining choice among FITs.

Vietnam introduces visa exemptions for Russians visiting the country for less then 15 days, irrespective of purpose of the visit. This decision is expected to further boost tourist arrivals from Russia, which is a strong potential market for Vietnam’s hospitality sector. Vietnamese beach destinations, such as Phan Thiet, Nha Trang and Danang, are hotspots for Russian tourists. This visa exemption will be applicable from 1 January 2009.

Since 5 October 2008, Vietnam’s Post and Telecommunication Group has added prefix numbers to all fixed line telephones nation-wide in a bid to meet increasing demand. For our offices, the number 3 must be added after the local code and before the telephone number. Our numbers are now:

* Exotissimo Travel HCMC: +84() 8 825 1723 → +84() 8 3825 1723
* Exotissimo Travel Hanoi: +84() 4 828 2150 → +84() 4 3828 2150

This rule is applied for all cities and provinces in Vietnam except Da Nang (0511), Dong Nai (061), Hai Duong (0320), Hai Phong (0313), Kien Giang (077), Nam Dinh (0350), Nghe An (038) and Thanh Hoa (037). Please note that the prefix number will vary depending on the telecommunication provider, so please check with individual contacts for their new prefix.

On 26 October 2008, Siem Reap Airways started daily flight services to Saigon. The new Saigon – Siem Reap - Saigon route serves the growing flight demand between the major tourist and commercial centres in Cambodia.

The outstanding Mandarin Restaurant is set to spread its charm to Hanoi when it opens its new branch this month. In Ho Chi Minh City, the Mandarin Restaurant has been a regular haunt for both foreign dignitaries and food connoisseurs for more than a decade. Award-winning specialties include steamed rice in lotus leaf and steamed duck with rice pancakes. With the opening of Mandarin Restaurant, we are delighted that there is now one more choice to sample authentic upscale Vietnamese dining in Hanoi.

The new Flower Garden Hotel is opening in Hanoi next month. Located in the heart of downtown Hanoi, tourist attractions such as the Old Quarters, Sword Lake, West Lake and the Red River are all within walking distances. The 83 rooms of this first class property are fitted with modern amenities and the large windows give a bright and spacious feel to the interiors. Guests can head to the restaurant situated on the 12th floor for Western and Intercontinental specialties.

The L’Anmien Mui Ne Resort & Spa is the latest addition to Phan Thiet which lies four hours north of Ho Chi Minh City. Due to open in October, this five-star resort delights guests with its contemporary décor, lush tropical gardens and freshwater lagoon. Each of the 20 villas features private pool and outdoor shower while the remaining 69 rooms are decorated in a blend of modern and traditional Vietnamese flavours. The supreme luxury and beautiful surroundings of L’Anmien will make a relaxing getaway.

Luxury river cruises are a novel way to explore the mighty Mekong River. Sailing to untouched parts of the river, these deluxe boats allow passengers to observe the local ways of life while relaxing in the comfort of a floating boutique hotel. Here are some luxury boats that ply the waters in Mekong Delta.

The Mekong Pandaw and Tonle Pandaw are long-time favourites that sail the Mekong River between Saigon and Siem Reap. Built and designed as replicas of colonial river steamers, both boutique ships are serviced by crews of mixed Asian nationalities. The ships also feature spacious cabins, wide promenade decks for relaxation and excellent dining and drinking options onboard. Combining luxury and comfort, both Pandaws offer unique opportunities to explore the tapestry of life and fascinating sites along the Mekong. Daily shore excursions are conducted by expert local guides.

Meanwhile, the Bassac II will expand its cruise service to Phnom Penh along Mekong River this October. For upstream trips to Phnom Penh, passenger can board the boat at Cai Be (three nights) or along the way in Can Tho (two nights). Similarly, the downstream journey starts from Phnom Penh and reaches Can Tho (two nights) and Cai Be (three nights). The Bassac II is entirely made of go sao, a rare quality Vietnamese wood. It can accommodate up to 24 passengers within the 12 cabins fitted with air-con and en-suite bathrooms. The ship also features a restaurant, a bar and a wide upper deck that is suitable for dinners and parties. The Bassac II boasts of modern amenities and comes equipped with the necessary safety features.

Come end July 2009, the Jayavarman is scheduled to embark on its maiden voyage on the Mekong. Operated by the Heritage Line Cruise Company, the Jayavarman is a 60-m deluxe river boat that is built to the elegant fusion of French colonial and Indochine designs. The spacious boat consists of 27 cabins and 800m² of social space. Calling on various ports along the Mekong from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, the Jayavarman has various river itineraries ranging from one to seven nights.

Tet, or the Vietnamese New Year, is the most important and popular holiday in Vietnam. For 2009, Tet will fall on 26 January. It usually lasts for three days and is marked by huge celebrations throughout the country. Tet is traditionally a time for family reunions and pilgrims, so many Vietnamese will take the opportunity to return to their hometowns to celebrate the occasion with their families. Most shops and businesses close for at least a day during this festive period. From our past experiences, securing bookings is more difficult during this period and a premium applies. We would like to remind all agents to confirm bookings for this period as soon as possible.

Recently opened for operations, the new boutique hotel Lavender Hotel is a gem of a place. Located right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, the Lavender is highly recommended for travellers who want a comfortable stay without missing out on the sightseeing, shopping and bustling life of the city. Offering 71 rooms stylishly decorated in hues of purple, there is also a Saigon View Restaurant & Bar that serves Western and Asian cuisine amidst an elegant ambience. The Lavender is also an ideal spot to explore the historical Ben Thanh market just a stone’s throw away.

The latest edition to Hanoi’s growing boutique hotel scene, the 42-room Serenade Hotel is set to enchant. Centrally located in Hang Dao Street, the most established and bustling business center in the Old Quarter area, the Serenade is comprised of 42 rooms luxuriously designed and fitted with modern amenities. You can look forward to savoring the different gastronomic styles of Vietnam in the Romance Restaurant or enjoy an overview of the city from Panorama Cafe. Its convenient location also makes it a perfect base to explore the neighboring Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Thang Long Puppet Theatre, a distinctive Vietnamese art form.