Vietnam Airlines has increased the number of flights on several international routes. The airline added an extra flight per week to Paris and Frankfurt and launched direct flights to Copenhagen for Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Hanoi. For Asian routes, the flight frequency from HCMC to Bangkok has doubled to a total of 14 flights per week. From this November, AirAsia is introducing direct daily flights from Phuket to HCMC.
Belonging to renowned Vietnamese painter Thanh Chuong, Thanh Chuong Palace is an elegant antique house showcasing a valuable collection of Vietnamese artifacts. Situated in the countryside, it makes a great half-day excursion from Hanoi or as a stop on the way to Noi Bai Airport or on the return from Halong Bay. It is suitable for groups as well as FITs with an interest in Vietnamese culture. Lunch and water puppet performances are available upon request. For more information, email vietnam@exotissimo.com.
Our Vietnam Seat-in-Coach (SIC) tours are now available at an unbeatable price of 599 USD per person, including domestic flights, first class accommodation and tours, while the superior option is offered at 834 USD with the same inclusions. Departing every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from October 2009 – April 2010, this 9 Days / 8 Nights package visits Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. Optional extensions to Angkor Wat or beach breaks are available on a non-SIC basis. Click here to view the full itinerary and rates. For booking inquiry, contact vietnam@exotissimo.com.
The fabulous seascapes of Halong Bay and Nha Trang can now be enjoyed from a flying boat, the newest kind of sightseeing service in Vietnam. These inflatable hovercrafts can carry over 400kg each while cruising at an average speed of 70km per hour. Seating a pilot and a passenger, this service is currently only available for FITs. For clients looking for a touch of adventure in their Halong tours, this option can be incorporated into our Halong and Hanoi Discover Tour. Contact vietnam@exotissimo.com for more information.
The center of the tropical storm Parma is reaching Vietnam’s northern coast today around 7pm after ravaging the Philippines for one whole week. The storm is much weaker than the Category 2 typhoon Ketsana which affected central Vietnam two weeks ago.
At the moment the main affected area is Halong Bay as all boats are forbidden to leave port and all cruises were cancelled for yesterday (Tuesday), 13 October and today (Wednesday), 14 October and most probably also tomorrow.
Since yesterday, we have been talking to all our clients booked on cruises and we have informed them about the situation. We then proposed alternative programs and re-arranged all bookings. Options varied from day trips to Hoa Lu, additional sightseeing in Hanoi, cooking classes to overnight excursions to Mai Chau to the west of Hanoi.
If you have clients affected by these changes, you would have heard from our Travel Consultants about what has been done. The changes are done with minimal inconvenience for your clients and without them having to spend any extra money. In cases in which the changes result in a lower total pricing, we will inform you first to seek your opinion on how you want to handle things.
WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW?
- The storm will be moving inland from Halong to Hanoi and will weaken considerably once it touches land this evening. As of 2pm (Vietnam time) today, it did not even rain in Hanoi.
- Visits in and around Hanoi for today and tomorrow will be affected by the wind and rain. We will plan all visits as well as possible.
- We do not see any reason to postpone or bypass a trip to Hanoi and do not expect any hotel closures unlike during the Ketsana storm.
Following extensive renovations and restoration works, the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi recently under a new name, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. The renamed property boasts 73 rooms and 6 suites, as well as improved facilities such as restaurants and business amenities.
The Accor group is developing new Mercure properties in Vietnam. Scheduled for opening in the third quarter of 2009, the 102-room Mercure Hanoi La Gare is situated on Ly Thuong Kiet Street, a short distance from Hanoi’s business district and the Hanoi Train Station. Another hotel opening this fall is the Mercure Hue Gerbera, a 110-room property beside the Perfume River in Hue. The 380-room Mercure Hanoi Hado, meanwhile, will open in Hanoi in 2010. Exotissimo expects these Mercure properties to be suitable for both leisure and business travelers.
The newly opened Hanoi Cooking Centre (HCC) is the city’s first professional culinary school. It was established by veteran chef Tracey Lister, co-author of KOTO – A Culinary Journey Through Vietnam, and her business partner. HCC offers the following: Vietnamese and International Cooking Classes, Street Eats and Market Tours, Corporate Team Building Classes and Cooking for Kids.
From 28 March 2009, Shanghai Airlines will be the first carrier to operate direct flights between Hanoi and Shanghai. Using Boeing 727-800 planes, the airline will fly from Hanoi to Shanghai on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and from Shanghai to Hanoi on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Housed in an art deco French villa in the city center of Hanoi, the new La Badiane is sure to delight. Owned and managed by the famed chef Benjamin Rascalou, the tantalizing cuisine is ‘international’ with a French and Vietnamese touch. La Badiane seats up to 75 people and is highly recommended for individuals, small groups or for special events.
Situated in a convenient location near Danang’s town center, the Blue Whale Restaurant presents a new alternative dining choice in this coastal city. Specializing in seafood, the beachfront restaurant offers a pleasant dining experience with sweeping sea views and elegant décor. Individuals or large groups can be accommodated in the restaurant’s various dining areas.
Since 31 January 2009, Restaurant Bobby Chin in Hanoi has been closed for relocation after 8 years at its Hoan Kiem lakeside location. The restaurant’s new location and opening date have yet to be confirmed.
