Hotel news

Souvannaphoum room Souvannaphoum pool

In February, after several delays due to construction, the Maison Souvannaphoum Colours of Angsana in Luang Prabang opened its accommodations for guests, including three deluxe suites and guest room which offer daily champagne breakfast and afternoon tea, contemporary interior designs, air conditioning and en suite bathrooms. A new building houses the garden and veranda rooms, which come with private verandas and modern amenities. The hotel also offers relaxing body treatments, massages and facials at the Angsana Spa, the Angsana Gallery, and international cuisine at the Elephant Blanc Restaurant.

Mekong sunset

In mid-January, the Vietnam Economic Cooperation Company opened the Me Kong Hotel in Khammoun Province. The hotel, located on the banks of the Mekong River, features 62 standard rooms with basic accommodations and modern amenities. It is expected to draw tourists on their way to central Vietnam or Laos.

Tourism notes

In late 2004, China’s National Tourism Administration established Laos with Approved Destination Status, which now allows Chinese nationals to travel to Laos. Laos joins over 50 other countries that have been given this distinction.

After 2^nd December, nationals from Laos and Thailand travelling between the two countries and staying for less than one month will not need to apply for a visa. Those staying for more than one month are required to apply for a visa.

Vientiane

Lao and Vietnamese companies have invested in a new bus route that connects Vientiane and Hanoi. The 800 kilometre service, which runs three times a week, takes approximately 26 hours and includes a meal, a night’s stay at a hotel and free bottled water.

Nam Ngum Rafting Adventure

Exotissimo Laos’s four-day rafting adventure through the waterways of Nam Ngum begins at the Saysomboun Special Zone, one of the most restricted areas of Laos. Rafters are first presented with a safety demonstration and technical instructions before tackling four large rapids that range from class 3 to 4 on the first day of the rafting adventure down 14 kilometres of the Nam Ngum River.

Nights are spent relaxing at comfortable and basic forest camps while the days are for navigating exciting rapids, including the ‘Pinball Rapids,’ through dramatic scenery and trekking through the Phou Khao Khouay National Biodiversity Conservation Area. For more information, please contact laos@exotissimo.com or adventure@exotissimo.com.