The US well-known street fashion, Free People, has chosen Vietnam as its destination to take “look book” photographs for its March publication.
On its website, Free People described Vietnam as an interesting nation – a mix of bustling and modern cities and peaceful villages.
Free People’s photographers experienced life during their long journey from Hanoi to Ha Long, Sapa and Hoi An.
Ha Long Bay, with its unique beauty of caves, stone islands and particularly attractive landscape and pleasant atmosphere, was the second destination where they took pictures of Vong Vieng fishing village and floating market from another angle of vision.

The Burmese government is preparing to navigate its greatest economic reform yet—reunifying the kyat and abolishing years of absurd official valuation of the currency, in a move earlier described by  Naypyidaw’s chief economic adviser U Myint as “essential.”

It is understood that the kyat will initially be floated at 800 to the US dollar. Reuters news agency reported this week that Central Bank Deputy Governor Maung Maung Win stated in a presentation that preparations for the move would be made “by the end of the month”—the beginning of the next financial year.
This would be followed by a gradual “managed floatation” of the currency over the coming year, claimed the report. This would also include 11 private banks being allowed to trade the kyat with US and Singapore dollars and the Euro, thereby seeking to eliminate black market trading in the currency. The Burmese government has long struggled with a limited ability to control the kyat’s market value.
The rate of the kyat was described as the “mother of all prices” by U Myint in a presentation on last year’s dangerous appreciation which made it the best performing currency in Asia, and therefore caused havoc to local exporters.

The dual currency rate not only made government control of exchange rates difficult, but has also been labeled as the country’s most important mechanism for graft. While accounting is done at the official rate, which has been pegged at roughly six to the dollar for over 30 years, commodities such as natural gas are sold on the international market at the more realistic rate of around 800 to the dollar.

This practice results in only 15 billion of over 2,000 billion kyat of gas revenues per year appearing on the books, and therefore being available for regular expenditure. Economist Sean Turnell believes this led Burma to have an “artificial deficit,” as profits were hidden. Analysts assert that much of the hidden money was spent on military capital expenditure—purchasing expensive hardware from international firms.
The situation was also blamed on the aforementioned currency appreciation, as beneficiaries of the graft—such as the military-controlled Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (UMEHL)—used the money to acquire assets in a government “privatization” drive, and flooded cash back into the country, buying kyat. UMEHL was believed to have acquired the largest share of such assets.
Turnell, whilst welcoming the floating, questioned whether this step would stamp out the culture of dubious accounting. “It is a good move, and consistent with a more rational way of managing the economy,” he said. “The crucial question that extends from it is whether this rate will now apply to all the foreign exchange earnings of state-owned enterprises.
“This later issue is critical to determining Burma’s true budgetary and fiscal situation, and therefore how much of the country’s resources can be devoted to health, education and so on—and how much is allocated to the military.”

However, the practice is also said to be utilized to supplement the tiny wages of ordinary civil servants. The government recently announced a raise in civil servant wages, perhaps in anticipation of the floatation move which could seriously decrease their income.
The government opened official exchange booths in November last year and, as of Feb. 1, allowed undocumented exchanges of kyat up to US $ 10,000.
Attempts at reform have been made in the past with limited success—this includes the introduction of the Foreign Exchange Certificate which was used as a surrogate currency but was closer to market rates.
The ponderance regarding reform of the currency has also, according to some analysts, been an issue of national pride, with senior military figures viewing a strong kyat as important, even if highly unrealistic.
An International Monetary Fund representative noted following a trip to Burma in January that “reforming the complex exchange rate system is a priority to eliminate constraints on economic growth.”
But the body also warned that a “successful exchange rate unification would require improvements in all areas of macroeconomic management.”

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YANGON, March 12 (Xinhua) — Myanmar will open one more border trade point with Thailand, aimed at promoting border trade with the neighboring country in the southeast, a local media reported Monday.
The Mawhtaung border trade point in southern Tanintharyi region will become the fifth with Thailand, according to the Global News.
Myanmar’s border trade with Thailand amounted to 274 million U. S. dollars in fiscal year 2009-10, according to official figures.
Before the opening of the new trade point, Myanmar has a total of 12 border trade points, of which four link with China, four with Thailand, two with India and two with Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, a highway linking Bangkok and Dawei of the Tanintharyi region to promote trade is under implementation and it is targeted to complete within one and a half years.
According to official statistics, Myanmar’s border trade amounted to over 3.046 billion U.S. dollars in fiscal year 2011-12, up about 60 percent from more than 1.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2010-11.
The increase of border trade volume was due to the rise of nearly 1 billion U.S. dollars’ export.
Myanmar’s border trade was dominated by that with China, followed by Thailand, India and Bangladesh.

Is it possible to develop tourism in a sustainable way in Burma, as the country seemingly transitions out of decades of military rule? That is the question on the minds of many, but bringing an inclusive and participatory approach to the military-led reform process in Burma is not easy.

Questions still remain about the sincerity of the government, which has yet to embrace transparency or accountability. Legislative changes that would signal a concrete shift towards democracy are lacking, as is evidence that the country is moving towards a greener, more sustainable economy. In tourism, similar hurdles remain.
One such area of much-needed reform is the Tourism Act of 1990, which includes no mention of responsibility or sustainability. Many of those who benefit from the country’s tourism sector under this act are government cronies and rich businessmen, not the poor and poorest.
An overhaul of the sector is being pushed on a number of fronts, and gained strength in 2011 when the National League for Democracy (NLD) published a paper encouraging tourism and suggesting that the industry can benefit the country without harming the environment. “We believe in tourism that is ethical and environmentally conscious,” the party said.
Conservation of nature is a priority in the paper, as is the creation of an industry that advances local’s livelihoods. Those who implement and participate in this type of tourism adhere to the minimising the impacts on the environment, and fostering environmental and cultural awareness and respect to allow for the creation of positive experiences for both hosts and guests.
Using this model, revenues would be directed towards financial benefits for conservation and empowerment of civilians. Responsible tourism supports international human rights and labour agreements and raises awareness concerning the respective area’s political, environmental and social climate.
A major signal for optimism however occurred this month when the government’s tourism ministry invited an array of stakeholders to Naypyidaw for the first ever Responsible Tourism Conference. Recognising the pending influx of millions of tourists over the coming years as political and economic reforms take root, the conference acknowledged Burma’s failure to formulate a plan that advocates for the creation of a sustainable tourism sector.
Given the massive impact that tourism can have on a country, responsible tourism could become central to developing Burma’s nascent tourism sector, which would feed into wider economic growth. Burmese officials seem to be acutely aware that successful participation from the public and private sector depends on a wide range of critical factors that can be influenced by changes in policy.
This is exemplified by Htay Aung, the tourism minister, who told delegates at the conference that both sectors should embrace responsible tourism. “If you don’t want to change, you cannot succeed,” he said.
Scepticism however remains over how exactly talk of responsible tourism will translate into practice in Burma. Stakeholders have voiced concern that the progressive rhetoric of the government might merely be correctional responses issued to achieve political legitimacy.
There is hope that Burma can avoid the mistakes made by other countries in the region. The Maldives, which enforces restrictive tourism policies, is still one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy is mono-structured and highly dependent on tourism, and while the sector has created many millionaires, the people on the whole have yet to benefit from the influx of tourists. On the contrary, they have become poorer due to inflation and many have migrated to India.
Some cracks are already visible in Burma, such as the spread of sex tourism. These issues need to be addressed before they get out of hand.
In popular tourist areas, inflation, the lack of tourism infrastructure and large-scale development projects rarely benefits all, but rather only enriches a few. The core problem is that tourism policy in Burma has to date not incorporated poverty elimination objectives. Given the massive impact of tourism on the world’s poor, how the sector’s legislative, institutional and policy reforms are made will become increasingly important.
For responsible tourism to flourish in Burma, benchmarks need to be met. Proven schemes should be emulated and a fair law needs to be instituted. Transparency concerning who gets what, and who wields power, will help to ensure the process is fair. If tourism stakeholders continue to engage in meaningful dialogue outside parliament, there will be more opportunities to adapt the country’s tourism sector into one that enhances livelihoods and benefits the poor. The government has an opportunity to show that the people of Burma are at the centre of the development agenda, and not those with privileged access to state resources.

Myanmar has imposed a temporary ban on the demolition of buildings over 50 years old in Yangon, in a push to preserve what historians regard as one of Asia’s most distinctive colonial-era cityscape.

“We want to avoid the mistakes other Asian cities have made,” Soe Thein, Myanmar’s industry minister and chairman of its investment commission, told the Financial Times.

Under the umbrella of the Yangon Heritage Trust, a non-governmental organisation set up by historian Thant Myint-U, architects and historians have begun work with the government on a conservation plan.“We hope this will be good for tourism and also good for the people of Yangon,” said Mr Soe Thein.

A century ago, Yangon was one of Asia’s great trading centres and home to a diverse population. Its colourful history lies at the city’s heart, where ancient Buddhist pagodas sit alongside churches and cathedrals, Sunni and Shia mosques, Hindu and Parsee temples, and even a Jewish synagogue.Yangon is home to hundreds of old Victorian and Edwardian-era buildings, including the former premises of Lloyds and HSBC banks, and the all-teak Pegu Club where Rudyard Kipling once stayed.

The moratorium highlights the sense of urgency in the former capital as it struggles with a surge in tourists and soaring demand for residential and office space. Myanmar is attracting intense interest from foreign investors as it rapidly opens up after decades of military rule and diplomatic isolation.
Source: Gwen Robinson in Yangon – Asia Pacific News

Best Western has signed a new hotel on Vietnam’s stunning southeast coast, Vung Tau.

The deal, signed with local developer Cong Ty Co Phan Du Lich Hoa Anh Dao, will see Best Western take the reigns of the 200-room Oceanami Resort & Luxury Home in Vung Tau. The hotel is scheduled to open its doors in the third quarter of 2013.

“Today, we are proud to announce a new property that we believe will become a landmark in this up-and-coming area of Vietnam,” said Mr Glenn de Souza, Best Western International’s Vice President International Operations – Asia & the Middle East. “In Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, and across the country, hotels are being opened and attractions developed to cater for a new wave of incoming tourists. Vietnam is booming and Best Western International is delighted to be able to work with the country to help it achieve its huge potential.”

Located on the South China Sea coast in southeast Vietnam, Ba Ria-Vung Tau is easily accessible from Ho Chi Minh city. With its white sandy beaches and stunning architecture, it is known as one of Vietnam’s most beautiful provinces and is fast-becoming one of the country’s foremost tourism destinations.
Ba Ria-Vung Tau is also home to a thriving petroleum industry, making new hotel development essential for both business and leisure travelers.

Oceanami Hotel & Resort will be joining the Best Western hotel collection, offering 200 rooms and a range of facilities including a sports centre, tennis court, entertainment centre, swimming pool, restaurant, sea club and healthcare services.

“Last year, Vietnam welcomed more than six million visitor arrivals for the first time in the country’s history. This marks a 180% rise in international visitors since the year 2000, and there is little sign of this momentum slowing. With beautiful provinces like Ba Ria-Vung Tao, a strong industrial economy and a warm and welcoming people, Vietnam’s popularity will surely go from strength to strength. We at Best Western International look forward to being at the forefront of its development,” Mr de Souza added.

After difficult period, cruise tourism gradually stabilizes and promises to grow in 2012. Some cruise firms specializing in exploiting in Asian market reopened liner ships to Vietnam. This year promises to facilitate the development of cruise tourism in Vietnam after underdeveloped time due to poor infrastructure, limitations in branding destination strategy and human resources.

According to Mr.Vu Duy Vu, deputy director of Saigontourist Travel Services Company, a leading cruise tourism company in Vietnam, in 2011, the cruise tourism began to get off the ground by welcoming many international cruise ships to Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Ha Long. In 2011, Saigontourist served more than 115,000 cruise tourists (mostly from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Japan, China,…) from large international cruise firms as Costa Classica, Costa Romantica, SuperStar Virgo, SuperStar Aquarius, Princess Daphne, Amadea, Pacific Venus, Europa, Bremen … By 2012, the cruise tourism would grow better and more stable. It is forecasted in 2012, arrivals by cruise would continue to increase by 10% over 2011. Saigontourist has big contracts lasting 5 months with StarCruises from late 2011 to early this year bringing hundreds of thousands of tourists. Besides, other cruise firms still keep up their itinerary to Vietnam in this year. 

Mr. Phan Xuan Anh – Chairman of Viet Excursions, a travel agent for many foreign cruise firms such as P & O Cruises (UK), AIDACARA Cruises (Germany), Regent Cruises, Seabourn Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Princess Cruises (U.S) … in Vietnam and Cambodia, said: In 2011, cruise tourism saw positive signals. And in 2012, it would really recover and grow, bringing hopes for development in the sector. According to tourism enterprises, seaports in the Central Vietnam such as Hue, Da Nang is strongly attractive to cruise tourists. During voyages from Hong Kong or Singapore to Vietnam, most cruise firms often choose to visit at least one port in the Central Region. 

The most attractive destination is Ha Long, because this place has big advantages as a world natural heritage site. In addition, Ha Long is also the closest place to the North Asian markets such as China, Taiwan, Korea or Japan, so it is possible for Ha Long to get involved in those itineraries. The last 3 months of 2011, Ha Long Bay welcomed more than 51,000 passengers, increasing sharply over the same period in 2010. According to the forecast of Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Ninh, the number of cruise tourists to Ha Long Bay in 2012 would increase by 30% over 2011. 

In HCMC, to facilitate the effective exploitation of cruise tourism as well as river tourism, in 2011, the city established Vietnam Yacht Club in HCMC with 20 members, who are yacht owners, enterprises offering yacht service and related services in HCMC and some others provinces. The club aims to develop specific activities for investment, tourist development to boost river tourism.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism determined to focus on developing maritime tourism, which will be one of five breakthroughs to develop Vietnam maritime economy in the coming years. Mr.Nguyen Van Tuan – General Director of VNAT said that in the near future, sea-island travel will be a top priority. Beach resorts, which have high competitiveness in the region, will be built in the famous beaches and islands such as Ha Long, Cat Ba, Lang Co, Son Tra, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Cam Ranh, Phan Thiet, Mui Ne and Phu Quoc.

HANOI – The Government is considering the advantages and disadvantages of several casino projects proposed for Vietnam, said Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Vu Duc Dam at a press conference on Tuesday.
The Government would poll relevant agencies on legal mechanisms for gambling before making a final decision on implementation, he added.
Dam said, in accordance with piloted projects on Phu Quoc Island in southern Kien Giang Province and northern Quang Ninh Province seeking US$4 billion (S$5 billion) towards a casino, “This is a trend that needs consideration so that it can be managed and operated following market demand.”
He said the Government was actively studying other betting models in countries which already had legal gambling activities.
“The Government’s point of view is that, policies must be suitable to practical rules and market demand, so as not to affect [local] habits, customs, social order and security,” Dam said.
According to the Wall Street Journal, US casino operators view Asia as an important new market as their American operations continue to suffer from the global financial crisis.
Price Waterhouse Coopers expects Asia to represent 43 per cent of the global casino market by 2015, up 14 per cent over 2010.
The online newspaper commented that Viet Nam could be one of several new gambling hubs thanks to its 90-million population and its growing appeal to foreign tourists.
Las Vegas Sands Chief Executive Sheldon Adelson said he was trying to encourage local authorities to allow the company to build integrated casino-and-convention resorts in the country, it wrote.
At an investment promotion conference last month, Quang Ninh Province announced an investment plan focused on a 1,800ha tourism, sport and entertainment complex in its Van Don District, with a US$4 billion casino one of its most important proponents.

An international home décor and gift exhibition, the Lifestyle Vietnam Trade Fair, will be held at the Tan Binh Exhibition and Convention Centre on April 18-21.
Over 1,200 stalls from domestic and foreign businesses will be on display showcasing nine groups of products and services including fine arts and handicrafts, home decoration, wood furniture, household items, embroideries, gift ware, jewelry, fashion and footwear, accessories, and support services.
The fair, organized by the Vietnam Handicraft Exporters Association (Vietcraft), aims to create opportunities for businesses to introduce their products, seek partners and expand their export markets.

Mekong Aviation JSC (Air Mekong) has announced plans to increase its flight offerings to some destinations during the two upcoming national holidays, Hung Kings commemoration (March 31) and May Day. 

Under the plan, routes from Hanoi and HCM City to Phu Quoc, Con Dao and Da Lat will see an additional 50 flights. 

This summer, the carrier also plans to increase flights on the Hanoi – Phu Quoc route to 9-10 each week.

The Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Laos Airlines have agreed to open up a new air route linking the Lao provinces Pakse and Savannakhet with Vietnam ’s central coastal city of Da Nang.
The route will be operated by Laos Airlines from mid-April (during Laos ’s traditional Tet holiday), with three flights per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, using a ATR-72 aircraft.
The passengers being targeted are mostly the Vietnamese community in Savannakhet, tourists and visitors from Vientiane in Laos , Bangkok and the North-East of Thailand.

Aussie holidaymakers  looking for somewhere a bit different for their 2012 holiday should consider Burma, according to bosses at Myanmar Tours.

The Asian country has a range of activities available to tourists and plenty of airlines serve the nation.
More Aussies are finding that Asian destinations are representing value for money, as places such as Vietnam and Thailand are offering them the best exchange rates at the moment.

Indeed, the national currency is the Burmese Kyat and Australian holidaymakers can expect to get around 6.79 MMK for their dollar.
The cheap cost of living in Burma also means that people’s travel credit cards will not take a battering.
Besides, the leaders at Myanmar Tours believe there are so many natural beauty spots to visit in Burma – such as the 2,500 year-old Shwedagon Pagoda, the largest and oldest golden monument on earth – that you will only have to spend a minimal amount of money anyway.

WIANG PHUKA, 5 March 2012:
A remote cave in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s Wiang Phuka district has been opened for tourists.Situated 12 km from Wiang Phuka town, Kao Rao cave was officially opened for tourism, 1 January.

Officials believe it can attract international travellers interested in nature trails, mainly Europeans who stay in the country for two weeks or more.
The cave pioneer, Sriwang Kaewmanee, told TTR Weekly that he found the cave in 2001 and asked the Lao’s government to support efforts to introduce it to tourists.

“I spent considerable cash from my own pocket, but the Lao government supported my efforts with US$100,000 to put in infrastructure and electricity.”Mr Sriwang said around 1,500 international visitors visited the cave since it opened, mainly Germans, Thais and Chinese.
“The cave earns revenue for the district and helps the local economy,” he added.The income from an entrance fees is shared; 20% for Nam Hang villagers as the cave is located in their district; 30% for Wiang Phuka tourism office; and 50% for the Lao government.

A highlight of the cave is a huge stalactite shaped like a bathtub, which villagers believe was once a place where the legendary serpent, Naga, rested and bathed.The Kao Rao Cave opens daily and Mr Sriwang and his team (four people) are on stand-by to welcome visitors daily.

The admission fee for Thais and international visitors is Bt40 or 10,000 kip.Visitors are given flashlights to explore the cave. For safety reasons visitors need to wear strong canvas shoes and clothing suitable for trekking.The cave does not have roped off  paths so visitors have to be cautious and follow the instructions of the guides.

1. Myanmar starts opening to the world. You are free to come and being welcomed!

2. Myanmar is a safe destination
This emerging destination is not only spectacular but it is very safe, very enjoyable !

3. Myanmar is more opening now !
Myanmar has made countless effort to make trips easier for oversea travelers.
Visa process is easier with less time consuming and the tendency of electronic visa enable you to do it in a comfortable way.

4. Flights to Myanmar is no longer a problem !
There are more and more airlines offering direct flights to Myanmar: Vietnam Airlines, Thai Airways, Bangkok, Tiger Air ways, Malaysia Airlines…
Travelers are able to catch the flights to Myanmar from Bangkok, Singapore, Hanoi, Kualar Lumpur, Chiang Mai, Peijing, Siem Reap….

5. Burmese people are incredible friendly and nice.
The slow pace of life and Buddhism- oriented country exposes you the lovely insight of people who treat you beautifully in the country of Golden Pagodas.

6. Visit Burma means you will experience many world records sites:
– Witnessing  the 2500 year-old Shwe Dagon Pagoda, the largest and oldest golden monument on earth
– Beholding  the largest book that man could ever created- Beating the largest ringing bell in the universe
– Visiting the largest man-made stone cave, Narga Cave (Dragon Cave) at Word Peace Pagoda
– Walking on the longest Teak wood bridge
– the Ubein in Mandalay.
– Praying at Largest Reclining Buddha in the World
– Conquering the highest peak in SE Asia, Khakaborazi Peak
– Shopping the unique souvenir and luxury items: beautiful handicrafts and outstanding germs creatures.

 7. Burma offers great explorations to its untouched destinations:
– The lost capital of Mrauk U
– The hidden trails of Loi Kaw
– Pa-O tribes heritage site of Kakku- Colorful life of Golden Triangle
– Emerald water and pristine beach, unspoiled  islands of Mergui archipelago.

8. Myanmar feature stunning destination for river and ocean cruises
Cruise lovers will find Yangon river, Irrawaddy River and Chinwind River Cruises for almost all year round with many options varying from superior to luxury cabins.There are only few countries in Asia that you can enjoy ocean cruises to secluded islands and beaches, Mergui archipelago brings you the real sense of nomadic cruise with lots of extensions and activities.
In the south, you can find more private option to explore Mergui Archipelago with Mergui Cruises or Andaman Resort

9. Myanmar is a destination of various types of holidays
From active adventures in Putao or Kyaing Tong, romantic beach  getaway of Ngapali or Ngwe Saung, Golfing trips in Mandalay, Yangon to cultural visit of Bagan, you are to experience Myanmar in a very very colorful way !

10. Hauntingly awesome sunrise and sunsets that only can be find in Myanmar.
There is no better place that you can capture such a beautiful sunset scene like from a peak of Bagan temple, mountain top of  Mandalay Hill or by the lakeside by Ubein bridge.

The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines on March 5 announced a promotional programme, which offers as much as 50 percent fare discount for domestic and international flights in summer this year. 

The discount price will be applied to tickets sold from M arch 8 – March 19, for flights departing from April 1 until May 31 and from September 5 until October 31 (except on the occasion of the Hung King festival, on April 30 and May 1 when flights will be in great demand). 

During the promotion, customers on domestic flights between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and from these two cities to Da Nang and Hue will be able buy one-way tickets at the price of 777,000 VND (37 USD) each. 

For international flights from Vietnam to 26 destinations in Europe, Asia and Australia, customers will have a chance to buy return tickets priced from 1,025,000 VND (49 USD) to 10,410,000 VND (499 USD), plus taxes and other charges. 

If customers book directly on the national flag carrier’s website, www.vietnamairlines.com tickets will be delivered free of charge.

Cambodia’s beach resorts have been absorbing more and more tourists after it became a member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bay Club.

The remarks were made known here on Feb. 29 by Mr. Kong Sophearak, Director of Tourism Information Department of the Ministry of Tourism.

This year, the number of local tourists is expected to increase to approximately 20 percent and that of foreign tourists to about 15 percent, he said.
Last year, some 1.6 million local and foreign tourists visited the Cambodian beach resorts, he indicated.

According to Mr. Ho Vandy, Co-chairman of Government-Private Sector Tourism Working Group, the number of tourists to the country’s beach resorts will continue to increase due to their potentiality and direct flights between Siem Reap province and Preah Sihanouk coastal province. In the future, there will a tourist port, which will attract more tourists from Vietnam, he added.

Source – akp.gov.kh

Sapa Travel Expert, a local travel agency in northern Vietnam has released tips how to get fun with local people in northern Vietnam:

1.Follow the dining Etiquette while doing homestay
There is no doubt that if you do a real homestay, you will enjoy lots of fun. You are invited to mingle with local to cook, prepare the food and serve yourself. The rule of “bottom-up” is so strict that you have to follow until you are drunk.

2. Joining with local for their farm work
Leading a buffalo to plough the rice field, harvest the green tea or simply using the shovel to lead to water to your field, they are all difficult and offer lots of fun.

3. Playing with children in remote villages
Among all the activities, this could be the best. Your visit will be the highlight of the children. Simple games are really appreciated. Balloon or books are the best to give

4. Bargaining at a hill tribe market
As the local people such as Flower Hmong, Tay, Nung women who are the sellers in many of hill tribes market do not speak English, you are to experience the basic way of sell-buy with finger and signals of notes.

5. Doing Karaoke
The popularity of Karaoke is spreading out among many minorities including Giay and Tay tribes whose cultures are closed to Vietnamese. This activity will bring fun to both you and local people. Enjoy it even you are not a good singer.

6. Learning about Herbal Medicine
The local ethnic minorities in Sapa have a good knowledge of herbs that are able to heal. It is very easy to find some plants that can treat simple sickness such as headache, stomach-ache, flu. It is also very possible to treat liver, lung, heart diseases with some precious herbal. Hence, learning about herbal medicine will be very interesting.

7. Learning abou their odd traditions
The culture shock and culture exchange that you may acknowledge here in Sapa may astonish you very much. Once you know how the local Black Hmong got marriage 20 years ago, how Flower Hmong find themselves independent in the mountains…. Your senses of adventure will expose more and more.

On Mar. 2 Cam Ranh International Airport received four flights from Russia ’s Far East region with almost 790 passengers aboard. 

They will holiday on the coast in Nha Trang in the central province of Khanh Hoa and Phan Thiet in southern Binh Thuan province. 

According to Hoang Thi Phong Thu, President of the Board of Directors of the company Anh Duong, her firm, in cooperation with Turkish partner Pegas Turistik, started to fly in tourists from nine Far East cities to Khanh Hoa and Binh Thuan in late October 2011. 

So far, they have brought 27,000 Russian tourists to Vietnam , much more than the previously anticipated 20,000 for the period October 2011-April 30 this year. 

The organisers have now decided to develop this into an all year round service instead of ceasing on April 30 as originally planned, after the increasing demand from people in Far East Russia who want to visit Vietnam , said Thu. 

They added that from mid-February to date, they have operated 11-12 flights a week, each carrying 180 passengers. Most of the Russian visitors were pleased with their experience and many stayed for 10 days or more, visiting other nearby resorts and popular tourist spots.

Demand for holidays to Burma has risen sharply since the National League for Democracy (NLD), the political party of Aung San Suu Kyi, softened its stance last year against tourism to the country.

Ashley Toft, managing director of Explore, said his company had been “overwhelmed” by inquiries in the past few months, and was adding an extra 70 dates for trips to the country.Gloria Ward of the Ultimate Travel Company said the level of interest in Burma this year had been “phenomenal”.”It used to be a small part of what we did in Asia,” she said.

“Now we have one person who is doing almost nothing other than dealing with inquiries about Burma.”She confirmed that bookings had more than doubled in the past year, a rise she attributed to Ms Suu Kyi’s call for “ethical” tourists to visit. “For a lot of people who were in two minds, that was the deciding factor,” she said

In May last year, the NLD announced it was relaxing its call for a tourism boycott of Burma, a shift in attitude that was first hinted at in August 2009 when Telegraph Travel reported that Ms Suu Kyi had dropped her opposition to tourism.Then Ms Suu Kyi herself said in interviews last year that “individual tourism” would be welcomed, and that visitors could benefit her country if they avoided facilities with close links to the military government.

Since then, several publications, including Telegraph Travel, have tipped Burma as one of the best places to go in 2012.In recent weeks, there have been reports of a shortage of tour guides and hotel rooms in Rangoon (Yangon), where facilities for tourism are still rudimentary.Burma welcomed just over 300,000 overseas visitors last year, including around 5,000 from Britain. By comparison, Thailand received 19 million foreign visitors.

An upsurge of interest from travellers wanting to visit Burma this year, is piling the pressure on tour operators to provide more trips
After a 15-year tourism boycott, Burma is officially back on the world-tourism radar. In fact, the country was named by Wanderlust as one of the hottest destinations for 2012 and won fourth place in ‘Top Country’ in our annual Travel Awards.

However, now travellers are beginning to head back to the country, tour operators are finding it difficult to keep up. Ashley Toft, managing director of tour operator Explore, commented that they have been ‘overwhelmed’ by the demand for their tours of Burma.

In response the company has added an extra 70 departures to their trips to the country to cope with demand.

Lyn Hughes, editor-in-chief of Wanderlust visited the country last year. She added: “I’m not surprised at the massive interest in going to Burma. Previously, many keen travellers, myself included, felt uncomfortable about going, given Suu Kyi’s request for a tourism boycott. This inevitably led to a pent-up desire to visit.
“It’s wonderful that we can now feel free to travel there, and Burma rewards the discerning traveller in spades. However, there is still a limited infrastructure, and it would be terrible if there was a rush to develop the country in an insensitive manner.

“I would strongly advise travellers to go off-season if possible – when they’ll have the accommodation and sights to themselves, and prices are also much lower.”
Facilities for tourism are relatively rudimentary and shortages of guides and hotel rooms in the capital Rangoon have been reported.
Last year the National League for Democracy (NLD), the political party of activist Aung San Suu Kyi, softened its stance on tourism saying it would welcome visitors: “who are keen to promote the welfare of the common people and the conservation of the environment and to acquire an insight into the cultural, political and social life of the country.”

Ms Suu Kyi herself said in interviews that ‘individual tourism’ would be welcomed, provided that tourists avoid any activities and facilities that are directly associated with or fund the military government.

Although visitors are on the increase, Myanmar is still a small player on the south-east Asian tourism scene. The country welcomed 300,000 overseas visitors in 2011 (including approximately 5000 from the UK), compared to 19 million visitors to Thailand.

New Zealand taxpayers’ money is helping the world’s most heavily bombed country develop into a tourist destination.
At the same time the United States was fighting the North Vietnamese in the 1960s and 1970s, it was dropping one bomb every eight minutes on neighbouring Laos.
The northern and most heavily bombed province, Xieng Khouang, was almost destroyed, and has spent four decades recovering. New Zealand money is helping that process.
An estimated 80 million unexploded bombs dot the province, which undoubtedly deters tourists from visiting the mystical Plain of Jars.
Between 2007 and 2010, New Zealand money helped clear the Plain of Jars sites of unexploded bombs, and now it is funding clearance work in other areas.
In Xieng Khouang each year 50 or 60 people are killed by the bombs, and many more injured.
“That’s why there are many difficulties,” Laos National Tourism Administration Xieng Khoaung Provincial Tourism Department director Khamphet Phommadouakaisone says.
“It stopped everything. We can not make a living and use the land safely. People are still being killed.”
New Zealand money has allowed paths to be created through the jar sites, attracting tourists to the area. Aid money is now helping the province develop tourism initiatives, to lure more foreigners.
About 25,000 tourists head there annually, in contrast to the nearby world heritage site Luang Prabang, which was not heavily bombed, and attracts 400,000 tourists a year.
The Plain of Jars has more than 100 sites dotted with large stone jars that locals believe are 2000 to 3000 years-old. They were for a king and his comrades to drink wine from.
Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) is in the process of assessing the Plain of Jars sites, and Mr Phommadouakaisone hopes they will be made a world heritage site by 2015.
With New Zealand money, the tourism division plans to develop a museum, information centre and car parking near the sites to cater to the influx of tourists it expects to visit the area.
It is working to create guest houses in rural villages, shops which sell villagers’ handicrafts, a giant jar, and an international airport, which will receive more than the current two flights a day.
Tourism is a new concept to this area, Mr Phommadouakaisone says, and that’s why the tourism industry will accept any help it can get.
Three other provinces will benefit from the $4.5 million New Zealand has provided to develop tourism initiatives between 2011 and 2014.
Tourists generally visit two places in Laos – Luang Prabang, famous for its temples, and Vang Vieng, where tourists spend weeks drinking alcohol and floating down the river on tubes.
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Other communities don’t want the Western binge-drinking culture which has encompassed Vang Vieng, but they do want to capitalise on the tourist dollar, tourism sector specialist Acksonsay Rattanavong says.
The NZ Aid-funded programme is only in its initial stage, but progress needs to be made soon to cater for the increasing tourism market.
Laos has only been open to the outside world for the past couple of decades, and has strict rules such as no sexual relationships between foreigners and Laos people.
The tourism authority is faced with a challenging task to work out the right balance between developing a tourism market, while retaining the Laos culture

The Transport Co Ltd, under the Ministry of Transport, kicks off its 9 bus route linking Thailand and Laos between Udon Thani in the northeast and Vang Vieng, a resort town in Vientiane province, Laos.

A 2nd class air conditioned bus with 46 seats will be used on the route until traffic warrants an upgrade in quality.

The service departs daily at 07:00 from Udon Thani with a brief stop in Nong Khai to pick up passengers before heading to the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge to clear immigration. The seven-hour trip continue to to Vang Vieng a distance of 166 km from the Lao capital. It arrives at 1400.

LUANG NAMTHA, LAOS,  2 March 2012:  
Luang Namtha province officials say the R3A  highway has  helped to generate more income for residents and improve the province’s economy since it opened in 2008.

The comments were made at a welcoming party for the Eco Bike Tour 2012 earlier this week.

Luang Namtha Provincial Tourism Department director, Phonesavath Kamonthong, said the Lao government’s policy to work with neighbours to build the economy would ultimately benefit tourism. But the challenge is to ensure that Laos earns revenue from overland tourism rather than becoming just a transport corridor between popular destinations like China and Thailand.|

He claimed the Eco Bike Tour 2012 would help to promote R3A route tourism between the two countries, although observers would acknowledge, so far, there has been very little overland tourism to talk about.
“R3A highway will help the province to embark on sustainable tourism,” he said , “through improved transport links.|
”The road, which was a rough dirt road for decades, has been opened for three years. But it has suffered abuse from over loaded lumber and heavy goods vehicle with sections already needing repairs. The promise of a strong tourism flow between Thailand and China via the R3A  remains a dream, nurtured mainly be over enthusiastic tourism officials

But the tourism department chief remained optimistic in his welcome for the Tourism Authority of Thailand sponsored media and bike tour  that rolled into town on its way to China.
“As the route passes through Luang Namtha it can only boost tourist arrivals and circulate more income to the province as well as support economic and trade benefits.”He thanked the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Eco Bike Tour for embarking on the survey of tourism products along the R3A route to test overland tourism feasibility.
“The Eco Bike Tour is a key factor that can promote the province and encourage international travellers to venture north to Luang Namtha,” he said.Tourism Authority of Thailand representative, Saksakul Supakritanan said: “R3A should expand opportunities for Thailand, Laos and China to build tourism corridors

.”Route R3A is part of the so-called North-South Economic Corridor linking Thailand with Laos and Xishuangbanna Prefecture in Yunnan province, Southern China.
The route should become more popular when the 4thThai-Laos Friendship Bridge is completed next year, although all three countries will need to work on ways to improve and encourage travel by speeding up procedures at the borders and easing regulations for self-drive cars and tour buses.Covering some 2,000 km, Route R3A starts in Chiang Rai province (Chiang Khong district) and links Bokeo, Luang Namtha, Boten in Laos, and Bohan, Jinghong, and Kunming in Yunnan, Southern China.Right now travellers can cross the Mekong River by ferry to join the R3A highway.

It takes a couple of hours to do the paper work and make the crossing.
The bridge will span the river between two districts; Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai province, Thailand and Huayxai in Bokeo province, Laos.Once open, it will be a little easier for travellers from Thailand to travel to Luang Namtha which is a 180 km north of Huay Xai, but it is an over simplification to believe that a bridge alone will act as massive economic catalyst to drive tourism growth between the three countries.

There are just too many other issues that will weigh heavily on travellers some related to red tape at borders and others related to tourist attraction, or rest area facilities on the 180 km road trip to Luang Namtha.

The fourth bridge is part of the Greater Mekong sub-region north-south economic corridor project. It will connect Donsavan village in Huay Xai district in Bokeo province with Ing village in Chiang Khong district of Thailand’s Chiang Rai province.The actual start of the R3A Highway is about 9 km from the bridge. The distance from Chiang Rai to Kunming is around 1,030 km.

The Shanghai Daily has a profile on the ‘Second Angkor Wat,’ Banteay Chhmar, 170 km to the northwest:
Called the “second Angkor Wat,” Banteay Chhmar approaches it in size, is more frozen in time than the manicured and made-over superstar, and has so far been spared the blights of mass tourism of recent years at Angkor.

In 2011, an average of 7,000 tourists a day visited Angkor, one of Asia’s top tourist draws located near the booming northwestern city of Siem Reap. Banteay Chhmar saw an average of two a day, with no tour buses and bullhorn-wielding guides to disturb the temple’s tranquility or traditional life in the surrounding village.
Two tourists a day. The Rapid Traveler was last in Cambodia in early 2007 before Banteay Chhmar opened to tourists but reading about it seems akin to visiting North Africa’s deserted, pristine Roman ruins rather than the sites in Italy that are inundated with tourists.

Those who have visited Angkor Wat, which is spectacular, know that tourists pop out of every nook, detracting from the atmosphere.  Angkor Wat and its tourist town, Siem Riep, are akin to a visit to Disney World, and sadly many tourists see nothing of Cambodia beyond. Phonm Penh is quite far overland and its main draws are horrors of the Khmer Rouge. Some regions of Cambodia are still mined. So it is understandable that tourists fly in and out, but Banteay Chhmar looks like a great option, possible even as a long day trip from Siem Riep.

Global Heritage Fund and Heritage Watch International have been involved in opening Bantear Chhmar to tourism with an eye to community involvement and sustainability. A UNESCO World Heritage Site nomination is in the works. The Banteay Chhmar Community-Based Tourism (CBT) group has extensive information on visiting and homestays.

What better way to sample Cambodia that divert for a day or two (or many) up to Banteay Chhmar, playing explorer by day and local family member by night?
Source – usatoday