Archive for July 21st, 2006
A 600-km bus route links central Vietnam to southern Laos, with ongoing connections to Ubon Rajthani in Thailand.
Vietnam and Laos opened a bus link between Quy Nanh in Binh Dinh province and Pakse in Champasak, Laos. The route is intended to draw overland tourists across the border between Thailand and Vietnam.
The new service, luanched on July 04 2006, covers 600 kms. and take some12 hours for a US$ 16.00 fare. The buses, operated by Binh Dinh Trade and Transport Joint-Stock Company, currently run 4 weekly trips on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
The service starts in Vietnam’s coastal city of Quy Nhan on Route 19 and heads to Plei Ku in Gia Lai province before turning onto Route 4 and the trip north. The road passses through the mountains to Kon Tom province and the Lao border at Attapeu province. The bus then travels to Xekong before entering Champasak and its provincial centre, Pakse. Pakse is a key tourist city in southern Laos. Currently, there is a regular bus service linking it to Ubon Rajthani in Thailand. The visa excemption for Thai visitors to Laos and Vietnam is expected to drive Thai tourism to Pakse, which become an overland gateway to central Vietnam. Ubon Rajthani is easily accessible from Bangkok using either full-service or low-cost airlines. There are also daily rail service. News reports stated that the transportation authority of Vietnam had given permission for the company to extend the service to the Laos capital, Vientiane.
Source: TTR Weekly - July 19-25 2006
July 21st, 2006
We have to thank you our friend from Australia, Ken Matthews for giving orientalcompass.com a chance to help supporting the Ban Phou Dam School, outside of Luang Prabang (Laos). We are very happy to be a part of this contribution that Ken and his friends had made to the school recently. They were so kind in gathering all the gifts, stationaries, toys as well as some donations from people from Australia, Thailand and many countries in the world to help the children in that school. Please see some pictures that Ken had forwarded to show us all in the office. Once again, thank you very much for giving us a chance to put the smiles on those faces of the children in Ban Phou Dam. Again - Ken, many many thanks!
July 21st, 2006
South Korea, USA, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, France, Thailand and Singapore are among the top 10 arrivals into Vietnam in the first half of the year in 2006.
Vietnam National Administration of Tourism just announced its top 10 Arrivals for
January-June 2006:
Rank no. 1 - China (down by 23.40% from 2005)
Rank no. 2 - South Korea (up by 35.40% from 2005)
Rank no. 3 - USA (up by 19.70% from 2005)
Rank no. 4 - Japan (up by 25.80% from 2005)
Rank no. 5 - Taiwan (down by 0.90% from 2005)
Rank no. 6 - Cambodia (up by 20.10% from 2005)
Rank no. 7 - Australia (up by 20.30% from 2005)
Rank no. 8 - France (up by 0.90% from 2005)
Rank no. 9 - Thailand (up by 59.50% from 2005)
Rank no. 10 - Singapore (up by 37.10% from 2005)
The authorities is crediting sales promotions by the national carriers and other Southeast Asia Airlines as well as the low-cost carriers for boosting the arrivals in the first half of the year by 7.2%
Source: TTR Weekly - July 19-25 2006
July 21st, 2006
Life Resorts Management Company has announced news name and logo for its resort in Hoi An from “Life Resort Hoi An” to “Life Heritage Resort Hoi An”
Source: TTR Weekly - July 19-25 2006
July 21st, 2006
Manohra Cruises just added the brand new Manohra Star to its fleet offering cruise-dine experiences on the Chao Phraya River. The 27-metre Manohra Star is the largest vessel in the group, capable of accommodating up to 70 people for a variety of sunset and dinner cruises.
Like its sister ships, the Manohra Star is blt on a traditional rice barge, and offers the same features as the other vessels in Manohra’s fleet; polished teak fitting, decorative Thai craftwork and celadon table settings. The Manohra Star features an open-air main deck with a large bar section, comfortable restrooms and a newly-built modern kitchen on the lower deck. The dining cruise offers traditional Thai cuisine, but can easily cater to custom menus on a private-charter basis.
All river journeys depart from the Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa pier.
Sunset Cruise departing at 6.00 p.m. daily
Dinner Cruise departing at 7.30 p.m. daily
For us, ”Manohra Dinner Cruise” is obviously the best and most luxurious dinner cruise available in Bangkok so far.
July 21st, 2006
