First snowfall in Lao Cai and Sapa, Vietnam this year

Those of you who are going on the trip to Sapa and Lao Cai should check this out!Cold spells over the weekend reduced temperatures on some mountains in the region to as low as two to four degrees Celsius, said officials from the Lao Cai Meteorology and Hydrology Centre. 

The average temperature in the mountains was around 6 to 7 degrees celcius.At 2 pm last Friday, Sa Pa Town and Sa Pa Commune reported 30 minutes of thin and irregular snowfall. It was the first report of snow this year in Vietnam!

The flurries will be a treat for tourists in the area, however farmers are expected to be hit with cold temperatures affecting crops and flowers for Tet, or the Lunar New Year.Source: Viet Nam News

Add comment February 7th, 2007

Amanpuri Phuket is voted for the Best Hotel (Ambience/Design) in the Gold List 2007 by Conde Nast Traveller

Here comes the 3rd annual Gold List of Conde Nast Traveller for selection of the hotels around the world that have the following Conde Nast Traveller Gold Standard for:

* Best for Ambience and Design
* Best for Facilities
* Best for Food
* Best for Location
* Best for Rooms
* Best for Services

Amanpuri Phuket has been voted by readers of Conde Nast Traveller Gold List 2007 for the Best Ambience and Design this year.

The original Amanresort (built in 1988) is hidden in a coconut plantation on Phuket above a stunning white-sand beach and overlooking the Andaman Sea.The Thai-chic interior design, the first of its kind in Thailand, has a timeless quality. The villas have dining salas and private pools.

Should you wish to view the information about this hotel from our website, please click on to:

http://www.orientalcompass.com/hotel_detail.php?hotel_id=00013&country_id=208&city_id=28

Add comment February 7th, 2007

The new Evason Ana Mandara Villas & Spa has launched its soft opening in Dalat

Fully restored French colonial style villas of which most are over 80 years old, set in the rural Vietnamese highlands overlooking the picturesque city of Dalat….a truly unique experience not to be found anywhere else in Asia awaits. With phase one completion for the soft opening for Evason Ana Mandara Villas & Six Senses Spa at Dalat on December 20, 2006. Initially a total of 5 accommodation villas comprising 19 luxurious suites, studios and rooms restored to their original colonial splendor will be available. Each villa also has its own private dining and living room area and will also have their own butler and housekeeper to service guests during their stay.

To view full information about this hotel from our website, please click on the below link:

http://www.orientalcompass.com/hotel_detail.php?hotel_id=00416&country_id=229&city_id=10

Guest facilities/services will also be fully operational including:

“Nine�  Offering inside and outside dining with the focus on modern European, Asian fusion cuisine. Add the spectacular high ceilings, enormous French style shutters and doors, a large central fireplace, and a blend of modern uplifting and classical décor…. a one of a kind dining experience awaits! “Wine Bar @ Nine�  Classy and chick this stylish bar will offer a selection of New World Tapas as well an extensive wine and beverage choices in a relaxed, colonial style atmosphere. 

“Courtyard Café @ Nine� Large outdoor area with a relaxed feel resembling something of a French style café with a Vietnamese flavour. On offer will be extensive coffee and hot drink selections as well as light meal choices such as large selections of patisseries and baguettes.  “In Villa Dining�  Guests have the option of dining in their room or in the dining room of the villa or at the outside barbecue area. The choice is yours. Extensive villa dining options will be available for breakfast, lunch or dinner. 

“Pool Bar� Full serviced bar offering light food choices. 

“Six Senses Galler” Offering Six Senses products as well as unique items from Vietnam and Dalat in particular 

 

 

Add comment February 7th, 2007

Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and the re-opening of Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport

On February 06 2007, the Thai Government agreed in a Cabinet meeting to a partial re-opening of Don Muang Airport to offset the problems that have arisen at the new Suvarnabhumi Airport, not only for some domestic routes as had been discussed before, but now also to some international routes. 

 

Which airlines and flights that will move back to Don Muang will be decided in the next 2 weeks (around February 21 2007) 

 

The partial re-opening of Don Muang’s services will commence 45 days later (about the first weekend in April, before the Songkran holiday rush) 

  

Suvarnabhumi Airport will retain its BKK airport code 

Don Muang’s Airport code is DMK 

  

Depending on which airlines will transfer back to operate at Don Muang, there could be some implications for us all and the services we provide. As soon as we have further news we will let you know. 

  

As always our 2 local English language daily newspapers are a good source to keep abreast of further news and developments: 

 

Bangkok Post

http://www.bangkokpost.net/ 

 

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/ 

  

 

Add comment February 7th, 2007

Highspeed train will be built in Vietnam

HANOI, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Vietnam will build a high speed railway with aid from Japan at an estimated cost of $33 billion, a project that would cut travel time by two-thirds between Hanoi in the north and southern Ho Chi Minh City, the government said. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung gave approval to state-run Vietnam Railways to invest in the 1,630-km (1,010 miles) track, a statement on the government’s Web site (www.vietnam.gov.vn) late on Monday said.

The track, to be built over a six-year period with a wider gauge of 1,435 mm, will reduce the train journey between the capital Hanoi and the commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City to less than 10 hours from more than 30 hours.

It will enable train speeds of 300 km to 350 km (186-217 miles) per hour, state-run media said.

The country’s north-south trains now travel between the two cities on a single track with the narrow gauge of 1,000 mm over 1,726 km (1,070 miles). ($1=16,084 dong)

Source: Reuters

Add comment February 7th, 2007