Tourism Indochina: The Rural Vietnam on Bicycle

Tourism Indochina: The Rural Vietnam on Bicycle

An ideal cycling route avoids crowded highways and intense climbs and sticks to peaceful village roads shaded by trees, green fields and orchards. A bike tour through the western and northern sections of Vietnam gives tourists a glimpse of life in rural areas including the ethnic people in the Central Highlands.

While crossing the Cu Mong or Hai Van passes, tourists are able to stop roadside to contemplate the sunrise or sunset and admire the beautiful view on one side lies giant mountains, while on the other are picturesque beaches. Tour participants are not required to bike for the entire trip; participants ride a maximum of 50 kilometres a day. Cars, canoes, and boats cover the distance not traveled on bike. To ensure the health and safety of riders, professional medics often accompany the tour. Of Saigontourist’s bike tours, its trip to the western portion of Southern Vietnam is its most popular. The tour departs from Ho Chi Minh City and stops first in Long An Province. Tourists then travel by car to Tan An District to visit the Cao Dai Holy See. Following the religious site, the tour rides 20 kilometres. along the Bao Dinh Canal to My Tho. On the way to My Tho, tourists stop by orchards to enjoy fresh coconut juice and fruit. Next, tourists visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, which was built in the early 19th century and houses a collection of bronze statues carved in the Mekong Delta. The tour then travels to the port to visit Thoi Son Islet in Tien Giang Province by canoe. On the second day of the journey, the tour heads to Ben Tre Province. The group travels leisurely through village roads to view the landscape, get fresh air roadside and speak with locals. Tourists can visit the village market and green fields to see firsthand the cultivation technique of the farmers and life in the country. On the third day, tourists visit Cai Mon District to see a number of activities of the local people including fishing, cooking, leisure and sport. Tourists take part in a home-stay at the home of a Cai Mon resident and eat ca loc nuong trui dish (grilled snakehead fish), taste local rice wine and listen to don ca tai tu (amateur southern folk music). The following day, tourists travel by ferry to visit the center of Vinh Long Province and continue to ride through Long Ho village for 20 kilometres. to Ba Can to visit the village of the Khmer people and a market specializing in tofu.

The journey continues to Can Tho Province for tourists to visit the floating markets of Phong Dien and Cai Rang. Tourists then ride for 20 kilometres. to Bang Lang Park. The tour concludes with a car ride back to Ho Chi Minh City the following day. (Source: SGT)

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Tourism Indochina: Cambodia Festive Flotilla

Tourism Indochina: Cambodia Festive Flotilla


For fun, excitement, action and spectacle surely none of many boat racing events in the region match this four-day river gala in Phnom Penh.

It is colorful competition that engages the large portion of population connected to the country’s water ways. A swirl of color blankets the Tonle Sap River, as hundreds of boats cluster near its shores. From these banks the thousand of revelers throw up cheers to oarsmen and women who already themselves for race that pays tribute to the power of vital life source. Bonn Om Touk, or the Water festival, ushers in the fishing season and markets reversal of the current in the Tonle Sap River. Typically held near the end of November, when the Mekong sinks back to its normal levels, Bonn Om Touk is the most attended Cambodian national festival. Approximately 10% of the country’s population gathers to play games, give thanks to the moon, and watch the long boat race in Phnom Penh. Fireworks and a lighted flotilla of boats add to festivities. According to the Mekong River Commission, the Mekong is the 12th largest river in the world, and the 10th –largest by volume. From Tibet it run’s through China Yunnan Province, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, an estimated length 4,800 km. From June to September the Mekong is in full flood, as a result of torrential rain fall. The force of water coming down stream pushes again the current in Tonle Sap, causing it to flow backward in to the Great Lake, which swell to more than five times it dry season size. This surge and retreat drives one of the most productive fisheries in the world: in Cambodia alone basin provides breeding habitats more than 1,300 species of fish, and annual rise and fall of the river ensures a nutrient- rich environment topped only by Amazon.

By: Jonh Everingham


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Tourism Indochina: Phnom Penh Main Attractions

Tourism Indochina: Phnom Penh Main Attractions

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-03-23):

Many of Phnom Penh main attractions including, the National Museum and Royal Palace congregate along rive front. But this vibrant capital is filled with far more than culture and color, and some of the best places to witness and unmatched charm of the city are at its traditional markets.

The oldest markets are Psar Thom Thmei, Psar Kandal and Psar Chas, which literally translate to old market. Psar is thought to derive from Arabic word for bazaar and, indeed, many of Phnom Penh’s market scenes appear more reminiscent of a Turkish fair than an outdoor and market place in Southeast Asia. Located near the main post office by Wat Phnom, Psar Chas sells CDs, DVDs and books; religious offering such as shrines and fresh fruit, and vegetable, fish and poultry. Numerous tables set up out side the market offer shoe repair and shines, while hairdressers and make up shops occupied the inner portion. This is one of the few markets in the city that sells food late and many motorbike driver and local Khmers arrive at night for bit to eat. Stalls which fluorescent light sell Chinese style roasted duck and chicken and whole families come to enjoy bread with pâté, rice soup, friend meatball, and quail eggs, which are especially popular among Khmer women. Psar Kandal, near the river on street 13, also offers visitors a taste of local life. The markets boast an abundance of food stall where you can eat for as little as 2,000 Reils (US$ 0.5). It also sells house wares, hardware and children’s toys. Fruit and vegetable are not hard to come by but if it is coconut you are after, head to Psar Doem Kor, on Mao Tse Toung Boulevard near Inter-Continental, where truck loads of coconut are imported daily from Kompot Province. Psar Thom Thmei’s 1930’s Art Deco design has made it a Phnom Penh landmark. Laid out by French town planner Ernest Habrard, this airy, open market is the commercial hub of the city, offering from fried spiders to CDs. Literally “The New Market”, but better known as central market, Psar Thom Thmei’s central yellow dome sprout four wing, chockfull of stalls selling clothing, shoe, bags and souvenir, including coins, Khmer antique, silver plates, silk, stone, statuettes and bronze figurines. Beneath the dome sit rows of lit glass cases displaying tray of gold and silver jewelry. The Central Market is also famous for its fresh jasmine flower which Khmer use in their lavish wedding ceremonies and offer to monks on religious occasion. Price varies, but hard bargaining is conventional. The city’s second most visited is Psar Toul Tumpoung, or the Russian Market, a name earned for its popularity during 1980s among the city many Russian expatriates. A market has gain reputation for cheap DVDs and clothing, and is also hotspot for locals in searching snacks.

For the travelers, the markets present the large selection of Buddha image and woodcarvings, betel nut boxes, silk, silver jewelry and classic musical instruments.

(By: Prak Chan Thul)

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Tourism Indochina: Mu Cang Chai terraced fields named heritage site

[Left Photo: Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam]

Mu Cang Chai is about 300 kilometers from Hanoi with 5 hours of driving. The main attraction of Mu Cang Chai lies in its terraced rice fields which are primarily situated in the district’s Che Cu Nha, La Pan Tan and De Zu Phinh villages.

These imposing fields draw a large number of both Vietnamese and foreign travelers who love to take pictures of and indulge themselves in the amazing beauty of the national heritage site. It is very often to see ethnic minority mothers use cloth as a cradle to carry their infants on their back when they are harvesting paddy in the fields in the northwest of Vietnam. Children of the farmers run here and there in the fields, chatting with their parents and giggling in tune with the joy of their parents during the harvest season.

Terraced rice fields have been not only a source of food and income for the H’Mong people, they are an intrinsic part of their culture and Mu Cang Chai, which is itself a quiet town on the bank of the Nam River.

Tourism Indochina: Mu Cang Chai terraced fields named heritage site


(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-03-24):

Mu Cang Chai terraced fields named heritage site The terraced fields of Mu Cang Chai mountainous district in northern Yen Bai Province have been recognised as a national heritage site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. At a ceremony to mark the designation on October 18, Sung A Vang, Secretary of Mu Cang Chai Party Committee, said that the district will take measures to conserve nearly 500ha of terraced fields in La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha and Ze Xu Phinh communes.

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Tourism Indochina: Sihanoukville Takes off as a Tourism Hub

Sihanoukville (Khmer: ក្រុងព្រះសីហនុ - Krong Preah Sihanouk), also known as Kampong Saom, is a province in southern Cambodia on the Gulf of Thailand. This port city is a growing Cambodian urban center, located 185 kilometres (115 mi) southwest of the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. The province is named after King Father Norodom Sihanouk and grew up around the construction of Sihanoukville Port. Construction on the port began in June 1955 and it was the only deep water port in Cambodia. The port was built in part due to the waning power of the French leading to the Vietnamese tightening their control over the Mekong Delta and hence restricting river access to Cambodia. Sihanoukville's beaches have made it a popular tourist destination.

The province is served by Sihanoukville International Airport, 18 kilometres (11 mi) from downtown, although it has a limited commercial operation. The planned flights between Sihanoukville and Siem Reap may encourage visitors to Angkor temples in Siem Reap to extend their stay, though the crash of a charter flight in Phnom Damrey on 25 June 2007 from Siem Riep, has caused concerns. The flights are scheduled to start on December 14, 2011.

Sihanoukville attracts tourists with its relaxed beach atmosphere when compared to Thailand's more developed ones. However, the city has attracted not only tourists, but several NGOs and foreign and national investors in the last years in order to develop not only the growing tourist industry, but its capacity as an international sea port and other sectors like textile and real estate. In Sihanoukville is also located the main factory of Angkor Beer, the Cambodian national beer.

Sihanoukville was the place of the last official battle of the United States army in the Vietnam War, although the incident took place outside Vietnam. It is known as the Mayagüez incident on May 12–15, 1975 between the US forces and the Khmer Rouge. Currently, visitors dive in Koh Tang, one of the Sihanoukville islands where the major battle to free the SS Mayagüez took place. Divers can see two shipwrecks 40 metres (130 ft) down.

On 22 December 2008, King Norodom Sihamoni signed a Royal Decree that changed the municipalities of Kep, Pailin and Sihanoukville into provinces, as well as adjusting several provincial borders.

Sihanoukville is located in the south of Cambodia. It is 230 kilometres (143 mi) southwest of Phnom Penh in a small Peninsula and Bahia. Beaches are the main feature that attracts national and foreign visitors. A small archipelago is embedded by the Sihanoukville Bahia off its south and west coast. The commercial and international port is located at the north west. The limits of its territory: North and West Koh Kong province, East Kampot province and south Gulf of Thailand.

Beaches that line the west contour of the city from north to south are Victory Beach, Lamherkay Beach, Koh Pos Beach, Independence Beach, Sokha Beach, Serendipity Beach, Ochheuteal Beach and Otres Beach. The most popular beaches are Ochheuteal, Sokha, Independence and Victory. Tourists can take water taxis to the nearby islands for diving, snorkeling, and game fishing.

The peninsula is separated from the central plains of Cambodia by the Damrei Mountains, especially the Bouk Kou. The city is also besides the Ream National Park (210 km2) and it includes the islands of Koh Thmei and Koh Sei.

Sihanoukville Takes off as a Tourism Hub:

As Sihanoukville take off as a tourism hub, Cambodia tourism authority and developers say that preserving the natural harmony and health of its beaches and coastline is the a priority. Officials in Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism have echoed concern about pollution as tourism grows in Sihanoukville, and say they are trying to take more thoughtful approach to development. With funding from Asia Development Bank (ADB) the government has advised a wastewater treatment project that will be implemented in coastal area currently under development to make sure water does not become polluted and that waste form development project does not reach the sea. “We have to develop these beaches with proper environmental protection,” says Dr Thong Khon, Secretary of State of Tourism Ministry.

The ADB funding will also go toward training lifeguard and building Watchtowers along popular beaches. Prime Minister Hun Sen himself lunched the project in Sihanoukville, on 2 August. Development plans for the region go well beyond the beach. To make Sihanoukville a more attractive destination for tourist the government is working for revamp Sihanoukville Kang Keng Airport so tourist can travel a circuit between Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. The Air port would also make a transit to the airport in Rattanakiri Province, in Cambodia north’s east. According to the Cambodia Travel Agent Association, cruise to Sihanoukville are already popular, and carrying passenger from China, Europe and the United States dock at Sihanoukville’s port at least one each week. Tourism officials are also optimistic that a recent agreement reach by ASEAN to exempt member countries from paying visa fees when visiting other member countries will increase regional visitor traffic. Kun Kam Eng, a father of two, spent a recent weekend with his family on Ochheuteal Beach. “We are rich in having so many beautiful places to visit,” a 45 old was please to report as he looked out to the water. “I love the beaches in Sihanoukville, so I hope they always stay clean and fresh. Our Seawater is sweater is so clean, the sand is very white and the view of the sea is totally paradise. Sihanoukville Governor Say Hak is optismistic that Sihanoukville develop will help improve people lifestyles of people living in Sihanoukville municipality. As a part of this effort Prime Minister Hun Sen has strongly encourage people to engage in “home stay” business, renting local home to tourists. With the huge influx of visitors during national holidays, the home stay policy could help put money directly into villagers’ pockets. Sihanoukville is not only the paradise on Cambodia coast. Many islands have yet to see development for tourism and the beach in and around Kompot and Kep are idyllic.

Several hotels Mangers in Sihanoukville say their businesses base on the beaches and as long as beaches remain the main attraction for domestic and foreign tourists, the hospitality industry will continue to grow.

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Tourism Indochina: Southeast Asia’s Largest Budget Airline

Introduction to Air Asia

Wikipedia: AirAsia Berhad (MYX: 5099) is a Malaysian-based low-cost airline. AirAsia is Asia's largest low-fare, no-frills airline and a pioneer of low-cost travel in Asia. AirAsia group operates scheduled domestic and international flights to over 400 destinations spanning 25 countries. Its main hub is the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Its affiliate airlines Thai AirAsia and Indonesia AirAsia have hubs in Suvarnabhumi Airport and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport respectively. AirAsia's registered office is in Petaling Jaya, Selangor while its head office is located in Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Air Asia plans to open ASEAN regional headquarters in Jakarta by August or September 2011. The airline itself will maintain its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur for the time being.
AirAsia won the Skytrax World's best low-cost airline award in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011.[8] It has the world's lowest operating costs at $0.035/seat-kilometre in 2010. It is also the first airline in the region to implement fully ticketless air travel system.

AirAsia was established in 1993 and commenced operations on 18 November 1996. It was originally founded by a government-owned conglomerate DRB-Hicom. On 2 December 2001, the heavily-indebted airline was purchased by former Time Warner executive Tony Fernandes's company Tune Air Sdn Bhd for the token sum of one ringgit (about $USD0.26 at the time) with USD$11 million (RM40 million) worth of debts. Fernandes proceeded to engineer a remarkable turnaround, turning a profit in 2002 and launching new routes from its hub in Kuala Lumpur International Airport at breakneck speed, undercutting former monopoly operator Malaysia Airlines with promotional fares as low as RM1 (US$0.27).

AirAsia operates with the world’s lowest unit cost of US$0.023/ASK and a passenger break-even load factor of 52%. It has hedged 100% of its fuel requirements for the next three years, achieves an aircraft turnaround time of 25 minutes, has a crew productivity level that is triple that of Malaysia Airlines and achieves an average aircraft utilisation rate of 13 hours a day.

All scheduled AirAsia departures out of Kuala Lumpur International Airport are operated via the Low Cost Carrier Terminal. AirAsia had abolished its fuel surcharges on November 2008,but due to the rising oil price, the fuel-surcharge has been re-introduced in May 2011.

Air Asia ready to spread its wings

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-03-25):

Southeast Asia’s largest budget airline is continuing to spread its expansion with the purchase of 175 fuel-efficient A320 Airbuses at a cost about 10.5 billion. Air Asia has already acquired 50 planes from Air bus. Tony Fernandes, the Malaysia Company’s chief executive, said buying more aircraft was essential for the airline if it was going to meet the growing number of air routes and the increased liberalization of air links through out the region.


Air Asia recently gained permission of fly the lucrative Kuala Lumpur- Singapore route. Fernandes believes the A320’s vaunted fuel efficiency will help the company cope with the current high fuel prices. The air line reported a year-on- year profit increase of 15% in the third quarter of 2007, well before the traditional holiday period.

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Tourism Indochina: Kampot Province: Bokor Resorts

Tourism Indochina: Kampot Province: Bokor Resorts

[Left Photo: Bokor Mountain]

Where is Kampot?

Kampot Town is the capital of Kampot province. A lot of Kampots all in one place. A quiet town, best known as the starting point for trips to Bokor Mountain and it's riverside scene. Kampot is a great escape from the larger cities and towns in Cambodia. Located near the ocean, close to Vietnam, you can travel to SihanoukVille and Phnom Penh in a few hours, and to Vietnam in only an hour. Also, the original seaside resort of Cambodia, Kep, is a short drive away.

Located on both sides of the Kampot River also know as Teuk Chhou or Prek Thom, and connected by 2 bridges, the East side of Kampot is where most of the restaurants, guesthouses, and market are located. Along the riverfront, on both sides, are several hotels, guesthouses and restaurants with Western and Khmer (Cambodian) hosts. The riverfront is fairly quiet and quite picturesque.

Walk around town, rent a bicycle, or rent a small motorcycle to get around. Also, you can ride motorcycle taxis and tuk tuks (a cart pulled by a motorcycle) for 12 to 50 cents to most places in town.

Some attractions downtown, besides the riverfront, are the central market, small caves with Buddhist shrines, and the football stadium. Towards the ocean on the East side is the port of Kampot and many Cham Muslim communities and schools. Across the river is Kampot's Wat or Buddhist Temple which is open to tourists. Past the Wat are Kampot's salt fields, and further out of town are Kampot's famous Black Pepper and Durian farms. Along the riverfront, mostly North of downtown's bridges, are several guesthouses and restaurants, right on the river.

Across the River (West Side) the first big road to the right from either bridge, takes you to the Kampot Zoo (about 20 minute ride and $5 entrance fee), lions, tigers and bears (and maybe some monkeys), and the Kampot River rapids, Teuk Chhou, an informal park for eating, drinking, sleeping, and playing in the water. Take your own motorcycle or get a motorcycle taxi or Tuk Tuk for about $5-7 round trip.

Some information about Bokor Resort: Road to Bokor resort ( Cambodia ) reopen

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-04-04): Regarding to the request from national, international tourists, after the closing of Bokor resort due to the road construction, the authority of kampot province has coordinated with Sokha Hotel to reopen the Bokor resort for tourists to visit from 3rd April 2008 onwards even though the road construction is still under processing.

Bokor Mountain is a popular destination because of the rough ride up the dirt track to the top, the views of Southern Cambodia and Vietnam, and the cool temperatures; not to mention the abandoned casino and summer palace of the former King. Most people stay at one of Kampot's Hotels for the night before and after a trip to Bokor.

For the ride, for the scenery, for the cool mountain air, for the adventure, for relaxation. All good reasons to travel the the top of Bokor Mountain.

Bokor Hill Station

32 kilometers and 1,101 meters up from road 3 near Kampot, is the Bokor Mountain Hill Station, in Bokor National Park.. Originally a small resort town, it is now an abandoned ghost town and National Park (except for the many tourist and Park personnel). Most famous for the abandoned Casino at the top of the mountain, there is also a church, buildings for the former king, and either a view of fog or a view of Southern Cambodia and Vietnam's island Phu Quoc.

There is currently construction, both on the road going up the mountain, and on top, to turn this area into a resort. Usually, the road will be closed to tourist, but you can only find this out while you are in Kampot or by calling ahead to one of the tour services or guesthouses. Stay tuned for Bokor Resort, Bokor Fantasyland, Bungee jumping, Buddha Religion Land, Bokor Golf Course, Bokor Casino and many more Bokor facilities in the coming years.

Getting up to Bokor National Park

From Kampot, take the road towards route 4 about 8 kilometers. On the right side, you will see a large plaque welcoming you to Bokor National Park. Just up the road is the Bokor ranger station where they collect a $5 entrance fee.

You can take a dirt bike (or a 100cc small bike, not recommended) up to the top. Drive slow, (especially coming back down). If you don't have your own bike, big dirt bikes can be rented in Kampot for less than $12/day. The drive up is not smooth or fast, but quite nice. You may want to bring some warm clothes as the temperatures, especially at night are much cooler, and there often fog or rain at the top.

You can also get a ride in a pickup truck (either inside or in the back) for a day trip, including lunch for $12 to $25. Most tours leave from downtown Kampot.

Walking is sometimes an option, but plan for a few day trip, with lots of gear. You'll need to check at the ranger station at the bottom of the mountain, to see if they'll let you walk.

There are some sights to see on the way up, such as the waterfalls, and the old King's "staff" accommodations, so you might want to take a few rest breaks along the way. You should also bring something to eat and drink, which is really helpful if your vehicle breaks down.

Once on top, there are some hotels for about $5, or you can stay for free if you make your own hotel.

Most people stay in hotels in Kampot, Cambodia, and take the day tour up the mountain. You can also get the trip from Kep, Cambodia, but it's about 90 minutes more travel time, round trip. Check info below about Kampot province, Bokor resort...

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