Wanderlust Tips Magazine | A tranquil and verdant Croatia

A tranquil and verdant Croatia

Croatia, with an area of only 56,594 square kilometres and a population of more than 4.5 million people, were admired by the whole world when they won second place at the world cup 2018. Not only does it have a united football team with the slogan “small country, big dreams”, Croatia is also a popular travel destination thanks to its greenery and peaceful scenery, in which the capital Zagreb and the natural masterpiece of Plitvice lakes, are the most famous.

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CROATIA – ANCIENT VALUES MEET MODERN FEATURES IN ZAGREG

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | A tranquil and verdant Croatia

Zagreb is the capital and also the largest city of Croatia. Situated in the northwest, Zagreb bears the architecture of the Austro-Hungarian Empire of the 18th and 19th century. Here, you will easily find the “heart” of the ancient town area of this city – the Zagreb Cathedral, which was built in Gothic style and features two twin towers with a spiral structure that looks like they are reaching up towards the deep blue sky. The entrance to the cathedral, which appears like a masterpiece of art, gains the great admiration of a lot of visitors. In front of the cathedral is a fountain with a soaring statue of Mary, which is surrounded by statues of four golden, glittering angels. Just a few steps from here, walking along the small alley, you will find a bustling outdoor market – Dolac market. It is the most popular market in this area, which is famous for agricultural products such as vegetables, fresh fruits, simple household utensils, and homemade products. Each stall is colourfully decorated, with green being the primary colour of choice, and is arranged in straight lines, covered by umbrellas. The market is always bustling with crowds of enthusiastic sellers and buyers whose faces are filled with joy and happiness.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | A tranquil and verdant Croatia

If Vienna – the capital of Austria – has St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Budapest – the capital of Hungary – has the Matthias church, it will be a huge mistake not to mention the Church of St. Mark in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. At the Church of St. Mark, tiles are arranged in order to highlight the coat of arms of Zagreb city and of The Triune Kingdom which includes Dalmatia, Slavonia, and Croatia. The southern dome consists of many high-artistic sculptures that make this dome one of the most distinctive arches, bearing Gothic architectural characteristics, in the southern part of Central Europe.

Along the old town, near the Church of St. Mark, there are countless fine restaurants and cafés. Necktie shops with unique window displays show the history of the necktie knot style. Having originated in Croatia in the 16th century, the necktie is an important feature of traditional outfits. Later, the tie was favored by the French as a fashion item, and today it is widely spread throughout the world.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | A tranquil and verdant Croatia

Zagreb brings us a sense of harmony between tradition and modernity, between the past and the present. At central Ban Jelačić square, the image of blue tramcars that run amidst the ancient architecture is not only beautiful but also leaves an immense impression of the harmonization of ancient values and modern features.

THE NATURAL MASTERPIECE OF PLITVICE LAKES

Not only preserving historical architectural sites and monuments, Croatia is also a green country with countless national parks, special reserves, and natural parks. Among them, the oldest national park as well as the most well-known protected area, Plitvice Lakes National Park is just 135 kilometres away from Zagreb. It is home to many waterfalls and lakes of different heights, occupying an area of approximately 297 kilometres. After being recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979, this park welcomed an increasing number of visitors and has become a favourite park among the eight national parks of Croatia.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | A tranquil and verdant Croatia

What makes Plitvice so famous? First of all, there is an impressive number of lakes in this natural complex. This park consists of 16 lakes separated into upper and lower clusters, creating a variety of waterfalls of sparkling foaming water. People call this ‘the happy champagne’ because the splash of water dancing in the sunshine looks beautiful, reflecting the joyfulness on the face of visitors. It brings us a lot of happiness when admiring the magnificence of mother nature. Every lake has its own unique colour of water bearing different hues of blue. Sometimes, it reflects a turquoise colour which looks heavenly dreamy. In addition, some lakes reflect the same blue colour of the ocean and is so clear that we can watch schools of fish swimming at the bottom of the lake. Nearby, winding wooden bridges across the pretty blue lakes bring a sacred and picturesque beauty to the surrounding scenery. The smoke and fog lingering in the air seems to contribute to the magical beauty of nature.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | A tranquil and verdant Croatia

For sightseeing, visitors can walk around the lakes or leisurely travel by boats. The slogan of the Plitvice Lakes National Park delivers the wishes of many people: Leave nothing, take nothing, spend nothing but time.

W.TIPS

VISA. Croatia provides national tourist visas. In addition, although Croatia has not yet joined Schengen, it has agreements with some countries and communities. That is why there are cases of exemption of national tourist visa for visitors. For example, visitors with Schengen visas, type C, multi-entry will be exempt from visa application. You should carefully check information about tourist visa requirements on the official website of Croatia before planning your trip.

CURRENCY. In Croatia, tourists can use Euro currency in some places, but people here mainly use Croatian Kuna. The exchange rate at the airport is around EUR1 ~ HRK7; HRK1 equals to VND3,800. Card payment is popular here, visitors will usually be asked to pay by card or cash before receiving bill payment.

ACCOMMODATION. When choosing a hotel in Zagreb, it is recommended that you book in the area near the Old Town because there are beautiful monuments and squares located in this area. A good 3-star hotel with favourable location costs about VND2 million per night. This area is quite safe for women to travel. However, you should always stay alert.

VEHICLES. If you use a taxi to travel, you should catch one with a metre clock and try to use a location app to estimate the distance, time, and price.

TRANSPORTATION. It takes more than 2 hours by car from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes. In Plitvice Lakes National Park, camping is not allowed but there is a hotel. You can take a flight to Zagreb, drive to the National park. Alternatively, you can choose to fly to Zagreb, stay in Zagreb, and buy a day tour to Plitvice. A full day tour lasts about 12 hours, and prices range from EUR79 to EUR120. For travel convenience, you should choose a hotel which offers transport services from/to airport.

OTHER NOTES. In Plitvice Lakes National Park, the walking path is relatively smooth but long. The path through 8 out of 16 beautiful lakes is already 8-9 kilometres. It is recommended to pack comfortable and non-slip shoes. There are many wooden bridges which beautifully cross over the lake, but the gap between the wooden slats on the bridge is quite wide, so be careful to avoid falling down. If it rains, the road will be slippery, so you should not carry too much heavy stuff. It is recommended to take a backpack or cross-body bag.

Thanh Tu | Wanderlust Tips

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Interview with Mr. Michael Piro - The COO of Indochina Capital

Interview with Mr. Michael Piro: The COO of Indochina Capital

Join an interview with Mr. Michael Piro to better understand the reasons why he decided to stay in Vietnam as well as learn about his goals to contribute to Vietnam, which is in the process of becoming a leading tourism country in the region.

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Michael Piro is one of the leading experts in the field of investment and finance in Vietnam. With more than a decade working experience in Asia, he directly supervised the sales and rentals of high-end real estate in Vietnam with a total value of more than USD800 million, and also participated in planning and investing nearly USD1 billion in the development projects of luxury real estate in Vietnam, mostly resort and tourism projects. Currently, Michael Piro is holding the following positions:

  • Chief Operating Officer of Indochina Capital Group (ICC)
  • Member of The United Nations International School UNIS
  • Member of Advisory Board of Junior Achievement Vietnam – The world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to promoting financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
  • Chairman of the Board, responsible for supervising the business development strategy and investment relations at Eight Four Collective.
Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Interview with Mr. Michael Piro - The COO of Indochina Capital

After spending many years living and carrying out many projects in Vietnam, what is your opinion of Vietnam and Vietnamese people?

I came to Vietnam nearly 13 years ago as a 21-year-old man full of optimism, seeking a combination of love, adventure, and opportunity. I am proud to say I have found all of them in Vietnam. I fell in love with this country the moment I landed back in 2005. It was the first time in my life I had travelled outside North America, and from the moment I arrived, I knew my relationship with Vietnam would change my life forever.

Vietnam has an allure and energy that I have never experienced in any other part of the world. The country’s painful but triumphant past has created a strong sense of patriotism among the dynamic group of people. The people and history combined with its diverse and beautiful natural landscape have pulled me into a place I now call home.

The people of Vietnam are the most sincere and hospitable people I have ever met. From meeting street vendors to interacting with people at the highest level of the business and political communities, I have always been welcomed, appreciated, and accepted in this country. I have an incredible respect and admiration for Vietnamese people who have experienced so much adversity but still remained optimistic, determined, and highly motivated. It is this contagious energy from Vietnamese people that has kept me here, keeps me inspired and creative.

How many provinces have you travelled to in Vietnam? Which places do you love the most?

I have travelled to many provinces in Vietnam. To be honest, it would take me some time to remember and recount them, but some highlights of my travels in Vietnam include the Son Doong Cave excursion in Quang Binh which I did last year with US former Ambassador Ted Osius. I have had some amazing experiences in Con Dao and Phu Quoc Islands, and have taken in breathtaking views in Sapa and Ha Giang. However, overall, I have a very special place in my heart for Da Nang-Hoi An.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Interview with Mr. Michael Piro - The COO of Indochina Capital

In 2006, I started my career in Da Nang when working on Indochina Riverside Towers and the Hyatt Regency Danang Residences. During this time, I solidified my career with the success of our projects and a personal connection to Vietnam as my two sons were born there. I am also completely mesmerized by the long and luxurious coastline in Da Nang. I still have a home in Da Nang and I have been inspired to craft my best ideas while walking along the beach and listening to the sound of the ocean.

Vietnam is truly my home now, and when I return to Canada I really enjoy my time there with family. However, I feel like I am a tourist and am always happy to return to Vietnam. I have no plans to leave Vietnam and will remain committed to promoting tourism and the hospitality here.

What do you think about the potential of tourism in Vietnam?

Vietnam has enormous tourism potential. Vietnam’s tourism has been growing at nearly 30% per annum with nearly 13 million international arrivals in 2017. The growth in international arrivals is very exciting but equally and perhaps more compelling is that domestic travellers reached just under 73 million, which suggests that with an emerging middle class and buoyant growth in the aviation industry, we are seeing a boom in local tourism. This is something we are very interested in, as we are developing more products for the local Vietnamese market.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Interview with Mr. Michael Piro - The COO of Indochina Capital

Among many impressive projects you have conducted, your most recent project, the Japanse style restaurant chain – in which Renkon was the start, has just been launched. What inspired you to build Renkon?

I have always had a strong passion and respect for both Japanese and Vietnamese culture, cuisine, design, and style. To some extent, both cultures have played a part in shaping who I am today. During my time in Vietnam, I have spent a lot of time in the Japanese ‘Hem’s’ to explore their food, culture, and cooking techniques. I have also made a point in seeking out the best Vietnamese street food and high-end dining experiences throughout Vietnam.
In many ways, Renkon is a reflection of my journey in Vietnam, a celebration of the beautiful urban culture, dynamic hardworking people, and the constant continuity to own the future while preserving past values. The people and energy of Vietnam has inspired Renkon, and we hope it is something that Vietnam can be proud of.

Could you share the most highlighted features of Renkon restaurant?

Taking advantage of the current interest and appreciation for Japanese culture and food in Vietnam, as well as the growing base of tourism in Ho Chi Minh City, our flagship concept is a modern Izakaya (a type of informal Japanese pub) called Renkon, which is the Japanese word for lotus root – one of the key symbols of Vietnam.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Interview with Mr. Michael Piro - The COO of Indochina Capital

Renkon is situated in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City in The Refinery restaurant complex with a 3-storey walkup with street-level entry. This unique location simultaneously elicits Vietnam’s alley culture, yet also has direct access to the city’s most desirable downtown catchment area, Hai Ba Trung. As a modern Izakaya, Renkon kitchen features a traditional Japanese binchotan grill in an open counter setting, and a lively bar that delivers a unique and focused beverage program that highlights Shochu based cocktails. This includes an extensive sake selection that leverages our direct relationships with boutique Japanese producers.

Our relationships with these producers ensure exclusivity on some of the world’s best sake and, ultimately, one-of-a-kind experience in Vietnam. The menu features Japanese tapas which is meant to be shared and paired with great drinks, a concept that plays perfectly in the Vietnamese tradition of “family style” dining.

Did you face any difficulties when carrying out the project?

Now our biggest challenge is to educate the market as our concepts are innovative and not initially familiar to the local market. However, the initial response we are getting has been extremely positive and this is encouraging for us.

Thank you very much for sharing meaningful information with Wanderlust Tips. We wish you success and happiness.

Wanderlust Tips

Wanderlust Tips | Cayoning in Da Lat - Conquer the fierce waterfalls

Cayoning in Da Lat: Conquer the fierce waterfalls

For those who love adventure, the only thing that really matters is simply to discover places that others don’t normally dare to go in order to admire unique views that most people don’t see. Canyoning is such an activity; it is when the wilderness landscapes are reflected through blazing white waters and each person encounters their own limitation and invisible fear.

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Datanla is one of the largest waterfalls of Dalat (Lam Dong province), about 5 kilometres away from the city centre. Unlike most of the other waterfalls, Datanla is secluded from the outside world and surrounded by vertical cliffs and luxuriant forest. It also has relatively large amounts of water all year round. The waterfall clusters stretch along many rapids and cliffs, with descending heights from upstream to downstream falls all at various levels. This cluster is divided into 7 waterfalls on a diverse terrain which creates extremely spectacular scenery.

Our team was divided into small groups of less than 12 people, most of us were young people from Europe and the United States. Some were in their Gap Year. The instructor spoke a simple, fluent English in order to ensure participants from different countries understood commands and instructions without any difficulty.

CANYONG IN DA LAT

Wanderlust Tips | Cayoning in Da Lat - Conquer the fierce waterfalls

We gathered at the basecamp, by the side of the entrance to the Datanla tourist area. Here each person would wear specialized life jackets which held tightly the body and almost had no superfluous parts like the normal ones. The instructor demonstrated how the harnesses, belts, hooks, locks and pulleys were to be used. We then followed his instructions in order to show that we understood and were competent in completing the actions demonstrated. The techniques were very basic and easy to understand and we went through the demonstration quite quickly. Most participants grasped it quite quickly and very few had difficulty understanding and completing each of the tasks and functions of each specific item.

THE FIRST CHALLENGE: CLIMB THE DRY CLIFF AND TRY THE ZIPLINE

We started exploring the famous waterfall, of which we were informed by our tour guide that less than 1% of visitors to Datanla have conquered. We gradually understood the reason why it was so challenging. The quest started out fairly easy as we walked along a 2-kilometre stone-paved path through the center of the tourist area where there were a lot of tourists strolling along the path. Wearing our life jackets and harnesses, equipped with all the accessories, our group jokingly came to the conclusion we probably resembled superheroes from the famous Marvel comics to the other curious tourists, who were starting to take pictures of us. We passed through the first two waterfalls with ease and arrived at the 3rd waterfall. This is the end of the tourist area where tourists are allowed to sightsee and are not allowed beyond this point.

Wanderlust Tips | Cayoning in Da Lat - Conquer the fierce waterfalls

The cliff is half-dry, half-wet, almost vertical, and about 15 metres high. Looking down to the foot of the waterfall, we saw the bubbling white water rumbling, forming whirlpools, creating a small winding stream, flowing and disappearing behind the tree branches. We were instructed on where to hook the safety locks to the cliff. Standing there, everyone felt terrified by the bone-chilling altitude, steam and strong wind. “This is the first challenge, will abseil down the dry cliff at a height of 15 metres,” said the tour guide. “Keep in mind what you have learned. The cables, belts and locks will ensure your safety. Just enjoy.

I was considering whether I should be courageous and go first, then a young boy from a Nordic country moved forward and went ahead. I spent time watching him and realized that the swing movement on the dry cliff seemed pretty simple. One end of the cable was fixed to the hook at the top of the cliff, the other section of the cable was hooked to the harness for him to grab. He was quite professional, calmly and slowly descending at a controlled speed down the cliff. Glancing at my watch, I saw this young man take only about 15-20 seconds to overcome the first challenge.

At the foot of the waterfall, another instructor submerged, up to the waist, in water undertook the duty to help us remove the harness from the cable, and then swam to the other side of the waterfall.

It was a pretty smooth start.

THE SECOND CHALLENGE: FLY ABOVE WATERFALLS

From the third waterfall, we had to walk along a stream with bushes on either side of the path. Sometimes, we had to step on mud and small rocks to move forward. The noise from the crowds of the tourist area gradually reduced. It was unbelievable that the place we were traveling through is just a few kilometres from a tourist area of thousands of visitors. It was secluded, uninhabited world.

Wanderlust Tips | Cayoning in Da Lat - Conquer the fierce waterfalls

As we came closer to the third waterfall, we heard its rumbling become louder; the water here was murky and foamy. This waterfall is higher than the first waterfall, about 17 metres, has a slight slope to the one side and has many protruding, jagged rocks covered in green moss. Our task was to swing down to the middle of the waterfall. From there, a cable was connected to the other edge of the foot of the waterfall, where another guide was waiting.
This is the part where we started to experience the temporary deafening sound and feeling of the waterfall we moved down, step by step. As we reached the part where we needed to let go of the cables, despite the screams of encouragement from the guides and teammates above, people got too confused and frightened to let go. I took a deep breath, determined to let go of the cables and let the bubbling water slap directly into my face. I choked while still hearing the noise of the waterfalls. When I let go of the cables, I felt like I still flew through the air for another 20 metres before hitting the water. At that moment, I felt really excited. We had fun trying to take photos of us making cool poses when jumping and falling into the water. However, it was too hard and we (including me) just ended up falling into the water in hilarious postures, we also had a group photo with an impressive background of the white waterfall.

Finally, everyone got wet like drowned rats but still laughed excitedly, because not everyone can do what we just did. Though we were frightened and nervous, we also overcame all of these feelings. Also as there was no way for us to go up the waterfalls. We had only one option which was to go down and back through the tourist area in order to complete the journey.

The water flowed down the waterfall, winding through the rocks and ranges of trees, in some areas, the view of the water flow seemed to be completely obscured, but after some bends, the scenery again appeared wonderful and beautiful. The waterfall appeared to broaden as we went down. Along the way, there were some parts where the water flowed calmly and slowly, our group was allowed to lay on our backs and drift downstream. It sounds like an activity on the “lazy river” in water parks, but I felt much happier because the water here was really cool and there was absolutely no comparison. At this point, the life jacket became really useful, all I need to do was just relax, close my eyes while sunshine danced through the thick pine trees of the forest.

The farther we drifted down the stream, the more difficult and challenging the trek became. However, because the scenery was continuously changing and intriguing us, we showed no signs of frustration or exhaustion, only excitement.

THE THIRD AND FOURTH CHALLENGE: CONQUER THE FIERCE WATERFALL AND THE ACROPHOBIA

The fifth waterfall is the largest, most spectacular and exciting one. From above, this area looked like a large rocky field. In order to climb down, each of us had to follow a cable which was located at the middle of the waterfall. As we already abseiled down on the first and second waterfall, we became more confident having to do it again, this time having the brutal water constantly tapping on our faces. The rumbling of the water pouring from a height of 25 metres created a buzzing sound in my ears. I had to turn my face to avoid choking on the water.

Wanderlust Tips | Cayoning in Da Lat - Conquer the fierce waterfalls

The cliffs were slippery as if covered by grease; by holding on to the rope which came from above, no one was not struck down by the water. In the next few moments my eyes went wide from shock and fear, and all I could hear was the rumbling of the waterfall. One of my teammates slipped and swung down, landing upside down, unable to move up or down, despite encouragement from the guides and teammates.

When we were just 3 metres from the water surface, I suddenly discovered a section of the cliff which bent inwards, giving me no ledge to place my feet. I said to myself, “This is it. I can’t do it. I’m stuck at this slippery cliff”. It took me a few seconds to find that the only option was to let go of the anchor wire to freely fall into the water. It may make you frightened, especially, for those who are afraid of heights and do not know how to swim. Even though I am a strong swimmer and wore a life jacket, my heart still stood still for a moment.

We overcame the high-altitude challenge once again at the 6th waterfall. Here, we only had to overcome one more challenging “game” which was to jump straight from the cliff into the water. There are two optional heights, 7 metres and 11 metres. The guide said to us briefly: “Just jump. Do not hesitate!

However, this is easier said than done. Many people ran to pick up speed very enthusiastically (including me), but just a step or two before reaching the edge, both my knees wanted to buckle. Hesitation came at a very high cost, because the edge of the cliff below didn’t go straight down but was jagged and there was no water to break our fall. It was rough and completely dry. Just imagine, if we didn’t jump far enough away from the edge, keeping a safe distance, we could have easily landed on the hard dry surface of the cliffs. Thankfully, all of us were courageous and full of excitement. Everyone jumped and shouted in satisfaction.

THE LAST CHALLENGE: JUMPING INTO THE WHIRLPOOL

On the last challenge at the 7th waterfall, which goes by the funny name of “washing machine”, as we had to swing down two narrow cliffs, in the middle of strong currents that flow straight down from a height of 10-15 metres to a bottomless black whirlpool. The cliff was close enough so that we could rest our feet on it and then drop ourselves as soon as we were about 3-4 metres from the water surface. When nearly reaching the water surface, I let go of the rope, and let myself fall into the fierce bubbling black whirlpool below. An interesting thought popped into my head, giving me the idea that the inventor of the washing machine could only have come up with such a realistic product after having a real whirl pool, canyon experience, just like we just had. The moment I jumped into the whirlpool, as instructed by the instructor, I tried to relax my body completely, let the whirlpool swallow me completely and then “spit” me out to the next lake. After 2 seconds and then 3 seconds, I saw only solid black, the swirling of water. I didn’t get a chance to panic before the force of water pushed me up and out of the water; I saw the light of life and heard the applause of our teammates.

Wanderlust Tips | Cayoning in Da Lat - Conquer the fierce waterfalls

After overcoming the final challenge, we felt tired and cold. But the challenge was not over yet. An uphill walk through a grass field to reach the pickup point was truly miserable. We walked slowly as there were stones which were getting stuck and hurting the soles of our feet, we all look like a tired defeated army. No one laughed or joked. After nearly 45 minutes of walking, we reached the car, our belongings and clothes were all dry. As soon as we saw the car, all of us were happy to realize that the journey was really over.

We discovered a very exotic place and experienced a wonderful journey at a very popular tourist destination with Vietnamese people, hidden from crowds and the rush of daily life. Personally, I would definitely return to once again be immersed in the beautiful and ferocious waterfalls of Datanla.

W.TIPS

Wanderlust Tips | Cayoning in Da Lat - Conquer the fierce waterfalls

LOCATION

Datanla tourist area is located on Prenn Pass – on Highway No. 20, Ward 3, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province. It is 8 kilometres from Prenn and 10 kilometres from the city centre.

TRANSPORTATION

From the centre of Dalat, travel along the National Highway 20, turn down a slope which will continue for about 300 metres, after which you will arrive at the waterfall.

WEATHER

Da Lat has cool and pleasant climate all year round. You can travel here during any of the four seasons, but the best time to visit is at the end of the rainy season from November to the end of March. If you go to the falls during the rainy season, it is very dangerous, because the path leading down the waterfall is very slippery and it is also not possible to use the abseiling system to assist in going down the path.

WHAT TO DO IN DATANLA

There are many adventure games such as abseiling,kayaking, zip-lining, and canyoning.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN TRYING CANYONING:

– Wear comfortable clothes.
– Strictly follow the instructions of the supervisor. It is recommended to not take part in any activities without instructions, as there are some adventure games that require you to learn skills before joining.
– Do not enter dangerous areas such as whirlpools or the Death Valley.
– This game requires people with good health and strong spirit. These adventurous activities also require you to have a good understanding of your strengths and limitation in order to safely complete each of the challenges on this journey.

NOTE

There have been some unfortunate incidents which happened at Datanla as a result of visitors that went by themselves and also lacked the necessary equipment, knowledge, and assistance from professionally trained instructors. It is also recommended to avoid poor quality travel companies which lack experience and good quality protective and safe equipment for their customers. Therefore, when choosing to book adventure tours to this location, especially, the canyoning, it is recommended to do lots of research and use reputable tour companies.

APN | Wanderlust Tips

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

The world’s paradises for shopaholics

Shopping tourism has grown over the years. While Asian tourists travel to Europe to admire its beauty and hunt for products of luxury international brands, European travellers, on the other hand, want to explore Asia where they can find unique local specialties and exquisite handicrafts that they cannot find in their home countries. Based on criteria such as favourite levels, transportation convenience, and the variety of products, Wanderlust Tips will suggest some of the world’s most popular shopping paradises for shopaholics.

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1. DUBAI, UAE – HOME TO THE WORLD’S LARGEST SHOPPING MALL FOR SHOPAHOLICS

Awarded the title “the city of largest shopping malls”, Dubai gradually strengthens its position among the world’s largest destinations for shopping tourism. The business relating to shopping malls in Dubai offers great opportunities for investors, enterprises, and visitors. Long-standing traditional markets, super-modern shopping malls, and promising tax-free sales programs have redefined the whole retail industry of this city.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics
It is no surprise that shopping has truly become a way of life in Dubai. In early January, Dubai hosted the largest annual shopping and entertainment festivals of the year. This month-long event included exclusive promotions, fun activities for families, world-class events, and participants received prizes in cash, car, or gold.

Being the shopping capital of the Middle East, Dubai is where visitors find countless products such as clothing, footwear, fabrics, carpets, spices, and electronics in bustling traditional markets or crowded shopping centres. You can buy many items at good prices if you know exactly where to go in Dubai.

DUBAI MALL

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

  • Address: Financial Center, Dubai
  • Opening hours: 10am – 12am daily. During the religious holiday season of Ramadan, the opening hours of this shopping mall last longer, and shops are open from 10 am to 1 am the following day.
  • Tips: Festival time is definitely the best occasion to go shopping in Dubai Mall.

GOLDEN MARKET

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

  • Address: Near Al Ras Metro Station, Deira, Dubai.
  • Opening hours: 9.30am – 9.30pm every day.
  • Tips: The gold price fluctuates daily, so it is important that you have enough knowledge relating to this market. It is also recommended that you check the difference in prices of various store owners and also make use of your bargaining skills in order to get the best deals.

MALL OF THE EMIRATES

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

  • Address: Sheikh Zayed Road, Interchange4, Al Barsha, Dubai
  • Opening hours: 10am – 10pm from Sunday to Wednesday, 10am – 12pm from Thursday to Saturday.
  • Tips: Most of the stores located at the Mall of the Emirates have return policies; therefore, it’s important to make sure you have a good understanding of them in case you need to return any of the items you have purchased. Be sure to keep your receipts or invoices in case you may need them.

2. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA GO SHOPPING IN “THE CITY OF ANGELS”

Considered the “the City of Angels,” Los Angeles became a spotlight among the world’s must-visit destinations since the early 1900s when Hollywood started launching blockbusters that caused a sensation around the world. This place attracts tourists not only because of its beautiful scenery and mild climate but also extremely interesting shopping centres.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

When it comes to Los Angeles, we often think of Hollywood or Beverly Hills. However, it is recommended to visit the Avenue of Fame, enjoy the warm weather at Surfrider Beach or Venice Beach, and experience vivid historical events reconstructed at the Jura Museum of Jurassic Technology. Most importantly, in order to fulfill your Los Angeles dream journey, do not forget to go shopping.

Popular shopping destinations in Los Angeles:

BEVERLY CENTER SHOPPING CENTER

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

  • Address: 8500 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles
  • Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm every day.
  • Tips: The best way to enjoy your shopping experience at Beverly Center is to take a stroll along the street. However, there are not many dining options here. You can enjoy meals at Cali-fornia Pizza Kitchen and Chipotle Mexican Grill, or try Italian cuisine at Obika Mozzarella Bar and high-end Asian cuisine

THE GROVE

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

  • Address: 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles
  • Opening hours: 10am – 9pm from Monday to Thursday; 10am – 10pm Friday and Saturday; 10am – 8pm on Sunday
  • Tips: The Grove is a very popular and crowded outdoor shopping mall, so you may have difficulty finding parking, especially if you decide to visit this mall during peak times, which generally fall on Fridays and Saturdays. In order to avoid this situation, instead of driving, you can take a free tram tour. Another interesting alternative is to walk to The Grove, on the way you will be able to admire a famous musical fountain where the water dances in rhythm with music.

WESTSIDE PAVILION

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

  • Address: 10800 West Pico Avenue, Los Angeles
  • Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm from Monday to Friday; 10 am – 8 pm on Saturday; 11 am – 6 pm on Sunday
  • Tips: Considered a quality shopping destination that offers affordable prices in Los Angeles, the Westside Pavillion is home to many famous fashion brands. If your budget is limited, you can buy products from affordable brands such as Forever 21 or H&M, which offer more affordable items.

3. PARIS, FRANCE – THE FASHION KINGDOM OF EUROPE

Paris is a destination that bears romantic and charming beauty, which cannot be fully expressed in words. The beauty of France’s capital is contributed by many features including natural landscapes, monuments, architectural works, museums, state-of-the-art shopping malls, and quiet streets. They are built next to each other in a perfect way to create a poetic beauty under the dawn light. The passionate scenery at sunset and sparkling lights at night make Paris even more brilliant and luxurious.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

Referring to Paris, it’s crucial not to forget to mention its fashion industry. Considered to be one of the cities of luxury, Paris never fails to overwhelm fashion devotees with its flashy shopping areas such as Vandôme Square, Avenue Montaigne, The Avenue des Champs-Élysées. These are the locations of a myriad of luxury stores: Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Le Bon Marché, La Samaritaine, which are associated with world-class fashion brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Armani, Dior, Prada, Valentino, Montblanc, and Hugo Boss.

Popular shopping destinations in Paris:

THE AVENUE DES CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

  • Address: This avenue runs between the Place de la Concorde and the Place Charles de Gaulle
  • Tips: Discount seasons in France take place in January and July. During these occasions, it is recommended to visit shopping malls that offer a wide variety of goods. Keep in mind that all items sold in this avenue are subject to VAT.

CARROUSEL DU LOUVRE

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

  • Address: 99 Rue de Rivoli, Paris
  • Opening hours: 11 am – 7 pm on Tuesday; 10 am – 8 pm the rest of the week.
  • Tips: You can go shopping at the Carrousel du Louvre, which is in close proximity to the Louvre museum – a must see and one of the largest museums in the world. The museum is home to world-famous works including marble statues such as The Winged Victory of Samothrace, Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa painting, etc.

BERCY VILLAGE MALL

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

  • Address: 28 François Truffaut, Paris
  • Opening hours: 11 am – 2 am the following day
  • Tips: Bercy Village is a well-known shopping district with many restaurants, cafés, and fashion boutiques, located in one-story buildings. However, this area is only for pedestrians. To get there, you can travel by subway to 14 Cour Saint Emilion then go sightseeing before getting lost in this shopping paradise.

4. HONG KONG – ASIA’S SHOPPING PARADISE

Hong Kong is known as the “shopping paradise” of Asia. However, when visiting Hong Kong for the first time, visitors may still be overwhelmed by the large amount of shopping malls and fashion stores which offer wide ranges of anything from affordable to luxurious brands. According to a study by Global Shopper City Index 2011, 87 percent of tourists travel to Hong Kong for shopping, and 76 percent of them express above-average satisfaction on quality of products and money.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

In Hong Kong, shopping is no longer a mere business activity; it has become a form of entertainment. The most popular products are clothing, cosmetics, and electronics. In addition to high-quality goods, most shopping malls in Hong Kong have restaurants, bookstores, cinemas, and cafés to satisfy the demand of tourists.

Any season is a good time for you to enjoy your shopping tourism trip to Hong Kong. From May to December, there are many great promotional programs.

Popular shopping destinations in Hong Kong:

CAUSEWAY BAY

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

  • Address: 230-230A Wan Chai Street, Hong Kong.
  • Opening hours: 10 am – 10 pm from Monday to Thursday; 10 am – 11 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
  • Tips: When visiting any store, it is recommended to carefully check the prices as fraudulent activities happen quite frequently in Hong Kong. Many shops offer travellers prices that are too high, others often don’t even have fixed prices. It is recommended to do some research on the products’ prices and shop around before deciding to buy anything.

MONGKOK

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

  • Address: Yau Tsim Mong district, West of Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong
  • Tips: Mongkok is a relatively affordable shopping street with a variety of electronic products of diverse models. However, these products also vary widely in quality, so in order to avoid buying poor quality products at high prices, you should consult the prices in advance and check the products carefully before buying.

TSIM SHA TSUI

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

  • Address: Yau Tsim Mong District, Southern Kowloon, Hong Kong
  • Tips: This is an extremely popular shopping area in Hong Kong,where chain stores, shopping centres, restaurants, and offices are all in close proximity. It is recommended to visit Nathan street – the main street in Tsim Sha Tsui – as well as the junction of small shopping streets. Most importantly, do not miss the Park Lane Shopper’s Boulevard, a popular shopping destination for young people to look for fashionable items.

5. TOKYO, JAPAN – IMMERSE YOURSELF IN BUSTLING SHOPPING STREETS

No one travels to Japan without visiting the noisy and gaudy capital of Tokyo. This city promises to bring you great experiences, pleasant surprises, excellent food, and luxurious amenities. That is why Tokyo has become the dream destination of many people. All features including ancient temples, antique tea rooms, elegant meals, and gentle hot springs draw visitors to Tokyo to be immersed in ancient traditions traditions and unique Japanese culture. Beautiful moments of peace can be experienced by watching the Tokyo sunset while visiting Tokyo Skytree, strolling through Hamarikyu Gardens, sailing on Chidorigafuchi canal, or sipping the sake at Kurand Sake market.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

One of the pleasures that no one should miss in Tokyo is shopping. You can find unique souvenirs for your family and friends in typical traditional stores of Asakusa Prefecture or Kagurazaka, where you can experience the atmosphere of the Edo era. It is recommended to buy luxury products at Ginza – a favorite place for all trendy fashionistas. Let Tokyo surprise you by being spontaneous.

Popular shopping destinations in Tokyo:

ASAKUSA AREA

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

  • Address: Asakusa District, Taitō District, Tokyo
  • Tips: Asakusa is one of the rare places that still retains its features in Tokyo. Asakusa attracts visitors because of the many stores that still sell traditional items, souvenirs, and local dishes. Recommended addresses in Asakusa: Tokyo Hotarudas (antique and vintage products), Nakamise-dori (jewelry), Kappabashi-dōri (cuisine).

AKIHABARA AREA

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

  • Address: Akihabara District, Chiyoda District, Tokyo
  • Tips: Akihabara is a famous electronics market in Japan, offering hundreds of stores which sell electronics at extremely good prices. The prices of electronic products are usually 20-30% cheaper than at the market. Many stores offer tax exemption for foreigners.

GINZA AREA

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | The world’s paradises for shopaholics

  • Address: Ginza district, Chūō, Tokyo
  • Tips: All items here have specific fixed prices and there is no bargaining. Tax exemptions for visitors are applied to all items; refunds range from 5% to 8% depending on each store. Duty-free shops will have “Tax-free” signboard outside, and visitors must purchase a minimum of PYJ5,000 (~ VND1,040,600) in a store to be eligible for tax exemption.

Kim Oanh | Wanderlust Tips

Citadines Central Binh Duong - Opening Ceremony (1)

Ascott opens its first Citadines Apart’hotel in Binh Duong Province

CapitaLand’s wholly-owned serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), has opened its first Citadines-branded serviced residence in Binh Duong Province. Citadines Central Binh Duong is the first international brand of serviced residence in the province.

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The 204-unit Citadines Central Binh Duong enjoys a prime location at 328C Binh Duong Avenue, Thuan An Town, just a 5-minute drive from Aeon Mall, Song Be Golf Course by shuttle bus service, a 30-minute drive to Binh Duong New City / VSIP 2, approximately 40 minute-drive to the Financial Hub of Ho Chi Minh City, and an hour drive from Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Ms. Lew Yen Ping, Country General Manager for Ascott Vietnam, said “We continue to bolster Ascott’s position as the largest international lodging player in Vietnam by launching the first Citadines Apart’hotel in Binh Duong province, where we see limited supply of quality accommodation. The province has driven by steady inflow of foreign direct investments into its manufacturing, processing and real estate sectors. We are delighted to establish first-mover advantage and are confident to make Citadines Central Binh Duong a preferred accommodation for the underserved independent business travellers and development projects in Binh Duong province.

The 19-storey serviced residence offers business and leisure travellers 204 units, ranging from 35-sqm, one-bedroom studios, to 71-sqm two-bedroom apartments. Each apartment is tastefully furnished and comes with a fully-equipped kitchen, separate living room and dining area, as well as complimentary wireless Internet access, smart LED television, washing machine, and other modern amenities. Guests can enjoy a comprehensive range of lifestyle facilities including an outdoor swimming pool and children’s wading pool, fitness centre, sauna room, residents’ lounge, café and restaurant.

In addition, it is convenient for guests to customize their stay with a menu of optional services such as laundry and dry-cleaning services. The property will also provide 24-hour reception and security, housekeeping service, complimentary shuttle bus service to Aeon Mall, Song Be Golf Course, and residents’ programmes to assist guests in settling into their new home.

To celebrate the opening of Citadines Central Binh Duong, Ascott is offering a 20% discount of Best Flexible Rates for stays from now till 28th February 2019. Attractive rates are also available for monthly stays.

In Vietnam, Ascott offers the growing number of travellers a wide range of well-located serviced residences and business hotels across key cities such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ha Long, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Danang City and Binh Duong province with over 5,000 units in 22 properties and aims to attain the target of 7,000 units by 2020.

ASCOTT INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT VIETNAM

  • Address: No 49 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Tel: (84-24) 3934 2343
  • Fax: (84-24) 3934 2343
  • Website: www.the-ascott.com

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

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InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort wins three awards at The World Travel Awards 2018

The new InterContinental® Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort in Vietnam is delighted to announce that the luxury resort has won three highly coveted awards at the World Travel Awards 2018. The resort has been named the World’s Leading New Family Resort, World’s Leading New Luxury Resort and World’s Leading New MICE Resort.

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One of the most prestigious travel and tourism events of the year, the World Travel Awards was launched in 1993 to acknowledge excellence in the travel and tourism industry. Proclaimed the “travel industry’s equivalent to the Oscar’s” by The Wall Street Journal, the awards are voted for by travel and tourism professionals and consumers across the globe.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort wins three awards at The World Travel Awards 2018

Speaking at the awards ceremony in Lisbon, Piero Bellizzi, General Manager of InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, said “We are absolutely delighted to have won these three highly sought after awards in our first year. With exceptional facilities for families, couples and business travellers, underpinned by genuine, heartfelt service, the resort offers truly memorable experiences for all our guests. It is an honour to have been recognized at one of the industry’s most highly regarded award ceremonies, and we remain committed to our philosophy of delivering a consistent level of service excellence to our guests.”

InterContinental® Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort is an exciting new property in the Asia-Pacific region and is located on the pristine Phu Quoc Island, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve off the southwest coast of Vietnam.

Offering unparalleled luxury and refinement on the island, the resort is surrounded by verdant jungle matted hills and enjoys breathtaking views that stretch out across an endless ocean horizon. Located just 15 minutes from Phu Quoc International Airport and 20 minutes from the largest town on the island, Duong Dong, the resort offers convenient access to all of the area’s major tourist attractions.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort wins three awards at The World Travel Awards 2018

The resort features a series of private low rise and sky tower accommodation, with many of the rooms, suites and villas offering landscaped gardens, patios and direct access to the white sand beach. In each of the elegant accommodations, the deep bathtubs, walk-in rain showers, floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious balconies ensure a luxurious and inviting space for the ultimate escape in comfort and relaxation.

InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort’s six innovative restaurants and bars all offer an eclectic array of gastronomic delights. Guests can enjoy exquisite seafood under the stars at LAVA restaurant, listen to the waves lap the shore with barbecued delights at Sea Shack, sample Japanese and Vietnamese delicacies at Sora & Umi, poolside Italian cuisine at Ombra, and experience breathtaking sunset ocean views with an expertly made cocktail in hand at the iconic INK 360, the highest sky bar on the island.

With four swimming pools, Planet Trekkers Children’s Club and cooking school, award winning HARNN Heritage Spa and distinctive daily activities for both adults and children, the resort is the perfect escape for those looking for an energetic adventure, or just simple rest and relaxation.

Wanderlust Tips 

Wanderlust Tips Magzine |

Roadshow on Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City Tourism in China

Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism organizes the ‘ Ho Chi Minh City – Expolore a Whole Vietnam Roadshow in China’ which has two stops, the first stop is in Chengdu City from 29th November to 01st December 2018 at Chengdu International Travel Expo (CITE 2018) and in Shanghai on 03rd December 2018.

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With this enthusiastic effort to promote Ho Chi Minh City as a travel gateway & a gather place of Vietnam’s cultures and cuisines to Chinese Travel Agents and Industry Players, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism expect to welcome more Chinese traveler, especially more meetings and business groups to visit this vibrant city. In this framework, Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center also invite Chinese Travel Agents and Media to attend Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo from 5 to 7 September 2019, which is the most establised international travel expo of Vietnam , a travel gateway to approach Vietnam and Asia.

Wanderlust Tips Magzine | Roadshow on Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City Tourism in China

Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City Tourism first time join CITE 2018 in Chengdu. At CITE 2018, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism (Vietnam) organized a pavilion under the theme “Ho Chi Minh City – A Whole Vietnam” to promote Vietnam tourism and Ho Chi Minh City as a coveted destination.

The “Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Roadshow in China” is expected to welcome an esteemed delegation, including Mr Nguyen Van Chieu, Counsellor of Vietnam Embassy in China and Mr. Ninh Thanh Cong – Vietnam Consul General in Shanghai, Leader of Chengdu Municipal Tourism Administration and Leaders from Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, leading airlines and travel agents of Chengdu and Shanghai. This is a valuable opportunity for the Vietnamese travel agents to explore more business opportunities and exchange more information with the Chinese travel agents and tourism professionals.

Wanderlust Tips Magzine | Roadshow on Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City Tourism in China

(1) Azerai Can Tho., (2) Saigon Hoan Cau. (3) Victoria Tour, (4) Hoi An Impression Theme Park, (5) Vietnam Travel and Marketing Transportation JSC – Vietravel, (6) Vietnamese Bird’s Nest Exhibition Center, (7) Vietnam Airlines – China Branch and (8) Phở Ông Hùng and many more will showcase your latest and exciting products to the China. In this framework, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism will have a media briefing to give Chinese media a quick view about Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City tourism products and services for Chinese traveler.

During the press conference, Vietnam Airlines – China Branch has revealed that the Company is in the process of research to operate new direct flight from Chengdu to Ho Chi Minh City in 2019. The purposes are to diversify products and aim to have a daily flight to two biggest Vietnam cities from Chengdu (Vietnam Airlines is currently operating 3 flights/week on CTU-HAN route). According to the research, Chinese tourists are trending to travel to the South Vietnam destinations, due to reason of more different culture, easier go shopping and more convenient moving to the beautiful beaches in the South and the Central South Vietnam.

Wanderlust Tips Magzine | Roadshow on Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City Tourism in China

Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Roadshow in Shanghai is jointly organized by Vietnam Consulate General in Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism organizes ‘Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Roadshow in Shanghai’ which will welcome more than 150 travel professionals and media on the half day event on 03rd December 2018 in Shanghai. This roadshow will allow relevant travel agents & tour operators in Shanghai to meet face-to-face to promote corporate meetings and incentive travel to Ho Chi Minh City. This is our first time here, we bring in our leading companies to introduce to Chinese travel agents and fulfil their business needs. The highlight of the day will be the coffee making performance and food tasting of the Vietnamese authentic cuisine under the background of traditional music performance, follow with many valuable voucher to explore a whole VIETNAM.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

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Exclusive Christmas offer from Six Senses Con Dao

This year, Christmas comes early with a very special offer from Six Senses Con Dao.

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Book your stay before 30th November 2018 at an exclusive rate from VND29,990,000 net / Ocean view duplex villa per night for 02 persons to enjoy the biggest present of the year:

● Daily Bed & Breakfast at Ocean View Duplex Pool Villa.
● Round-trip air tickets to Con Dao from HCM per stay

Or

Christmas buffet on 24th December 2018 (excluding beverage) & 60-minute Signature Body Massage per stay

● Roundtrip shared van transfers from Con Son Airport for maximum number of occupants per villa.

Validity: 22nd – 28th December 2018
Book Date: Now till 30th November 2018

Wanderlust Tips | Six Senses Con Dao

(*) This offer is applicable to new bookings with a minimum three-night stay, for local residents and expatriates living and working in Vietnam. Offer is based on a standard number of occupants per villa and subject to other terms and conditions.

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas operates one hotel, 15 resorts and 31 spas in 21 countries under the brand names Six Senses, Evason and Six Senses Spas. The portfolio will triple over the next five years with resort, hotel and spa openings underway in Austria, Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Israel, St. Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States.

Six Senses properties share a leadership commitment to community, sustainability, wellness and design, infused with a touch of quirkiness. Whether an exquisite island resort, mountain retreat or urban hotel, the enduring purpose is to help people reconnect with themselves, others and the world around them. Six Senses Spas offers a wide range of holistic wellness, rejuvenation and beauty treatments administered under the guidance of expert therapists in all resorts as well as at 16 additional standalone spas. The high-tech and high-touch approach guides guests on their personal path to well-being, taking them as deep as they want to go.

SIX SENSES  CON DAO HOTELS RESORTS – SPAS

Address: Dat Doc Site, Con Dao District, Ba Ria Vung Tau Province, Vietnam | Tel: +84 64 3831 222 | Website: www.sixsenses.com

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

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Celebration time at Novotel Phu Quoc Resort

Festive season is a magical time at Novotel Phu Quoc Resort. Offering an array of indulgence ranging from the sweetest delicacies to fabulous parties, we will bring you precious and luxurious moments with your loved ones.

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Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Celebration time at Novotel Phu Quoc Resort

1. TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS DINNER

Feel the magic of Christmas at Novotel Phu Quoc Resort. Our Food Exchange Restaurant will be transformed into a gorgeous winter wonderland to make your Christmas Eve a feast to remember. Featuring a live band playing hit music, the freshest delicious food cooked to perfection at our poolside terrace together with selection of meats, salads, fruits, vegetarian options and desserts, this cozy winter hideaway is sure to bring you the very best of this holiday season.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Celebration time at Novotel Phu Quoc Resort

• Time: 6pm – 10:30pm, 24th December
• Venue: Food Exchange Restaurant
• Price: VND1,650,000++/adult; VND825,000++/kid (6-12 years old)
• Add: VND250,000++ for free flow drinks of wine house and local beers

2. CHRISTMAS LUNCH

Celebrate Christmas day lunch with your family and friends at Food Exchange restaurant with delicious fresh caught seafood, carvery, salad, fruits and vegetarian options with homemade Novotel desserts.

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Celebration time at Novotel Phu Quoc Resort

• Time: 12am – 3pm, 25th December
• Venue: Food Exchange Restaurant
• Price: VND1,300,000++/adult; VND650,000++/kid (6-12 years)
• Add: VND250,000++ for free flow drinks of wine house and local beers

3. NEW YEAR’S EVE SEAFOOD BBQ BUFFET ON THE BEACH

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Celebration time at Novotel Phu Quoc Resort

Whether reward yourself for the year past years success, or prepare yourself to turn the page and start the year afresh. Do so with us at our annual Gala on the beach. Wide selection of Phu Quoc’s freshest seafood accompanied by a choice of flame grilled meats, salads, vegetables, desserts and all else you would expect on our gala event buffet. Entertainment by our house band E-Minor plus a surprise performance disclosed only at the event. Free flow beer, wine and soft drink is included in the cost, join us from 6pm for pre-dinner cocktail on the Ocean Pool deck.

• Time: Pre-dinner 6pm to 7pm, 31st December
• Venue: pool deck
• Dinner: 7pm to 10pm
• Venue: Beach
• Price: VND2,600,000++/adult; VND1,300,000++/kid (6-12 years old)
• Add: VND250,000++ for free flow drinks of wine house and local beers
• Dress code: Resort evening wear

4. BRING IN THE NEW YEAR – MASQUERADE PARTY

Wanderlust Tips Magazine | Celebration time at Novotel Phu Quoc Resort

Following dinner, please join us under the palm trees and starry skies on the beach for music by our star DJ as we count down to the launch of 2019. Masks and accessories will be provided however feel free to bring our own to show some individuality. Children are welcome to join us however must be supervised as we are close to the sea, masks also provided with choices for boys and girls….. On the stroke of midnight all will be revealed, resolutions made and celebrations shared with old friends and new. Music and bar service will continue to 1am close.

• Time: 10pm to 1am (Beach)
• Venue: Beach
• Price: FREE
• Drinks: CASH BAR or 3 hour package VND750,000++
• Dress code: Resort evening wear

***Rates are not include 5% service charge and 10% VAT

NOVOTEL PHU QUOC RESORT

Phone: + 84 0297 626 0999 | Email: h9770-fb3@accor.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/NovotelPQResort

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

4.Winter is approaching, festive season is soon ringing around the corner - Wanderlust Tips

Winter is approaching, festive season is soon ringing around the corner

Celebrate your Festive Season at Riviera Restaurant, a vibrant, eclectic all-day-dining restaurant offering a-la-carte and buffet options. With a variety of cooking stations, make-your-own salad options, local and international treats, you can hit your hunger hard and get back to celebrating the festivities. Book now until 30th November 2018 and receive a 10% discount on the below events.

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CHRISTMAS EVE SEAFOOD BBQ DINNER

24th December from 6 p.m

A festive-inspired seafood buffet grill with family and friends, featuring a live band playing hit music, the freshest delicious local seafood grilled to perfection on our outdoor terrace. A selection of Meat, Seafood, Salads, Fruits, and Vegetarian options, and then indulge in our mouthwatering dessert buffet that will melt you away.

  • Adults: VND1,499,000 net
  • Children (6-12): VND749,000 net
  • Under 6 FREE

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS DAY SET MENU

Booking from 12p.m – 3p.m & 6p.m – 9p.m

Experience the Christmas Spirit at Riviera Restaurant. Be treated to a glass of sparkling wine on arrival as you are soothed with the serenading performance of Christmas carols. Indulge in a set menu of festive fare, including roast turkey, baked ham, crabs, prawns, mussels, oysters, and fresh fish.

  • Adults :VND1,099,000 net
  • Children (6-12): VND449,000 net
  • Under 6 FREE

NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECIAL BUFFET DINNER

31st December from 6 p.m

New Year’s Eve is a time for celebration. Be tempted with a range of international culinary delights including fresh fish, crabs, prawns, sushi, Asian specialties, succulent roast & a variety of other dishes. And then indulge in our mouthwatering dessert buffet that will melt you away.

  • Adults :VND1,499,000 net
  • Children (6-12): VND749,000 net
  • Under 6 FREE

FESTIVE GIFTS

Wide range of festive items available for pre-order, including Gingerbread Houses & Christmas Log Cakes. Contact us for pre-order now or come to buy it fresh at Pullman Vung Tau’s Lobby Bar from 1st December 2018.

The number of seats is limited, we recommend you to book early to not missing the chance. Pre-payment is required for all Festive Season Events upon reservation. 15% discount for Accor Plus Members, not to be used in conjunction with any other special promotion or discount.

Bookings information

Email: Dine@pullmanvungtau.com
Hotline: +84.(254).355.1777

Wanderlust Tips