Nepal: The Himalayas’ hidden jewel

Many years ago, when it came to Nepal, many Vietnamese did not even know where the country is. Nestled in the majestic Himalayas, home to Mount Everest – the highest mountain in the world, Nepal is a great destination for those who love adventure travel, cultural exploration or just a place to retreat in peace.

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A LAND OF WORLD HERITAGES

I always thought I was driven to Nepal four times by fate. I came to Nepal for the frst time in June 2010 for a simple reason: visiting old friends. What I could not understand at frst is the reason for such a poor and dusty capital existing in this world. As the plane was about to land at Tribhuvan Airport, I saw the capital Kathmandu featuring a russet colour of the local houses. The houses are pretty low. Even the international airport looked crummy. “Oh, is there anything interesting in this poor country?” I thought to myself as I stepped out of the airport.

But Kathmandu gave me an ineffable sense of pleasure. It was the feeling of going far away and experiencing different landscapes and cultures that were sometimes beyond my imagination. I felt like I had travelled back in time about two decades. I saw people in traditional clothes walking on the streets lined with old buildings that looked like they had been built decades ago and had never been repaired. Nepal was poor, really poor! But it is also in undeveloped countries like Nepal that many relics remain intact. In Kathmandu alone there are countless monuments.

On a hill in Kathmandu valley, there is an ancient place where visitors can catch a panoramic view of the capital and retreat in peace. The temple Swayambhunath is also known as Monkey Temple because monkeys appear everywhere. Swayambhunath is one of the oldest religious sites in Nepal. It was built in the early 5th century and has been restored 15 times. Slowly taking step-by-step to reach the temple is a really good time to no longer be bothered by anything else and simply focus on your steps.

Similar to Swayambhunath, Boudhanath also has a stupa complex, but it is more accessible as it is in the middle of the busy streets of Kathmandu. Here, you can meet Tibetan Lamas or other Tibetan people living in Nepal. And if you have time to pray inside the temples around the stupa, you can also be blessed by the Lamas and receive a thread bracelet with a wish of good luck.

In Nepal there are many UNESCO World heritage sites, not only Buddhist monuments but also relics of other religions. Pashupatinath is such a place. It is not only a temple but also a crematorium and a place to conduct funerals for Hindus. Pashupatinath is located on the banks of Bagmati River. Here, you can observe death cremations. Then, the ashes are pushed down the river, drifting downstream. Men finally returned to dust. And surprisingly, in such a sorrowful place there was no crying. Everything was very quiet and peaceful, as if people penetrated and accepted the cycle of creation as a natural course. My frst trip to Nepal, witnessing this rather strange thing made me more curious about this Himalayan country.

But Nepal in general and Kathmandu in particular offer more than that. Here, we also found many historical monuments, which can make anyone envision a glorious period in the past. When getting to Kathmandu, do not miss Durbar Square. After the earthquake in April 2015, many of the towers in this square collapsed, but it is still a beautiful must-see destination in Kathmandu. There are still many other towers and relics around for you to find out more about.

History does not tell us when Durbar Square was built, but it is believed that construction began around the 11th century. From that time up to now, this architectural ensemble continues to be built and it was once used as the royal palace for the kings. By the 19th century, the Royal Palace of Nepal was moved to another place, but Durbar Square in Kathmandu remains an important place for celebrations. The monarchy in Nepal has collapsed nearly 10 years ago but Durbar still attracts many visitors to visit and learn about history.

IMMERSE IN NATURE

Besides Kathmandu, what I enjoy in Nepal is the countryside and other less crowded cities. The frst place after Kathmandu I went to visit is Pokhara, a city in Western Nepal. My Nepalese friend convinced me to go to Pokhara. “It is my hometown, it is very nice!” my friend said.

Pokhara is beautiful in a different way. It is quiet and dull but the nature is wonderful. Pokhara Lake extends over a vast area and when the sky is a clear blue, you can see the distant snow mountain peaks refecting on thelake like a land of fairy tales.And if you want to admire the mighty Himalayan mountains, visit the summit of Sarangkot in Pokhara. It is ineffable when climbing to the summit of Sarangkot in the early morning and enjoying the fresh air and then watching the frst rays of the day shining on the snow mountains. In this vast land, there is nothing that prevents your emotions from fooding when taking in the majestic nature.

If you want to fnd a place to rest and admire nature, Nagarkot is another great place not far from Kathmandu. Nagarkot is a village in Bhaktapur, less than an hour’s drive from Kathmandu. In addition to enjoying nature, this is also a wonderful spot to admire the Himalayas.

WARM-HEARTED NEPALESE PEOPLE

I went to Nepal, then left and then came back again as if I have special connection to this land. It is like fate makes me return to this country, witnessing both its peacefulness and hard duration. The second time back to Nepal, I went to Lumbini where the Buddha was born. Peaceful nature and good people in Lumbini have left a wonderful impression on me. And then unexpectedly, I was forced to return to Nepal for another reason: the earthquake. This disaster has shown me how incredible Nepalese people are.

I returned to Nepal for the third time in April 2015 with a great nervousness as I witnessed the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. Everything collapsed. Nearly 9,000 people were killed and nearly 22,000 were injured, millions lost their homes. Coming to Kathmandu at that time, I was struck to see the beautiful relics I had admired destroyed or severely damaged. Houses had collapsed. A painful and sorrowful scene covered this small country. And that was when I learned that the people here are, not only kind and sincere but also extremely calm and stable when facing diffculties. After the disaster, people still kept order. People lined up quietly on the streets waiting for gas, getting on the bus back home, and even waiting to receive relief supplies. No hustling, no fghting, no looting, and they were not greedy either.

Once they had enough relief supplies, they did not take more but left it for the others. Even in the ruins, in the unpredictable pain that the Nepalese had suffered at that moment, if you visited them, hot milk tea was always offered. This gentle and warmness was still intact when I returned to Nepal for the fourth time, just six months after the earthquake, as the poor country experienced an oil crisis.

At a time when many places may have become chaotic, bewildered, Nepalese were still optimistic, calm and still rising from difficulties. And their steady spirit always makes me fnd peace in my heart when coming back here.After the wonderful experiences I had on my many incidental occasions leading me to Nepal, I always think to myself, that in addition to beautiful scenery, rich nature, challenging trekking paths and precious heritage, people are an invaluable asset of this country.

W.TIPS

♦ Travelling to Nepal, you just need to apply for and get a visa at Kathmandu airport. Prepare a 4×6 photo and visa fee (USD25 for 15 days, USD40 for 30 days and USD100 for 90 days). It is recommended to print out a round-trip tcket and hotel booking when you travel to any country.

♦ You can bring Dollars to Nepal and change them to the local currency. Credit card payment is available but not as popular as in Vietnam.

♦ There are many routes to Nepal via Bangkok (Thai Airways), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Malindo Air) or Singapore (Silk Air).

♦ If you need to travel between places in Nepal, you should go by plane. You can take a bus but the road is bad and the state of the busses is not good.

♦ In Kathmandu, you can travel by taxi or bus. If you take a taxi, the driver may ask to negotate the fare with you.
♦ In Kathmandu the air is quite polluted and dusty. Get your gauze mask ready.

♦ 3G in Nepal is prety good. You can buy a sim-card at airport counters or in the city.

♦ In Nepal, from the end of September to late November, the weather is pleasant and not too cold. In December and January, it is also beautful and clear. Spring from February to mid-April, it is also nice when the weather is warming up. In summer it starts to rain. Except during summer, it is ofen clear in other seasons, so in some places you can even see the snow covered mountains.

♦ You can travel to India from Nepal because the trafc is convenient, and there are relics related to each other, so you can make this a journey to discover Buddhist monuments.

♦ If you like the bustle in addition to the old and ancient look of Kathmandu, you can go to Thamel – “Travellers’ Street”.

♦ If your health does not allow for it and time is limited you can buy fight tickets to admire the world’s highest peak – Mount Everest and the Himalayas. Guna Airlines provides a one-hour fying tour at USD160-200/person. When flying to Nepal, you can also see Everest from the plane as you arrive.

♦ Saigon Pho and Pho 99 owned by the same person: Ms Vo Thi Kim Cuong. Talking to her, you will understand more about the country and people of Nepal. She also has Pho 99 Restaurant in Pokhara.

♦ If you choose a resort in Nagarkot then Hotel Country Villa is a great suggestion. This hotel is not too expensive, located on a mountain slope and overlooks the high snow-covered Himalayas. This well equipped hotel offering a great view costs USD80/night, while for a comfortable room in Kathmandu you have to pay around USD25-30 per night.

♦ Dahlia Boutique Hotel is located in Pokhara, 1.1 km from Fewa Lake and 2.1 km from the World Peace Pagoda. Guests can enjoy various activities in the surroundings, including golfng, horse riding and cycling. The hotel also offers bike hire. Add: Lakeside Rd, Kaski, Nepal 00977

♦ Maruni Sanctuary Lodge . Managed by Nepal’s leading hotel chain (KGH Hotels), Maruni Sanctuary Lodge is located on the edge of Chitwan National Park. The park is also known as a World Heritage Site and is the home to the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. Add: Chitwan National Park, Sauraha, Nepal

♦ Bhojan Griha – An ethnic Nepali Restaurant. It dates back over 150 years. A renovated 4-storey building, it originally belonged to the royal priest of the king of Nepal. It is the perfect place to taste authentic organic Nepalese food among fascinating Nepalese cultural décor and artefacts. Price for a dinner for foreign guests is
USD20/person. Add: 536, Dillibazar, Kathmandu, Nepal

♦ Traditional Comfort. Located in the heart of Kathmandu, this 25 year-old hotel features well-decorated rooms with delightful traditional and international meals. The hotel also offers car hire. Add: Krishna Pauroti, Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

♦ You can bring Dollars to Nepal and change them to the local currency. Credit card payment is available but not as popular as in Vietnam.

♦ There are many routes to Nepal via Bangkok (Thai Airways), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Malindo Air) or Singapore (Silk Air).

♦ If you need to travel between places in Nepal, you should go by plane. You can take a bus but the road is bad and the state of the busses is not good.

♦ In Kathmandu, you can travel by taxi or bus. If you take a taxi, the driver may ask to negotate the fare with you. In Kathmandu the air is quite polluted and dusty. Get your gauze mask ready.

♦ 3G in Nepal is prety good. You can buy a sim-card at airport counters or in the city.

♦ You can travel to India from Nepal because the trafc is convenient, and there are relics related to each other, so you can make this a journey to discover Buddhist monuments.

Tran Viet Phuong | Wanderlust Tips

Sherwood Residence awarded Hotels.com’s “Loved by Guests” certificate

The five-star Sherwood Residence has been recognized for its outstanding facilities and superior service with a “Loved by Guests” Award from hotels.com.

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The “Loved by Guests” Awards is an annual awards program based on genuine guest reviews and experiences registered on the Hotels.com online accommodation site. The company celebrates and recognizes the hotels that have achieved the best average review rating, determined by over 20 million genuine and trusted reviews from guests of the hotels.

The citation from the leading travel booking website said, in part: “The Sherwood Residence has been awarded with a ‘Loved by Guests’ Certificate for receiving exceptional guest rating and reviews from our customers, showing your outstanding dedication and service. This certificate honors business that consistently earn top rating from Hotels.com guests and with a rating out of 5.0. The Sherwood Residence deserves a place among the best.”

Sherwood Residence General Manager Janet Fitzner said the hotel had always striven to deliver an outstanding guest experience by providing excellent service in exceptional surroundings.

“The team here at Sherwood Residence can take pride in receiving this honour, but we will not rest on our laurels and will continue trying to improve what we can do for our valued guests,” she said.

Sherwood Residence is a luxury serviced apartment hotel conveniently located on the edge of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. Its 228 apartments and 12 penthouses are available for short or long-term stays, and its extensive range of services and facilities make it an exceptional city living experience.

Sherwood Residence

Address: 127 Pasteur Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
Tel: (028) 3823 2288
Website: www.sherwoodresidence.com
Facebook: facebook.com/SherwoodResidence

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Michelin starred culinary experiences only at JW Marriott Hanoi

This October, JW Marriott Hanoi aspires to take you to a new starred level in your culinary experience for the first time in Hanoi, 3 starred Michelin Chef Bruno Menard from France and Singaporean 1 starred Michelin Chef Cheung Sau Keung at JW Marriott Hanoi.

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Chef Bruno Menard is a celebrity chef, previously worked at L’Osier in Tokyo, Japan, where he receives 3 stars by the Michelin Guide straightaway at the launching of the first edition of Michelin Guide Tokyo. He also received many awards, such as 3 Red Chefs Hats by Gault & Millau Guide in France, 5 stars by the Mobil Travel Guide in USA, and 5 diamonds by the American Automobile Association in USA. He was, moreover, nominated to be a president of Bocuse d’Or Asia Pacific, a world chef championship. Currently, he is one of the judges in MasterChef Asia, a regional competitive cooking game show on Lifetime Asia.

With over 20 years of experience in Asia and more than 15 years in Europe and the USA, Chef Bruno now shares his experience across the world. Chef Bruno has shared “Never give up your dream! Cook with passion, and select the best products. To be a chef is one of the best jobs in the world. You make people happy and bring smiles to their faces. Not many people can do that.”

This 5^th – 11^th October, lunch set menu 4 courses at VND2,000,000++/adult, dinner set menu 6 courses at VND3,000,000++/adult, especially the wine pairing dinner on 5^th October only at VND 5,000,000++/adult
From 23^rd – 29^th, Crystal Jade Palace is honored to welcome the Michelin starred chef in Chinese cuisine as the first time in Vietnam. You will be leaded to a first-class trip into the unique flavors created by Chef Cheung Sau Keung.

Before working as head chef Crystal Jade Palace at Ngee Ann City, Singapore, Chef Keung has an impressive culinary career that spans almost 30 years. His creativity, melted with an outstanding experience, brought him at the head of first-class restaurants in Singapore such as Yan Palace, Novotel Apollo Hotel and Fook Yuen Seafood Restaurant. Chef Cheung Sau Keung is sharing his deep knowledge, leading the culinary team to deliver a fine repertoire of familiar classic dishes and inventive delights of consistently high standards.

His precious menu consists of eight fine dishes that come directly from his exclusive, Michelin-starred cuisine as Pan-fried Cod Fish with Black Truffle Sauce or Chilled Foie Gras with Japanese Sake.

And you should not miss the unique opportunity to astonish your senses or amaze your beloved ones and colleagues with an outstanding dining experience in Hanoi, living a true starred night with the excellent staff of Crystal Jade palace.Dinner set menu 8 courses at VND 2,800,000 ++/adult from 23^rd -29^th October and dinner a la carte menu from 25^th -29^th October.

JW Marriott Hanoi hotel

Address: No. 8 Do Duc Duc Street, Me Tri Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi
Tel: (024) 38335588
Website: www.jwmarriotthanoilife.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jwmarriotthanoi

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary

Wanderlust Tips had an interesting talk with young photographer Tran Tuan Viet. Despite his lack of training in photography, his passion for photography has brought him numerous honors in photographic communities in the world such as National Geographic and the Smithsonian.

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Tran Tuan Viet is a young photographer. After graduating from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Civil Engineering, he should have been an architect but Viet pursued an information technology career and committed to his camera. Currently, Tran Tuan Viet is the director of an information technology company but has never given up his passion for photography.

Having gotten acquainted with photography 10 years ago, by 2017 Tran Tuan Viet has achieved certain success on the path of a professional photographer. Viet’s photos were displayed at Hanoi Art Gallery and the National Art Gallery, and he has also won several international awards in the United States, Italy, Argentina, India, Finland, Greece, Spain and the Czech Republic. Some of Tran Tuan Viet’s works were selected as some of the most beautiful photos of the day by major photographic communities of the world such as National Geographic and the Smithsonian.

Tran Tuan Viet has had 13 photos selected for the “Most Beautiful Photos of the Day – Daily Dozen”, and has most of Vietnam’s selected photos in the Daily Dozen category until today. Viet is also only the second Vietnamese with photos posted on VISIONS’ featured category on the front pages of the magazine where some of the most unique images from around the world are posted.

Each photographer pursues a different shooting style and topic. What is yours? What inspires you to go on a hunt for beautiful photos?

I am a true visual storyteller. My photo stories mainly focus on Vietnamese life, traditional villages and working people. Vietnamese rustic simplicity is what drives me to learn, empathise and capture meaningful moments.

Good photographers often enjoy taking pictures of Northwest Vietnam’s poetic landscape, overseas countries, or trendy destinations. So what about you? Do you choose trendy themes (rice season, rice terraces, cloud chasing or beautiful people)?

Most photographers pursue those trends. And Vietnamese photographers are not really impressive, because they are not specialised in any field. They may be landscape photographers for one day, then become portrait photographers the next day, and compose daily-life photos the following day. Previously, I also followed in this turnaround and seasonal trend as many other photographers. However, with the desire to be different, I aim to become a visual storyteller who can capture pictures of everyday life, traditional jobs, and things that will fade with time.

In your opinion, what makes a photograph beautiful? What are the difficulties behind good works?

A beautiful photograph, in my personal opinion, besides technical factors and fine art, must also convey an attractive, deep and meaningful content. When I first got acquainted with cameras, I had to glean from foreign documents to learn about shooting techniques, to master the camera. You need a long time to train yourself to learn to convey the art, content or meaning in your photo. Sometimes, you must take a thousand shots just to catch the most beautiful moment. For me, the most difficulties are learning to master the camera, processing the photos after shooting and always finding good topics to follow.

Can you tell a story behind a photo that you feel is the most impressive in your photography career?

I have a lot of memories with my photos, however the making incense photos published in June 2017 in the Visions of Earth category of the National Geographic is my most impressive. It captures the picture of a woman working as an incense maker in Quang Phu Cau Village, Ung Hoa, Hanoi. Through the picture, I want to convey the story of incense – the bridge to connect the visible life of human beings and the world of heaven, earth and gods – making incense has been a traditional job in Vietnam for thousand of years.

Could you share your secret with young Vietnamese photographer so they know how their photos could catch the eye of international publications?

My secret is to tell realistic, true and unique photo stories which can only be captured in Vietnam. If the picture is associated with traditional culture it is more wonderful. Because this is a distinctive, different feature of our identity and and that makes for an extremely interesting story of culture, history and habits.

Many international friends feel very curious when seeing my pictures. They do not know what incense are, so I explain that this incense is associated with the ancestor worship custom of the Vietnamese. Then when shooting the Stilt Fishermen on Hai Hau Beach in Nam Dinh, there were a lot of people surprised, then I explained to them that this is how they catch shrimp and fish. Thanks to such stories, many photographers have come to me to ask about Vietnam, they also ask where they can go to capture such beautiful pictures.

What advices do you have for photography lovers pursuing professional photography?

I think, to pursue a photography career, you need to keep your passion. Keep learning, exploring, creating and finding out what is unique about yourself by being rigorous with your works. Without true passion and learning spirit, you will end up feeling downhearted when facing challenges, because becoming a professional photographer is not a bed of roses; in fact it is very hard.

Which is the most impressive destination in Vietnam for you? If you had to pick 5 destinations for 2017, what destinations would you choose?

Selecting 5 destinations for 2017, I would choose: Quang Binh with Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, Quang Ninh with Ha Long Bay, Yen Bai with spectacular terraces, the ancient capital Ninh Binh with beautiful and historical sites and finally the capital Hanoi – the heart of the country. My dream destination is the cave system of Quang Binh, especially Son Doong Cave.

Recently, there are a lot of people interested in shooting photos and they have good cameras and travel to many places, but what are the differences between a tourist taking pictures and a real photographer? Does the fact that everyone can own a camera, can travel, and can shoot to take pictures lead to any problem?

A traveller only needs to capture pictures wherever they go. A real photographer will invest time to give meaningful value to each photo. They will always demand higher quality after every shot. Today, people seem to be very confused between amateur photographers and a true photographer. Personally, I find it leads to many problems, such as many people using the camera to do bad things, or take pictures to satisfy themselves, or take meaningful photos to become famous, or get likes on Facebook.

Do you plan on publishing photo books and where is your next destination for photography?

When I feel capable and my photo collection is large enough, I will publish a photo book and hold my own exhibitions. With my photo style as I said, my next destination is still the traditional villages of Hanoi.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with Wanderlust Tips. We wish you success in the journey of bringing the Vietnamese soul to the world trough photography.

Hong Nhung | Wanderlust Tips

Wellness tourism: A journey of self-renewal

Some people travel for entertainment, others go to show they were there or for the journey and to explore the heritage, and then there are people visiting other places to obtain wellness treatments – and these journeys of self-renewal do not have a poetic name, but are simply called “wellness tourism”.

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JOURNEY TO REGENERATE ENERGY

“Tourism, in its numerous different forms, has become a way of life for many people. People should not go on meaningless trips, or use it as a way to boast about themselves, instead travel to discover the world and find yourself in its infinite flow and people lives.” These words by journalist Truong Anh Ngoc remind me of an article written by a British tourist named Anna Taylor, writing about her experience of going to India. The article did not mention busy cities, world heritage or feature photos showing she had checked-in, but it focused on her journey of finding and pampering her own self on a trip she called wellness tourism.

She wrote: “I came to India with the intention to visit great works like the Palace of Winds, the Taj Mahal, but in the end, the most memorable experience I had was practicing yoga with 35,000 people at Rajpath – King’s Avenue in Delhi on the occasion of International Yoga Day in the morning of 21st June 2015. People meditated, someone practiced difficult yoga movement, everyone smiled gently and stayed calm. Despite being in a sea of people, I felt more serene and happy, the flow of life soaked into all the cells.“

As evident in history books, this type of tourism emerged thousands of years ago when Greek pilgrims travelled from the vast Mediterranean region to the tiny territory of the Saronic Gulf called Epidauria where Asklepios, the god of medicine, was worshiped.Thus, Epidauria became the first wellness tourism destination. Mineral springs used for patients to rest, bath and recover were considered the first form of this type of tourism.

Until this day, wellness tourism is travel for the purpose of promoting health and well-being through physical, psychological, or spiritual activities. It differs from medical tourism, which is travel for medical, surgical or non-surgical purposes.

Travel is not just a movement, on the internet a myriad of articles like “VND40 million trips to Europe” and “Discovering New York with VND20 million” started a craze for cheap travel and wellness travel emerged as a distinct trend within it, attracting people like Anna, who are tired of their busy, suffocating modern life. They opt for less fashionable journeys, such as travelling to Israel for a soak in the Dead Sea or have a white mud wrap, going to India for meditation and yoga, taking a trip to Japan to visit the Onsen Bath or going to China to take a hot spring mineral bath.

“During my wellness trip, I re-energise myself to get ready for the next journey.” said Nguyen Hai, a young women with a passion for travel who just returned from her trip to Nha Trang for surfing and mud mineral baths. Though not yet prominent, wellness tourism is developing increasingly fast. According to the Global Health Research Institute, in 2013, 586.5 million visitors chose to go on wellness trips, which marks a 12% growth since 2012. Global wellness tourism revenues grew to USD563 billion in 2015. The global market for wellness tourism achieved USD489 billion and is predicted to grow to USD679 billion by the end of 2017.

A JOURNEY WITH MANY BENEFITS

Though I have found wellness tourism to be a new trend many people are interested in, there are people who think otherwise. This type of tourism, they would argue, is… dull, especially to those who travel to broaden their horizon, go for the purpose of exploring the world instead of just immersing themselves in the tight and closed life at home.

Arguing about this matter is a waste of time, because I think that every time you start a new journey, you are the one who chooses how it should be. For example, if during a 3-day trip, you just spend time in mud and hot spring mineral baths, it would sound a little bit monotonous to those eager to travel to experience as much as possible and to broaden their mind, however, wellness tourism is not just about enjoying, it also helps you explore the culture and identity of a country. If you go to Thailand and experience the traditional massage method of the Land of the Golden Pagoda, it not only allows you to release your physical and mental stress, but also helps you understand the principle of harmonising the energy of the human body and the energy of the universe and the meridian system. In some places if you are interested, you can even learn some Thai massage methods to apply when returning home. If you go to Israel for a Dead Sea bath and white mud wrap, which are believed to have a lot of health benefits, then you will probably discover that a long time ago, Queen Cleopatra considered the Dead Sea in Israel the world’s first spa. It was where she went for wellness and rejuvenation with natural methods.

In his comment about a trip to Japan on TripAdvisor, Michael Aiden, an English traveller wrote: “Onsen bathing is one of my favourite activities in Japan. It not only retreats the body and spirit, but also supports the treatment of some brain and nerve diseases, bone and joint diseases and especially helps the skin become more beautiful. In addition, I also learned some interesting cultural features such as mixed bathing for both men and women, or that before entering Onsen you must take a bath, and fortunately I do not have any large tattoos on the body, if I did have one I may be mistaken as a yakuza (mafia gang member) and potentially be invited to leave.”

Besides exploring the unique local culture, a trip to both visit famous sites and experience health care is a great combination. For example, in the city of Bad Münstereifel in Germany, in the 16th-17th centuries, a green wall was built several metres high so that the salt water would flow downward to obtain minerals from it. The salt water flowing through the green wall actually cleaned the air. The air around the wall has a lot of negative ions, and it is also moist and clean, therefore recently it has become a place for retreats and purifying the lungs, suitable for people with respiratory diseases. In addition, Bad Münstereifel is a picturesque city. Because it is located in a valley, this place not only nestles in the green of nature, but also has Renaissance architecture restored after wars including the ancient market and the old castle. Therefore, the city is a wonderful get-a-way destination, helping to purify the lungs and satisfying the love for beautiful sights.

“In addition to swimming in the sea, whenever I come to Vung Tau I also go for mud baths. In other places, the wet mud bathing is popular, but in Binh Chau – Vung Tau, they offer dry mud bathing with Melaleuca oil. Compared to the price in Nha Trang, mud bathing in Binh Chau is a bit more expensive, but in return I can experience a mud bath in prime natural forest space,” said Lan Anh, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City.

In conclusion, wellness travel is not a boring trip, but a refreshing journey, a journey to recognise and nurture yourself, to discover secrets of nature, history and culture of mankind – a journey with innumerable benefits. Wellness tourism in India has grown by 22% to reach 3 million arrivals for wellness in 2016, bringing billions of dollars to the country. Vietnam now has more and more beauty and health rehabilitation centres of large scale with services including hot spring baths, mud baths, medicine baths, acupressure, yoga, meditation, qigong, massage and acupuncture. You can easily find these services in many tourist resorts in places like Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa, Binh Chau – Vung Tau, Phuoc Nhon – Danang.

The world is developing and changing, the borders between countries are no longer great barriers to those who love travel. Whether you go for yoga in India or travel to the country of kimchi for skin and beauty care, besides many health benefits, you will also learn a lot of lessons about life, culture and knowledge on each journey.

Thu Hoai | Wanderlust Tips

Charity event “Run to give” at JW Marriott Hanoi

JW Marriott Hanoi always carries out a number of the special intuitions each year to reinforce their core values “Serve the local community” and show their responsibility to the community. On 24th September, JW Marriott Hanoi welcomes you to join “Run to Give” – the first annual charity event.

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“Run to Give” – A charity program will be held at National Convention Centre (NCC) from 7:00am to 11:00am. This is the event which is taking place over thousands of hotel in APAC especially in Vietnam, Cambodia, following of the annual global volunteer campaign of Starwood hotel Group, now is a subsidiary of Marriott International, in order to raise donation fund as a material and spiritual gift to support vulnerable children in Vietnam.

The participants will show support as to purchase the “Run to Give” T-shirt, each costs VND 200,000. We appreciate any other donations to our charity box located at the reception desk of the event and at other venues. All money collected from this event will be contributed to the AFV’s Child Sponsorship Program. We believe your contribution at the “Run to Give” event will help to build schools, bridges, libraries, and many other facilities for disadvantaged children in Vietnam. Even small donation could make a big difference, which is a means to let those children know they are important and cared for.

Aid for social protection program Foundation Vietnam (AFV) is a Non-Profit Organization operates accordance with the Vietnamese law. AFV works to eradicate hunger, reduce poverty, create more employment opportunities, and implement community development programs in order to support the poor, the disabled, and the vulnerable people, especially the poor and ethnic minority women and children in Vietnam.

JW Marriott Hanoi Hotel

Address: No.8 Do Duc Duc Road, Me Tri, South Tu Liem, Hanoi.
Tel: (024) 38335588
Website: www.jwmarriotthanoilife.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jwmarriotthanoi

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Attractive “Embrace French Village” package

Feel the splendor of the French Village when season changes with a bit of cold autumn, drifting cloud in the blue sky and the tranquil but enchanting beauty of every corner in the ancient village on top of Ba Na Hills.

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“Embrace French Village” package offers you an incredible holiday opportunity in the picturesque. The booking window is from 03^rd September 2017 to 31^st December 2017, while the stay window is from 03^rd September 2017 to 31^st March 2018.

The price is only VND2,115,000 for Single and VND3,025,000 for Double occupancy including: 01 night in Standard room for single or double occupancy, round trip cable car ticket, international buffet breakfast, complimentary buffet lunch, free access to funicular, wine cellar, flower garden, free access to four seasons swimming pool and fitness center. In addition, the bookings are subject to availability with non-refundable payment required and rate includes 15.5% service charge and Government tax.

Mercure Bana Hills French Village – A Slice Of Europe in Bana Hills, Vietnam

There are few places in Vietnam that offer such a rich combination of nature, comfort and beauty. With 494 rooms designed in open concepts, The Mercure Bana Hills French Village is a perfect place to stay, regardless of age and whether one is traveling solo, as a couple or with family.

Guests will have access to all the amenities one needs, while also being far away and above from the stresses and bustle of Vietnam.The numerous restaurants carter to every kind of taste, and with many shopping areas and a large 4-seasons swimming pool.

Mercure Bana Hills French Village

Address: An Son Hamlet, Hoa Ninh Commune, Hoa Vang District, Danang city, Vietnam
Tel: +84 236 3 799 888
Website: mercure-danang-banahills-french-village.com
Facebook: facebook.com/MercureBanaHills
Instagram: Instagram.com/MercureBanaHillsFrenchVillage

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi organises 9th Thailand Festival 2017

During 30^th September – 1^st October 2017, the Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi together with Thai private sector and Thai Community in Vietnam will organise the “9th Thai Festival in Hanoi” in Thong Nhat Park, Nguyen Dinh Chieu Entrance.
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The purpose of this Festival is to strengthen Thailand-Vietnam bilateral relations, especially at people-to-people level. It also aims at promoting Thailand in every aspects through Thai delectable national cuisine from various parts of Thailand, finest local products and Thai tourism information center.

With over 70 exhibitors and performers coming from Thailand to participate in this remarkable Festival, the event featured a myriad of activities including lively music from Sakon Nakhon Province, modern and traditional Thai performance by Sbunnga Dance Troupe from Chiang Mai Province, Mini Concert by the Thai Popular Singers (Palaphol Pholkongseng and Bell Supol) , Muaythai boxing, Thai cooking demonstration by Thai food experts and lucky draw winning amazing prizes such as motorcycles, return air tickets to Bangkok by Thai Airways and Air Asia, hotel vouchers, electric appliances, gold necklaces etc. on both days.

All proceeds of this event after deduction of costs will be donated to the National Fund for Vietnamese Children which is a Vietnamese Government Agency with an aim to mobilise resources to support Vietnamese impoverished children.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

3 fantastic resorts for exceptional vacations to tropical beaches

World-class service, unique architecture, and the perfect location are the reason why you have to list those resort into your bucket list to enjoy the beautiful sun-drenched tropical beaches.

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1. FUSION RESORT PHU QUOC – BREAKING THE MOULD

Occupying a 20-hectare plot within the private bay of Cua Can, Vung Bau, in the North of Phu Quoc, Fusion Resort Phu Quoc is the first wellness-inspired resort on this emerald isle with both beach and riverfront private pool villas.Much like the design and layout of this elegant beachfront property situated on Vietnam’s famous tropical island hideaway, Fusion Resort Phu Quoc’s staff are warm, welcoming, and extremely down-to-earth. Smiles are both plentiful and genuine as they meet and greet their guests like new members of the Fusion family.

Fronting the resort’s guest-relations team are the so-called Fusionistas, a friendly and energetic bunch whose main job is to turn your vacation into one-of-a-kind personalised experience. Brimming with equal measures of hugs, high-fives, and locals-only knowledge, they are at the heart of what separates Fusion from the fuss and formalities of traditional five-star resorts and hotels.

“Your Fusionista is there to guide and support you for the entire duration of your stay,” says Fernando Arroyo, the resort’s General Manager. “They’re warmer and friendlier than a butler, but also much more creative than a concierge. So, whether you want to organise a private tour of one of Phu Quoc’s famous black pepper farms, for example or if you want to arrange a seafood barbecue on the beach one evening, or if you simply want some insider information on the local area, your Fusionista will be happy to help.” With 97 spacious contemporary yet rustic thatched villas, all with private pools, outdoor lounging and dining areas, and many with beach or river view, this low-lying resort provides a revitalising natural environment amid the pristine vibes of a peaceful fishing culture.

As with the brand’s other resorts, their latest opening, proudly offers Fusion’s unique “all-spa inclusive” service, guaranteeing each guest at least two ‘spa journeys’ per day at no extra cost. Built around a lush pepper orchard and featuring its own adults-only pool, simply strolling through the peaceful grounds of this elegant spa facility is enough to send you into a blissful, lemongrass-infused daydream. There’re also daily yoga, meditation, and tai chi lessons, plus a modern fitness centre and personal trainer service. “Vacations are a great time to relax,” says Fernando, “but they’re also the perfect opportunity to get fit, get healthy, and shake off the excesses of modern life.”

After a swim, a workout, or a nutritious breakfast on the beach, the toughest decision at Fusion Resort Phu Quoc is whether to stay glued to the swaying rope lounger outside your villa—with a book in one hand and a freshly pressed fruit juice in the other—or head to the spa and get their signature Natural Living Pepper massage, featuring Swedish massage techniques and Fusion’s homemade black pepper oil.

Through the brand’s original, wellness-inspired ideas and concepts, each executed in a sensible, logical, and often playful way, Fusion Resort Phu Quoc presents the modern traveller with a feeling of true openness, an opportunity to bring balance to the body and mind in a quiet, secluded, and thoroughly reenergising natural environment, right at the water’s edge.

FUSION RESORT PHU QUOC

Address: Vung Bau Bay, Cua Can Village, Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province
Phone: (+84) 297 3690 000
Email: info@fusionresortphuquoc.com
Web: www.fusionresortphuquoc.com

2. SUNRISE PREMIUM RESORT HOI AN – A PELLUCID DAWN ON CUA DAI BEACH

If the ancient yet splendid, simple yet poetic beauty of Hoi An is the reason you travelled to this charming place, then gentle moments admiring the sunrise on Cua Dai Beach or enjoying fresh seafood by the blue swimming pool with a view of the Cham Island will be sweet experiences that will make you want to extend stay. Just a 10-minute drive from Hoi An’s Ancient Town, Sunrise Premium Resort Hoi An is a tranquil and pellucid oasis, promising to provide the most pleasant journey of heritage discovery.

A day in Hoi An is bound to be perfect; stroll along small streets to admire the ancient structures of various Asian and European cultures nestled along the romantic Hoai River, smell the scent of agar wood filling the air, or buy embroidered items and silk as gifts for family and friends. A day in Hoi An is bound to be refreshing; relax by the swimming pool and bath in the blazing sunshine, while the panoramic view of Cua Dai Beach reflects in your eyes and enjoy the authentic oceanic flavours at The Pool House Restaurant.

A day in Hoi An is bound to be inspirational; admire the colourful coral reefs and small fish in the sea around Cham Island, then tuck into a meal on the sandy beach of the island under the cool coconut palm shade. And a day in Hoi An is bound to be interesting; sunbathe on the pure white sand and let your skin soak in the warm water of the sea, or let go at Bliss Spa before reenergising with an impressive meal served on a hot stone plate at Spice Garden.

Be amazed by the gorgeous beauty of Hoi An at night with its thousands of colourful lanterns as well as the professional skills of the chef at Show Kitchen featuring Italian cuisine before enjoying the best cocktails at The Lounge Restaurant.Sunrise Premium Resort Hoi An is a place where you can enrich your heritage discovery in a manner that is not only poetic and antique, but also memorable and fun-filled. It is an ideal place for an awakening of all your senses and to rejuvenate yourself for the next journey.

SUNRISE PREMIUM RESORT HOI AN

Address: Cua Dai Beach, Au Co street, Hoi An City
Phone: +84 235 3937 777
Web: http://sunrisehoian.vn/

3. PULLMAN VŨNG TÀU – A SWEET GETAWAY

When we are caught up in the noise and high-pressure of urban life, our energy level is always exhausted and it’s time we need to find a peaceful getaway. Just two hours drive from Saigon, the tranquil oasis of Pullman Vung Tau welcomes visitors with its impressive architecture on a white sandy beach and a sunny lounge space.

Leaving all the chaos of urban life behind, when stepping inside the hotel, visitors are bound to be fascinated by the elegant Asian-inspired architecture. The contemporary style features of the innovative decor and colour schemes create a huge source of positive energy for visitors. There are delightful details waiting to be discovered like Vietnamese conical hats, or handmade bamboo and rattan furniture harmoniously merging with the aesthetic of a modern and luxurious space of a 5 star international hotel. With artistic details in both interior and exterior design capturing Pullman’s spirit, Pullman Vung Tau offers a comfortable, relaxed and classy living space.

Just a few minutes walk from the hotel you can relax and immerse yourself in warm and clear blue waters. Reawaken all your senses at a flavourful party at the Riviera Restaurant with its open kitchen, or let your emotions flow along with melodious tunes and rich flavours of cocktails and interesting variations of the Tapas at the Corniche Ultra Lounge, to suddenly realise how long it has been since you slowed down to enjoy a colourful and fulfilling life experience.

To satisfy even the busiest visitors, Pullman Vung Tau has designed convenient and ultra-modern meeting spaces, offering performance-oriented amenities with three meeting rooms. Phu Quoc is a sunny room with a capacity of 100 guests, Hue offers a wide range of selections for small meetings and banquets, and the Sapa is ideal for board meetings with a capacity of up to 11 people. 10 break out rooms with 2,056 sqm of flexible spaces catering up to 2,500 delegates along with 1,385 sqm pre-function space, a lush garden and fountains for open-air ceremonies under the operation of dedicated event specialists will ensure you a time to remember even for a great indoor conference or a vibrant outdoor wedding.

PULLMAN VUNG TAU

Address: 15 Thi Sach Street, Thang Tam Ward, Vung Tau City
Phone: +84 254 355 1777
Web: www.pullmanvungtau.com

Wanderlust Tips

5 masterpieces on the ocean

Travel on water has long been a wonderful and novel experience. Instead of sitting in the restricted space of an airplane, train or car, you can float on the water and take a deep breath of the sea breeze. And surrounding you is blue water and the vast sky.
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1. STAR – A WONDER ON THE SEA

Inspired by a maddening idea, the architect Ignor Lobanov turned a utopian project into a reality when constructing the Star – a super unique yacht with structures far beyond human imagination. It can be said that the Star’s design is not like any previous yachts, it was designed to resemble an iceberg floating on the water. The Star was also inspired by stars, so from another perspective, the Star looks like the perfect reflection of a star on the water.

The Star can be used as a private yacht or a floating hotel with capacity for 200 guests during the day and 36 overnight guests. On the yacht there is a helicopter landing pad, underwater observation deck and four elevators leading to the eight main decks. With nearly 3,500 square metres of luxury resort space, the Star can reach speeds of 18 knots.

The highest deck of the yacht has a view of 20 kilometres. The unique design also allows the yacht to easily change direction without being constrained by conventional anchors.With such outstanding features, the price of a Star yacht is not cheap at about 400 million Euros (more than 10,000 billion Vietnamese Dong).

2. GRANTURISMO 40 A BREAKTHROUGH IN THE WORLD OF SPORT CRUISES

“Elegant, perfectly organised interior and luxurious style,” is what people say about the Gran Turismo line built by the world-famous Bénéteau Group. The most prominent among this cruise line is the Gran Turismo 40 – the boat impressing yacht enthusiast with its perfect balance between strong sporty temperament and practical features that make life on board easy and luxurious. To create this novel variation, Bénéteau Group has cooperated with well-known designers Nuvolari and Lenard – who created the best sport cruise of the same class.

With the talents of these two well-known designers, the Gran Turismo 40 offers as much pleasure to the eye as it brings to all the senses and sailing. A streamlined hull and a hardtop with carefully designed side glazing accentuate elegant lines. With her central driving console and the latest generation of Air Step hull, she offers excellent sensations and safety when travelling at up to 65km/h. The Volvo Z Drive engine makes this new motorboat particularly manoeuvrable.

Also, the Gran Turismo 40 has a hardtop, which can be pushed right back. The electrically powered side glazing means that the ultra-spacious cockpit can be freed totally to accommodate up to twelve people. The conversion of the cockpit seating into immense sun-loungers increases the boat’s relaxation space further, adding to the boat’s already generous 4m2 sunbeds with adjustable backrests on the fore deck. The layout of the lower deck provides a feeling of space, which has never been seen before on a boat of this size, with her two cabins, and a bathroom with separate shower.

The Gran Turismo 40 will fascinate anyone with the most unique and groundbreaking details, offering the ultimate experience for anyone who owns or has a journey on this classy cruise. Tam Son Yachting exclusively imports Bénéteau Group’s Gran Turismo to Vietnam.

3. HIMIKO EXPERIENCE A BEAUTIFUL GLASS SPACESHIP

Himiko offers visitors a completely different experience when travelling to Tokyo (Japan). Instead of watching the city with the high buildings and busy streets, you are able to admire a more romantic and spacious Tokyo when floating in the bay.

Himiko Cruiser was designed by the Japanese manga illustrator and cartoonist Leiji Matsumoto. The unique shape of the yacht is based on the shape of a tear with curved windows and floor panels shining at night. Besides the impressive exterior, when walking inside you will feel like travelling in a beautiful glass spaceship. Broadcasts on board are performed by the manga characters Tetsuro Hoshino and Maetel who served on the ship in Reiji Matsumoto’s famous manga ‘Galaxy Express 999’, which gets children and fans of the series extremely excited.

Himiko promises to take visitors on a fascinating, relaxed route around Tokyo. You can take the Asakusa – Odaiba Direct Line lasting 50 minutes for 1,560JPY (~VND311,000) per person. On some special occasions, Himiko is also used for sea journeys taking about 2 hours, which include lunch or dinner so guests can enjoy a delightful meal on the water. The ticket price is JPY6,000-15,000 (~VND1,200,000-3,100,000) per person.

4. ADASTRATHE PINNACLE OF TECHNOLOGY – CONTROLLING A CRUISE BY IPAD

This masterpiece is owned by billionaire Anton Marden, who spent USD15 million to buy Adastra with its 42.5 meter long body, capable of extending beyond 50 metres with a single gesture: touching his iPad’s screen! Looking at this novel super-yacht, many people think it suits the task of flying across the sky rather than surfing on the ocean. The nose of the boat is long and pointed, with two curved wings that are artfully designed, with only a small part of the yacht in contact with the water while it is moving, making it extremely gentle and smooth.

Adastra offers comfortable accommodation for 9 guests and 6 crewmembers. The 16-metre wide body gives the main deck an expanded panoramic view with a living area, dining table and positioning station on the yacht. The stern section has extra seats, a bar and space for a 4.9-metre feeder and a garage right below for another 3.1-metre long feeder. The innovative design and high-tech equipment made Adastra win three major categories at the prestigious yacht design award in Monaco, including the most impressive marine engineering award.

5. MS TURANOR PLANET SOLARSOLAR SUPER-YACHT

Just imagine: you would be thrilled to travel on a solar super-yacht around the world. And this idea came to life with MS Turanor Planet Solar. In 2012, the Turanor cruise began its journey around the world and the trip ended successfully with a stop in London, England.

The name Turanor is based on a word meaning “solar power” in the novel Lord of the Rings by famous author JRR Tolkien.Turanor was designed according to the ideal of a Swiss ecologist named Raphael Domjan. However, New Zealand’s LOMOcean Design provided the technology of the yacht.

This is a catamaran designed to save energy by cutting waves while travelling, rather than riding on the waves. Turanor weighs 8.5 tons, is 31 metres long, 15 metres wide and 7.5 metres high, has 536 square metres photovoltaic panel equivalent to 2 tennis courts. The yacht has an average speed of 7.5 knots, equal to the speed of a tanker.
Turanor’s battery is capable of storing enough power for the yacht to run for 72 hours in the absence of sunlight. The yacht has enough space for 60 people. In contrast to the diesel fuel trains, passengers on MS Turanor Planet Solar do not hear an engine sound. It glides gently across the ocean. The price of this yacht is USD16 million (over VND363 billion).

Worthy to be honoured on this list, MS Turanor Planet Solar has ushered in a new revolution for the use of clean energy, making trips much more meaningful.

Wanderlust Tips