Wanderlust Tips Team, Author at WANDERLUST TIPS • Page 150 of 195

Idyllic beaches in Phu Quoc island

Phu Quoc is home to some of Vietnam’s best beaches, and for many years it was Vietnam’s best-kept secret. Not any more. Developers have realised the island’s potential and Phu Quoc is now booming – and not always in a good way.
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BAI TRUONG

The vast bulk of Phu Quoc’s hotels (and the vast bulk of construction sites) is on Bai Truong, also known as Long Beach, a 20-plus kilometre stretch of yellow sand that runs down the central west coast of the island. In wet season the seas here are rough and not great for swimming, but in dry season, it’s a placid pool with gentle waves. It’s the liveliest beach on the island, the entire length offering accommodation and spots to play, laze and eat seafood with your feet in the sand. It’s the type of place where you can get a massage on the beach and women sell you fresh fruit, cutting a whole pineapple to order.
The northern part of the beach closest to Duong Dong town is the busiest. The further south you go, the more breathing room you get. It’s all easily accessed. Phu Quoc is a very laidback place and we had no problems walking through any of the resorts, be it cheap or high end, to get to the beach. A popular route from Tran Hung Dao is through Lane 118, a busy way lined with guesthouses and restaurants which deposits you close to La Veranda Resort and Rory’s Bar.

Northwest loop

Starting from Duong Dong town, head up the west coast on nicely paved Cua Can road seven kilometres to reach the quiet sweeping bay of Bai Ong Lang (Ong Lang Beach). There are a couple of magnificent nature-focused resorts. Ong Lang is quiet, relaxed and a pleasant spot to park your bum, and there are several dining options available. The access road is hard to miss; look for the corner with dozens of hotel signs pointing the way.

VUNG BAU BEACH

Bai Vung Bau (Vung Bau Beach) is the next one up from Ong Lang. It’s a small cove with only a few properties and it’s a low-key beach ideal for those who want peace. Look for the signs for Bamboo Cottages and Wild Beach Resort and turn left, following the dirt road for two kilometres. Resorts are pretty relaxed and since only a handful of day-trippers make it here, it should be okay to park the bike and walk through the hotel to the water. From the beach you can see Fingernail Island off the coast, which has a good reef for snorkelling.
With warm blue-green waters and a generous stretch of fine yellow sand, Bai Dai Beach is one of the prettiest beaches on the island. One way to easily access Bai Dai is to fork over the 500,000 dong admission to Vinpearl Land. The only other obvious way to reach the beach is by continuing on the dirt road from Vung Bau beach up along the coast. The road is quite challenging, a hilly mix of dirt, loose gravel, rocks and sand. We tried to get to the beach via another dirt road north of the golf course but were stopped by a security guard.

GANH DAU BEACH

Bai Ganh Dau (Ganh Dau Beach) on the northwest corner is a wonderful surprise. The clear turquoise waters sparkle like a jewel as it gently laps onto blonde sand. We spent an hour on a sun-lounger underneath a palm tree without seeing another visitor. There are a couple of seafood restaurants where you can quench your thirst or appetite. This is a fantastic under-the-radar spot.
Prepare your backside for a bumpy ride. Head east for a fun, pretty 19-kilometre journey through the jungle on dirt track. Fourteen kilometres in, it’s possible to stop at Bai Rach Vem which has a fishing village, a shipbuilding yard and rubbish-strewn white sand beach. Look for the small sign “Rach Vem” and turn left. We didn’t get a great feeling here and didn’t linger.
Eventually the dirt road ends and you’ll meet a nicely paved arterial road that runs north-south down the centre. You have a few options from this junction. If time allows, you can take a side trip to the northeast corner to Bai Thom. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to make it but we spoke to a few people who did. The consensus was that the beach was small and mediocre but you could cross a land bridge to tiny Hon Mot island for a look.

Venturing further, from Bai Thom travel another 12 kilometres west along dirt track to reach remote Bai Rach Tram (Rach Tram beach). And while it may be tempting to continue south from Bai Thom along the east coast, this route is very challenging and only for experienced riders. Otherwise, head back to the junction in the centre.
To head back to Duong Dong, it’s an easy paved journey south on Nguyen Trung Truc, or go west, passing pepper and bee farms to join Cua Can Road.

SOUTHERN ROUTE

There are less notable beaches in the skinny southern tail of the island but you’ll still want to give yourself the whole day. From Duong Dong, take a road leading southeast to Ham Ninh, perhaps stopping for a dip at Suoi Tranh stream along the way (only flowing May to November). At Rach Ham town (which is a great place to eat giant crabs) turn left/head north for seven kilometres to Kiki Coconut Homestay on Cay Sao. The road will give you a taste of what Phu Quoc was like 10 years ago.
You’ll be rewarded with an isolated slice of coast. It’s easy enough to park the bike and follow footpaths to the water. The sand has natural debris but is deserted and pristine. For a meticulously clean patch of sand, Kiki Coconut Homestay is a tranquil breezy place to have a drink, enjoy a splash in the ocean and relax. Their palm-lined beach also has a view of the islands to the east.

Travel back south and take the sweet, smooth Highway 46 leading straight down the centre to An Thoi at the tip. Along this way is the road to Bai Sao beach. With photogenic white sand and turquoise water, Bai Sao is often considered Phu Quoc’s best beach – but as its popularity continues to increase, so does the rubbish.
For now it has just a handful of places to stay so Bai Sao is a popular spot for day-trippers. From the main road, it’s another two kilometres east on bumpy dirt track. Follow the signs to My Lan Resort to get to The Beach House, a chilled spot to relax and chow on some grub. My Lan itself is a chaotic hive of activity and Vietnamese style feasting. But there’s plenty of coast to escape the crowds and you should allot plenty of time to enjoy.

For now we suggest you give Bai Khem a skip. With white sand and stunning crystal water, Bai Khem has potential and a developer certainly saw it. But at the moment the beach is heaped with rubbish and a small fishing village is clinging on to existence. It remains to be seen what will happen once the resort opens. No doubt the beach will be cleaned, the road paved and we’ll hazard a guess that the village will be moved. If you want to take a look, it’s south of Bai Sao. From Highway 46, head east on the first lane south of the prison (now a tourist site).
If you’ve got time and want a scenic view, then head back up Highway 46. At Phu Son Ha Noi Resort, turn right and follow the road for about three kilometres to Ho Quoc Pagoda which gives you a pretty view to the water. You can also climb down the hill for a final dip on an unspoilt beach.

Travelfish | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

A round-trip to Antalya: The city’s cosy corners

At the end of the winter, as spring is arriving (from May), Antalya’s weather is warm and sunny, the plants are green, orange trees are full of fruits, sometimes you may come across herds of cows, sheep and goats grazing on green grass or undulating hills covered with white snow. This is a crowded city with modern shopping malls and amusement centres adjacent to thousand-year-old historical heritage and architecture. No wonder Antalya is referred to as the tourism capital of Turkey.
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VISIT

WATERFALL

Known as the kingdom of waterfalls, Antalya has dozens of picturesque waterfalls. Manavgat Waterfall, 40 metres in width and less than 5 metres in height is the most famous one, falling from the Taurus Mountains. Although the Manavgat Waterfall is not high, its flow is very strong and it is considered as one of the symbols of Turkey. Tourists can also visit the spectacular Duden Waterfalls nearby, about 10 kilometres from the centre of Antalya.
This group of waterfalls was formed by Duden River, the biggest waterfall – Upper Duden is 15 metres high and 20 metres wide, the second – Lower Duden, was formed by the water running into the Mediterranean Sea at the end of the river. This is a colourful natural picture, with turquoise water, green leaves and white foam.

MYRA ANCIENT TOWN (DEMRE COUNTY)

About 140 kilometres from Antalya, is the ancient town Myra located in Lycia, the present-day Antalya Province. No one knows the exact time when Myra was founded; it is only known that it was sometime in the 1st century BC. Myra is also one of the six leading cities of the Lycian alliance of ancient history, which also included Xanthos, Tlos, Pinara, Patara and Olympos. Visiting Myra, you will be surprised by the architecture of the outdoor theatre built in the year 200 BC with its intact stone steps, it can accommodate up to 12,000 people. You can also visit another ancient building: St. Nicholas Church, which is a popular destination for pilgrims and one of the most valuable architectural heritages of the Byzantine Empire that remains to this day. The most impressive architecture in Myra are the rock tombs located in two areas: the rocky mountains to the west of the outdoor theatre with tombs dating back to the 4th century BC and along Myros River, also known as the river cemetery. Myra’s prosperity had its source at the alluvial deposits of Myros River. But the rock-cut tombs on the rugged rock mountain make it look like a mysterious ancient castle.

KALEIÇI’ OLD TOWN

Kaleiçi Old Town is located in Muratpaşa District – the centre of Antalya. The 5-metre-high entrance gate in Northeastern Kaleiçi is made of Hadrian marble and features a Roman triumphal arch. Walking inside, visitors will experience a very peaceful pace of life when strolling on the serpentine stone or gravel paths, on both sides of the street, there is Ottoman-style architecture and shops selling unique, colourful handicrafts. You may come across poetic scenes like the old port with its colourful boats, Yivli Miranet Mosque made of red bricks, or admire Kesik Minare Cami with its thousands of years old stone blocks or hear the prayers in the dazzling Mediterranean sunset. Buying beautiful souvenirs or exquisite handicrafts in the Market Hall, then enjoying the delicious Turkish cuisine under the glittering umbrellas on Semsiye Sokak Street will be an unforgettable experience in Antalya.

KÖPRÜLÜ KANYON NATIONAL PARK

Covering an area of 366 square kilometres, the Köprülü National Park is the perfect place for you to experience the rich green beauty of Antalya. It is home to the 400 metres long Köprülüsö canyon that extends up to 14 kilometres along Köprü River. Around the canyon, cedars, pines, and Chinese incense cedars and the famous fairytale chimneys of Cappadocia create a breath-taking sight. This is the ideal place for trekking, camping or joining white water rafting on the Köprü River for a more adventurous experience.

ANTALYA AQUARIUM

The largest aquapark in the world, Antalya Aquarium, features 40 thematic aquariums that are 131 metres long and 3 metres wide. You cannot only admire sea creatures in the aquarium system, but also admire reptiles in the Wild Park and be entertained in the Snow World and unique Ice Museum, take photographs with a Hollywood background and enjoy delicious and plentiful meals served at the restaurants and cafés in the amusement park.

THE ANTALYA MUSEUM (OR ANTALYA ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM)

As one of the largest Turkish museums, the Antalya Museum is a contemporary style museum with 14 galleries and an outdoor exhibition space. Situated on an area of 7,000 square metres, the Antalya Museum has 5,000 works of art and nearly 30,000 artefacts some of which cannot be displayed and are in storage.

ŞEMSIYE BUTIK (FLYING UMBRELLA STREET)

Not far away from Kaleiçi Market (Antalya Merkez), just a few hundred metres away from Hadrian’s Gate, there is a place no visitor wants to miss to experience street food, it is also an ideal check-in spot where visitors enjoy meals under the colourful umbrellas. And the perfect dish to enjoy in these lovely streets is the traditional Kebab of Turkey. Enjoying a fragrant fish kebab with roasted soft lamb slices then strolling along the streets and going shopping for handmade items is ideal for a beautiful day in Antalya. The Anis Restaurant on Flying Umbrella Street is famous for Turkish-style pizza and Arabic-style lahmacun, güveç and traditional kebabs.
Cuisine: Street food.
Address: Flying Umbrella Street, from İnönü Street, Kaleiçi
Price: About VND50,000/dish

EAT

SHIP INN MARINA

If you are a devotee of cheese, and crave a quiet place away from the tourist centres of Antalya, do not miss the Ship Inn Marina – a modern style restaurant with unique culinary breakthroughs showcasing the variety of Turkish cuisine. Near Setur Antalya Marina, the restaurant overlooks a vast lake surrounded by lush green trees. Coming here, visitors will have the chance to taste traditional Turkish dishes such as yörük (roasted goat), grilled meat ball, or salads, pizzas, baked goods, seafood, and countless Ship Inn style dishes which are cooked with cheese. The restaurant is about 17 kilometres from Antalya’s city centre and about 10 kilometres from Antalya Aquarium.
Cuisine: Traditional, international food.
Address: Liman Mahallesi, Büyük Liman Setur Marina, Konyaalti District, Antalya.

SERASER FINE DINING

Many visitors return to Seraser Fine Dining because they want to enjoy the scent of the lush green garden and airy space by the shimmering Mediterranean coastline, although the price here is quite expensive. In this space decorated delicately and surrounded by ancient Kaleiçi stonewalls, each dish is a meticulous work of art. Seraser Fine Dining Restaurant of Tuvana Hotel is open all day and night, its indoor space can accommodate 80 guests, and the outdoor garden can accommodate 100 guests.
Cuisine: Traditional Turkish, European and Japanese cuisine, seafood, vegetarian food, international cuisine.
Address: Karanlik Street, 18 Kaleiçi, Muratpaşa District, Antalya
Price: Each dish ranges from VND120,000 – VND550,000.

SIBEL’S FOUR SEASONS CAFÉ & RESTAURANT

Built traditionally from blocks of stone and wood, Sibel’s Four Seasons Café & Restaurant never fails to impress visitors, offering a panoramic view of the mountains and the reshly made food cooked with ingredients grown at the owner’s farm. This is the ideal stopover before and after rekking the majestic Lycian Taurus Mountains. Sibel’s Four Seasons Café & Restaurant will spoil you with a soup menu, mezzes and daily specials. The restaurant also organises trekking tours to explore nearby destinations. Coming here, you should enjoy bulgur balls filled with minced meat (icli köfte), Beycik salad and goat ragout cooked in a clay pot.
Cuisine: Traditional Turkish cuisine
Address: No. 3, Kumluca Kemer Yolu, Kemer District, Antalya.

VANILLA LOUNGE

Near Hadrian’s Gates, Vanilla Lounge is one of the most famous restaurants in Antalya. Its philosophy is to provide a satisfying dining experience for all spectrums of tastes using modern, innovative and classic cooking techniques. You will be amazed when experiencing all the world flavours at Vanilla Lounge, where appetizers and Thai-style main courses are the highlight.
Vanilla Lounge’s menu is inspired by Italian cuisine. All dishes are made from the freshest local seasonal ingredients.
Cuisine: International cuisine, Italian food, Thai food, traditional Antalya food.
Price: VND100,000-VND420,000 per dish.
Address: Hesapat Street, No. 33 Kaleiçi, Antalya.

SHOPPING

DEEPO OUTLET CENTRE

If you want to go shopping without worrying about running out of money, this is an ideal place. Deepo Outlet Centre is the largest outlet centre in the Mediterranean with 80 booths, 5 cinemas, 15 restaurants and many facilities in an area of 4 hectares. Enjoy 365 days of discount and shopping at the retail prices. At Deepo Outlet Centre you will find a bargains from countless famous brands such as Nike, Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, Koton, Hot, Vakko, Mavi Jeans, Colins, or Miss Sixty.
Address: Altınova Sinan Mahallesi, Serik Cad. Yanyolu, Kepez District, Antalya (more than 9 kilometres from the centre of Antalya).

TERRA CITY

Considered one of the best shopping malls in Antalya, Terra City is a must-see destination for travellers on a journey to explore this Mediterranean city. It is just 8 kilometres from the city centre. 150 booths selling products of famous brands such as Burberry, Armani, Michael Kors, Adidas and Hugo Boss, 30 restaurants and an
amusement centre for children will make visitors never want to leave.
Address: Fener Mahallesi, Tekelioğlu Cd., Muratpaşa District, Antalya.

SHEMALL SHOPPING MALL

Smaller than other shopping malls in Antalya, the SheMall Shopping Mall has about 70 booths. But this place is particularly attractive because of frequent cultural events and impressive shows that bring different shopping experiences to visitors. In addition, you can buy quality books, novels, and English magazines at D&R Book Store.
Address: Fener Mahallesi, Tekelioğlu Cad, Muratpaşa District, Antalya, Turkey.

MIGROS SHOPPING CENTRE

Considered one of the most affordable shopping malls, Migros Shopping Centre brings ogether 10 booths from a number of mid-range brands including 5M Migros, Zara, Mudo, LC Waikiki, Boyner, Mudo, and cinemas along with a number of restaurants and fast food stalls. From Migros Shopping Centre, you can admire the view of the Mediterranean Sea and the majestic Beydağı Mountains.
Address: No. 3 Atatürk Boulevard, Konyaalti District, Antalya. (About 2 kilometres from Antalya Aquarium).

MARKANTALYA

Situated at the heart of Antalya, MarkAntalya Shopping Mall is an ideal shopping and entertainment place on an area of over 5 hectares, with a convergence of 155 well-known brands, food stalls, international cafés and restaurants and modern cinemas. MarkAntalya is just 2 kilometres from the centre of Antalya, 3 kilometres from Kaleiçi Old Town and near the famous Murat Paşi Mosque.
Address: Tahilpazari Mahallesi, Kazim Ozalp Caddesi, Muratpasa District, Antalya.

SILVER HARMONI: SILVER JEWELLERY

Silver Harmoni’s silver handmade jewellery will fascinate you with its sophistication. Made from silver, gems and crystals, Silver Harmoni’s jewellery is a precious gift, crystallised from the love between Karen Henry from Australia and a Turkish man named Yusuf Gökben. Although born and raised in Istanbul, Yusuf was fascinated by the beauty of Kas, Antalya so the couple decided to settle down and open a handmade silver jewellery shop here. Silver Harmoni’s products receive praise from almost every tourist who visits.
Address: İbrahim Serin Caddesi No 12 A, Kaş District, Antalya.

OSMANLI SULTAN CARIK – HANDMADE LEATHER ACCESSORIES

This is a well known handmade leather accessories and jewellery store near Hadrian’s Gate in Antalya. A great collection of handbags, purses, shoes, sandals and boots made from cow or buffalo skin will make you go crazy even though handmade leather products are never cheap.
Address: Barbaros Mahallesi, Hesapçı Sk., Muratpaşa District, Antalya.

NIL TEKEL SHOP (POTTERY)

Pottery making has developed in Turkey for several centuries. If you come from a distant country, it is very difficult for to carry heavy ceramic items back home, but just looking at Nil Tekel Shop’s pottery items in all shapes, sizes and colours will definitely make your trip more interesting. In Turkey there are about 300 pottery workshops across the country.
Address: Gençlik Mahallesi, Tınaztepe Cad., Muratpaşa District, Antalya.

GÜLIZAR CARPET KILIMS GALLERY: TURKISH EMBROIDERED RUGS

Walking around Kaleiçi Old Town, you will find Turkish traditional handmade kilim stalls. A tablecloth or a square carpet embroidered sophisticatedly will be a valuable gift from a visit to Antalya. Stepping into Gülizar Carpet Kilims Gallery, you will feel overwhelmed by the colours and details on the embroidered products hung all over the wall and covering tables and chairs. Visitors may take hours to discover all the richness of the products here. The Gülizar Carpet Kilims Gallery is also appreciated by many visitors for its affordable prices, enthusiatic staff and the friendly boss Mehmet Bey. You can learn much about the history of this traditional product and what it means for the people of Antalya.
Address: Tuzcular Mah., Uzunçarşı Sok., Muratpaşa, Antalya.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Shopping Experience at Leading Malls in Asia

Asia is considered a destination for exploring long history and unique indigenous cultures, not for spending money, entertainment or shopping. But that’s changing; travel to the three cities below to feel a more vibrant, youthful and crowded Asia than ever before.
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THE EMQUARTIER – BUY THE WHOLE WORLD IN BANGKOK

If you have ever felt ecstatic and fulfilled in the brand-name paradise of shoppaholics in Thailand, you will feel the desire to “buy the whole world” when you step into the world of 400 globally celebrated brands at the 1,000 booths of The EmQuartier, one of Paragon’s shopping malls.
Located on the busy Sukhumvit Road, the shopping experience at The EmQuartier is a journey of discovery from the most luxurious brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Jimmy Choo, Valentino and Fendi to mid-range brands like Zara, Uniqlo, H&M, Gap and Super Dry, as well as Thai luxury domestic brands such as Fly Now, Greyhound, Kloset and Soda.

It is not surprising that even if you step foot in The EmQuartier without the intention to buy anything you will step out carrying an abundance of pretty and stylish stuff. It maybe a luxurious and fashionable bag or a suitcase of the German MCM, or some street clothes from A Bathing Ape brand which makes you look like a fashionista, or sometimes it is a glamorous and outstanding swimsuit from Vilebrequin to shine on the beach during the next holiday.
Like many major malls in the world, The EmQuartier is a haven for food devotees with an enormous dining area on floor B serving Japanese-style hamburgers, Taiwanese-style fried chicken, and US, French and Italian cuisine.

SURIA KLCC – MALAYSIA – PETERING OUT IN KUALA LUMPUR

Kuala Lumpur is considered a shopping paradise with countless luxury brands available in the busiest shopping centres in Southeast Asia. Located on the six bottom floors of the Petronas Towers, Suria KLCC is a convergence of a myriad of world-renowned fashion and cosmetics brands promising to make your money “peter out” when you step in. There are countless expensive luxury brands, however coming here in discount seasons, you will be extremely excited to hunt brand-name stuff at surprisingly cheap prices. Annually, Malaysia has three major discount seasons, including: Super Sale (1st March – 31st March), Mega Sale (15th June – 31st August), Year End Sale (1st November – 31st December) with record prices down by 70-80% off the most famous brands’ products that every shopaholic wishes to have.

This international-scale complex of apartments, hotels, malls and exhibitions is also home to more than 30 stores of high-end brands, which are only available in Suria KLCC such as Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabanna, Alexander McQueen, Coach Men and Dior Homme.
If you have trouble with finding places to enjoy local food, there is no need to go far, KLCC Signatures will serve you everything from countless traditional Malaysian dishes to international fast food at reasonable prices, it even has Vietnamese restaurants. Besides shopping, you can go up to the 42nd floor to admire the Skybridge – a bridge connecting the two towers, watch water music at 8pm, let your children explore science at Petrosains Discovery Centre or visit the aquarium. Art lovers can visit art exhibitions, theatres and parks just a few steps away. In the evening, you can sit in the Skybar in Traders Hotel and enjoy a breath-taking panoramic view from the Twin Towers at night. That is why anyone who arrives in Kuala Lumpur cannot not check in at these towers!

LOTTE WORLD TOWER – GET LOST IN SEOUL’S WONDERLAND

Just opened to the public last April, a 123-floor, 555-metre super tall skyscraper is now the tallest tower in Korea, the fifth highest in the world and it promises to surprise people with the majesty and abundance of all types of products and services that you will find when stepping in here.

The reinforcements in Lotte World Tower alone would be enough to build seven Eiffel Towers in Paris, France, and the 220,000 cubic metres of concrete used to build the tower would be enough to build 3,500 apartments with an area of 105 square metres per one. The floor area of this building is 800,000 square metres, the equivalent of 115 football stadiums.
Therefore, the commercial building, super hotels and Lotte World Tower Seoul’s high-end apartments have been reported widely in the international press from Bloomberg, CNN, Archdaily, and Lonely Planet to The Sun in the early summer months.Lotte World Mall not only surprises visitors with its contemporary design of visual and light effects from the outside, but also its comparison with Alice’s Wonderland. It has a 13-theme aquarium with all kinds of marine life from all five oceans, a shopping area with countless global luxury brands, two floors with hi-tech products to serve techaholics and a world-class dining floor for foodies. There are two duty-free floors, five floors with cinemas, and 2,000 vineyard style seats in a concern hall with a grand pipe organ, which will offer the perfect view for all members of the audiences. Whether you are a shopaholic or a fan of entertainment, you travel with friends to enjoy a vibrant young Seoul or experience the Korean capital with family and children, Lotte World Tower is an amazing place for you.

Hong Nhung | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Lew Yen Ying: Ascott’s Country General Manager for Vietnam

This June, Ms Lew Yen Ping, Ascott’s Country General Manager for Vietnam shared some words with Wanderlust Tips about the challenges and motivation after a year of being in this position.
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How are you taking the challenge as the first female Country General Manager for Ascott Vietnam?
It has been wonderful. I have grown so much in my Ascott journey and although the workload has always been very challenging, I have learned to embrace the importance of time management, strategic thinking, critical decision-making, and prioritising tasks to be more effective and efficient in my work. I’m honoured to be leading the Vietnam team and bring Ascott to greater heights under my leadership.
How would you describe yourself as a leader?
I am the type of leader who loves to recognise and celebrate my team’s accomplishments, even the little ones. I believe that this gesture helps in strengthening all of us – myself as a leader and my team as important members of the organisation. I personally believe you attain success not because of what you do but yourself, but because of what you do to grow and develop your team. Each accomplishment achieved by any of my team members is my greater success.
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
I keep myself abreast with what’s happening in the market, understand how the competitors are performing, and how we can do things better and different at Ascott. I continue to challenge myself by looking for innovative ways to enhance our brand and make Ascott stand out in the market. I also read leadership and motivational books to learn new things to move forward and help me get closer to what I want to achieve.

What do you consider the primary factor that led to Ascott’s success in Vietnam?
What differentiates us from our competitors is the Ascott Lifestyle. Many operators provide fully furnished serviced residences and some others even offer a wide range of facilities and services. What we provide guests with is not only a place to stay when they are away from their homes. With us, residents and guests step into the world of the Ascott Lifestyle where it’s fascinating and exhilarating. From culture to gastronomy, community living to wellness activities, we offer diverse experiences that leave residents wanting for more.
In nutshell, we are focusing into giving our residents an exclusive experience and that they can come back to a HOME.
What other factors make Ascott a successful brand?

Ascott has enjoyed excellent brand equity because of our strong customer-centric approach. We invest heavily in enhancing the capabilities of our staff and developing their potential. Ascott is the only serviced residence company to have a dedicated training centre of its kind, the Ascott Centre for Excellence. This helps ensure that we are able to deliver the high service standards that have defined our award-winning brand of service.
We are conscious of the need to continuously improve our backend systems to support our frontline staff. We have for example a global reservation system that better serves our customers across the different regions.
In addition, we have a strong Product & Technical Services team who ensure the high quality standards of our products throughout the development process. The team also conducts rigorous audits regularly at every property and we constantly look into the upgrading of our properties to create the best staying experience for our guests. This customer-centric approach has enabled Ascott to receive many prestigious international awards for consecutive years. These include awards such as the World Travel Awards, Business Traveller Asia Pacific Awards, DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards and TTG Travel Awards.
Ascott has also won numerous awards in Vietnam including the World Travel Awards for Vietnam’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand, the Guide Award for Excellent Performance and the Golden Dragon Award. The Golden Dragon Award honours top foreign direct investment enterprises that have made significant contributions to Vietnam’s economic development, and recognises outstanding achievements in brand, service and management excellence.
Because of our strong track record and branding, travellers prefer to stay with us. Developers and investors also choose to partner with us, as they know that we will strive to help them achieve higher returns on their investments.
What’s your outlook on the serviced residence market in Vietnam? Will Ascott consider expanding into other parts of Vietnam?
The serviced residence sector has been booming in Vietnam for some time and it looks set to continue. Increasingly popular among urban families and young professionals, serviced residences combine the space, comfort and privacy of an apartment with the services of a quality hotel.
FDI into Vietnam in the first five months of the year reached USD12.13 billion, an increase of 10.4% as compared to the same period last year, according to a report from Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Foreign Investment Agency. This will in turn attract a large number of expatriates to the city and generate greater demand for serviced residences in Vietnam. We will continue to expand our presence in the major cities – Hanoi, Hai Phong, Danang, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong Province.
We have also expanded to Halong City with Citadines Marina Halong and strengthened our foothold in Danang last year. With the influx of foreigners, we expect demand for both long and short term accommodation to soar.
We will be opening Somerset West Point Hanoi, Citadines Bayfront Nha Trang and Citadines Blue Cove Danang this year. Travellers can also look forward to new properties such as Citadines Regency Saigon and Citadines Central Binh Duong to be opened next year. The new serviced residences will cater to the growing demand and further consolidate Ascott’s leadership position as the largest international serviced residence owner-operator in Vietnam.

How many apartments will the project of Somerset West Point Hanoi add to the market? What are the advantages (location, facilities, services,…) of Somerset West Point Hanoi compared to other similar products?

Nestled within a 25-storey mixed-use residential and commercial development, Somerset West Point Hanoi is located by the picturesque West Lake in an up-scale, mid-density residential area. The vicinity is popular amongst expatriates with its tranquil environment, and is well served by a plethora of international retail shops, food and beverage amenities fronting both Xuan Dieu and Tay Ho Street. With close proximity to the main transport axis of Au Co Road, Somerset West Point Hanoi enjoys convenient passage to the existing business district in Hoan Kiem Area, the new business district in West Hanoi, Noi Bai International Airport and neighbouring industrial parks.
With 284 units ranging from studios, one to four-bedroom and penthouse layouts, residents are offered a myriad of options designed for their distinguished needs. With a panoramic view of the West Lake from a private balcony, each apartment is fitted with contemporary décor, modern fittings, a fully-equipped kitchen with separate living and dining areas, home entertainment system and wireless Internet access that offers relocating executives and accompanying companions the space and security to build a warm and comfortable home away from home.
With facilities such as a gymnasium, swimming pool, business centre, children’s playroom and conveniences at the adjoining shopping outlets, residents will be able to enjoy a complete lifestyle experience.
Besides the Ascott’s track record in managing award-winning brands – Ascott, Citadines and Somerset, could you share more information about the two new brands: The Crest Collection and LYF.
Each property in The Crest Collection is infused with a perfect blend of contemporary design and European grandeur. Combining unprecedented services amidst chic living, The Crest Collection represents a true abode that you can cocoon away in with comfort.
LYF signifies a new way of living and collaborating as a community, connecting guests with fellow travellers and change-makers. Designed for and managed by millennials who wish to experience destinations as locals do, LYF is a unique accommodation tailored for this demographic. LYF will provide global jetsetters and trendsetters with the opportunity to ‘Live Your Freedom’ in a dynamic environment and network with like-minded creatives to bring more ideas to life.
What’s the difference between co-living apartments and serviced residences?
Serviced residences focus mainly on providing corporate travellers the comforts of a home, spaciousness and privacy of an apartment with quality services. Most of the apartments, which range from studio to one- to four-bedroom apartments, come with a fully equipped kitchen and separate living and dining areas. Co-living apartments are serviced residences designed to cater to millennial business and leisure travellers. The apartments will have an unconventional design and there will be social spaces with facilities like social kitchens, co-working and event spaces. Social programmes will be held regularly to foster a new way of community living, building connections and being inspired by a like-minded travelling tribe.
Your schedule keeps you busy each day. How do you handle the work-life balance?
The key to keep going is to love what you do. I find enjoyment in what I do. Yes, there are challenges, but I always go through them with a smile on my face. I’m always passionate to deliver. I work long hours most of the day, but I always make an effort to enjoy each day at work. When I’m done with my work, I spend the rest of the day with my friends or colleagues in restaurants, playing golf or calling my family.

Thank you for joining the interview with us and we wish you good health and success.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Forgotten myths of Ziro valley

The Apatani tribe has migrated to and been living in Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, India for centuries and they have left unique cultural marks on this beautiful land. However Ziro Valley is also a little explored part of the world and few people have set foot here. All these factors inspired us to explore the mystery of this legendary place.
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STUCK IN GUWAHATI

After four international and domestic flights, we were happily travelling to Ziro Valley (Bang Arunachal, India). But all of us were blocked at Guwahati Airport (State of Assam) because Ziro Valley is in a sensitive area. Travellers must be issued travel documents by the government, if they want to enter Ziro Valley.

A female staff at the travel office explained to us: “This is a sensitive border area, so many roadblocks were set up to prevent suspicious people from entering Ziro. Without travel documents, no one is allowed to enter Ziro. And in case you try to enter Ziro illegally and are detected, you would be heavily fined before being deported from the country. And if you want to obtain a travel document, you have to go to Guwahati.”

Well, if you ask me how Guwahati is, I must say it may not be as pretty as you might like to imagine. After our long arrival trip on four different planes, we wanted to drink a cup of coffee in a quiet air-conditioned café. But it was bizarre: we could not find any cafés in Guwahati. There are only substandard, hot, crummy food stalls. And even if we had managed to find a café, this being such a populated country, there would be no seats left for us. That was the start to four days being hustled, pushed and bumped around. Sometimes we were even touched seemingly by accident when some guys passed by us on the streets. Well, at least no one accidentally spit in our faces.Guwahati is a stuffy, crowded, noisy, cluttered, crummy city. People here stand, walk, run and talk loudly everywhere, on the road and on the sidewalks as they are looking for an opportunity to make their living.

It was horrible to be stuck in Guwahati for four days, just waiting. We waited two days for the working week to start so we could ask permission to enter the border area, and a day to get the travel document, and another day to get to Ziro. Those were really four tiring and boring days. My excitement and motivation when travelling to one of the four Cradles of Humankind somehow faded away. We counted every hour to board a train to go to Ziro, where a lot of mysterious myths are hidden.

LESSONS FROM THE APATANI PEOPLE

After getting the travel document to enter Ziro, we went to Intalagal Town, Arunachal State by night-train before we arrived in Ziro. After more than eight hours travelling, Intalagal Town appeared amidst white mist in the hills. From Intalagal, our group had to travel 15 kilometres by bus to the centre of Nahalagal Town. From there, we bought a bus ticket to Ziro. Along the way from Intalagal to Ziro, we constantly encountered roadblocks. The handsome Tibetan driver revealed: “This area does not allow Chinese people to enter so the soldiers check carefully.”
After four-hour travelling on sloping mountain roads, we were all tired. Although we were still tired after resting just half a day, we met our guide Michi Tajo and began the journey of exploring the culture of the Apatani tribe of hundreds of years ago and were charmed not only by the beauty, but also by the lovely stories of the
land and people here.

Tajo drove us into the ancient villages of the Apatani, I felt like I waswalking into a labyrinth of bamboo houses with towering bamboo rows stretching along the sides of the road. The peacefulness and freshness of this place was a contrast to the hustle and bustle that we had just experienced in Guwahati. That made me even more curious about the Apatani people who have kept Ziro Valley so beautiful and so peaceful for hundreds of years.

Apatani people have special ways of growing rice. They learned how to create a system of zigzag water channels from inside the mountain. And this source of water can provide enough water for a whole field in Ziro Valley. “Our water system is a great accomplishment in agriculture. Apatanians, unlike other tribes, lived a nomadic life and deforest for farming,” said the Apatanian guide proudly.

Indeed, the Apatani are extremely different in the way they work to save and preserve nature, especially the forests. They chose to improve agricultural land on flat ground, so they make use of paddy rice cultivation combined with fish farming in the field. It is surprising that rice productivity of the Apatani is very high without using animal power, industrial machinery, or spraying chemicals. Instead they create effective and sustainable farming methods and they have succeeded beyond expectation. In April 2014, the Apatani cultural landscape was added to Unesco’s World Heritage List. That is completely earned as the Apatanians have made their best effort to protect their beautiful valley. Two days staying with Tajo’s family, I understood that the Apatanians think that everything existing on
this planet has a soul, all play certain roles in human life, so the Apatanians always live in harmony and closeness with nature.

Therefore, they still live in simple bamboo houses built on a sturdy wooden floors. In the main room of each house, there are many marks of an ancient culture like fireplaces, spears, armour, mithun horns and giant ten-year-cured meat lumps hang in the kitchen. Their houses are simple, full of amenities and clean, this made me somewhat embarrassed by the way we live and spend our daily lives in modern cities without thinking about the consequence we leave for future generations.

MYTHS OF THE ANCIENT APATANI WOMEN

No words can describe my feelings when I met Apatani ladies with their two big nose piercings and strange tattoos on their faces. It is an indescribable sense of relief when hearing of these incredible myths that seem so apart from us – an infinite distance of space and time. Similar to Chin women with their stunning facial ink in western Myanmar, the story of Apatani women wearing bizarre nose plugs was just word of mouth. Apparently, Apatani women have always been considered the most beautiful among the Arunachal tribes and they caught the eyes of men of other tribes. So they were often abducted. Therefore, to protect themselves, many women in the village have thought of ways to camouflage or making themselves ugly by plugging their nose and tattooing their face. Gradually, the Apatani women became ugly with two malformed nostrils and tattooed faces. Then, gradually, these tattooed faces became the beauty standard for Apatani women. Girls who do not have two big buttons in their noses were even considered ugly and unattractive.

All the older Apatani women in the village do not know how old they are, but they all firmly remember that at the age of 8 – 10, they plugged their noses. And after a short while, their mother would put a larger piece of bamboo into their noses, causing the beautiful noses to deform. When the piece of bamboo in their nose was as big as a penny, it would be replaced with a piece of rattan used until the end of the woman’s life.

Every time when stepping in the kitchen, Apatani women often get soot from a pot and then apply it on the plug to make it smooth and eye-catching on the big nose. But that is a custom of the past. Since 1975, integration has begun to slip into Ziro Valley, drawing the Apatani community closer to the “civilised” life of large Indian cities. Now, the big nose with two shiny black plugs on women’s faces has become a barrier to the integration of the Apatani community.

At a time when plugged noses and tattooed faces are no longer considered beautiful, the old women have to accept a lonely life in the old villages of Ziro Valley. On the day we went to Mrs Ruliing’s house in Tajang Village, she said that it has been more than two months since someone has visited her. From the day she lost her husband, like other women with plugged noses, she lived alone in the shadowed bamboo house. The weather is colder when the sun goes down. Making a glass of hot drink, Mrs Ruliing said her children have moved to Hapoli Town a long time ago. They are living a vibrant city life, unlike that in an old village like Ziro Valley.

USEFUL TRAVEL TIPS ABOUT ZIRO VALLEY FROM WANDERLUST TIPS

The price of a travel document to Ziro Valley is 3,500 Rupees (about VND1.1 million). You only need to fill out a form, then pay the fee and wait. Also, it is only possible to get the travel document during office hours from 9am – 6pm Monday to Friday. It is best to avoid going to Guwahati at the weekend, if you do not want to
spend more time waiting there.
The price of train tickets in India is very cheap, VND300,000 gets you a VIP ticket. You can buy air-conditioned sleeper tickets for more comfort.
There are a lot of homestays in Ziro Valley. Almost every guide in Ziro also has a homestay in the Apatani people’s village for visitors to experience indigenous life. If you like comfortable and convenient accommodation, the Blue Pin Hotel is the best choice for you.
The price of products and services in Ziro Valley is very cheap so you can enjoy the food here without having to bargain.
When you come to Ziro you should taste some traditional dishes of the Apatani people such as: tapyo salt (traditional herbal salt made by Apatani people), smoked meat (cured for decades), baked bamboo shoot or chicken baked in a bamboo tube.
Ziro Valley does not have WIFI but you can use a 3G or 4G sims bought in India.

Wanderlust Tips

The 2nd Quang Nam Tourism Photo Contest

Quang Nam Tourism Promotion and Information Center has officially launched The 2nd Quang Nam Tourism Photo Contest in 2017. Contest period is from 1st July to 30th November 2017. The awards ceremony will take place in December 2017.
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The 2nd Quang Nam Tourism Photo Contest in 2017 aims to promote Quang Nam tourism through photographs and provide photographers and tourists with an opportunity to record the most beautiful moments about the people and land of Quang Nam.

Participants will have the opportunity to receive attractive prizes including cash (VND) and Voucher Thailand tour (04 days 03 nights) or Voucher package tour (03 days 02 nights) in Quang Nam or Voucher 4 star – hotel (two – night stay for 2 persons) in Hoi An.
Participants are all Vietnamese citizens and foreign nationals. The themes of the contest: The World Heritage Sites (Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary) and other Champa towers of Quang Nam; The Beaches, Islands and Rivers of Quang Nam; The events of the 6th Quang Nam Heritage Festival 2017; The nature and culture of the mountainous areas of Western Quang Nam; The Traditional Handicraft Villages; The nature and culture of Southern Quang Nam; Cuisine and Festival of Quang Nam.

How to enter:

- Submit photos: Go to the website Quang Nam tourism and click on banner “Quang Nam photo contest”. Login with facebook and find “Entries” icon to fill out the form and upload photos.
- Join to vote: Visit the website Quang Nam tourism, then click on banner “Quang Nam Photo Contest”. Login with facebook and find “View and Vote” icon to Vote your most favorite photos.
- Join to comment: Visit the official website of Quang Nam tourism Quang Nam tourism, then click on banner “Quang Nam Photo Contest”. Login with facebook (in the upper-right corner of website) and comment your most favorite photos.

The lead sponsors are The Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Representative Office in Ho Chi Minh City, AirAsia, KOI Resort & Spa Hoi An.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

General manager of Hong Kong Airlines Vietnam: Steven Wang

Born and raised in beijing, China, Steven Wang who has been in Vietnam over 8 years feels attached to the country and he considers it his second home. Here wanderlust Tips’s June shares with readers a very interesting coversation with the general manager of Hong Kong Airlines Vietnam.
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Hello Steven. You started working for Hong Kong Airlines in 2007 and moved to Vietnam in 2009. Have you had any difficulty adjusting to life in Vietnam during the period?
I used to have a big fat body. And when I came here, because I could not adapt to Vietnamese food, I lost 10kg. Eating was a real challenge for me when I arrived in Vietnam, although China and Vietnam have innumerable cultural similarities. Thanks to that, now I have a much better shaped body than before (laughs).

You look much younger than the age of 48. What is your secret?
I have no secret. But that is probably because I have absorbed the spirit of Hong Kong Airlines’ slogan of “Fresh and very Hong Kong”.
Working here, means working in a youthful, dynamic and fresh environment: from the aircraft with the longest-service aircraft – up to six years in use, and most of the staff are around 30 years old. We also try to recognise and respond to the needs of a new client base of young travel enthusiasts who fly more and more. This is also one of the reasons why we choose different, potential and interesting destinations instead of just popular destinations in our airline network such as Okinawa or Sapporo (Japan), Gold Coast, Cairns (Australia). We have to build the customer base from the beginning, and of course take risks when exploiting non-popular destinations, however the competitive pressure is reduced as Hong Kong Airlines belongs to Hainan Airlines, which is also a young airline. And that youthful spirit has permeated our entire system.

Normally, the airline’s national chief representatives would hold a term of three to four years while you have been in Vietnam for eight years in this position. Did you bring your family with you?
I did not bring my family with me. I have a wife and a very cute 3-year-old daughter and they still live in Beijing. I always arrange a time for the family to stay together for about a week each month. Every year we go on vacation together to enjoy family time and I am quite sure that taking care of family and children is a very tiring job – even much more exhausting than working – as it includes feeding the children, playing with them, taking the children to the zoo, and holding the naughty child along the way (laughs). But at the same time it is incomparable happiness.
Why did you not bring your family here so that your family is always together? There are many good international schools in Vietnam that can provide a modern education.
Like Vietnam, China is a country with a long history and a strong cultural identity. And I believe many parents like me worry that our children will lose the identity of my people, although the education is extremely modern and superior today. I still want my child to be real Chinese, not a person with a mix of cultures. You know in China there is a term for people who deliberately give birth abroad (USA, Europe) so that their children can apply for citizenship of that country, and then they are raised there. These children are referred to as a “banana”, the peel is yellow but the flesh is white. At first glance, their appearance is still Chinese, but inside, it is difficult to define which country and culture these people belong to.

So in your position, living abroad more than in your country, communicating with many people from different cultures, how do you keep your identity Chinese?
I do not know. Perhaps the relationship with my friends and family will help me always feel deeply about my descent. Also, I like to cook and can cook Chinese food to always remember home cuisine. Fortunately, it is not difficult to find spices and ingredients of my country here.
Which destinations do you usually choose to travel to with your family? How do you feel about destinations in Vietnam?

We travel a lot, to Japan, Korea and also many destinations in Vietnam such as Ha Long, Hue, Danang and Mui Ne. There are many places that surprised me, although Vietnam is small, it has such beautiful scenery. However, there is a problem, which is that Vietnam’s high-class services have not been promoted much to Chinese people. Therefore my friends have very little information and I am the one who usually advises them to choose a good service in Vietnam.
Many Chinese are still buying cheap tours such as visiting Halong for only a few hundred dollars. While there are countless luxury yachts in the bay and the experience on those would make your trip truly perfect. You get what you pay for; you will enjoy the services that are worth every dollar that you spend.
And as you said, Vietnam is like your second home, how does it show?

I find it extremely comfortable to be here. During my free time, I play golf – there are many golf courses around Hanoi. If I do not play golf then I walk around the streets, invite friends to go for some glasses of beer, or eat delicious beef noodle (pho bo) in a small but super nice noodle stall on Hoang Hoa Tham Street. I also like to eat bun cha (Vietnamese grilled pork with vermicelli) and hot pot in Vietnam. Then we go together for a few cups of tea. Maybe you would be surprised, I can drink very thick tea, but if I drink only a little coffee such as Highland or Starbucks coffee, which is quite bland to the Vietnamese, I get… drunk.

Thank you for joining the interview with Wanderlust Tips. We wish you and your family good health, great success and full happiness.

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

wanderlust-tips-meet-the-traveller-stay-with-the-local

Meet the travellers, stay with the locals

Travel to a distant country, meet a stranger, and… stay at their home for free? It sounds dangerous and risky. Who knows, they may be good people, or… perverts! However, hundreds of thousands of people do this everyday, through the Couchsurfing community. Life is always full of adventures, isn’t it? During a solo trip to Europe last year, I decided to overcome my fear to gain new experiences on my journey.
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MEET PEOPLE FROM EVERY WHERE

In the middle of ancient Rome’s Piazza Venezia, I waited for Daniele. We had an appointment to meet each other in Rome, after our first meeting through Couchsurfing when he was in Vietnam two years ago. He took me to eat pasta and said that it was just one of the hundreds of Italian noodles that they could eat each day. Then, he told me about his latest trip to Cuba, where he had made new friends through Couchsurfing.

Couchsurfing is a community offering free accommodation. Travellers will sleep on the couch in the living room for a few days, which is why it is called “Couchsurfing”. For most backpackers, a warm, safe place to rest is enough. Because it is free, no one expects warm blankets or soft cushions. If they need those, they have to spend money to rent hotel rooms. The best things about Couchsurfing are meeting locals, chatting, discovering cultural differences, living together, and becoming friends. Couchsurfing does not mean people must stay together. If you cannot provide accommodation or do not have a need for free accommodation like me and Daniele, you can still meet, exchange culture, and become friends after chatting on the Couchsurfing forum.

After Rome, I met Emili in Barcelona. I had met her before, through Couchsurfing in Hanoi. She took me for a stroll by a beach in Barcelona, then we went to a bar in the centre of the old city – the Gothic Quarter – to drink Sangria, a Spanish fruit cocktail.
Meeting Daniel and Emili in distant countries as old friends was joyful and made everything less strange to me. They were very enthusiastic to introduce things to me; maybe they wanted to reciprocate the days in Vietnam that I took them around the city.

SELECTING THE HOST: LUCK OF THE DRAW

For the most part, on your journey, you will stay at the homes of strangers, people you will meet for the first time. Some surfers meet enthusiastic hosts who not only pick them up at the airport, but also cook for them or take them around. You are lucky if you get to meet up with enthusiastic people. On the other hand, during the times you have to manage your own trip, you will become more mature and more dynamic. For example, I read maps better after finding my way to the host’s house and going out by myself. This is a real challenge because Western streets look very similar, so it is easy to get lost, and the host’s timetable is also a matter. Once I found the house on time, but the door was locked and I could not call my host. Fortunately, a moment later, her housemate came back home; if not, I would have had to wait for a long time.

However, this is a “fifty – fifty game” and sometimes you will have bad luck. For example, another time, I arrived at 3pm but we were not meeting until 9pm. It is an unforgettable experience to carry a backpack on your shoulders, pulling a suitcase with one hand on the brick pavement of Brussels, holding an umbrella, and going to tourist attractions. The irony was, the host took me for a dinner but then told me she could not let me stay at her house because of an unexpected work trip. At 11:30pm in a strange place, I was wandering around with luggage on the street.

Fortunately, another friend on Couchsurfing knew I was in Brussels, so he invited me and my host to have a beer with a group of friends. After hearing my story, he said that night he would stay at his friend’s house so he could not accommodate me, but he would ask if I could stay one night. I felt like a poor homeless wanderer, waiting for the kindness of others. Going home with two strange boys is also risky. But, staying in a stranger’s house is risky from the beginning, so I decided to “take the risk.” Through Couchsurfing, I learned how to open up and trust strangers.
My intuition was right. For me, Belgium is the most friendly, enthusiastic country in Europe. I just had to wait a bit long because the host was busy… flirting. At around 1am, he convinced the girl he just made acquaintance to come home with us. He invited each of us for a glass of gin & tonic and showed his friend and me two couches,before going back to the bedroom with the girl. I was not sure if the two of them had “good sleep” but I “passed out” after a long day.
Despite some difficulties, I still find myself quite lucky. My hosts were all friendly. We did not spend a lot of time together, but I had a few interesting hours over meals, chatting with them. For example, lunchtime in Spain is at 3pm or 5pm because they need time for a siesta (a nap). Amsterdam often has costume festivals, where you can wear anything you like or nothing at all. It is Dutch!
Sometimes, I have been fortunate to have hosts with free time, and they would take me around. The most memorable time was when I stayed with a young director in Paris. After watching a French film, Amelie, he took me to the café and the canal in that film. It was wonderful.

COUCHSURFING OR SEXSURFING?

Many people say that Couchsurfing is different now than when it was launched in 2004. Some people will agree to let you stay in their house but then for money or sex. This is why some people call Couchsurfing “Sexsurfing.” If you just want to “surf on the couch” rather than “surf on the bed with stranger” then choose your host carefully. But even so, sometimes it’s hard to resist handsome Western guys. My first host in Madrid was a bodybuilding teacher. Lord, I only knew that when I met him in person. He did not wear a top after leaving the bathroom, and then he asked me if I was cold, and that his room was ready for me. I glanced at his six-pack, tried my best to refuse. I want to explore the country and the people here, but not this way. But maybe some people think this is the best way to discover?
Continuing the story in Brussels, on the second night, I moved to another host’s house. He was five years younger than me, French, and living in Brussels. I preferred to stay with locals, but he was very willing to help when I was in trouble, so I did not refuse. He took me to eat French Fries; the famous Belgium fried potato, and told me why he decided to come here.
He also introduced me to some must-see museums. Things were very fun and pleasant until we returned home. Suddenly he asked me if he could kiss me. When I reminded him that he had a girlfriend, he said that’s okay, because he is French.

I hope not every French person is like this. It also seems like there are weird people everywhere. The 45-year-old host in Amsterdam was very confusing when he showed me some of her and her friend’s costumes: female tight-fitting leather outfitsthat look like swimsuits with a hole at the bottom (!?) and… handcuffs. She wanted to cosplay as Christian Gray in a female version, with a 50 Shades of Gray theme, but I am not a fan of 50 Shades so I just said, “No, thank you, I must go to bed now.” Istill wonder, why did I only refuse them and not run away from these strange people? Maybe I was too reckless. Even so, I think they are still nice people. Although they suggested some “strange” things, after I turned them down, they still behaved well, did not force me, or kick me out of the house.
So far, I have been a lucky traveller. To be honest, a little bit of adventure while travelling makes the trip more exciting. The feeling of facing a challenge, overcoming your fears, and gaining new experiences on your own are priceless. Of course, pray that the god of luck is always with you!’

WANDERLUST TIPS

♦ Create an account
Visit www.couchsurfing.com or download the app for your smartphone to create an account using your email or Facebook account.Your profile is the first thing people will see about you. When you apply for accommodation, the host will certainly read your profile. So, do not leave your account blank or provide too little information. Everyone wants to meet someone interesting. Write an introduction about yourself. The available hints will help you complete this easily.
If you want to get more reviews from other members to gain more credibility and increase your chances of being chosen, let some people stay in your house or meet up with people travelling to Vietnam.
♦ Host selection
It’s recommended to read the profile carefully, choose ones you find interesting and have many reviews. These are the only two things that help you “know a little bit” about them. In addition, most profiles will describe the space they provide to the surfer, usually the couch or a private room with a bed.
If you are female, choose a female host. However, many female hosts prefer to accept male offer for accommodation, so you may be rejected.
You can choose people with 70 to 100 reviews. But in my experience, do not expect much of them. Most of them do not answer. It is easy to understand, as they have dozens of people asking them, so they are very selective or maybe the place is full.
Those with around 20-30 reviews are the best option. The number of reviews is relative and the chance you receive a response is bigger.
In particular, new members are often very enthusiastic and the chance you are accepted is 80-90%. However, they may only have 3-5 reviews, which is quite risky. If you have no other choice and still want to try Couchsurfing then bravely choose them and pray for yourself.
♦ Send letters to the host
After reading their profile, write a letter with the specific check-in date, check-out date, and reason why you chose them. Be sure to customise the letters; no one likes a letter with the same content (even including the previous host’s name).
You should ask about 10-15 days in advance because their plans may change in one or two months.
♦ When in Home, do as the Romans do
Read about the cultural differences of the country or city you are going to visit to avoid taboos or being considered disrespectful.Talk politely about the things you should and should not do in their home, and if you want to use anything, ask for permission. Always believe in your intuition and presentiment.
If you feel any unusual signs, ask questions directly to the host (before the meeting) or leave immediately (if you have arrived). It is recommended to have a backup plan in case you cannot stay or leave the host home.
♦ Say goodbye
Couchsurfing requires that hosts do not ask for money. In fact, the goal is to meet people from different regions to exchange and learn about each other’s cultures, so they do not ask for “reciprocity”. But if you invite them to a cup of coffee, a meal, or give them a small gift from your country to show your gratitude, they will be happy to receive it.
Write a review about the host after the trip. Write down your true experiences, and express your gratitude if you have a good experience. Do not hesitate to raise your voice if there is a bad experience, and be sure to report a violation because the safety of other members will be based on your rating.

Le Diem | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Sunrise premium resort, Hoi An announces new senior appointments

Recently, Sunrise Premium Resort & Spa, Hoi An has announced the appointment of three key players to its executive team of professionals. All bring with them extensive experience in the hospitality industry and a proven record of success.
[rpi] MADAME MAE MONNET – DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGE

French born, Madame Monnet brings a wealth of culinary experience and a noteworthy education from Glion Institute of Higher Education as well as Paris Sorbonne University to the luxury resort. With experience working for top luxury hospitality brands, Mae’s management background has provided her with skills to lead the F&B team.

MR. CÉSAR COMBE – DIRECTOR OF CUISINE

A French national, Mr. César Combe has over 9 years of culinary experience managing the provision of fine dining for hotels, resorts and restaurant at companies such as Mélia, Intercontinental Resort and Spa… As the Director of Cuisine, Mr. César Combe will work hand in hand with the Vietnamese Executive Chef and bring international flair to our dining experiences with creativity. His expertise in food and hospitality industry makes him a best fit for the luxury resort.

MR. BRENT STRYDOM – TRAINING MANAGER

With over a decade of experience in the luxury hospitality arena, Geray has demonstrated his passion for developing talent as a training manager. Joining Sunrise Premium, he will be responsible for training programs for all staffs of the resort.

“Mae, César and Brent join us at an exciting time here Sunrise Premium Resort & Spa,” says Sven A.Saebel, General Manager. “Sunrise Premium Resort & Spa, Hoi An has an extremely young, dynamic & talented team. I believe the it is crucial in the current time to expose our local team to foreign managers, as it will help us to achieve the aim to train and develop our local team to remain as leader in Hoi An and benchmarking ourselves with international brands in Danang and which will bring our Sunrise family from good to great. I must say I’m more than happy to have all of them on board and form a vision for the future success of our resort.“

Sunrise Premium Resort&Spa, Hoi An
Tel: +84 (0235) 393 7777
Email: resa@sunrisehoian.vn
Website: www.sunrisehoian.vn

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

ITE HCMC 2017: Vietnam’s Premier Global Tourism

Vietnam’s most important and established travel event, the International Travel Expo, Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC), is excited to return for the 13th year from 7th to 9th September at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Centre (SECC).
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The annual ITE HCMC is the key international tourism event in Vietnam, and the largest event of its kind in the Mekong subregion for both inbound and outbound markets. Recognised as Vietnam’s one and only National Tourism Event by the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism, it is also the only travel event endorsed by the Tourism Alliance of all five countries in the Mekong Region.
The first two days of the event are catered to trade professionals, and the third day to trade visitors as well as the public; special promotions, travel packages, stage activities and performances will especially enthrall the latter with wanderlust.

THE GLOBAL TOURISM INDUSTRY UNDER ONE ROOF

Following the success of last year’s edition, and the positive positioning of Vietnam as the latest tourism hotspot, the Organisers of ITE HCMC 2017 are expecting an overall increase of 20% in participation from last year. This year’s event will host a multitude of national pavilions, and current confirmed participation include those of Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, with many more to be announced soon.
The confirmed exhibitors currently include airlines, hotels and resorts, tour companies, and travel representatives from countries like Australia, Cambodia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE and Vietnam. Many travel companies will also be present at the event.

SEMINARS, INDUSTRY NETWORKING & BUSINESS EXCHANGE

ITE HCMC is more than just an exhibition; apart from an array of networking events, it will also host a series of high-powered seminars on topics relating to emerging travel and tourism, like tourism sustainability, travel technology, social media for tourism and hospitality, investment tourism development, and more.
Special business matching services, online pre-appointments, and buyerseller meetings will provide exhibitors greater exposure and buyers more opportunities to discover that special tourism boost they are searching for. More than 3,600 meetings were conducted between buyer and sellers last year, and the Organisers expect the number to grow 15% this year.

HOSTED BUYERS & MEDIA PROGRAMME

Organisers of the ITE HCMC will also invite and host at the event 300 international and regional travel buyers from 50 major markets like Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, US and many others.
The Hosted Buyer Programme allows buyers, from leisure, corporate, MICE, luxury, and special interest travel companies to enjoy pre-show and post-show tours to explore Vietnam; make pre-appointment bookings with sellers online; engage in buyer-seller meetings and attend various networking functions. All hosted buyers are carefully selected and approved by an advisory board with the ITE HCMC Organising Committee.
Additionally, the Organisers will also invite and host 50 international media partners from prominent travel, lifestyle, tourism, and broadcast platforms, as well as award-winning travel bloggers and social media professionals. Some of the activities the media would be invited to include dinners, networking events, and also pre-show and post-show tours showcasing the beauty of Vietnam.
As part of their hosted programme, Hosted Buyers and Media will be treated to exclusive and unforgettable visits to some of Vietnam’s stunning provinces and sights. The itinerary includes: Can Gio mangrove forest, Can Tho, the biggest city in Mekong delta region, Da Lat city, Phu Yen seaside town, Phan Thiet seaside town

EXPLORE MORE OF VIETNAM & THE WORLD

The tourism sector will continue to be an important part of the Vietnam’s economic plan, with the country actively joining tourism promotion and co-operation activities abroad. ITE HCMC presents the best opportunities for buyers and exhibitors to jump on this rising tourism wave and bring their businesses to higher levels.
Mr Bui Ta Hoang Vu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, says: “Last year’s event was a spectacular one with more than 26,000 trade and public visitors, and 3,633 meetings arranged between buyers and sellers. There was a diverse variety of travel destinations and options available to both trade professionals and the public.”
“We are certain this year will be no different, if not more rewarding. Vietnam is an emerging tourist haven with new destinations and attractions promoted each year, and Hosted Media and Hosted Buyers can expect to explore more of Vietnam through the pre-show and postshow tours. We look forward to introducing our traditional Vietnamese warmth and hospitality to our international friends and guests.”

BRINGING THE WORLD TO VIETNAM

Mr Jack Wei, General Manager of Informa Exhibitions and Co-Organiser of ITE HCMC, adds: “ITE HCMC’s stellar performance record throughout the decade is further strengthened by the success of the 2016 edition, and this has resulted in more exhibitors and buyers participating in this year’s event. My team and I are very excited to meet our new and old exhibitors, buyers and media friends, and we will extend all assistance and support to them.”
“In addition, Vietnam’s booming tourism industry is reaching even greater heights. According to an announcement by the United Nations World Tourism Organization that’s reported in a recent VietnamTourism.com article, Vietnam was ranked seventh in the list of the world’s top 20 fastest growing travel destinations. The country saw a 24.6% surge in the number of foreign visitors in 2016 compared to the previous year.”
“This is an extremely encouraging trend that we believe will be sustained, and ITE HCMC will be the bridge to bring world to Vietnam, and vice versa.”

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet