Laos Tourist Information

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Tad Pha Suam Water Fall in Souhtern of Laos ตาดผาส้วม


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Laos Tourism Information

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Global Ambassador Seeks To Unite the World

I had been running an art business for about ten years and had enjoyed moderate success. I had established a large gallery, a thriving picture framing business and was even beginning to publish exclusive limited edition prints. A business many would have been proud of and content to run and develop. But not me, I wanted to achieve more.

 

My father had always taught me to know my place and not to over extend my abilities, such as he believed had been determined by my modest education. I wanted to write, more than anything and had done so as a hobby all my life. Songs, short stories, poems and a few magazine articles had kept my appetite alive but not satisfied, I still wanted more. So, after setting up a few businesses along the way and a family store that still runs today, I finally decided to end my career in art and concentrate on my writing, or at least, something that would give it an outlet.

 

By chance an acquaintance introduced me to a magazine that needed help. It was struggling for circulation and lacked a professional touch. This was my chance to get involved and really put my faith in my abilities to the test. I joined the company, determined the problems, cleared out most of the staff and changed the magazine title. The result was superb and very exciting, our clients loved it and we seemed to be on the brink of a whole new lease of life. However, such was the improvement in the product, that I was approached by another company and invited to become their partner publication. I was delighted of course and accepted, only to discover that what they really wanted was me and another new magazine, not the company I had been working with. So, I toughed it out and went it alone. I produced a first edition of "Taste of Asia Magazine" www.tasteofasiamag.com which was to focus on bringing the Asian continent to the UK with a culinary theme providing the draw to attract readers. I wanted to educate people about the Far East and dispel the cliché views I had experienced all my adult life having been married to both a Burmese-Chinese and, to this day, a Malaysian. The magazine hit the shelves and was well received by both reader and retailer. Once again it looked as though I had a potential hit on my hands. I was very excited but there were still mountains to climb. Magazines survive on advertising and advertising revenue is based on circulation. This venture was going to take time and money to develop and I was not that well funded. It was going to be really tough.

 

I made sure the magazine reached all the right readers and soon decided it would be easier to build circulation, and therefore advertising revenue, if I gave it away for free. So that was what I did and how I reached a whole new opportunity to develop my ambition to become a successful writer.

 

Taste of Asia Magazine was read by many in the diplomatic circles and soon reached key individuals in two major Asian Development organisations. They loved what I was doing and applauded my efforts, but they wanted something bigger, something that would give a real voice to countries like Myanmar and North Korea, Indonesia and Laos amongst many others. Producing a bigger magazine was one option but that would just compound my overheads, it would still take time to build circulation and printing magazines isn't cheap. I had to find another option that was easier to manage, wider reaching and less demanding on the pocket.

 

My objective was to reach as many readers as possible and provide the best platform for my favourite part of the world. I also wanted to appease my supporters who were essentially inviting me to provide a promotional platform for the whole Asian continent, quite a responsibility on one hand but an immense opportunity on the other. I gave the prospect long and hard thought. Had many meetings with people I trusted to guide me well and underpin the ideas I was beginning to hatch.

 

As you can see I had placed Taste of Asia on line to enable anyone anywhere the ability to read it. It was free after all so I had no qualms about revenue, the more readers – the better. It was obvious that the internet was the way to go. No costly printing, no distribution expense or restrictions and a much broader exposure for my advertisers. This had to be the way forward – but I wasn't happy with the name. Taste of Asia did not seem right for this new angle. I wanted to make sure my readers knew what we were to be about - promoting Asia. The people, cultures, food, tourism, trade – everything. I was to establish an entire platform dedicated to supporting all that Asia had to offer. I was to be an Ambassador for Asia! Of course, that was it. "Asia Ambassador" it said exactly what I wanted it to say and gave us an added credibility – I loved it.

 

No sooner had we started building the site than it became very obvious that focusing on Asia alone was to impose boundaries on our potential. That seemed pointless and naive. So this was the day we arrived at our final destination "Global Ambassador". Suddenly all the pieces had come together. I knew what I had to do and where I could take this potentially enormous project. Of course I had increased my workload seven fold as we included the other continents, but I had to be sure that before I started to build anything I knew where I was heading and that the foundations were right.

 

This month we launched the site in its skeletal form www.global-ambassador.org , now ready to receive our nation clients, advertisers and freelance editorial content.

 

Global Ambassador is born.

 

Now I seek a team of dedicated visionaries to work with me, for this is way too much work for one man alone. Hopefully the right people will present themselves and we can share the journey together, building and expanding an incredibly exciting platform for the promotion of nations all around the World.

 

Not only will Global Ambassador deliver news and information intended to increase awareness and encourage interest in international cultures, we can also use the power of the site to do good for charity. I tell people we are going to buy children... but that's whole other article.

 

You can contact Trevor Krueger and follow his personal blog at: www.trevorkrueger.com

 

About the Author

I am a writer / entrepreneur with a deep rooted interest in Asia and true global integration. My aim is to encourage a global community attitude and thus promote tolerence and peace through cultural understanding and mutual appreciation.

"Vientiane" Jessnel's photos around Vientiane, Lao Peoples Dem Rep


laos tourism information
laos tourism information
laos tourism information

Laos Tourism Information

laos tourism information="laos tourism information"

Luxury Travel Vietnam To Attract High-end French Travelers at Top Resa Paris

This year’s exhibition at Paris, 22 -25 September 2009, IFTM - Top Resa is the professional show B2B dedicated to the Travel Industry in France.

IFTM is bursting with potential; delivering a full program of strategic content and bringing together the largest global industry gathering of destinations, tour operators, hotels, airlines, technology and online travel services under one roof.

Vietnam increasingly is being recognized as a destination for high-end global tourists especially coming from Western European countries: France, the UK, and Germany.

Luxury Travel Company particularly eyes on French luxury travel market and look for a luxury tour operator and travel agencies selling Vietnam and Indochina. The company has a new representative office in Geneva.

Vietnam’s appeal is vast to attract high-end French travelers. Vietnam has world class hotels and resorts, cuisine and nature beauties, rich in history and culture. The French luxury travelers are keen to visit and discover the country in the lap of luxury.
 
Luxury Travel Co., Ltd, a 100% fully registered and privately-owned Vietnamese company, has an excellent French speaking team and very few tour operators in Indochina specializes in French Speaking Markets including Quebec (Canada), Belgium, Switzerland and France.

In 2008, Vietnam has welcomed 170.000 French tourists and they often travel to Vietnam in a big group. Luxury Travel (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) only targets in the luxury market segment which has not yet fully been tapped.

The company’s depth of experience and large infrastructure enable it to create unique itineraries with the operational confidence to fulfill French client expectations. French Ministers and the current French Embassador to The Socialist Republic of Vietnam are among the Luxury Travel Company’s Vip Customers.

Luxury Travel has won numerous travel awards. Luxury Travel is headquartered in Hanoi and has offices around Vietnam and management offices in all over Indochina.

Visit LUXury Travel’s booth sharing with the Vietnam National Of Administration of Tourism to see what Luxury travel team can do to help to arrange land services, luxury tours, mice groups to Indochina (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia).

For more information go to website in French at http://luxurytravelvietnam.com/FR/index.htm  or to make an appointment in advance, please contact a very francophone Mr. Ha PHAM at pham@luxurytravelvietnam.com.

About the Author

Award Winning Travel Advisors in Asia

Tourist information Center 45-47 Le Loi Hue city Vietnam


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Laos Tourist Information

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Information on Khao San Road

Khao San Road is extremely popular amongst travelers, because there are numerous direct buses to the south and north destinations accessible from here. The market location of Khao San Road is overcrowded with tour agents who may get you inexpensive air tour tickets and visas and transfer to adjacent countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Laos. These countries are linked to Thailand through road. Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam are not well developed for the roads are bad, in Vietnam in particular. Travelers are recommended to be careful of their baggage. The tour agents are good but sometimes, you could come across tour agents who will attempt to dupe you. So, it is better for you to utilize public transport.

Khaosan road is known for pirated DVD’s, CD’s, counterfeit educational diplomas, and false driver’s licenses. But you can discover some good craft and art stuff, clothes and paintings over here. It is one of the key reasons of its fame among the local art students and artists. Here are many bars and clubs along the street where travelers may sit and take pleasure in the evening parties, dance, and conversations.

Many tourists use Khaosan road as their base for exploring the rest of Thailand as there are many direct coaches from the street to virtually all major tourist destinations in Thailand, from Chiang Mai in the North to Ko Pha Ngan in the South. Many visitors will also take advantage of the abundance of relatively cheap travel agents to arrange visas and transport to surrounding countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia, though many of these travel agents are scams of some sort, and travelers would do themselves wise to use Thai public buses instead.

This road is colorful entailing about all aspects of society and life. Here you may find persons from varied backgrounds and cultures. Here everybody will find something for his pleasure.

About the Author

Jayson Bosco is well-known in the education field. He conducts different sociological investigations in the Internet. Peter Diaz has written a lot of custom writing essay
; he assists students in writing purchasing essays
and essay services.

"Thakhet, Savannakhet and Pakse" Nick.maynard's photos around Pakse, Lao Peoples Dem Rep


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Laos Tourist Info

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ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA) Promotes Vietnam & Cambodia Motorcycling Tours in Summer 2010

In Vietnam, travelers will ride through the historical trail named Ho Chi Minh Trail. The legendary trail was the supply line used by North Vietnam to link North and South Vietnam during the American War. Soldiers, ammunition, weapons and supplies were carried by hand, bicycle and truck for hundreds of kilometers through the otherwise impenetrable jungle that covered Vietnam's mountainous border with Laos. A testimony to the ingenuity, fortitude and commitment of the northern Vietnamese, the trail slipped from use at the end of the war and was taken back by the jungle. Recent road work follow original sections of the trail have changed this.

The first one, "Taste of Ho Chi Minh Trail" is organized for first time rider and easy adventure, offers a stunning motorcycling route with great exploration of nature and culture of northern Vietnam. Travelers will spend 3-day motorcycling with homestays in villages.

Joining in this tour, the special offer is a free of charge add on boat trip on Ma river in the afternoon of the first day. If rider group up to 6 persons, a free traditional Thai musical show will also be offers.

The second tour called "Motorcycling the Ho Chi Minh Trail - Half Challenge". This 11-day trip with 7-day motorcycling takes in the charming ancient trading town of Hoian, Khe Sanh battle site and DMZ. Travelers also take time to stay overnight in a traditional Thai hill tribe and visit to some tribal villages on the way.

Taking this tour, after a long trip, in the tenth day, riders will get a free body massage in Hoian. Moreover, for any pre or post trip in Vietnam, travelers will receive a 10% discount for the trip.

Besides, in both tours, if riders upgrade their motorbikes to dirtbike 175CC or 250CC, they will get the 40% discount for bike rental fee. Especially, to make the trip more comfortable, a free silk sleeping bag will be provided for each traveler.

In Cambodia, riders spend 14 days with 11 days motorcycling through the country. This is the best way to get to the remote and hidden corners of Cambodia. The adventure starts in the capital city and we will travel on 250cc dirtbike northward through scenic villages, mysterious temples. Highlight of the tour is the amazing Angkor Wat Temples. From Angkor Wat we head east to the hidden land of Mondulkiri, the land of exotic ethnic minorities and great nature scenery.

Booking this tour, tourists will get free Visa-on-arrival to Cambodia and a body massage in Phnom Penh. Moreover, a welcome diner in Phnom Penh will be offered for the group from 6 persons. Traveler will be provide 5% discount on any pre or post trip to Vietnam or Laos.

This Hot Summer Promotion validity is from 1 May, 2010 to 30September, 2010.

Details for the three motorcycling tours:
- Taste of Ho Chi Minh Trail: http://www.activetravelvietnam.com/tour.php?op=detail&tourId=34
- Motorcycling the Ho Chi Minh Trail - Half Challenge: http://www.activetravelvietnam.com/tour.php?op=detail&tourId=22
- Motorbiking Adventure Cambodia: http://www.activetravelcambodia.com/tour.php?op=detail&tourId=66

For more information and details of this promotion, please visit: Summer Promotion with ATA: http://www.activetravel.asia/special_offer/2010_summer_promotions.html

Or contact:
ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA
#31, Alley 4, Dang Van Ngu street, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: +84-4-35738569 | Fax: +84-4-35738570
Email: info@activetravel.asia | Website: http://www.activetravel.asia

About the Author

ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA) offers a wide selection of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar adventure tours, including hiking and trekking, biking, motorcycling, overland touring and family travel packages.

"Khmer Ruins in Laos" Mistahall's photos around Champasak, Lao Peoples Dem Rep (khmer ruins laos)


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Laos Tourist Information

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Update Vietnam basic Information 2011

Currency
The currency of Vietnam is "Dong" (abbreviated "d" or VND).

Bank coins are 200d, 500d, 1000d, 5000d. Bank notes are 1,000d; 2,000d; 5,000d; 10,000d; 20,000d; 50,000d, 100,000d, 200,000d and 500,000d.

Unlike most of Vietnam's neighbouring countries, the US Dollar is widely accepted. At this the official rate of exchange is approximately VND 18,500 to USD 01.
Credit Cards and Travellers' Cheques are accepted at most of hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops but in major cities only. Visitors are recommended to carry US Dollar in small notes. Travelers can change their money for Vietnamese Dong (VND) at banks, hotels and jewelry shops throughout the country.

At present there is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that a visitor may bring into Vietnam, however very large sums should be declared on arrival.
Exchange rate at Jan 2010
1 Pound Sterling = 32,000 VND
1 US Dollar = 19,500 VND
1 Euro = 23,000 VND
Check the last update of exchange rate at Vietcombank www.vietcombank.com.vn

Food & Berverage
Vietnamese food often comes as a wonderful surprise! It has a very distinctive style, although it is also clearly influenced by Chinese and, to a lesser extent, French cuisine. Freshness is of paramount importance so ingredients are bought fresh from the local market on a daily basis.
Meals will usually include rice or noodles as staples along with a vast array of vegetables, and meats like chicken, duck, beef, and pork. Good quality seafood (fish, calamari, prawns and crab) is widely available and you'll find that fish sauce is a condiment which accompanies almost every meal. The most famous Vietnamese dish is spring rolls either deep fried (known as cha gio in the south and nem ran in the north) or served fresh (bi cuon/bo bia) with a combination of raw vegetables and grilled prawns, crab, pork or chicken. Pho (noodle soup) served with either chicken or beef, fresh green leaves, beans sprouts, and red chilly is also found throughout the country. If you are after a snack try a banh cuon, a steamed dumpling stuffed with minced pork or prawns, black mushrooms and bean sprouts.
The French colonial period has left a legacy of delicious continental food. Often street cafés have a distinctly French feel with crispy baguettes, pate, crème caramel, banana flambé, and sweet pastries on the menu.
Vegetarians: Vegetarians should not have any difficulty in finding a great selection of food in Vietnam as there is a strong Buddhist influence and Chinese and Vietnamese vegetarian dishes abound.
Food Allergies: If you have food allergies or preferences, please make them known to your Tour guide who will do their best to ensure that your requirements are met.

Drinking
Bottled water and mineral water are obtainable at any shops in most cities. It is advisable to drink boiled water and not to drink ice and tap water. The most reliable local brand is LA VIE (Don't confuse them with the imitations such as La Ville or La Vierge). Aquafina of Pepsi and real Evian also available at many shops.
Approximate costs for drinks bought in a shop in the street are shown below.
1l of purified water = USD 0.3
30cl bottle of soft drink = USD 0.35
60cl bottle of local beer = USD 1
Note: Prices in restaurants and hotels can be as much as double those specified.
Tea, similar to Chinese green tea, is one of the most common drinks in Vietnam. Coffee was introduced by the French and is usually strong, thick and served complete with drip filter, so you know it's fresh! If you ask for milk it will usually be sweet condensed milk.
Popular beer are: Local brand: 333, Hanoi beer, Saigon beer and international brand Carlsberg, Heineken, Tiger and Foster

Film and developing
Fresh negative film is widely available. Popular brands are Kodak, Fuji, Agfa and Konica. Memory cards for digital camera could be found easily, but be careful with its quality. Image printing from both negative film or digital file are obtainable in cities and towns. The tourists say that the negative film is cheaper than abroad.
One-hour service photo shops have become ubiquitous in places where tourists abound. Positive film can be developed only in Saigon and Hanoi. Most reliable and centered-located Film developing shops are 19 Nguyen Cau – Ba Trieu St. and Photocen – 77 Ly Thuong Kiet in Hanoi and Shops on Nguyen Hue Blvd., District 1 in Saigon.

Shopping
The following items are quite unique and have good quality:
* Carved wooden furniture, fine lacquer ware (these can be shipped home upon request).
* Traditional Vietnamese hand-made silk, linen and cotton dresses, kimonos, embroideries, etc.
* Simulated antiques, ceramics, old watches or Zippo lighters, etc.
* Copies of famous paintings.

Others
Taxi: Taxis with meters are available in big cities. The current price is about US$ 0.5 per kilometre. Most metered taxi drivers can speak a little English.

Business hours: (GMT + 7)
* Offices: 07:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 01:00 p.m. to 04:30 p.m., closed on Saturday and Sundays
* Banks: 08:00 a.m to 03:00 p.m, closed on Friday afternoons, Saturday and Sunday.
Electrical current: 110-220 volts A.C.
Telephone: Long distance calls should be made at post offices, hotels or telephone booths (phone cards are available at post offices). Normally, hotels will get 15-20% service charge of the bill. Internet phone is an alternative choice and much cheaper, with around 0,1USD/minute to Europe or America
Internet: Internet cafes with ADSL can be found easily in Vietnam. Cost for an hour is around 0,5US$.

Tip and Gratuities:
Tipping is not obligatory in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, however, if you meet with exceptional services or kindness, a tip is always appreciated. A tip for good service might be about 5% of the bill.
Bargaining: Bargaining is a way of life in much of South East Asia. In Vietnam shops don't have fixed prices so the shop keeper will start with a high price which you are then expected to bargain down until you reach a fair price. Bargaining should always be relaxed and can be a lot of fun but you should remember that it is considered disrespectful to agree a price but then walk away.
Laundry: Most of the hotels we use in Vietnam provide a laundry service although this can be quite expensive, sometimes as much as US$1 per item. Alternatively the side streets of most towns and cities are teeming with laundries where the average cost per kilo of laundry is US$0.70.

Weather
Vietnam experiences a fair degree of diversity in climate. The north has distinct summer and winter seasons. Summer lasts from May until October, when the weather is hot and very humid with temperatures averaging about 30 degrees Celsius. November to April are the winter months when the weather is mainly dry and average temperatures are about 18-20 degrees Celsius. Please note that in the mountainous regions of the country, temperatures will be much lower than this, so warm clothing is required if you are travelling to hilltribe areas during the winter months.

In the centre of the country (e.g. Hue, Danang and Hoi An) the weather is very hot and dry from February to August with temperatures of around 33-36 degrees Celsius, but there can be heavy rainfall between September and January.
The south of Vietnam has a hot, dry season from December through until April with temperatures of around 28 degrees Celsius. May until November is the rainy season, although there are rarely long periods of rain – it is usually short heavy showers.

About the Author

15 years in Travel Business in Vietnam , Laos & Cambodia
working for Asiana Travel Mate in last 3 years as online Advisor

Online contact: www.asianatravelmate.com

Local  Offices:
113C Bui Vien Str. District 1.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Phone: +84-8 38 38 6678

Saigon Tourist Information Center
92-94-96 Nguyen Hue str. District 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Phone: +84-838250615

 

Hanoi Tourist Information Center
7 Dinh Tien Hoang Str.
Hoan Kiem Dist.
Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone: +84-4 39263370

Truly Halong Center
21 Luong Ngoc Quyen,
Hoan Kiem District
Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone: +84 4 39263449

 

Hue Tourist Information Center
45 - 47 Le Loi Str.
Hue City, Vietnam
Phone: +84-54 3942 233

 

"Luang Phabang" Andyandem's photos around Luang Phabang, Lao Peoples Dem Rep


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