ITB Berlin News #3

I REGION I ASIA I
New luxury vessel brings colonial
flavour to the Mekong river
ADVERTORIAL
In September 2020, the
cruise company Heritage
Line launches its first
ever vessel Anouvong
along the majestic
Mekong River in Laos.
This lesser-travelled stretch
of one of the world’s most
spectacular waterways is home
to serene nature, quaint villages
and stunning temples.
Anouvong has only eight
spacious staterooms and two
luxurious suites. All cabins
feature floor-to-ceiling windows
and open onto elegant French
balconies or private terraces
overlooking the verdant shores
of the Mekong River.
What makes Anouvong unique is
the blend of traditional Laotian
artwork with French-colonial
accents. From the intimate
onboard restaurant to the
refined setting of the lounge
which opens onto the expansive
terrace deck with panoramic
views, this design theme creates
an atmosphere of luxury and
savoir-vivre. Onboard amenities
also include a bar, lounge area
and a dining hall offering a
sophisticated cuisine.
Set at the stern of the ship,
Anouvong’s spa adds a
distinctive lifestyle element
for endless hours of blissful
relaxation.
The slow journey along the
timeless upper Mekong River
will let passengers explore
scenic riverscapes, ancient
Buddhist holy sites and the rich
cultural heritage of Laos starting
from the Thai-Lao border to the
enchanting former royal capital
of Luang Prabang
Vietnam extends visa
exemptions for eight countries
Vietnam’s government has announced the extension
of its 15-day visa exemption programme for citizens
of eight countries: Russia, Japan, Korea, Denmark,
Norway, Sweden, Finland and Belarus — until the
end of 2022.
The country already offered visa
exemptions to citizens of 24
countries, and e-Visas to citizens
of 80 countries. International
travellers can also visit the
Lang Co Lagoon
island of Phu Quoc visa-free for
up to 30 days.
In order to improve promotion
in Europe, Vietnam recently
© Christian Berg
Near Bagan, Mandalay, Myanmar
announced the opening of a
new tourism office in London.
Vietnam Tourism Advisory
Board (TAB) selected London as
the location for its first overseas
representative office, in a move
to bring the country’s tourism
assets closer to UK travellers,
assist with trip inspiration, and
encourage travellers to visit.
“There has never been a better
time to visit Vietnam,” said Mr.
Dinh Ngoc Duc, Director of
Marketing at Vietnam National
Administration of Tourism
(VNAT). “We’re confident
travellers from the UK will be
surprised by the wealth of
outstanding options here, and
will place Vietnam among their
favourite destinations in the
years to come”
Bangkok Airways flies to 22 destinations in Asia
EXPLORE THE
MIRACLE OF
INDOCHINA
WITH
BANGKOK
AIRWAYS
Thanks to Bangkok Airways' codeshare
agreements with 28 leading airlines,
passengers from around the world
can easily access not only well-known
destinations in Thailand, but also
in neighbouring countries such as
Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Travellers flying into this region can thus
experience the very best of Indochina
– from historical cultural heritage and
authentic lifestyle to white-sand beaches,
marvellous landscapes and vibrant cities:
CAMBODIA
Bangkok – Phnom Penh: 4 flights/day
Bangkok – Siem Reap: 4 flights/day
LAOS
Bangkok – Luang Prabang: 2 flights/day
MYANMAR
Bangkok – Yangon: 3 flights/day
Chiang Mai – Yangon: 1 flight/day
Bangkok – Mandalay: 1 flight/day
Chiang Mai – Mandalay: 4 flights/week
Bangkok – Nay Pyi Taw: 4 flights/week
VIETNAM
Bangkok – Danang: 1 flight/day
ITB BERLIN NEWS • THURSDAY 19 TH MARCH 2020 • 33