Welcome to our December Newsletter!

It's getting to the end of the year with Christmas around the corner and so we're proud to announce some new changes to IT&T. The biggest topic at hand is that we've added a whole new destination to our repertoire, Myanmar. This quiet nation, at the western edge of Southeast Asia is mesmerizing in its thousands of temples and gentle Buddhist culture. We're pleased to offer our latest packages to Myanmar to our clients. You can look forward to information about Myanmar on the Destinations and Leisure Travel section of our website in the coming week. We have also added a new Sales & Marketing office in the UK to follow our expansion into the Western market. As usual, we have our announcement including Promotions, Hospitality News, General News, and of course a peek into IT&T's staff. If you have any questions or enquiries please don't hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards and a joyous festive season to you and your loved ones,
Your Team at IT&T

This month we've just added Myanmar to our Destinations. The beautiful untouched Southeast Asian nation is sandwiched discretely by India, China, Laos and Thailand and makes for a wonderful holiday. The peaceful quiet lifestyle of the people, the endless pagodas that stretch out into the horizon, and the untouched jungles are just a few of the charms you'll find in Myanmar. The quiet lifestyle, deeply spiritual history and almost subdued atmosphere makes for a particularly rich and fulfilling travel experience through this largely untouched and undiscovered Southeast Asian nation.

Please have a look at our sample tours we offer throughout Myanmar. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require a quotation or have a question about this fantastic destination.

Have a look at some images from Myanmar by clicking the pictures below.

We are happy to announce that we have appointed LJR Consultancy to be our Sales and Marketing office in the UK. Headed by Ms. Lisa Rawlings, LJR Consultancy has extensive experience in Luxury and Hight-End products throughout Asia and this vast background makes her our ideal partner to represent Indochina Tourist & Trade in the United Kingdom.

Please do not hesitate to contact Lisa and her team at lisa@itt.com.vn at any time should you have any question or if you need more information.

Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa Opens in Vietnam

Hyatt Hotels Corporation have announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa on Vietnam’s central coast. Conveniently located between Hoi An and the bustling city of Danang, Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa is situated on an immaculate stretch of white sandy beach with views of the ocean and the magnificent Marble Mountains. The resort is a 15 minute drive from Danang International Airport. The contemporary design of Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa is accented by Vietnamese-style architectural elements, and the hotel’s 200 guestrooms feature modern design with oversized balconies and floor to ceiling windows. Additionally, there are 182 luxurious residences and 27 private Ocean Villas each with a private pool.

Meliá Hotels plots Asian expansion

Meliá Hotels International has announced two new hotel projects in Asia. The Spanish hospitality company has signed new properties in Xi’an, in China’s Shaanxi province, and Danang, central Vietnam. Opening in 2013, Gran Meliá Xi’an Hotel will have 419 rooms, two restaurants, a bar, a spa and convention centre. The Meliá Danang Hotel will open in December 2012 on Non Nuoc beach. The 150-room hotel will feature 150 rooms including 10 villas and an executive floor, a restaurant, bar and a spa.

Laguna Lang Co Resorts Opening

Located just to the north of Danang and south of Hue, this 18 hole championship course designed by 6 time Major winner, Sir Nick Faldo is nestled between a back drop of undulating mountains and a private beach front. Due to open in September of 2012, Laguna Lang Co Golf Club will be the center piece of Laguna Lang Co, a destination resort complex comprising 7 hotels including the Banyan Tree Lang Co & Angsana Lang Co Resorts, a boutique shopping area and private resort residences. The 6,958 yard par 71 course takes great advantage of the variety of existing environments with golf weaving between trees, over rice paddy fields and streams, through impressive rock features and alongside the beach. On each nine the golfer gets to experience every one of these environments making for a very memorable golf experience and giving the golf course a true sense of place.

Central Vietnam boasts best new golf course in Asia-Pacific

A golf course in central Vietnam has been chosen the “best new course in Asia-Pacific,” making Vietnam a world-class golfing destination. The title was given in Thailand at the 12th Asian Golf Monthly Awards, widely regarded as the region’s golfing Oscars, to the Dunes Course designed by golf legend Greg Norman at Da Nang Golf Club. It puts the club on a new pedestal, after the Dunes Course was last month recognized as the country’s best new course and in 2010 listed by the US’s GOLF magazine as one of the top 15 golf venues to open worldwide. Launched in May 2010, the Dunes Course is a collection of 18 rugged, seaside holes that crisscross a sand-based landscape similar to the coastal terrain of Scotland, golf’s birthplace.

India to spend $3 mln to restore My Son Relics Complex

A US$3-million restoration project will be carried out by Indian experts at My Son Relics Complex, which is recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site in central Vietnam. The project is supported by India's government as well as experienced Indian architects and archaeologists. According to ASI, the complex, made up of more than 70 temples and towers built between the fourth and 13th centuries to reflect the divinity of the kings of the Champa dynasty, is one of the major centers of Hinduism in Southeast Asia.

Lao Airlines to launch Singapore flights

Lao Airlines will launch its first ever flights to Singapore starting in November. The national carrier recently received its first ever jet aircraft – two 142-seat Airbus A320s – which has enabled it to commence operations on the Vientiane-Singapore route. The new three times a week service will depart the Lao capital to Singapore. The A320s will also be deployed on routes to Bangkok, Kunming, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, as well as on domestic services linking Vientiane to Luang Prabang and Pakse. The airline is also considering launching direct services to Guangzhou and Seoul in the future.

Operating Licence of Indochina Airlines Revoked

Vietnam’s Transport Ministry has revoked the operating licence of Indochina Airlines, after the private carrier failed to operate any flights for more than a year. Indochina Airlines became Vietnam’s first ever private airline when it commenced operations in 2008, operating two leased Boeing 737s on routes from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi and Danang. It grounded its planes in 2009 however, due to financial difficulties. Despite promises that it would restart operations in 2011, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), which proposed that the ministry revokes the license, said Indochina Airlines had “no clear intention” to resume services.

Once again, this month we have some new Promotions for you. Please keep in mind that there are still concurrent Promotions that we announced in previous Newsletters and you can check them in the Promotions section of our website, which always shows the latest Promotions that are available.

North Vietnam

InterContinental Asiana Hanoi

Jan. 31, 2012 - Feb. 29, 2012
Late check-out 4 p.m.
Free Internet access
US$50 food and beverage credit with minimum two nights stay
2,000 Priority Club Rewards points

Sofitel Plaza Hanoi

Dec. 01 – Dec. 31, 2011
Magnifique Holiday Promotion
The third night free when staying 3 consecutive nights

Central Vietnam

Vedana Lagoon Resort & Spa

Oct. 01 – Dec. 20, 2011 & Jan. 11 – Apr. 30, 2012
Book 3 nights, pay 2 nights (3 nights is required to be consecutive)

Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort

May. 05 – Oct. 31, 2012
Summer Promotion
Every consecutive stay of 3 nights will receive additional 1 night free in one single booking

Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa

Jan. 06 – Nov. 30, 2012. Applied for FIT booking
Stay 3 nights, pay 2.5 nights
Stay 5 nights, pay 3.5 nights
Stay 7 nights, pay 5 nights

Jan. 01 – Mar. 31, 2012.
Applied for FIT Japanese market (except Jan. 01 – Jan. 10, 2012)
Stay min 2 nights will get 2 spa treatments (60 mins) for 2 pax.
Stay min 3 nights will get: combine with bonus night “stay 3, pay 2.5”. Complimentary way of transportation for 2 pax.

South Vietnam

InterContinental Asiana HCMC

Jan. 31, 2012 - Feb. 29, 2012
Late check-out 4 p.m.
Free Internet access
US$50 food and beverage credit with minimum two nights stay
2,000 Priority Club Rewards points

Victoria Phan Thiet Resort & Spa

May. 05 – Oct. 31, 2012
Every consecutive stay of 3 nights will receive additional 1 night free in 1 single booking

Hotel Nikko Saigon 5*

Hotel Nikko Saigon is a 5 star luxury hotel with 387 rooms, suites and apartments in a high rise 23 storey building. Offering excellent services and facilities, we cater for the needs of both business and leisure travelers. Conveniently located in the center of Ho Chi Minh City, only 20 minutes drive from Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the hotel offers easy access to many landmarks, museums and cultural centers and just 10 minutes to city center.

Opened in October.

Rex Hotel 5*

West Wing Refurbishment
Keeping the line with their constant effort to boost the hotel at the highest standard, they will be conducting West Wing refurbishment from February 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013 from 09:00am to 06:00pm.  After this project is finished, the new West Wing will have 114 rooms, including 38 Suites & 76 Deluxe Rooms. All rooms will be standardized & synchronous with new equipments, facilities, and decoration. Every effort will be made to minimize any inconvenience, some intermittent noise disturbance may be experienced. Rex Hotel will do their utmost to protect their guests from any disturbance as possible.

Please contact us for more information on those new properties.

Madame Hien

Madame Hien restaurant is dedicated to the owner's grandmother and to all Vietnamese women of the past and present. It is a tribute to their way of cooking, their ancestral culture and the artisanal and regional knowledge of over one thousand years. The rich diversity of Vietnam, found in its two deltas, 54 minorities, three thousand kilometres of coastline and many natural resources reflected in its cuisine.

Opening Time: 10:00AM - 22:00 PM
Capacity: 150
Location: Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Opened Contract with IT&T in December.

Heaven Garden

The Heaven Garden, situated in the city of Hoi an, with a spacious atmosphere spanning over 900 square meters of harmonious and beautiful architecture that reminds of the ancient port town. The restaurant serves delicious Asian cuisine for a capacity of 300 guests. The fully serviced bar and professional staff make for a perfect romanting evening. With its location on the the windswept waterfront, the Heaven Garden provides a settled and gentle tone after an adventurous tour in the merchant port town.

Heaven Garden also hosts buffets, cooking classes, birthday parties and conference parties.

Opening Time: 08:00AM - 22:00 PM
Capacity: 300
Location: Hoi An

Opened Contract with IT&T in December.

This month we interviewed Ms. Charlotte Jean, from our Business Development team.

Growing up in France

Charlotte is originally from France and moved to Vietnam only recently after working in London. Charlotte clearly has always had a penchant for tourism and got her MBA degree in International Trade and Marketing.

In the Hotel Industry

After receiving her degree, Charlotte went on to have an internship with Intercontinental in Bora Bora. This brought her enough experience to move onto to Accor Hotels where she worked in the International Leisure Sales Department in their headquarters in Paris. After her time there she was given the opportunity to move to London where she worked in sales for the large Accor property in the UK.

After her stint at Accor, Charlotte went for some travelling to get further acquainted with other side of the business and enjoy the pleasantries of Asia where she came upon Vietnam. A country that was, to her "booming and the middle point between the authentic and modern world". She spontaneously sent out an application to FCM Travel, because of their relationship with her previous company and thus got to know IT&T through there.

At IT&T

Charlotte's been with IT&T for several months now and has already made a big impact in IT&T's sales and expanding the horizons of our current and potential clients. She works in Sales, Marketing and Business development and is really interested in building a solid client base across the western market, and developing our sales in golf and high range itineraries.

If you would like to contact Ms. Charlotte Jean, you can email her at charlotte@itt.com.vn

In commemoration of Halong Bay's induction into the new 7 Wonders of Nature, IT&T would like to re-introduce the beautiful 1,000 island bay. This natural wonder, according to legend, was created by a horde of dragons that were sent down from the heavens to protect Vietnam. These dragons spat jewels and jade into the bay thus creating the legendary limestone karsts of the future. Of course, thousands and millions of years of natural erosion have carved out this natural beauty known as the "Descending Dragon". Today, the waves of the bay are sojourned by the local fishermen and the wonderful tours showcasing the diverse ecclectic islands across a bay that stretches out as far as the eye can see.

Please enquire with us on our options on ways to explore Halong Bay.