NEWSLETTER January 2018

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1 NEWSLETTER January NEWS Saffron Travel News NEW TOURS Lunar New Year Celebration DESTINATIONS Your Travel Wish Lists FEATURE Hotel & Restaurant Of The Month FOOD CORNER Vietnamese Chicken Salad 7-11 March, 28 Saffron Travel is a boutique travel agency providing a full range of tourism services to in-bound visitors and travellers to South East Asia.

2 NEWS FITUR Madrid 28 & ITB Berlin 7-11 March, 28 See latest travel news on our website: Dear partners, friends, and customers, On behalf of everyone at Saffron Travel, I would like to thank all who came to meet us at the FITUR in Madrid. It was such a great occasion to get together with so many people from around the world who share the same passion to provide travelers with unique and memorable journeys. It is also our pleasure to announce that Saffron Travel will attend the ITB travel show in Berlin in March (7th - 11th) 28. We will be very happy to meet you at our booth - Hall 26C, booth 333. Please us to make an appointment in advance at the following addresses: marketing@saffrontravel.net long@saffrontravel.net I wish you all huge success as you return from FITUR Madrid 28 and look forward to seeing you at the ITB in Berlin. Kind Regards, Doan Huy Long Managing Director Tet Holiday As Tet, Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is just around the corner, Saffron Travel would like to wish you, your families, and all your loved ones a very joyful, peaceful and prosperous Tet holiday. We are welcoming in the year of the Dog - a symbol of fortune and kindness and we look forward to a new year full of good luck and inspiring journeys. Many, many thanks for your continued support. : Internet

3 NEWS 03 Travelling To South East Asia During Tet 7-11 March, 28 See latest travel news on our website: The Lunar New Year - Tet - holiday will begin on February 13th and end on February 20th. During these 7 non-working holidays, the Vietnam Immigration Department and Vietnamese Embassies will close their offices. We therefore suggest that any applications for visas to Vietnam should be submitted as soon as possible to avoid delays. Moreover, many museums, indoor exhibition spaces, galleries and local markets will be closed for at least 4 days, from February the 14th to the 18th. Saffron Travel modifies itineraries during the Tet season in Vietnam when and where appropriate. Our office will also close from February 14th to February 20th, however we will be contactable for emergency assistance on +84 (0) , or Lanmei Airlines Launches Direct Services From Cambodia To Saigon And Hanoi. Lanmei Airlines began direct flights between Phnom Penh and Hanoi, and between Siem Reap and Saigon in December 27. The new flights using Airbus A320 aircraft operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

4 NEWS 05 Vietnam Expands E-visa Plan 7-11 March, 28 See latest travel news on our website: Vietnam has expanded its e-visa scheme to cover visitors from 6 more countries, including: Australia, India, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the UAE taking the total number of countries now to 46. Visitors can apply online for a 30-day, single entry visa. It takes 3 working days to get it approved. E-visas are accepted at 8 international airports and 13 international border gates in Vietnam. VISA TO VIETNAM (E-visa + Visa on arrival) 06 Minor Hotels To Launch Several Interesting Cruises In Laos Minor Hotels is launching several new luxury cruises on the Mekong River, including the Nomad: a new sunset cruise in and around Luang Prabang; the Play: a floating lounge that can hold up to 15 passengers designed to accommodate private events; and finally the Monsoon: offering tour shuttles to the Pak Ou caves. The cruises are expected to sail starting from March.

5 NEW TOURS New Year in South East Asia is a special time when people gather with their family members and celebrate together. Even though each country in South East Asia might celebrate New Year at different times, the people share the same spirit and look forward to the best things to come. Saffron Travel can organize unique experiences for travelers visiting Vietnam during this period to see and learn about the country s culture and traditions. Special Market Tour To Discover Tet Holiday In Saigon New tours recommended by Saffron Travel Take a fun ride into the local flower market of Ben Binh Dong where hundreds of flower boats from the Mekong Delta dock and thousands of people come to buy flowers to celebrate Tet. Visit other bustling markets and witness the buying and selling of many Tet related items including colorful decorations, traditional food and snacks (jam, fresh fruits) as well as new clothes and other gifts. As we thread through the busy streets and alleyways, travelers will gain an insight into how Vietnamese prepare for the most important festival of the year Tet, as well as taste some delicious street food along the way. Siem Reap Adventure On A Quad Bike Siem Reap is famous for its magnificent Angkor Temples but there are many other aspects of this town which are worth exploring. This tour gives you a chance to discover the beauty of the Cambodian countryside on an easy-to-drive quad bike zipping along country roads through lush rice paddies and sleepy villages. On the way, visit the quiet and off the beaten track temple of Prei Monti which appeared in the movie First They Killed My Father directed by Angelina Jolie. On the way back, enjoy the sunset over this historic town.

6 DESTINATIONS Celebrate Tet In The Mekong Delta, Vietnam Saffron Travel arranges holiday vacations across South East Asia The Mekong Delta is the one of the most wonderful places to visit during Tet in Vietnam. The land is rich, green and lush and best of all, it s not raining. Families gather together and local markets get busy and more colorful with apricot flowers and kumquat plants for sale everywhere. Visit a local home to see how they decorate their house and prepare a mountain of food for the holidays. Enjoy a cup of honey green tea, taste some Tet sweets and talk with the hospitable hosts. You can even cook with the family and have the chance to learn how to make Vietnamese traditional cakes called Banh Tet and many other dishes served during this special season. Discovering The Secrets Of Nong Khiaw, Laos For a more laid-back destination, visit Nong Khiaw in Laos. Nestled on the Nam Ou River between Muang Khua in the north and Luang Prabang in south, there is little to do in Nong Khiaw except soak up the beautiful natural landscape and explore the surrounding area with its caves and rivers. It s a perfect place to bike, trek and hike. From the high point on a nearby hike travelers can see the river wind its way through limestone karst mountains and scenic river villages a truly uplifting experience which is well worth the sweat! Even though most of the accommodation here is basic, the views across the river from the bungalows will make any stay a very memorable one.

7 FEATURES Wa Ale Island Resort, Myeik Archipelago, Burma Hotel and Restaurant of the month recommended by Saffron Travel. Wa Ale Resort is a 5 star hidden gem located on Lampi Island Marine National Park in Southern Burma, 2 hours on a luxury speed boat ride from the port town of Kawthaung. Lampi is Burma s first marine national park with beautiful sandy beaches, bays and inlets. The resort features 11 luxury state of art tents and 3 unique treetop villas custom designed to blend into the lush tropical beach environment. Following its sustainable concept, the resort is constructed from recycled materials and committed to giving back to the surrounding environment and local communities. Besides enjoying and relaxing at the beautiful beach or treetop villas, visitors can enjoy canoeing in the mangroves, hiking in the jungle, bird watching, observing green sea turtles as they lay their eggs from January to March, as well as visits to the local villages populated by the Moken people. La Scala, Vientiane Housed in a charming colonial building with a lovely garden outside, La Scala offers fine Italian cuisine drawn from chef Maurizio Boccoli s more than 30 years of experience. Besides the interesting buffet and à la cart menu, the restaurant offers a magnificent wine list. Don t miss the ravioli and pizza cooked in the wooden fire oven in the garden. Image: internet

8 FOOD CORNER Vietnamese Chicken Salad Chicken plays an important role in any holiday in Vietnam and features in meals when ancestors are remembered. Chicken salad is a very popular dish for Tet because it s easy to make, healthy and of course delicious. Ingredients: Chicken salad is a very popular dish for Tet - 3 (600g) chicken breast fillets - 1/2 large cabbage, finely shredded - 2 carrots, peeled, cut into matchsticks - 1 cup fresh mint leaves - 1 cup fresh coriander leaves - 1 quantity Vietnamese dressing - 1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts, chopped - 1/3 cup lime juice - 1/3 cup fish sauce - 4 small red chopped chillies - 2 tablespoons brown sugar Preparation: Step 1: Make dressing: Whisk lime juice, fish sauce, chilli and sugar together in a jug until sugar has dissolved. Step 2: Place chicken in a large saucepan. Cover with cold water. Bring to the boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low. Cover. Simmer, turning once, for 10 to 12 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from pan. Cool. Shred. Step 3: Place cabbage, carrot, mint, coriander and chicken in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing. Toss to combine. Sprinkle with peanuts. Serve.