Buffalo Tours Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos

Table of Contents 1. Buffalo Tours: philosophy and commitment 2. Vietnam: destination and products 3. Cambodia: destination and products

1. Philosophy and Offer • Started in 1994 in Vietnam • Specialist operator with operations in Vietnam, Cambodia,

Laos and Thailand • Buffalo Tours offer unique tailored tours • We stand at your disposal to offer suggestions and advices on location and properties • We can add ‘something different’ to any tour in any location

1. Our Mission and Commitments • Highly personalized services incorporating creative and innovative ideas • Superior product knowledge

• Seek new ways to bring your guests closer to local cultures • Excellent value for money • Lead the way in responsible and ethical travel

• Ensure quality “on the ground” operations to exceed customer expectations

2. VIETNAM

Hanoi

2. Hanoi • Capital city – often described as the prettiest • French colonial city (buildings, food, cafes) – similar to a provincial town • Has 4 seasons (15-20 degrees in Dec-March) (30-38 degrees May – Oct)

• The Ancient town – great to take cyclo tour around and witness many old buildings and trading shops • City tour is recommended to visit highlights (temples, army museum, mausoleum and royal palace) • Best time to travel: Feb – May; Sept - Nov

2. Recommended Hotels Hanoi 3 star • Hong Ngoc 1: good value, in heart of old quarter. • Maison D’Hanoi: French colonial, boutique style. In French district. • Starview: in old quarter, recently had renovation. 4 star • Melia Hotel: • Movenpick:

high rise, resort-style, close to tourist sites. recently renovated, boutique, 15mins walk to central lake

5 star • Sofitel Metropole: the best hotel in Hanoi, colonial charm, excellent service • Intercontinental: newest 5 star hotel on Westlake; resort-style, very modern • Hilton: good location next to opera house.

2. What to do in Hanoi? • Full day city tour historical & cultural sights and cyclo tour • Cooking Class & market Tour experience a traditional market and discover how to cook delicious local recipes • Morning Tai Chi by the Hoan Kiem Lake • Arts tour

2. Mai Chau • Set in a valley 4 hours drive from Hanoi, Mai Chau is a great alternative to Sapa. • Less commercialised, offers an authentic insight into Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. • Very peaceful, great place to walk/cycle with or without a guide. • Can be used as a base for longer walking options in the surrounding villages and Pu Luong nature reserve (1 hour by car).

• Mai Chau Lodge: • The only place to stay in Mai Chau, the lodge is a lovely boutique property with stunning views across the surrounding valley. Has a swimming pool and good restaurant again with commanding views.

2. Halong Bay •

Halong Bay - Traditional Junk: cruising on deluxe junk

•

Ensuite air con cabins, Kayaks, caving, swimming

•

4hr drive from Hanoi arriving in the Bay around midday on D1 and departing midday D2

•

Fresh seafood and gourmet Vietnamese dishes served (all meals)

•

Halong bay contains 3,000 limestone

islands – world heritage site

2. Halong Bay

2. Hue

2. Hue • Former royal capital • Home of the citadel and Imperial City – magnificent place for history and culture • Known as the „cultural capital‟ of Vietnam

• 1 hr flight from Hanoi; 3 hr drive from Hoi An

2. What to do in Hue?  Perfume River Cruise Half day, Sampan cruise and view famous sites from the boat

• Emperors of contrast Tombs from Dynasty emperors • The Royal Tombs Boat ride to royal tombs • Cycling in the country side

2. Recommended Hotels Hue •

Imperial Hotel: the newest 5 star property, grand/ royal charm. Excellent value starting. central location

•

La Residence: French-owned, art-deco hotel, on the riverbank. Quirky and contemporary architecture and design. Boutique feel. Decadent.

•

Morin Hotel: good value 4 star in central location, historic building that is starting to show its age but still good value for money.

•

Pilgrimage Village: nice 4 star resort for families, 10min drive to centre of town.

•

Parkview: good 3.5 star property and excellent value for money. Central with pool.

2. Hoi An

2. Hoi An • • • •

A favourite with European Travelers Rich architectural fusion of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European influences dating back to the sixteenth century – gorgeous walking town Fantastic beaches 3km from hoi An ancient town (set on the town‟s river). Most beach resorts have free shuttles buses into town or many people cycle. Famous for the tailor shops and also handicrafts and ceramics. Very arty

2. What to do in Hoi An?  Hoi An walking tour great orientation tour through the historic UNESCO town.  My Son : Ancient cham ruins in My Son “mini Angkor wat”  Cooking class: this include a market tour and is a highlight! Hoi AN food is some of the best in the country and you get to sit down at lunch and enjoy your efforts.

2. Recommended Hotels Hoi An • Nam Hai – 15 mins drive to Hoi AN ancient town; the most luxurious hotel in the region • Victoria resort – 5 star, colonial charm, beachfront, good for couples and honeymoons. • Palm Garden – 5 star, 2 yrs old, beachfront, great for families. Good value

• Life Resort – 4 star boutique. A favourite of Australians, beautiful concept designed around the senses. The nicest hotel located in the ancient town. • Hoi An Pacific– good budget hotel with pool, 5 mins to ancient town, pool and decent facilities.

2. Beach Options

2. Nha Trang • • • • •

Vietnam ‘s main beach resort Lots of bars and restaurants Snorkelling and scuba diving day trips can be arranged Warm climate year around Most suitable for relaxing and beach activities

• Day Trips – what to do in Nha Trang:  City Highlights Half day orientation, markets, temples, buddha • Snorkelling: Half day cruise, swim, snorkel, lunch

2. Recommended Hotels Nha Trang • Evason Hideaway – boat transfers included in price, located on island off coast of Nha Trang. Great for honeymooners. Total privacy • Ana Mandara – on beachfront in Nha Trang. Private and secure. Great for honeymooners and families. Close to restaurants and shops. • Sofitel Vinpearl – on island off coast of Nha Trang. 4 star, good for families. • Melia Sunrise – 4 star highrise on the boardwalk of Nha Trang, opp. Beach. Good value. Allotment

• Asia Paradise – 3 star, good value and central location, walk to beach

2. Phan Thiet & Mui Ne • Relaxed beach resorts, close to HCMC (4 hour drive), with good facilities and good mid range and higher end properties. • Mui Ne – famous for water sports facilities and vast sand dunes. • Warm climate all year round – November to April being the most popular season. Good option for beach stays over xmas.

2. Hotels Phan Thiet & Mui Ne •

Princess D'Annam Resort & Spa – Luxury resort, secluded and isolated location, good honeymoon resort.

•

L’anmien Resort – Another luxury resort, less isolated with 19 high quality villas and 70 rooms. Beautiful beach and close to a fresh water lagoon.

•

The Sea Horse – Superior standard, great value resort. Good location near L’anmien, well apointed.

•

Victoria Phan Thiet – Superior standard, two nice swimming pools, well appointed bungalows and a good restaurant.

•

Little Mui Ne Cottages – Standard level resort, well appointed, great value and location set in well maintained gardens.

2. Phu Quoc • The island of Phu Quoc is situated off the coasts of Southern Vietnam and Cambodia. • Famous for it’s beautiful beaches and Fish sauce factory! • A one hour flight from HCMC. • Day season from November to May. • Day Trips – The perfect beach retreat so not too many people are keen to explore the island. Tours of the famous fish sauce factory can be arranged!

2. Hotels Phu Quoc • Le Veranda – Superior standard - Lovely boutique property, in French Colonial style. Very popular! Set on a great beach and has a swimming pool. Superb food as well. • Chen La Resort – beautiful beach side location with a number of bungalows, some sea facing, some with private pools and some with Jacuzzis. Stylishly appointed with a relaxed atmosphere – great choice.

2. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

2. Chi Minh City (Saigon) • Vietnam‟s business city and most cosmopolitan town • Good for shopping and restaurants and nightlife and pampering • Gateway to Mekong Delta (2 hrs) and Phan Thiet/ Mui Ne beaches (4 hrs) • Day tours recommended to gain orientation and discover the highlights (such as central tourist district; markets; chinatown; history museum) • Has 2 season (dry and wet) warm all year around • 1 hour flight to Hoi An, 1.5hr flight to Hanoi

2. What to do in Saigon? • Full day city tour - for those that love history and markets! • Cu Chi tunnels & Cao Dai temple– full day, war history & temples • Cai Be cruise Mekong Delta – deluxe way to see delta on a boat with lunch at Indochine restaurant • Cooking Class – half day with market tour • Bonsai dinner cruise – see Saigon river at night on traditional junk boat – buffet and entertainment

2. Recommended Hotels Saigon Standard • Tan My Dinh 2: new, good location, nice decor. • Tan Hai Long: more of a 2 star hotel, very low price.

First class • Duxton: modern, good location, international service. Great value. Walk to markets and shops • Grand: Colonial charm, good location on main shopping st, little bit older • Metropole: in backpacker area – walk to markets. Renovated rooms & pool. • Equatorial: Good value and allotments. 10 mins in taxi from centre. Deluxe • Caravelle: historic building, elegant boutique feel, great views of opera house and location. • Park Hyatt: the most luxurious Saigon hotel and the newest (and most expensive) • Sheraton: good location behind Caravelle. Quality rooms and facilities • Renaissance: good location and great value.

2. Mekong Delta Mekong Delta – floating markets: the „rice bowl‟ of Vietnam. Orchards, industry and handicrafts villages. Located in Southeast Vietnam (3 hrs drive from HCMC). Made up of a network of canals – lot of trade & living exist on boats. Day trip includes lunch in a local restaurant (by canal); cruising waterways by sampan and visiting floating fruit markets

3. CAMBODIA

3. Fact sheet • Kingdom of Cambodia

• Phnom Penh • 14.2 million inhabitants (2008 estimates)

• 181,035 km² • Independence from France in 1953

• Theravada Buddhism (97%), Islam, Christianity, Animism

• 2008: 2.12 million visitors

3. Practical information • Currency: Riel (1US$ = 4100 Riels

• International airport departure tax: 25 US$ • Tourist visa: 20 US$ (30 days) • Business visa: 25 US$ (30 days) • High season // SGN (October to March) • Climate: tropical

3. Cambodia Map

3. Siem Reap & Angkor • “Angkor” capital city • Built between the 9th and the 14th century • 1 million inhabitants

• Military, cultural and economical dominance • Discovered in 1860 and renovated from then • Thousands of hectares, hundreds of

temples, less than 1 hundred to be visited

3. Angkor archeological park

Temples of Angkor

3. Siem Reap & Angkor • Must see temples (1 day): Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm • More time available (2 days): add Angkor Thom, Banteay Srei • From 3 to 5 days: add Roluos, Big Circuit, Beng Mealea

3. What to do in Siem Reap? • Temple tour • Cycling tour (temple, countryside) • Tonle Sap Lake – boat trip • Bird watching • Countryside tour by tuk tuk • Cooking class

3. What to do in Siem Reap? • Oxcart tour for children

• Workshop spices, coffee, soaps • Breakfast at the temple • Dinner at the temple • Shadow Puppet Show • Trekking

• Horse riding • Golfing • Helicopter • Shopping

3. Recommended Hotels Siem Reap 5*

4*

3*

Boutique

Heritage Suite

www.heritage.com,kh

Hotel de la Paix

www.hoteldelapaixangkor.com

La Residence d’Angkor

www.residenceangkor.com

Victoria Angkor

www.victoriahotels-asia.com

Angkor Village Resort

www.angkorvillage.com

Borei Angkor Hotel

www.boreiangkor.com

Day Inn Angkor Hotel

www.dayinnangkor.com

Steung Siem Reap Hotel

www.steungsiemreaphotel.com

Angkorland Hotel

www.angkorland.com

FCC Angkor (design)

www.fcccambodia.com

La Maison d’ Angkor

www.lamasiondangkor.com

Mysteres d’ Angkor

www.mysteres-angkor.com

3. Phnom Penh • Royal Palace • National Museum • Wat Phnom

• Tuol Sleng • Choeung Ek (killing fields) • Markets: Central Market, Russian Market

• Boat trip to Silk Island • Sunset boat trip facing the Royal Palace • Cycling the surrounding islands • Cycling to Udong former capital

3. Recommended Hotels Phnom Penh 5*

Raffles Le Royal Sofitel Phnom Penh (open December 2010) Intercontinental Phnom Penh

4*

Amanjaya Cambodiana Hotel

3*

Castle Hotel

Boutique

Mysteres & Mekong

The Quay Hotel FCC Phnom Penh

3. Tonle Sap Lake • 15 km from Siem Reap • From 3,000 to 10,000 km² • Floating villages Ecological meaning

• Biggest freshwater lake in Asia • Mangroves • Bird sanctuary (Preak Toal)

3. Battambang • • • •

Angkorian Temples Bamboo train French colonial architecture Circus Phare (Thursday only or private for groups)

Accommodation: • Max 3 stars • Boutique La Villa Hotel (7 rooms)

3. Kampong Thom • Half way between PNH and REP • Pre Angkorian Temple Complex : Sambor Prei Kuk Accommodation: • Max 3 stars • Boutique Sambor Village (