September 2026

The Best Storytelling Award honours the words that make a photograph “speak” — bringing its story, emotion and meaning to life. Đinh Hương and Hồng Gấm shared the top prize as joint winners.

HIGHLAND WELLNESS BY AIR

Available on selected dates, this exclusive 3-day / 2-night escape at Garrya Mu Cang Chai offers a rare opportunity to experience the terraced rice fields at their most spectacular — from breathtaking aerial views to immersive encounters on the ground.

The first exclusive departure is scheduled for 1 September 2026, during Mu Cang Chai’s golden season. Available to a limited number of guests, the journey combines a scenic helicopter flight with a carefully curated wellbeing retreat.

This creates a strong high-end combination of scenic flight + wellbeing + mountain culture.

Inclusions

• Round-trip helicopter transfer between Hanoi and Mu Cang Chai, approximately 60–70 minutes each way

• 3 days / 2 nights in a Wellbeing Suite or Wellbeing Pool Suite

• Curated wellbeing experiences throughout the stay

Early booking is highly recommended, as availability is strictly limited. Please contact Vidotour for further details and reservations.

A NEW LUXURY HOTEL COMING TO HANOI

The Theodore Hanoi is an upcoming luxury hotel in a prime “diamond location” at 22–32 Lê Thái Tổ Street, directly overlooking Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Developed by BRG Group, the hotel will feature 98 elegant rooms within walking distance of the Old Quarter and Hanoi’s main cultural attractions.

Inspired by Hanoi’s rich cultural heritage and reimagined through a contemporary architectural lens, the hotel blends timeless elegance with modern sophistication.

Facilities will include a swimming pool, fitness centre, O Spa by Amadora, modern Italian dining at Theodore, French pastries at La Fournée and exclusive private dining spaces.

HILTON'S TAPESTRY COLLECTION DEBUTS IN HOI AN

NHAAN Resort & Spa Hoi An, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, is a five-star boutique lifestyle resort in Cam Thanh Coconut Village, set along the tranquil De Vong River. Opened on 1 August 2026, it marks the debut of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection in Southeast Asia.

Its name combines the Vietnamese words “Nhà”, meaning home, and “An”, meaning peace, reflecting the resort’s focus on nature, wellbeing and local heritage. Designed by renowned Vietnamese architect Võ Trọng Nghĩa, the property features distinctive biophilic architecture, lush green spaces, locally sourced timber and natural stone.

HALONG – WELLNESS AT SEA

Bhaya Soul is strengthening the idea of the cruise as a wellness retreat rather than simply sightseeing, with only 20 suites and programmes including meditation, yoga, therapies and slower exploration of Halong and Lan Ha Bay.

LAOS

• Nam Song River: 32 km western ring road upgraded for easier access.

• Kaeng Nyui Waterfall: Improved roads and trails for safer visits.

• Visitor Facilities: 11 access roads, waste systems and bilingual signage being upgraded.

New Tourism Development Zones
A national tourism master plan for 2026–2036 prioritises Nam Ngum Reservoir and the Nakasang–Don Det–Don Khon corridor, supporting new nature, community and river-based tourism products.

Rail Connectivity

Laos is now linked to a wider rail network connecting Southeast Asia with Central Asia via the Laos–China Railway, which runs from Vientiane to Kunming and connects with China’s national rail system.

Laos – Vietnam Railway

The proposed 554 km line will connect Vientiane with Vietnam’s Vung Ang Port, giving landlocked Laos direct sea access. Construction of the Lao section is planned for 2026.

CAMBODIA

Sihanoukville Connectivity
Direct flights link Sihanoukville with Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming and Guangzhou, supporting regional and coastal itineraries. Seasonal schedule changes may apply.

Cambodia New Air Routes

Air Cambodia has recently expanded routes from Phnom Penh to Cam Ranh and Phu Quoc, with a new Siem Reap to Cam Ranh route scheduled to begin in mid-2026.

Emerging Urban and Cultural Experiences

• Chaktomuk Pedestrian Walkway: One of Phnom Penh's newest tourism products, this walkway is gaining popularity as part of the city's transformation into a modern urban hub.
• Walk Street Festival: A recurring weekend event along the river in Phnom Penh featuring live entertainment, music shows, and food stalls.
• Phnom Penh Public E-Bike Share: Rolled out alongside new cycling tracks to combat traffic, this green public transit infrastructure lets urban tourists navigate the capital's heritage core sustainably.
• Film Tourism Strategy: The Ministry of Tourism is developing "Film Tourism" as a new driver to attract visitors, aiming to allow tourists to experience destinations they have encountered on screen.
• Miracle Angkor Project: A proposed redevelopment of the former Siem Reap airport into a nearly 200-hectare cultural and commercial hub, featuring a digital museum and exhibition center.

Song Saa Private Island Spa Extension

For high-value wellness travelers, the pristine luxury resort island off Sihanoukville launched an eco-wellness sanctuary highlighting local holistic Khmer healing treatments.

The Haflington Hanoi

Speakeasy Bar

LAOS

Emerging Luxury and Nature Stays

The Namkhan | Luang Prabang | 5-star boutique retreat

A tranquil wellness resort that recently highlighted its collection of luxury tents and villas designed for "slow mornings" and riverfront relaxation.

https://www.thenamkhan.com/u

Namkat Yorla Pa Resort | Odomxay | 4-star resort

Located in a rainforest, this resort offers elegant safari-style tents alongside modern amenities and multiple outdoor pools.

https://yorlapa.com/

Rosewood Luang Prabang | 5-star resort

A riverfront resort known for its breathtaking "tree top tents" and refined farm-to-table dining.

https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/luang-prabang/overview/location

Sabaidee Valley Resort | Bolaven Plateau | 4-star resort

A highland escape in southern Laos that offers a combination of nature-focused lodging and a local souvenir shop.

https://www.sabaideevalley.com/

• Handmade Chocolate: Brands like "Chocolate Dream by Mikaël" offer organic, handmade Lao chocolate as a newer specialty gift option.
• Brocade and Textiles: High-quality handwoven silks and textiles remain a primary product, particularly at boutiques like Kanchana in Vientiane or the Riverside Night Market.

CAMBODIA

Immersive Eco & Sustainability Workshops

Move beyond standard sightseeing with community-driven, hands-on experiences that connect travellers with local traditions and sustainable practices.

• Natural Botanical Dyes Workshop: In partnership with the local Goel Community in Phnom Penh, guests discover traditional weaving and natural textile dyeing using locally sourced organic materials.

• Trash-to-Treasure Upcycling Experience: A hands-on introduction to responsible consumption and waste reduction, where travellers learn about local waste sorting and transform discarded plastic into creative, functional souvenirs.