May 2026

Travel Updates

VIETNAM

RIXOS PHU QUOC VIETNAM – All-Inclusive Escape

Rixos Hotels, part of Accor Group, is a luxury all-inclusive resort brand within Accor’s premium portfolio, with a strong presence in Turkey, the Middle East and Egypt, and now expanding in Asia, including Phu Quoc.

The Grand Opening is scheduled for October 2026, with 427 rooms and five fully operational F&B outlets.

 

Key facts:

  • First Rixos all-inclusive resort in Southeast Asia, offering a fully integrated luxury experience.

  • Located on Hon Thom Island (Phu Quoc) with beachfront setting and direct ocean access.

  • Over 1,700 rooms & 207 suites, all with ocean views.

  • 24 restaurants & bars with international dining concepts.

  • Direct access to Sun World Hon Thom & cable car connection.


 

MEKONG SAGA - Boutique Mekong Delta Cruise

Mekong Saga is an upcoming boutique cruise experience in the Mekong Delta, offering refined short-haul journeys from Can Tho. Designed as an intimate floating retreat, it blends comfort, elegance, and authentic river life. Scheduled to launch in early 2027, Mekong Saga introduces a fresh and exclusive way to explore the Delta.

 

Concept & Positioning

  • Boutique, short-haul cruise in the Mekong Delta.
  • Departure from Can Tho.
  • Intimate floating resort with Indochine-inspired design.
  • Immersive cultural experiences and local encounters.
  • Refined onboard dining inspired by Mekong cuisine.
  • Ideal for FIT travellers seeking comfort and authenticity.

 

Key Facts

  • Length / Width / Depth (m): 60 x 12 x 2
  • Total Cabins: 24
  • Passenger Capacity: Up to 48 guests
  • Saga Restaurant
  • The Horizon Bar & Lounge
  • Sundeck
  • Outdoor Pool (Jacuzzi)
  • Massage Service
  • Indoor Lounge / Common Area
  • Mini Golf Course

 

Accommodation

  • Saga Royal Suite (with balcony): 2 cabins (40 m²)
  • Indochine Grand Suite (with balcony): 8 cabins (28 m²)
  • Mekong Suite: 14 cabins (24 m²)

 

CAMBODIA

THE OASIS OF TONLE SAP

A new premium experience invites travellers to discover Tonle Sap Lake from a fresh perspective.

The Oasis of Tonle Sap is an elegant sunset cruise on Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. Designed by Park Hyatt Siem Reap, this private journey pairs tailored itineraries with refined dining. As a UNESCO-recognised biosphere, the lake is known for its rich ecosystems and unique floating communities.

Hosting up to 20 guests, the vessel suits couples, families and private groups. Each experience is customised — from sunrise moments to sunset drinks and dinners under the stars — with a chef-led dining concept where dishes are freshly prepared and finished on board for exceptional quality and presentation.


 

SAMANEA WELLNESS RESORT - Cardamom Mountains

Samanea Wellness Resort is Cambodia’s first luxury mountain retreat, set in 40 hectares of untouched rainforest in the Cardamom Mountains. Sister to Samanea Beach Resort & Spa, it offers a nature-focused wellness experience away from the coast.

The resort features 32 large villas (from 123 sqm) with private terraces overlooking the forest. Facilities include a wellness centre, yoga and Pilates studio, and an eco-friendly ozone pool. Programmes range from detox and sauna therapies to nature-based activities such as hiking, cycling and yoga.

Dining follows a farm-to-table concept, using produce grown on site.


 

VESAK BOCHEA FESTIVAL - Cambodia

Vesak Bochea (Buddha Day) is Cambodia’s most sacred Buddhist festival, marking the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing into Parinirvana. The day is observed with dawn alms-giving, prayers, candle lighting, and shrine circumambulation, creating a serene and luminous atmosphere. 

Location: Celebrated nationwide at pagodas and temples, with major gatherings at Oudong Mountain (Preah Reach Troap) in Kandal Province, north of Phnom Penh.

Date: Full moon of the sixth lunar month - Friday, 22nd May 2026

For travellers: Dress modestly and respectfully when visiting temples. Arrive early to witness dawn chanting and alms-giving. Visitors are welcome to attend respectfully and may bring simple offerings such as flowers, candles, incense, or food as a traditional act of devotion.

Plan ahead and book your accommodation early to ensure you don’t miss this festival and the opportunity to experience it.

For enquiries and bookings, kindly contact Vidotour Cambodia


 

LAOS

KIRIDARA LUANG PRABANG : A New Five-Star Chapter

In March 2026, Hotel Kiridara Luang Prabang reopened as a five-star property and is now part of the Souphattra Hotels & Resorts portfolio.

Situated on a hillside just outside the historic centre of Luang Prabang, the resort offers a refined “luxury meets nature” experience. It is well regarded for its infinity pool with panoramic views of Mount Phousi, as well as its sweeping vistas over forest landscapes and the Mekong River. Interiors blend contemporary comfort with traditional Lao architecture.

A full renovation has enhanced the property while preserving its original character. The hotel features 43 rooms, along with dedicated wellness spaces.


Handpicked Stays & Spots

VIETNAM

HUE PERFUME RIVER EVENING CRUISE - Culture, Cuisine & Music

An evening cruise on the Perfume River is a signature cultural experience combining traditional folk music, imperial-style cuisine and scenic night views of Hue’s illuminated landmarks.

Sail past tranquil riverside landscapes while enjoying a refined dinner inspired by local flavours, accompanied by live traditional music and stories of the city’s history.

The experience concludes with a poetic lantern-releasing ritual, as guests set coloured flower lanterns afloat on the river while making a wish.

 

Daily departures: 6:45 pm from Toa Kham boat station
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes


 

MUST-TRY FLAVOURS

TOP-RANKED VIETNAMESE COFFEES

TasteAtlas has ranked three Vietnamese coffees among Southeast Asia’s top 10 drinks, highlighting Vietnam’s growing influence in regional beverage culture:

  • Cà phê sữa đá (Iced milk coffee) – ranked 3rd for its bold Robusta coffee balanced with condensed milk.
  • Cà phê đen đá (Black iced coffee) – ranked 6th, praised for its intense, robust flavour.
  • Cà phê trứng (Egg coffee) – also featured in the top 10, celebrated for its rich, creamy texture.

 

Other Vietnamese beverages recognised include lotus tea, iced yoghurt, H’Mông apple wine, and tube wine, reinforcing Vietnam’s rising profile on the regional and global drinks scene.


 

CAMBODIA

CAMBODIA'S FIRST CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM

SM Art Centre in Siem Reap is Cambodia’s first contemporary art museum, founded by renowned artists Svay Sareth and Yim Maline as a hub for cultural expression and artistic innovation.

 

Key Features

  • Showcases modern Khmer art through rotating exhibitions blending tradition and innovation.

  • Combines art with a social mission, training and employing local communities in traditional crafts.

  • Facilities include a museum shop, children’s art school, and garden café.

  • Emphasises sustainability through eco-themed exhibitions and creative reuse of materials.

  • Open daily from 08:00 to 18:00.


 

SOMA HOTEL RIVERSIDE - Phnom Penh

A luxury boutique hotel opened in 2025, ideally set on Sisowath Quay with sweeping views over the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. Its Art Deco design is complemented by 51 well-appointed rooms featuring premium bedding, smart TVs and high-end comforts.

The hotel offers a selection of dining and social spaces centred on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, alongside a distinctive indoor–outdoor infinity pool overlooking the riverside.

Within walking distance of key landmarks such as the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and National Museum, and close to Wat Phnom and the Night Market, it provides a convenient and stylish base in the heart of the capital.


Tour of the month

LAOS

BLESSING AT SUNSET - Luang Prabang

Blending Buddhist and animist traditions, the Baci ceremony is a deeply respected ritual in Laos. Take part in a private ceremony at a peaceful hillside temple, where you will receive blessings of good luck and well-being in a truly meaningful cultural experience.

  • Evening tour to Wat That Luang at sunset, a lesser-visited temple rich in royal Lao history (built in 1818, former site for royal cremations).

  • Candlelit setting with scenic views, ideal for a private blessing ceremony.

  • Join locals in chanting mantras and touching offering trays for good luck and health.

  • Receive sacred cotton bracelets with personal blessings.

  • Immerse in Lao spirituality and authentic cultural traditions.