April 2026

CRUISE INTO SUNSET WITH NAMIA

Namia River Retreat (Hoi An) introduces a complimentary daily sunset cruise on the Thu Bon River (approx. 1 hour, weather permitting).

• Guests enjoy cocktails, mocktails, and light canapés while taking in scenic evening views.

• Limited to 20 guests per cruise; advance reservation required.

HERITAGE LINE VIOLET: PEARLS OF THE BAY EXPERIENCES

From 2026, Heritage Line Violet introduces an exclusive 3-day/2-night cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay, a quieter and more remote alternative to Halong Bay.

Experience Highlights

• “Pearls of the Bay” journey focused on cultural encounters and relaxed exploration.

• Activities include kayaking, Tai Chi, meditation, and cultural workshops.

Onboard Experience

• Boutique vessel in French-Indochinese Art Deco style, ideal for privacy and romantic stays.

• Just 6 luxury suites, accommodating up to 12 guests.

HALONG BAY SEAPLANE OPERATIONS TO END

Beginning 1 April 2026, operations of the seaplane service between Hanoi and Halong Bay will officially cease.

Introduced in 2014, this service has offered a unique premium transfer experience, providing clients with spectacular aerial views of Halong Bay’s iconic karst scenery.

Today, overland transfers remain the most practical option, ensuring a comfortable journey of approximately two and a half hours each way.

PARADISE SAILS (HALONG BAY)
Paradise Sails has officially ceased operations as of 15 March 2026.

NEW DIRECT FLIGHTS: HO CHI MINH CITY – PHUKET 

Vietnam Airlines will launch a new direct route between Ho Chi Minh City and Phuket starting 2 April 2026.

• SGN-HKT / 12467 / 16:00-17:50

• HKT-SGN / 12467 / 18:45-20:45

• Five weekly flights: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

• Enhances multi-country travel opportunities, combining Vietnam and Thailand in one seamless itinerary.

• Connects Ho Chi Minh City with Phuket, one of Thailand’s leading tropical destinations.

NON-STOP HANOI-AMSTERDAM SERVICE LAUNCHES

Vietnam Airlines will launch the first-ever nonstop route between Amsterdam and Hanoi.

• Launch date: 16 June 2026

• Operated by Airbus A350 (304 seats)

• Flight time: approx. 12 hours 10 minutes

Flight Schedule

• 2,4,6 / VN83 / HAN-AMS / 03:50-11:00

• 2,4,6 / VN82 / AMS-HAN / 14:00-06:00+

DA NANG INTERNATIONAL FIREWORKS FESTIVAL (DIFF) 2026

The festival will light up Vietnam’s central coast this summer, promising nights of fierce competition and artistic expression. Eight teams will vie for the coveted championship title, including 3 new participants — the United States, Germany and China — joining teams from Finland, France, Italy and Poland, alongside host Da Nang, Vietnam.

DIFF 2026 – Schedule:

• 8 June – Opening Night: Vietnam vs France – “Made of Unique Culture”

• 15 June – Italy vs United States – “Made of Natural Wisdom”

• 22 June – Germany vs Poland – “Made of Love Inspiration”

• 29 June – China vs Finland – “Made of Fairy Tales”

• 13 July – Grand Finale – “Made of Young Generation” – Each team performs for 20–22 minutes

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 Vietnam

LAOS

HIN NAM NO: LAOS'S NEW UNESCO HIDDEN GEM

Recently inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2025, Hin Nam No National Park is emerging as a destination for adventurous travellers in Laos. Still largely untouched and little visited, it offers dramatic karst landscapes, vast cave systems, and rich biodiversity. A place for those who love exploring raw, unspoilt nature, it remains a hidden gem—quietly waiting to be discovered.

For tour details, please contact Vidotour

CAMBODIA

NEW DIRECT FLIGHTS: PHNOM PENH – VIENTIANE

Cambodia Airways has launched a new route between Phnom Penh and Vientiane in early March 2026.

• KTI-VTE / 47 /KR765 / 14:10-15:55
• VTE-KTI / 47 / KR766 / 16:55-18:50

• Operates twice weekly: Thursdays and Sundays.

• Strengthens regional connectivity between Cambodia and Laos and opens new travel opportunities.

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

STREET FOODS STREETS – Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City’s street food is everywhere, making the city feel like one big open-air restaurant. More than just the food, it’s the lively atmosphere and local energy that make street dining one of Saigon’s best experiences.

Top Picks:

• VINH KHANH street has become a buzzing night-time food hub, lined with hundreds of seafood and street-food stalls stretching nearly a kilometre and drawing crowds until midnight. Famous for snail dishes, grilled shellfish and local specialities, it was recently ranked among the world’s coolest streets by Time Out and is home to standout venues such as the Michelin-selected Ốc Oanh—a vivid showcase of the city’s evening food culture.

  Fried sea snails with chilli salt and grilled scallops with spring onions. (Ốc Oanh @ 534 Vĩnh Khánh Street)

• HO THI KY street was once known for its night flower market. Today, nearby alleyways are packed with street food stalls, making it a lively spot with a buzzing atmosphere and hidden food gems.

  Chicken feet in spicy-sour Thai sauce (Chân gà rút xương)

  Korean fried chicken (Gà Sốt Cay Hàn Quốc)

  Street bites – spicy octopus sticks (bạch tuộc chiên), skewers (nem lụi), grilled quail eggs (trứng cút chén)

CULTURAL NIGHT OUT - Hanoi

GOm Show – The Sounds of Ceramics – a musical art performance inspired by Vietnam’s ceramic heritage, blending indigenous melodies with handcrafted clay instruments to create a rich and evocative soundscape.

• Time: 19:30–21:30

• Days: Every Thursday & Friday

• Venue: Red Scarf Theater

• Address: 36 Ly Thai To Street, Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi

• Web: https://gomshow.vn/

CAMBODIA

PHARE PONLEU SELPAX – A Circus with a Purpose

Phare is a leading contemporary circus and social enterprise in Siem Reap. Often compared to Cirque du Soleil for its powerful, human-centred acrobatics, Phare blends theatre, music, dance and circus arts to tell authentic Cambodian stories—from traditional folklore to modern social themes.

• Showtime: Nightly at 8:00 pm (approx. 1 hour)

• Pre-show: Venue opens at 5:30 pm with Cambodian street food, drinks and an ethical handicraft boutique

• Location: Approximately 2km from the Old Market and Pub Street

• Education & Training: Performers are students and graduates of Phare Ponleu Selpak, a non-profit arts school in Battambang founded by former refugees.

• Community Support: Ticket proceeds fund free education and social programmes for over 1,200 Cambodian children.

• Family-friendly & Ethical: Suitable for all ages; performances address meaningful themes and use no animals.