Xin Chao from Vietnam!
As we wrap up 2023, we’ve put together a list of our favourite tours and experiences we’ve launched this year such as a foodie walk around Hanoi’s French Quarter, an evening with former royalty at an incredible house in Hue and a night tour of bustling Saigon by vintage jeep.
We’re also sharing our favourite inspection trips: a trek through Pu Luong that left us with sore legs, a trip to an off the grid island in the Mekong Delta where sustainable farming left us happy and a visit to an organic herb farm in Hoi An left us humbled.
And a look at our year end activities, including in-depth guide training and the incredible work of our Sustainability Committee, as they restart a project to support our partner Refill My Bottle.
From Maeve, Tam, Linh, Trang, Ha and the entire EXO Vietnam team- we look forward to working with you all further in 2024!
Some of our favourite new experiences created in 2023
A wonderful, chilled experience that rekindles energy with a combination of high-grade tea and a charming setting. 2023 left us feeling Zen, thanks to experiences like this!
We love this foodie experience in the Hanoi French Quarter- tasting street snacks and noodles at popular food stalls around an off-the-beaten track residential area.
A refined, luxury experience at a beautiful home in Hue.We love the short yet enjoyable boat cruise on the Perfume River to reach this remarkable setting.
One for the kids! A family adventure in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, where wildlife conservation meets natural wonders. This captivating program is specially designed to engage and educate children of all ages.
Great new properties that opened in 2023
North Vietnam
Emerelda Tam Coc Resort: With majestic views over the UNESCO heritage site of Trang An, this 86 harmoniously-designed rooms are a good option for GIT or FIT
La Siesta Classic: La Siesta Classic Hang Thung: A blend of Vietnamese-inspired design and modern style, the 62-guest rooms spread over 12 floors on the Old Quarter’s eastern edge is a good option for FITs.
Nham Village Resort (Ninh Binh): Inspired by the ancient villages of Northern Vietnam, the 13 houses, all with balconies, offer a rustic yet elegant and stylish feel.
Central Vietnam
Cozy An Boutique Hotel: This delightful boutique hotel features 53 cosy, tastefully decorated rooms. and is located only 1km to the Old Town.
Bay Resort Hoi An: This resort brings the vibe of luxury meets heritage with a prime location. The rooms are well appointment with some boasting views of Hoai river and Hoi An Market directly from the window.
Ahoy Hoi An Boutique Resort & Spa: A beautiful property located on the outskirts. This hotel has a strong Hoi An influence and is very eco-friendly as they recycle coconut shells for decoration and use no plastic bottles.
South Vietnam
La Siesta Premium: With 91 luxurious guest rooms and suites, versatile event venues, a casual all-day dining restaurant, a refined Vietnamese restaurant, and a lively Sky Bar & lounge, La Siesta Premium Saigon Hotel is perfect for leisure and business travellers.
The Anam Mui Ne: Nestled in the heart of Vietnam’s breathtaking coastal region lies Anam Resort, a luxurious beachfront retreat. This resort boasts stunning scenic views, elegant accommodation and top-notch amenities, making it the perfect destination for travellers seeking a peaceful and indulgent escape
Our Favourite Inspections of 2023
Trang- Northern Region: EXO’s team familiarisation trip in the North: Where adventure met with education! ‘Ninh Binh, Pu Luong, Mai Chau – each day a new landscape, each stop a new insight. We returned with not just sore muscles, but a treasure trove of destination knowledge and product ideas.’
Linh- Central Region: ‘Visiting An Farm and joining a short cooking class, I have a chance to learn how to make candied coconut and kumquat jam. During the class, Ms Hang, a nutritionist and herbalist talks about the effect of different herbs and how to use it in daily cooking. Ending the class with a delightful chicken hotpot served with many vegetables.’
Tam- South Region: Hô Island, a hidden gem in Tra Vinh, Mekong Delta – Maeve and Tam from the product team recently inspected this charming island of ‘Ho’, home to friendly locals who promote sustainable tourism. Unique to the region as the locals are living ‘off the grid’ (no electricity) plus there are no roads, which add to its rustic charm.
Other year-end updates from our team
Street Food Tours: Guide Training
Maeve recently conducted three back-to-back training sessions for the Hanoi guides on the street food health and safety and etiquette. Almost 60 guides attended the training which highlighted the growing demand for street food tours in Hanoi and the importance of hygiene, plus how best to manage guests’ expectations.
Sustainable Events
This month, the Sustainability Committee team restarted the project to support our partner Refillmybottle. This is a program to share clean water for tourists and citizens, where people can go get water for free, based on the city map downloaded on the App. Exo Foundation sponsored to build this app in 2018. And now, Exo Travel has again contributed to this free water network.
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