Mekong Tourism Forum 2005 Tours Highlight Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and PATA member Indochina Services are offering seven optional pre- and post-event tours to delegates attending the 10th Mekong Tourism Forum in Siem Reap, Cambodia, March 25-27, 2005.

The tours are designed to expose Forum delegates to some of the best attractions of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. They include:-

1) Five-day Phnom Penh and Kampong Som tour: See the sights of the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, including Wat Phnom, Wat Ounalom, National Museum, Tuol Sleng Museum (Museum of Genocide), Central and Russian markets and the Killing Fields. Travel to Kampong Som for a day at leisure.

2) Three-day Discover Phnom Penh tour: Visit Wat Phnom, Wat Ounalom, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Tuol Sleng Museum (Museum of Genocide), Russian Market and the Killing Fields.

3) One-day Angkor tour: Explore Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, the Bayon temple mountain, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, Ta Prohm and Phnom Bakheng for the sunset over Angkor.

4) One-day Tonle Sap tour: Enjoy a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake and visit Phnom Krom and Chong Kneas.

5) Four-day Luang Prabang tour. Appreciate Luang Prabang upcountry in Laos, the ancient capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Wisunalat, Wat Mai and other temples. Catch a boat to Pak Ou Cave, Ban Xang Hai and Ban Thing Hong. Drive out to Kuang Si Falls and Ban Tha Baen.

6) Four-day Hanoi tour. Check out the capital of Vietnam and its One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake and Opera House. Cruise out to Halong Bay by boat. Then drive out to Dry Halong Bay and Hoa Lu.

7) Four-day Saigon tour. See southern Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City, including Chinatown, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, City Hall, War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Pagoda. Take a day trip out to the Cu Chi Tunnels and Tay Ninh. Explore the Mekong Delta by boat, including My Tho, Dragon Island, Phoenix Island and Vinh Trang Pagoda.

All tours (except tours #3 and #4) include accommodation, meals, English-speaking guide, ground transportation, sight-seeing and admission fees. More information about prices, booking and tour highlights are available from Indochina Services. Contact: Ms Chatsuda Kongthaweepol. Tel: (66-2) 255-4001-7. Fax: (66-2) 255-4008. E-Mail: chatsuda@is-intl.com

Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia, the 10th Mekong Tourism Forum is being organised by PATA in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nation Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

PATA members can register for US$140 per delegate, which is a discount of US$80 off the non-member rate of US$220. Spouses and accompanying persons may participate in the social functions for an additional US$70 per person.

See other recent news regarding: PATA