La Residence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang launches Promotion

Orient-Express is promoting a ‘cultural experience’ in one of the most unspoiled areas of Southeast Asia, at its resort-spa La Residence Phou Vao in the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang.

Outings and catered excursions featured in the ‘Lao Cultural Experience Package’ include a full-day Mekong River cruise, a traditional Laotian cuisine cooking class, a ‘baci’ ceremony and blessing with the local senior village shaman, and almsgiving with local monks. Scenic bicycle rides can also be included, with gourmet picnic hamper to go.

Nothing reflects the culture of a country quite like its cuisine and La Résidence Phou Vao invites guests to learn the art of preparing traditional Lao dishes such as red curry with pork or chicken, oven baked perch in banana leaf with vegetables and fried prawn chili with onion and basil. Classes are hosted by the hotel’s skilled chefs who proudly share their secrets and techniques in preparing this fragrant and exotic cuisine.

After the class, guests can enjoy their own cooking in the Phou Vao Restaurant Terrace. Classes are priced at US$35 per person and each session can accommodate up to eight participants.

For guests looking to relax and unwind between excursions, the hotel spa offers a full range of face and body treatments based on traditional Lao herbal remedies.

These include the ancient healing art of Hmong shamans with the Mo Hom 90-minute treatment. A steamed indigo herbal compress filled with pure remedial ingredients is thoroughly massaged onto the body which is also given a deep tissue massage using palms, thumbs and elbows to loosen muscular tensions and to stimulate blood circulation. Indigo, a symbol of the Buddha of Medicine, is said to improve muscle tone and drain away toxins, while eucalyptus, clove and black pepper essential oils dissolve away muscular tension, leaving you enveloped in stillness and harmony.

With daily breakfast and airport transfers included, low season rates for the ‘Lao Cultural Experience Package’ in September start from US$399 a night. High season rates in August, October and early December start from US$532. Peak season rates in November, and from 23 December 2010 - 28 February 2011, start from US$689.

Also on offer is the ‘Great Affordable Package’ starting from US$320 and includes a daily buffet breakfast, roundtrip airport transfers and a delicious Laotian dinner, and the ‘Mekong SPA Package’, which includes a 90 minutes Mo Hom massage for couples starting at US$369.

Laos Press Conference @ ATF 2010 in Brunei

One of the best press conferences held during the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2010 in Brunei was by Laos who held the pc at 09:00 on the final day (28 January 2010). The main speaker (in the middle) was Mr. Sounth Manivong, Director General, Planning and Cooperation Department, Project Director of STDP, Lao National Tourism Administration, who was assisted by the gentleman to his right - Mr. Khom Douangchantha, Director, International Relations Division, Lao National Tourism Administration, and Mr. Willy Hsieh, Representative, Lao National Tourism Administration to his left. The video has been cut into 4 parts, with the first at the top.

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

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