NEWSLETTER January 2016

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1 NEWSLETTER January 26 NEWS Saffron Travel News NEW TOURS Tet Celebrations 03 DESTINATIONS Your Travel Wish Lists 04 FEATURES Hotel & Restaurant Of The Month 05 FOOD CORNER Braised Pork Ribs Saffron Travel is a boutique travel agency providing a full range of tourism services to in-bound visitors and travellers to South East Asia.

2 NEWS NEW TOURS DESTINATIONS NEWS FOOD CORNER Tet Vietnamese New Year Wishes Dear customers, partners and friends, See latest travel news on our website: FEATURES We would like to wish you, your families and all your loved ones a very joyful, peaceful and prosperous Tet holiday! Tet is Vietnam s traditional New Year season and as we move into the year of the Monkey a symbol of intelligence and sophistication we look forward to a year full of inspiring journeys. Many, many thanks for your continued support. Managing Director Doan Huy Long Tips For Travelling To South East Asia During Traditional New Year The Lunar New Year - Tet - holiday will begin on February 8th and end on February 14th. During these 7 non-working holidays, the Vietnam Immigration Department and Vietnamese Embassies will close their offices. We therefore suggest that any applications for Vietnamese visas should be submitted as soon as possible to avoid delays. Moreover, many museums, mausoleums, indoor exhibition spaces, galleries and local markets will be closed for at least 4 days, from the 8th to 12th February. Saffron Travel modifies itineraries during the Tet season in Vietnam when and where appropriate. Our office will close from February 5th to February 12th, for emergency assistance, please contact us at +84 (0) , or +84 (0)

3 NEWS 03 ITB Berlin 25 Announcement See latest travel news on our website: Saffron Travel will attend the ITB travel trade show in Berlin this March, in Hall 26C booth 331. We will be very happy to meet part-ners, clients and friends there. Please us to make an appoint-ment in advance at the following addresses: 04 Japan's ANA Takes Stake In Vietnam Airlines In 26, Vietnam Airlines (VNA) will have its first foreign stakeholder with All Nippon Air (ANA) from Japan acquiring an 8.8% stake in the Vietnamese airline. Changes will include a code-sharing agreement and will see the two airlines partner on perks, such as mileage rewards systems. The deal is expected to close as early as October 26. The agreement will help the two carriers take maximum advantage of air traffic growth between Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

4 NEW TOURS New tours recommended by Saffron Travel Celebrating Traditional New Year The New Year festive seasons across South East Asia are a special time when people put the past behind them, celebrate together and look forward to a new year full of good fortune. Vietnamese celebrate the Lunar New Year with many family-based traditions. In early April Lao, Cambodian and Burmese have their own water festivals that bring together large crowds for some of the liveliest street celebrations across South East Asia. Saffron Travel can organize tours for guests to experience and enjoy the festive atmosphere to the full whilst also developing a deeper understanding of local cultures and traditions. Yoga Retreat In The Middle Of Lush Mountain A getaway for 2 full nights and days to the Hillside retreat, Luang Prabang is a unique opportunity to unplug and refresh yourself. This short but comprehensive trip presents a wonderful opportunity to develop your yoga practice in a stunning setting with fellow Yoga enthusiasts. We will pick you up at Luang Prabang and transfer you to the lush mountain Hillside Resort. The trip includes 90 minutes yoga in the morning and in the evening as the sun sets, explore waterfalls and the beautiful surrounding landscape, interact with the local ethnic communities (Khamu and Hmong) and feast from a healthy, delicious menu

5 NEW TOURS Explore The Hidden Charm Of Moc Chau During Tet New tours recommended by Saffron Travel Moc Chau is around 200 km west of Hanoi and at a latitude of over 1000 meters, the surrounding landscape is in bloom throughout the year. However, spring (from January to March) is the best time to witness the stunning beauty of the Moc Chau Plateau as its mountain slopes are covered in beautiful, blossoming peach flowers. The buds create an elegant and fragile beauty across the plateau. Moc Chau is also home to many ethnic minorities, including Green Hmong, Dzao, Thai and Muong. At this time these communities wear colourful clothes and take part in many activities like dancing with trumpets, whistles, and other traditional games... Don t be surprised if you receive eager invitations to visit people s homes during this time, as many believe the more visitors, the wealthier they will become in the New Year. Saffron Travel offers cultural and photographic tours to Moc Chau during Vietnamese Lunar New Year, which will ensure you capture the best shots of this special season. Moc Chau also produces Vietnam s best tea and exploring the green tea plantations is a great way to experience this unique part of the country.

6 DESTINATIONS Dandaree Show Bagan, Myanmar Saffron Travel arranges tours across South East Asia Dandaree is a contemporary art and culture show performed in Bagan, Myanmar. The show is inspired by the traditions, arts and culture of Myanmar that have been passed down from generation to generation for over 1000 years. The show takes place in the magnificent Bagan Golden Palace and brings Burma s rich history to life. Dandaree is special because it comprises of dance, sport and martial arts all synchronized and beautifully produced with stage performances from more than a hundred talented artists. The show lasts 80 minutes and runs daily starting at 7:00pm. Street Food Mecca In Saigon This special market is located on Thu Khoa Huan Street in Saigon s District 1 and offers a cluster of vendors selling Vietnamese dishes in a street food style. Everything from snacks and desserts to barbecued dishes and other Asian favourites. It s rather like the outdoor food courts with hawker stalls that can be found in other Southeast Asian nations. This is a great place for those interested in tasty roadside cuisine but want to find a more comfortable place to enjoy it and watch life as it passes by.

7 FEATURES Hotel and Restaurant of the month recommended by Saffron Travel. Hotel Of The Month: Phum Baitang Phum Baitang is a luxury 5 star resort in Siem Reap, Cambodia with easy access to the Angkor Temples, Angkor Night Market, Pub Street and Psar Chaa Market. It comprises 45 spacious villas, 25 with a private terrace and 20 with a private plunge pool. The wooden villas on stilts make use of traditional Khmer design offering an authentic experience in a lush and intimate setting. The ancient farmhouse on the property has been converted into a lounge and furnished with rattan wing chairs and plush oriental carpets, reminiscent of Cambodia s golden days. The hotel s restaurant has a local market feel where guests can pick their own fresh ingredients and spices and the rice comes from the surrounding paddy fields. The resort also provides a Kids Club with a variety of games and activities exploring Cambodian culture and history. Cooking classes are also available for those interested in cooking authentic Cambodian cuisine. One of the special things about the cooking class at Phum Baitang is that the recipes are provided as a lasting souvenir so that guests can share their culinary experiences with friends and family when they get home. Restaurant Of The Month: L Opera Yangon L Opera Yangon is an Italian restaurant and bar established since The restaurant is situated in an old colonial-era building set amongst manicured gardens beside the romantic Inya Lake. The menu features homemade pastas, authentic wood fired oven pizzas, Italian cold cuts and cheese, fresh salads and many other delicacies. The tables are nicely arranged in the garden in order to provide guests with an elegant ambiance and the whole experience is accompanied by the music of one of Myanmar s best classical guitarists. Add: 62 D, U Htun Nyein Street, Mayangone Township, Yangon

8 FOOD CORNER Pork Ribs Braised In Young Coconut Juice Vietnamese often say that Tet is not celebrated, but eaten instead. Among the list of Tet specialities, pork ribs braised in young coconut juice is a mouth-watering dish many feel is a must-eat during Tet. A must-eat dish during Tet Ingredients: - 1 red Asian shallot, diced - 2 tbs crushed garlic - 2 tbs fish sauce g (10 ½ oz) pork spare ribs - 1 tsp oyster sauce - Vegetable oil, for deep frying - 2 tbs sugar ml (9 fl oz/1 cup) young coconut water - ½ tbs sea salt - 1 onion, sliced into segments - ½ tbs freshly ground black pepper - 2 coriander (cilantro) sprigs Preparation: - In a mixing bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of the garlic, shallot, fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, salt and pepper. Mix well, then add the pork ribs and stir to coat well. Set aside to marinate for 20 minutes. - Pour the oil into a wok and heat to 180 C (350 F), or until a cube of bread dropped into the oil browns in 15 seconds. - Add the undrained pork in batches and deep-fry over medium heat for 3 minutes, or until brown. - Remove the pork and drain on kitchen paper. - Put the coconut water in a saucepan and bring to the boil. - Add the pork ribs and simmer for 5 minutes, then increase the heat and cook for a further 3 minutes, or until the coconut water has reduced to a quarter of its original amount. - Add the remaining garlic, the onion and a pinch of black pepper. Stir constantly for 5 minutes, then turn off the heat. - Transfer the ribs to a serving platter and garnish with coriander. - Serve with steamed jasmine rice.