help support rescued elephants in Laos
Many of Diethelm Travel products involve watching or interacting with animals. While attractions involving animals can have social, economic, environmental and educational benefits, when activities are not carefully managed, they can negatively impact the welfare of the animals and affect our customer’s enjoyment of the experience. We want to help protect animals from exploitation, neglect and cruelty. With this in mind, we’re helping […]
southeast Asia’s biggest mall and indoor theme park to open in Johor Bahru
The Capital 21 entertainment mall built with an indoor theme park at Tampoi, Johor Baru (JB) is set to open by August this year. The 1.2 million-square-foot building will include MCM Studio, touted as “the largest indoor theme park in Southeast Asia” and a shopping complex. MCM Studio, which is also the fifth largest indoor […]
new ‘Peking Man’ exhibition at Muzium Negara
Head to the National Museum in Kuala Lumpur to see the skulls, skeletal bones, stone tools and other exhibits related to Peking Man. The exhibition, called The Peking Man: Zhoukoudian Heritage Site, is open now until 16 June 2018. The Peking man was discovered at the Zhoukoudian caves near Beijing in 1918. The site was […]
actor Harrison Ford visits Luang Prabang
Actor Harrison Ford made a visit to Luang Prabang stopping to make merit at Pha O temple and meeting with Sathou Onekeo Sittivong, the abbot of Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Pakkhan, and Wat Pha O, as well as being the Provincial Head of the Luang Prabang Buddhist Fellowship. The Hollywood actor, famous for his roles […]
Laos ‘Simply Beautiful’ tourism music video released
The official promotional music video for the Visit Laos Year 2018 campaign, entitled “Laos Simply Beautiful”, has just been released. In addition to the voice talents of local celebrity singers Alexandra Bounxouei and Vorachit “Sam” Intharaphitak, who helped write the song along with Thaviphet Oula, the video features beautiful drone shots of some of the […]
mountain train from Sapa to Fansipan Station opens
Muong Hoa, Vietnam’s longest mountain rail route opened on 31 March, connecting Sapa Town and the existing cable station to Fansipan Peak. Developed by the Sun Group, the two-kilometre rail route starts from MGallery Hotel in Sapa Town and ends at the cable station to Fansipan Peak, promising a spectacular journey for visitors. The two-carriage […]
Boracay island to close for six months
We would like to inform you that Boracay Island, Philippines’ most famous beach destination will temporarily close its doors to tourist to undergo rehabilitation for six months starting from 26 April 2018. The government has released the following guidelines to address the island workers, residents, and resort owners on what to expect during the six-months […]
upcoming Chin Lone (cane Ball) festival in Mandalay
Chin Lone, said to have been played in Myanmar for over 1,500 years, is typically a non-competitive game. With no opposing team, there is no one to win or lose. In Mandalay, however, Chin Lone teams traditionally compete at an annual festival held at Mahamuni Pagoda compound. Also known as cane ball, the ancient sport […]
traditional Khaen music listed as world intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO
Laos’ khaen music has been named as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Played with a mouth organ that resembles panpipes but made with bamboo tubes of varying lengths, each with a metal reed, the player blows into the instrument through an […]
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas unveils sky overwater observatory bar
Luxury 5-star resort Anantara Kihavah has unveiled the Maldives’ first and only overwater observatory. Along with viewing the glittering night sky from a giant-field research-grade telescope, guests can enjoy cocktails in a stylish environment. A resident ‘Sky Guru’ and astronomer is on hand to point out the stars of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres […]