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Dear readers,
As Tet approaches, many expats are torn between staying in Vi-
etnam for the traditional Lunar New Year celebrations, or travelling
aborad. For newcomers, seeing the Tet preparations and rituals for
the first time can be exciting. It is also a great chance to discover
more about Vietnam’s culture together with colleagues or friends.
But for those who have been in Vietnam for a couple of years, trav-
elling may be more tempting. Many Vietnamese head back to their
hometowns, leaving the shops, restaurants and even pho stalls of
the big cities closed. Some may enjoy experiencing Hanoi or Ho Chi
Minh City without the usual hustle and bustle, but others can’t stand
the quietness.
These days, it’s not just the expat community that travels during
Tet - Vietnamese people are also hitting the road instead of staying
home and eating chung cake every day. Travelling overseas was long
the favoured option, but that is changing, thanks to the growing
number of luxury resorts and hotels in destinations like Nha Trang,
Hoi An, Halong and Phan Thiet. Locals and expats can now spend
their Tet holiday exploring Vietnam’s local culture and relaxing in the
sun while staying in international standard hotels.
In this issue, you will find our list of top new resorts and destina-
tions for Tet, alongside a rundown on the country’s leading spas for
some holiday pampering. Some of these spas and resorts are the
result of Peter Ryder and Marco van Aggele’s work. Both have won in-
ternational awards and recognition for their bold projects, and both
are featured in this Tet special issue of Timeout.
Chuc mung Nam moi!
Yours sincerely
Nguyen Anh Tuan
Editor-in-Chief
PRICE: VND52,000 if sold separately
Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan
Deputy Editors-in-Chief
Le Trong Minh
Bui Duc Hai
Do Xuan Khanh
Deputy Managing Editor
Tran Ngoc Son
Designer
Lai Hoang Yen
offices
Hanoi
47 Quan Thanh Str.
Tel: (84-4) 38450537
Fax: (84-4) 38235281
E-mail: timeout@vir.com.vn
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Ho Chi Minh City
178 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Str., D3
Tel: (84-8) 39305311 -
39305316
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E-mail: dautu@virhcm.com.vn
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Tel/Fax: (071) 3731766
Email: dautuct@vnn.vn
Danang
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E-mail: huanvir@dng.vnn.vn
Haiphong
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Fax: (031) 3842419
E-mail: thanhtanvir@yahoo.com
regulars
6
What's on
36
Update
38
Hot deals
50
Timeout Guide
66
Voyeur
tet special
cast & crew
10
To gather
or travel?
Once, all Vietnamese
people reserved the
whole Tet break for
family, but today a
growing number
are opting for travel
instead
14
Tet holiday
hotspots
Where to go and where
to stay this New Year
18
Get
pampered
A look at Vietnam's
spas
20
The minefield
of Tet
Tet is a hugely stressful
time for many, due in
large part to the pres-
sure to give
TIMEOUT
THE ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE FOR LIVING AND TRAVEL IN VIETNAM
FEBRUARY 2013
THE RISE
OF THE CYCLO
PETER RYDER’S
SUCCESS STORY
TOP TET DESTINATIONS
AND RESORTS TO GO
Your complete guide to the Lunar New Year in Vietnam
TET SPECIAL
contents
living
24
Music for the soul
A US army veteran's musical return
to Vietnam
26
A giving culture
Vietnamese people are forming
ever more small, informal groups
to distribute cash and goods to
those in need
tourism
28
Top luxury travel
trends
A look ahead at the luxury travel
market in 2013
30
Where's hot 2013
Vietnam's best new hotels and
resorts
32
Roll over Phuket
The central coast of Vietnam is
developing fast and looks set to
surpass the likes of Phuket and Bali
lifestyle
42
The Cyclo -
a Vietnamese icon
How local authorities are working
to support Vietnam's dwindling
community of cyclo drivers
profile
44
Peter Ryder
The story of one of the most
successful expat businessmen in
Vietnam
47
Marco van Aggele
The serial concept developer
shares his inspiration