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LIVING
10
Festive blues
Each spring, thousands of Vietnamese head to
one of 7,000 traditional festivals to enjoy the
spring atmosphere and pray for a lucky and happy
year ahead. As Timeout reports however, some of
the ceremonies are now dogged with issues and
are becoming ever less safe.
14
Weird and wonderful festivals
From pig processions to all-out fighting, Vietnam
is home to plenty of off-the-wall celebrations.
18
Youthful prayers
Nowadays, it's not just the older generation who
visit pagodas and temples - ever more young
people are visiting to pray for love and luck.
TOURISM
20
Luxury travel boom
The travel market may look rather glum overall,
but the luxury segment is powering ahead.
22
Shoot the messenger
Kim Megson highlights what he sees as Vietnam’s
key tourism shortcoming and suggests action to
address it.
25
A multi-cultural village
Vietnam’s latest cultural attraction means there is
no need to travel miles to witness ethnic minority
villages.
27
Replicating Phuket's success
Timeout talks with Ravi Chandran, managing direc-
tor of Laguna Lang Co, about the development of
the biggest integrated resort in central Vietnam.
32
Memory lane
Our writer returns to Dalat where she spent her
romantic honeymoon years ago. She finds a more
developed, built-up town, but more than enough
of the old Dalat to re-kindle her memories
LIFESTYLE
38
Starbucks lands in Saigon
Vietnam is a country of coffee addicts with cafés
on almost every street. Now, one of the world’s
biggest coffee purveyors, Starbucks, has entered
this huge market. Will its considerable brand
power and appeal to the youth bring success, or
will it flounder in the face of tradition?
41
The heat is on
Timeout meets Connor Nguyen, founder of Saigon
Heat basketball team and the driving force behind
Vietnam’s broader drive for sporting achievement.
PROFILE
47
Staying Airborn
Interview with VietJetAir on the propects of the
country’s aviation industry following the halt of
flights by Air Mekong.