21 March 2012

Top 5 things to do in Hue

Feature of La Residence
La Residence

Editors Note
The rise of budget airlines has increased leisure travel to countries within the region, and effectively brought prominence to the individual traveller. Unlike popular belief, those taking budget airlines might not necessarily come with matching shoestring budgets. Take a trip to this weeks featured destination, Hue, in Vietnam for example. International travellers might save on their trip to Hue, as they know that they still have to transfer at either Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. However, they might then redirect their savings towards pampering themselves at this weeks featured hotel, La Residence Hotel & Spa in Hue. Budget airlines have inadvertently brought about this interesting phenomenon or what some may call a juxtaposition.

James Chen | Editor, Asia Travel Exclusives james@interfacemedia.com.sg

Editors Pick
Accommodation promotions in Hue
La Residence Hotel & Spa in Hue has some exciting promotions for travellers looking to visit Vietnams central province.

Contents
Feature: La Residence Hotel & Spa Top 5 things to do in Hue
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Easter in Hue
The package includes two nights in a Superior room, a taste of Hue cuisine with a cooking class for two at the Terrace, Welcome fruit basket and even a chocolate bunny! Cost: USD160nett per person (based on double occupancy). Valid from 20th March - 10th April 2012
Publisher Raymond Wong raymond@interfacemedia.com.sg Editor James Chen james@interfacemedia.com.sg Sales Director Rainer Huang rainer@interfacemedia.com.sg Web Sam Soh sam@interfacemedia.com.sg Franco Nelo M. Sevilleja franco@interfacemedia.com.sg

Hue Festival
Stay 3 nights and pay only 2 nights The Superior room starts from USD161nett. Valid from 7th 30th April 2012. Celebrate Hue Festival with two nights in the Superior room, hassle free airport transfer and a Vietnamese / Western dinner for 2 at Le Parfum Restaurant for only USD165 per person (based on dual occupancy).

Published by Interface Media Pte Ltd 10 Ubi Crescent, #05-60 Ubi Techpark Singapore 408564 TEL: +65-66353 173 | FAX: +65-66353 174

21 March 2012

Feature: La Residence Hotel & Spa

Exterior of La Residence A member of the MGallery brand, La Residence Hue Hotel & Spa is an enchanting boutique hotel on the banks of the fabled Perfume River overlooking the former Imperial Citadel once home to Emperors and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A throw back to a bygone era Brimming with nostalgia and modernity, which gives the hotel its character, this former residence of the French Colonial governor (and hence the name La Residence), has been painstakingly restored and refashioned into an exceptional design hotel. The hotels distinctive bowed faade, long horizontal lines and nautical flourishes are hallmarks of architecture in the 1930s. With 122 rooms and suites, great care has been taken to preserve the charm, comfort and atmosphere of this classic colonial boutique hotel. The essence of La Residence historic past is captured through sensitive use of local materials, art deco inspired design and careful attention to detail, with most rooms having breathtaking views across the Perfume River to the imposing flag staff of the Citadel beyond.

Entering La Residence

A Theme Colonial Suite

Le Gouverneurs Terrace

21 March 2012

Spa Entrance

Experience the High Life The first high end spa in Hue, Le Spa at La Residence is inspired by the same art deco aesthetics, that permeate the building, which includes the original stained glass design. The spa indulges 380sqm with 7 relaxation rooms and also features a herbal sauna and Jacuzzi. What better way to celebrate this discovery of a lost world than to indulge in a spa session with a global selection of luxurious treatments to choose from. Gastronomical Delights Food is a passion at La Residence. At Le Parfum, talented Chefs experiment with creative Vietnamese and European, namely French flavours. These fusion dishes are made with Hues fresh and vibrant produce combined with top quality imported specialty ingredients. The dominant focus at Le Gouverneur, the bar at La Residence is a spectacular fresco created by French Artist Roland Renaud who was inspired by inspired by wall paintings found on several art deco buildings in France. Note the sexy red interior dcor which screams French.

Le Parfum Restaurant

Le Gouverneurs Bar

Su bs c FR ribe t m ag e o az e ou in r e

21 March 2012

Thien Mu Pagoda

Top 5 things to do in Hue

Located in Central Vietnam on the banks of the Perfume River, the province of Hue is one which has much historical significance as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in modern day Vietnam. It is now classified as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Hue served as the imperial capital of Vietnam in the 17th and 18th centuries under the Nguyen dynasty, with Emperor Gia Long, first ruler of the Nguyen dynasty, making it the national capital of united Vietnam in 1802, a position that it held until 1945. It is well known for its monuments and architecture of an era gone by. With close to 1 million people, Hue rose to prominence under the dynasty which dominated much of Southern Vietnam from the 17th to the 19th century. In fact, Hue was Vietnams administrative center until 1945, when Emperor Bao Dai, the last Emperor of the last dynasty in Vietnam, abdicated and the communist government, which subsequently took over, relocated the administrative capital to Hanoi up north.

Royal Tombs

21 March 2012

Thien Mu Pagoda Also known as the pagoda of the old celestial goddess, Thien Mu Pagoda overlooks the bank of the Perfume River. The 21-meter tall tower, a 2000-kilogram bell cast in 1710 and a stele from 1715 are the prime attractions of the Pagoda. Royal Tombs The tombs of past Royalties are important symbols to Vietnams imperial past. They include the tombs of Khai Dinh, Tu Duc and Minh Mang. All former emperors of Vietnam. The Citadel Possibly one of the most recognizable tourist landmarks in Hue, The Citadels most prominent feature is its tall flag tower. This former site of the old capitol has a moat and ten ornate gates guarding a palace, temples, gardens and tombs. Forbidden Purple City Reportedly fashioned after the Forbidden City in Beijing, most of it stands completely destroyed, due to the Tet Offensive, the spared remains though are a nostalgic reminder of the Nguyen dynasty. The Perfume River The Perfume River is 30km long river that is resultant of the meeting of the Ta Trach (Left Tributary) and Huu Trach (Right Tributary) meet at the junction of Bang Lang fork. Running among peaks, jungle trees and plants, the river brings with it fragrances of tropical flora and hence the Perfume River.

Forbidden City of Hue Perfume River

Su bs c FR ribe t m ag e o az e ou in r e

21 March 2012

For more than 8 decades the grandiose Governors mansion has looked out across the Perfume River towards Hues Imperial Citadel. Now converted to a boutique art-deco hotel, MGallery La Residence Hotel and Spa still has a charm that evokes a bygone era of style and romance.

5 Le Loi Street , Hue City, Vietnam Tel: +84 (0)5 43 83 7 4 75 Fax: +84(0)5 43 83 7 4 76 Email: resa@la-residence-hue.com www.la-residence-hue.com www.mgallery.com