The ceremony marking this new route service milestone took place at Tan Son That International Airport and Wattay International Airport, graced by leaders from by leaders from Consul General of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Ho Chi Minh City, Department of Civil Aviation of Laos (DCAL), Airports of Laos (AOL), Wattay International Airport and Vietjet. They extended their congratulations to Vietjet for this innovative service and welcomed the first passengers on the debut flights.

Four return flights per week between Ho Chi Minh City and Vientiane 

Vietjet operates four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, offering direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Vientiane under two hours. Flights taking off from Ho Chi Minh City to Vientiane departs at 5pm (Singapore time) and arrives at 6:45pm (Singapore time), while flights from Vientiane departs at 7:45pm (Singapore time) and arrives in Ho Chi Minh City at 9:45pm (Singapore time).

Nguyen Thanh Son, Vietjet Vice President, said: “The new service connecting Ho Chi Minh City to Vientiane not only shortens the travel time between Vietnam and Laos but also expands Vientiane’s air connectivity to destinations in the region and the world through Vietjet’s international flight network. We will continue to offer more affordable airfares on our modern, new fleet and excellent services.”

For Singapore Market 

For my readers in Singapore, Vietjet is offering promotional airfares from as low as SGD80 (USD60) / one-way (including taxes and fees) from 1st March to 8th March 2024 as part of their celebration for the launch of this new Ho Chi Minh – Vientiane route, and other destinations in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, South Asia and beyond. Travellers can grab these offers at www.vietjetair.com or the Vietjet Air app and plan their flights from 1st April to 31st October, 2024 (terms and conditions apply). 

For Malaysia Market 

For my readers in Malaysia, Vietjet is offering promotional airfares from as low as RM120 all-in from 1st March to 8th March 2024 as part of their celebration for the launch of this new route. These special fares are available for the Ho Chi Minh City – Vientiane route and various Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, South Asia destinations, and more. Guests can secure these offers by visiting www.vietjetair.com or using the Vietjet Air app, for travel scheduled from 1st April to 31st October, 2024 (terms and conditions apply).

Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam’s regional economic, cultural and tourist centre

Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s regional economic, cultural and tourist centre. They are known for its unique cultural features, vibrant modern lifestyle, historical landmarks, culinary delights. 

Food lovers will love and indulge into Vietnamese cuisine, from Pho and Banh Mi to fresh seafood and delectable street food. Ho Chi Minh City is also a transportation hub, offering seamless connectivity to many destinations within Vietnam and internationally.

With this new Ho Chi Minh City and Vientiane route, travellers from Singapore and Malaysia can explore and enjoy Vietnam’s rich culture, local practices, and delicious Vietnamese cuisine before embarking on their next journey to Vientiane. Vientiane is Laos’ biggest city and its capital, located on the Mekong River. It’s known for its beautiful scenery, ancient sites, famous buildings, temples, festivals, and tasty local food. 

Fly with Vietjet!

Fly with Vietjet to explore the world, relish joyful and inspiring flights on modern, environmentally friendly aircraft. Enjoy friendly flight crews and experience top-notch service products. Don’y forget to savour the rich flavours of Vietnamese traditional cuisines, along with global options. 

Have a good flight with Vietjet! 

* Information and pictures courtesy of Vietjet Air, Rothman & Roman (Singapore) and Go Communications (Malaysia) *

The post VietJet Commences First Non-Stop Service Between Ho Chi Minh City and Vientiane appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Additional flights and additional seats

Vietjet has recently added nearly 750 flights, providing 154,800 additional seats to serve rising demand during the peak travel period around the region. This capacity boost primarily focuses on services departing from Vietnam’s largest city of Ho Chi Minh, catering to travellers going home for the holidays in the Northern and Central provinces such as Hanoi, Tuy Hoa (Phu Yen), Chu Lai (Quang Nam), Dong Hoi (Quang Binh), Quy Nhon (Binh Dinh), Da Nang, Hue, Vinh (Nghe An), Thanh Hoa, and Hai Phong. 

This increased flight capacity will also cater to the increasing travel demand to and from Vietnam’s top tourist destinations, such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Phu Quoc, Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Da Lat. International travel is expected to peak during this time as travellers make use of their long holidays in Vietnam, China, South Korea, and Singapore. The surge in international travel during Chinese Lunar New Year period is notable, as travellers ride on their extended Lunar New Year holiday break in Vietnam, Malaysia, China, South Korea, and Singapore for spring travels.

Expanded International Flight Network

Vietjet has proactively expanded its international flight network in the last two months, they have added destinations like Shanghai, Vientiane, Siem Reap (Cambodia), Busan (South Korea), Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide (Australia). Singaporeans can now enjoy a journey to Vietnam and experience the culture and festivities in destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi before continuing the next leg of their journey to the multiple destinations offered by Vietjet. Furthermore, on the first day of the Lunar New Year (10 February 2024), Vietjet will also commence the direct service linking Ho Chi Minh City with Chengdu in China. These new destinations diversify options for Vietnamese, Singaporean, Malaysian and other international travellers. 

Remarkable Growth for Vietjet in 2023

 In 2023, Vietjet experienced remarkable growth, operating 133,000 flights and catering to 25.3 million passengers onboard (excluding Vietjet Thailand), reflecting a significant Year-on-Year (YoY) surge of 183%. Of these passengers, more than 7.6 million travelled on international flights. The airline also continued to expand its flight network, introducing 33 new international and domestic routes, bringing the total number of routes to 125, including 80 international and 45 domestic routes. 

* Information and pictures courtesy of Vietjet, Rothman & Roman (Singapore) and GO Communications (Malaysia) *

The post Vietjet expands fleet capacity for increasing travel demand during Chinese Lunar New Year Holidays appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

This study by Milieu Insight would be useful and informative as countries start to reopen their country, welcoming back international visitors. While they also need time to ramp up their travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation industries back to pre-pandemic level, travel insights would come in handy for inbound travel and tourism organisers/partners in terms of their destination marketing, publicity and awareness campaigns. 

From this study, respondents from the Philippines and Indonesia have shown the highest willingness for domestic travel. Movement restrictions across Asia have been gradually lifted, the travel and tourism industries are finally opening up. There are over 80% of domestic travelers in Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam, that have indicated a likelihood to engage with travel agent services for their domestic travel and vacation plans.

Travelers from the Philippines remain most concerned with the pandemic 

An interesting point – travelers from Indonesia (89%), Vietnam (83%) and Thailand (79%) have expressed the least concern for themselves when it comes to domestic travel. The travelers willingness to travel is also reflected in the domestic travel policies of those countries as there are minimum restrictions involved in their inter-state/inter-provincial travels. In the month of February 2022, Vietnam had a total of 9.6 million domestic travellers.  

Another key and interesting point highlighted – Travelers is more widely accepted by travelers is due to the fear of a pandemic resurgence as they do not wish to be unwittingly stranded from home and work. This is totally understandable as countries can go into lockdown mode or revert back to its COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and measures that would affect traveling between countries.

On the other hand, 40% of respondents from the Philippines remain highly concerned for their safety even towards domestic travel. For the Philippines, domestic travel is still only limited to select designations and with restrictions (as of 11th May 2022). 

Travel habits and preferences of domestic travelers in SEA

What are the travel habits and preferences of domestic travelers in SEA for this upcoming summer vacation? 

Most travelers across all five countries are looking to unwind and reconnect with their family after 2 years of pandemic isolation (Philippines 83%, Indonesia 82%, Vietnam 78%, Malaysia 81%, Thailand 79%).

Recently, in April 2022, Indonesia saw mudik mass migration for Idul Fitri (end of Ramadan), where 31% of the population was estimated by the Indonesian Transport Ministry to travel back to their hometowns and spend time with their extended family.  

For the domestic travelers across all five countries, hotels remain their top choice. Half of travelers in Vietnam show preference for Resorts, and more than half from Thailand also prefer Pool Villas (54%)

Where are the destinations that the domestic travelers would like to visit? Those destinations that are family friendly should look to receive high popularities this summer, especially places that are inclusive towards multi-generational groups. Some of these activities could be a road trip to a national park or other tourist spots in a neighbouring state, or visiting a beach resort that provides entertainment for all ages, or even taking time off to unwind from the big city hustle and bustle in a tranquil village. 

Travel agencies sought after even for domestic travels

Do travel agencies still have a place in a post pandemic world? The study revealed insights that travel agencies are still sought after even for domestic travels. SEA travelers will still engage with a travel agency to plan for their domestic travel and vacation plans, despite only traveling within their home countries. 

Especially those from Indonesia (85%), the Philippines (82%), and Vietnam (83%). Engaging with a travel agent may ensure a less stressful trip, creating more time and leisure for travellers to enjoy their first post-pandemic vacation with their loved ones. 

Methodology

Based on Milieu Insight surveys with N=1000 respondents each from the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, conducted in April 2022. 

Personal Thoughts and Views

This is part of my ongoing “Special Theme Q2 2022 – Fully Restarting Tourism” series, covering both outbound and inbound travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation industries worldwide. Milieu Insight study provides great insights into domestic tourism on Southeast Asia countries, helping countries to plan their marketing, publicity and awareness campaigns. This Milieu Insight study might be useful for travel agencies and travelers that are planning to visit those Southeast Asia countries.

As travel restrictions are gradually lifted across the world, we should be witnessing a (truly and finally) fully restarting tourism movement in Q2-Q3/Q4 2022. The travel, tourism, aviation and hospitality industries around the world would need time to ramp up, getting back to speed, from getting skilled and experienced staff back, to re-training and getting back to pre-pandemic levels again. 

The route ahead for the world travel and tourism industries is still bumpy with incoming headwinds, we are still some time away from getting back to a more normalised period like pre-pandemic days. However, the world travel and tourism industries are definitely working hard to get themselves back up and running again. We can definitely see light at the end of the tunnel.

* Information and pictures courtesy of Milieu Insight and Ellerton & Co. *

The post Milieu Insight study reveals SEA domestic travel plans for summer 2022 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Time had passed in the blink of an eye, from her 1st year anniversary in 2017, followed by the big memorial service in the 2nd year anniversary in 2018. The 3rd year anniversary in 2019 was an extended family gathering of remembrance of our family matriarch.

It was a simple remembrance ceremony, putting her favourite food and offerings on the morning of 17th November 2019 along with the extended family gathering, chatting and catching up. On the eve of my grandmother’s 3rd year anniversary, there was an omen that caught our attention.

On the evening of 16th November 2019, we arrived from our drive up from Singapore and having a rest in the living room, getting ready to leave for dinner outside. There was a moth flying in the living room above us, spotted by us and my auntie said, “Grandmother is back, looking at us!”. At that moment, I also felt that grandmother was back to visit us on the eve of her 3rd anniversary. I didn’t take any photo of the moth flying inside the living room, however, it will always be a memory inside us who were there at that time and written down in this article.

As another year had passed since she left us, the matriarch of the family will forever be with us and inside us. Her legacy, teachings, stories and love for her family will be pass down to generations and beyond.

Lest we forget.

The post Grandmother’s 3rd Year Anniversary appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Everyone of us in the extended family felt a huge loss when she left us on 20^th November 2016 (农历十月二十一). It was the start of a mourning period (I also wrote a personal heartfelt article for my paternal grandmother on her passing in Jan 2017)  with key ritual dates on the 7^th, 14^th, 49^th, 100^th, 清明节2017, 1^st year anniversary in 2017, 清明节2018 and followed by the 2^nd year anniversary (in year 2018) of her passing with a grand memorial service, rites and rituals.

Entering into November 2018, the period of her 2^nd anniversary, the extended family began preparing for the upcoming memorial service and rituals known as <做功德>  over 3 days of Taoist rites performed along with lots of food offerings. As I am participating in the rites and rituals over 3 days, I didn’t manage to take many photographs. All these big ritual services were not just for my grandmother’s 2^nd year anniversary memorial service, it was done together with and, also for my other ancestors who were no longer around.

While I really wish to go more in-depth into the rituals, I would not be able to do so in my article here. Moreover, this is a memorial and remembrance time dedicated to my paternal grandmother.

26^th to 27^th November 2018

This special memorial and remembrance service <做功德> started on 26^th November evening. Since this was my first time attending and also participating in this service, I was basically “lost”, I just followed instructions.

There were some key takeaways personally for me, <做功德> is very different from a funeral. I will not forget the words, wisdom and sharing by the chief priest, on the topics of filial piety, family unity, remembering her legacy and sacrifices. This is not just a memorial and remembrance service, it was also a celebration of her life and legacy.

28^th November 2018 (农历十月二十一)

The final day of the <做功德> rites and rituals, this was also her death anniversary. A number of different rites and rituals were conducted, followed by a big buffet dinner attended by the extended family, relatives, friends and neighbours from the village.

The grand finale was the burning of the tall paper house, surrounded with heaps of joss paper. Once this final rite was conducted, this also marked the end of her memorial service, as well as the mourning period for the extended family.

Our matriarch, our grandmother, will always be in our hearts, mind and soul, even though she is no longer around. She will always look after us from the Heavens above, protecting and blessing us, just like she always do when she was still around on Earth.

做功德，祖先保佑！

The post Grandmother’s 2nd Year Anniversary Memorial Service appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Your presence can still be felt when the extended family came back for your 1^st year anniversary, preparing your favourite food and offerings for the memorial service.

I will always remember you, stories, thoughts and feelings from my remembrance article that I wrote in dedication to your memory in January 2017. It’s not just me, the entire extended family too, will always remember you, in their hearts, mind and soul.

From the young and bubbly great-grandchildren, to us, the grandchildren and your children, the strength and unity is one of the best testimonials to you as the matriarch who led, controlled and took great care of this family.

Sending money, clothes, gifts and durian to my matriarch, my paternal grandmother in heaven, the entire extended family of 5 generations under her, hope that she likes the gifts when she receives it!

农历十月二十一，阿嬷的祭日，全家五代永远记得在心。

The post Grandmother’s 1st Year Anniversary appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

On 30th June 2007, we all held a grand yet simple home cooked feast birthday celebration at her home in Bukit Pasir, Muar, Malaysia. Her extended 4 generations of family came under 1 roof to be with her and be part of her grand celebrations.

We drove in and started to help out in the preparations for feast. We prepared the tables and chairs, brought out the food, drinks and desserts prepared by my aunties. It was a really great feast of delicious food and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Soon grandma’s guests arrived and the party began, people came to wish her Happy Birthday, showered with gifts and red packets.

We, the whole extended family network, ordered a giant cake, that has 9 “storeys”, signifying her 90th birthday. It was a great sight that stands tall and proud, just like my grandmother.

Soon after, we all had our fun of photo taking, different generations and groups of our extended family network.

Happy 90th Birthday Granny ! Many best wishes and happy returns !

The post Grandma’s 90th Birthday Celebrations appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.