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Coolest Neighborhoods, Family Days Out and Craft Beer… Akorn Southeast Asia Insider
We are excited to share our latest news and travel ideas in this issue of Akorn Southeast Asia Insider, where we include a few tips about Southeast Asia’s coolest neighborhoods and reveal our Top 5 Days Out for Families in Southeast Asia. Our teams also share an update about their recent trips to Vietnam and Cambodia and we chat with a local expert about Ho Chi Minh City’s ever-evolving craft beer scene. As always, feel free to reach out to our teams for recommendations on what to see, do and experience in Southeast Asia. Our teams are always ready to help with tailored advice to help you plan your clients’ next journey.
Southeast Asia’s Coolest Neighborhoods
The secret is out! Wat Bo district in Siem Reap, Cambodia was recently revealed by Time Out as the #3 Coolest Neighborhood in the World, making it the most happening destination in Asia right now. Home to an ever-evolving collection of boutique design hotels, trendy urban bars and chic cafés, this small community on the east side of the Siem Reap River is where the city’s archaeologists, artists, musicians and social entrepreneurs meet - it also happens to be one of our favorite local hangouts!
Paris Bakery is a great place to start the day with a freshly baked croissant and pastries. Just down the road in Street 26 is Banlle, an innovative Cambodian kitchen that serves organic vegetarian cuisine in a restored Khmer wooden house, while Miss Wong is the place to go for evening cocktails in a stylish, chinois-themed cocktail bar, reminiscent of speakeasies of the roaring 1920’s.
The community here is built around one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Siem Reap, which is a pleasant place for a stroll. For an overnight stay, we recommend Treeline Urban Resort, a minimalistic boutique property on the riverside that features handmade furnishings and sustainably sourced native timber and stone.
Also featured in Time Out’s list of Coolest Neighborhoods is Singapore’s Little India, which is home to brightly painted shophouses and colorful markets selling jewelry, saris and spices, and Indonesia’s Ubud, Bali, where you can cycle on the edge of a volcano or go whitewater rafting on the Agung River.
For more insider tips on what to see, do and experience in Southeast Asia’s coolest neighborhoods, contact us via the link below.
From intense dark stouts to aromatic hops and sweet light ales, we love our craft beers and never miss a chance to sample the local brew at one of our favorite microbreweries in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Over the last few years, we have seen an explosion of craft beer pop up around this southern Vietnamese city, so today, we sit down with Loc Truong, founder and general manager of East West Brewing Co. to find out more about the craft and how he discovered his own pint-sized passion.
Q: Why do you think Ho Chi Minh City makes the perfect companion for craft beer?
A: Being a center of culture, business and tourism, Ho Chi Minh City is very dynamic and the people, especially the younger generation, are now more exposed to different backgrounds and cultures. So we have a great vibe and a mix of people who already know and love their craft beers as well as people who are willing to try something new.
Q: What attracted you to the world of craft beer in the first place?
A: I love how each beer has its own unique story of how it was created and why. I grew up in San Diego and was exposed to craft beer during my college years, specifically with local breweries in San Diego such as Stone Brewing and Ballast Point. But what really inspired me was discovering the endless possibilities for quality, real beers that do not follow the easy-to-drink lager formats.
Q: What is the concept behind East West Brewing Co.?
A: I think good beer should be accompanied by good friends, atmosphere and especially food. That’s why we created the Taproom, which combines a microbrewery and a kitchen. We adopted a concept that has been widely popular in other parts of the world, where we deliver a dining experience accompanied by flavorful beers.
Our East West DNA is about creating the best possible traditional craft beers, such as pale ales, India pale ales (IPAs) and hefeweizens. We focus on consistency, rigid processes and quality ingredients. Our brewers also love to experiment with different types of ingredients and we have a lot of varieties available in the taproom. We all take pride in our work and love making beers that put smiles on peoples’ faces.
Q: What’s the best way to enjoy an East West Brewing Co. beer?
A: There is an East West beer for any time of day. My personal preference is to have something that is light like a Pacific Pilsner or Summer Hefeweizen during the day, and something more relaxing such as the East West Pale Ale and Far East IPA in the evening. For craft beer enthusiasts, I would recommend our Far East IPA, a “Made in Vietnam” brew which I believe holds up to other IPAs around the world. For something more crafty, consider the Coffee Vanilla Porter or the Modern Belgian Dark or Modern Belgian Blonde, which are made using local ingredients such as palmyra palm sugar, something only found in the south of Vietnam.
Q: What’s next for East West Brewing Co.?
A: We are launching a microbrewery in Da Nang, which is expected to open in the first quarter of 2023. We always dreamt of making and sharing good beer with our friends and family on the beach somewhere, so, it is finally happening! And we are excited to be able to bring our beers to more people in the central coast of Vietnam.
Find out more about Ho Chi Minh City’s craft beer scene on our Craft Beer Explorer journey which takes you to some of Ho Chi Minh City’s top microbreweries, or contact us for personalized recommendations.
Our Top 5: Days Out for Families in Southeast Asia
There is nothing more rewarding than spending quality time with family and creating shared memories that last a lifetime. From discovering Cambodian circus acts to swimming with manta rays or learning about agriculture and traditional farming, Southeast Asia offers an endless variety of activities that will inspire both young and old. Here, we’ve put together our Top 5 experiences for families traveling in Southeast Asia.
1. Get a Taste of Thailand by Tuk Tuk, Bangkok, Thailand
Ride around the backstreets of Bangkok’s old town and trendy Talad Noi district on an environmentally friendly, electric tuk tuk. This convenient and open-air mode of transport is a truly Thai experience, taking you on a fun foodie adventure to some of our favorite hidden hotspots and family-friendly eateries. The evening starts at a 200-year-old converted warehouse beside the Chao Phraya River where you can sip an iced tea or lime soda before whizzing past the shophouses of Yaowarat town. Stop to taste Bangkok’s best satay skewers, then head to a heritage district, just around the corner from the Grand Palace, for dinner at a cozy restaurant serving classic Thai dishes such as pad Thai noodles and green curry followed by homemade ice cream or mango and sticky rice for dessert.
Learn juggling tricks and acrobatics acts with the troupe of Phare, the Cambodian Circus. Combining theater, dance and art, this non-governmental organization supports young Cambodian performers, providing training and opportunities in the arts. Spend quality time as a family, meeting some of the performers, learning their stories and taking part in their fun and high energy rehearsal session. Watch the performers practice some of their astonishing routines and take up the challenge of trying some of their stunts yourself.
Meet a seventh-generation water puppet master in Hanoi, Vietnam, for a private performance and hands-on demonstration. Dating back to the 10th century, water puppetry is a unique Vietnamese tradition starring colorful marionettes that dance on water. Master Phan Thanh Liem, who learned the art of water puppetry from his father and grandfather, brings the puppets to life during his interactive solo performance that is more than just a show. Taking pride in his time-honored skill, the master is happy to share his knowledge and encourages his audience to try manipulating the puppets themselves.
Explore the underwater world on a scenic cruise to some of the best snorkeling spots off the south-east coast of Bali, Indonesia. Swim with over 250 species of colorful fish and look out for manta rays or the amazing mola mola that are often seen in these waters, particularly between July and October. The islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida are home to idyllic palm-fringed shores where you can swim in calm waters or build sandcastles on the beach. Ask about our private charter cruises where you can design your own day and make the most of your valuable family time.
Roll up your sleeves for a hands-on farming and noodle-making experience at a working farm in Luang Prabang, Laos. See how the family grows their own rice and organic vegetables and discover how they make Lao noodles, called kaopun, from grains of glutinous rice. The noodles are served with a delicious hot broth and topped with fresh herbs and vegetables from the garden. Nearby, stop to visit a sustainable dairy farm that works closely with local farmers and produces their own yogurt, ice cream and cheese. Taste their farm-made items such as buffalo mozzarella, feta and ricotta cheese, and ice cream infused with local flavors such as coconut, lemongrass and black sesame.
Contact us for more family-friendly travel ideas and recommendations or click below to start planning your next journey in Southeast Asia with Akorn.
Over the last few months, our teams have been out and about rediscovering our destinations and scouting exciting new products for your clients. Nia Donovan, our Regional Head of Sales, has been exploring Vietnam, from the ethnic villages of the northern highlands to the rivers of Ninh Binh, the old town of Hoi An on the nation’s central coast.
“Vietnam has so much to offer, and every city has its own unique charm and character. I always love discovering new boutique shops and eateries in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, especially the local specialty - bun cha noodles. Trekking amid Sapa’s terraced rice fields and mountains at this time of year is amazing! Although you may encounter a little bit of rain, the scenery is incredibly lush and emerald green.”
Across the border in Cambodia, our Commercial Contracting Manager, Lalitphat Pornthepkasemsan (Aeey), Destination Specialist, Supitchaya Kingpo (Taam) and Customer Services and AKP Philanthropy Coordinator, Natthitaa Siratharaapong (Fon), explored the wonders of Angkor Wat and surrounding temples. The team revealed the highlight of the trip was being able to catch up with a family that now has access to clean water thanks to our Cambodia Clean Water project.
“It is inspiring to see how something as simple as water can improve the lives of an entire community. Mr. Lun’s family take good care of their AKP-funded well and share the water with their neighbors. So, in total, five families enjoy the benefit of having clean water throughout the year and they have more time to develop their farms as they no longer need to walk to other villages to collect water.”
Contact us to get involved with our Cambodia Clean Water project or for recommendations for your next journey in Vietnam or Cambodia.
Akorn Southeast Asia Plants Trees in Bangkok, Thailand
Recently, our Akorn Southeast Asia team took the time to plant some trees in Bangkok’s Bang Krachao district. Known as the “Green Lung of Bangkok,” Bang Krachao is a protected conservation area on the edge of the city where winding canals meet fruit orchards, scenic biking trails and lush, jungle foliage.
Hoping to make a small contribution to global reforestation efforts, the team planted a mix of mahogany trees and golden shower trees in a garden located on the estate of RAKxa Wellness and Medical Retreat.
Creating a space to focus on mind, body and soul, RAKxa offers holistic and personalized wellness programs, with state-of-the-art facilities and a team of specialists and medical professionals to help guide you on your personal journey, whether your goal is to detox, de-stress or improve physical fitness.
RAKxa offers 3-14 night retreats inclusive of consultations and treatment programs, use of wellness facilities and daily meals. Contact us for more information or find out about our biking excursions in Bang Krachao.
• On 8 November 2022, Thailand celebrates Loy Krathong, a tradition that dates back to the 14th-century Sukhothai kingdom where people gather at lakes and rivers to honor the Goddess of Water with floating flowers and candles.
• Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts announced its first entry into Vietnam with Waldorf Astoria Hanoi set to open in 2025.
• Anantara Chiang Mai reopened this month with a new rooftop bar offering panoramic views of the Ping River.
• Bangkok Social Club, the place to go for stylish cocktails and craft spirits at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, debuted at #14 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list, making it the Best New Opening in 2022.
Southeast Asian countries are fully open for travel with no testing or quarantine requirements. More details on current entry requirements here: Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Singapore
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Please note: The above information was correct at time of writing. However, the situation remains fluid and details change regularly. We recommend that travelers always check travel advisories both in your home country and the destination you are traveling to before you book and before travel.
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Looking for more INSIDER news, ideas and travel information?
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