The Laguna Lang Co, on the central Vietnamese coast, is now up and running and consists of two resorts, both operated by the Banyan Tree Group, in its first foray into the country. The more upmarket of the two is the all-pool-villa Banyan Tree Lang Co, which has 32 lagoon pool villas (right) and 17 beach pool villas. The larger Angsana Lang Co comprises 229 suites - 100 of which have private pools (top). Also part of Laguna Lang Co is an 18-hole golf course designed by Nick Faldo. Both properties are offering opening promotions, which will be available until the end of March. The Banyan Tree is selling its villas from US$735 (about HK$5,700) a night (plus 15 per cent tax and service) for a two-night minimum stay, which includes US$735 in resort credits, and round-trip airport transfers for guests staying for three or more nights (Danang airport is an hour's drive away). Angsana Lang Co is offering a similar deal, with accommodation starting from US$280 plus tax and service, US$280 resort credits for two-night stays, and airport transfers and a room upgrade for three or more nights. Visit
www.banyantree.com and
www.angsana.com for more information and reservations. Vietnam Airlines flies to Danang daily via Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
Hong Kong travellers will be able to take direct flights to the Seychelles from February, when - subject to final approval - Air Seychelles begins a thrice-weekly service via Abu Dhabi. (In case you are wondering, a "direct" flight needn't be "non-stop", but must use the same plane with the same flight number. It's basically an airline euphemism. Passengers on the Air Seychelles flight will remain on board and retain their seats for the second leg.) Published flight times are convenient, with a 6pm Hong Kong departure and a 6.40am Seychelles arrival, returning at 3.30pm and arriving back in Hong Kong at 8.40am. Passport holders of all nationalities can enter the Seychelles without a visa. For details, go to
www.seychelles.travel.
Koh Phangan's days as a relatively remote - if rather crowded - destination began looking numbered in March last year, with the opening of a Best Western resort (right) on Haad Rin Nai beach. The Thai full-moon party island's first international brand-name property was followed last November by an Anantara resort, but the real rush will begin next year, with the opening of an airport on Phangan. Under construction by domestic carrier Kan Air, the airport (which won't be much more than a landing strip with a thatched-roof terminal) will be on the east side of the island, and should be completed in the second half of next year. According to local reports, the shortness of the runway meant no environmental impact assessment was legally required.
