Lao phrasebook

Lao phrasebook
Lao is the language of Laos, and if you notice, it is closely related to Thai. Like Vietnamese and Chinese languages, the meaning of words in Lao depend on how you pronounce them. For instance, when asking questions, you need to keep your tone flat (unlike in the English language, where you raise the tone). There are generally six intonations ranging from low to mid, high, rising, low falling, and high falling. Being familiar with the Thai language may help you determine how to pronounce words in Lao. Here are some of the basic greetings and conversational phrases that you can use to communicate with people in Laos: Indochina travel Laos
Hello - ສະບາຍດີ (Sa-bai-Dee.)
How are you? - ສະບາຍດີບໍ່ (Sa-bai-Dee Baw?)
My name is _____. - ຂ້ອຍຊື່ ( Khàwy Suu _____.)
Thank you - ຂອບໃຈ (Khawp Jai)
Yes - ແມ່ນແລ້ວ (Maen Leeo)
No - ບໍ່ (Baw)
Goodbye and take care - ໂຊກດີແດ້ (Sôhk Dee Deuh)
I'm sorry/Excuse me - ຂໍໂທດ (Khǎw Thôht)
Lao (ພາສາລາວ pháa-sǎa láo) is the main language of Laos. Thai is also closely related to Lao, and the Isaan dialect spoken in the northeast is, with minor differences in vocabulary aside, virtually identical to Lao. Tours in Laos
It is best not to try to learn Lao from local magazines, local books or the internet as they are sometimes fully Thai language (and completely not Lao).

Pronunciation guide
Lao is a tonal language with six tones in the Vientiane dialect: low, mid, high, rising, high falling, and low falling. Meanings are dependent on the tone, so try not to inflect your sentences; in particular, questions should be pronounced as flat statements, without the rising intonation ("...yes?") typical to English questions.
The script used to write Lao has the same Brahmic base as Thai and Khmer, and Thai readers will be able to figure out most of it. The Lao written language is essentially alphabetic and, due to extensive post-revolutionary meddling, now considerably more phonetic than Thai or Khmer. Still, there are 30 consonants, 15 vowel symbols plus 4 tone marks to learn, and the Lao also share the Thai aversion to spaces between words. Lao remains a bit of challenge to pick up, even though it is usually considered easier to learn than Thai.
Lao romanization is bedeviled by the incompatibility between French and English pronunciation. Most older transliterations are French-based, while newer ones are English-based. The French-style "Vientiane", for example, is more accurately spelled "Wiang Chan" in English. Wikitravel uses a modern English-based orthography modeled on the Thai system, but the French transliterations have been noted below when appropriate.
Lao has a complicated set of vowels that distinguishes between vowel length (short and long) and vowel position (front and back). Vowel signs are always written around consonants.
French transliterations use "ou" for "u" (eg. "Louang Prabang") and often tag an unpronounced "e" at the end of words to stop the consonant from being swallowed (eg. "Kaysone Phomvihane").

Cambodia travel guide

Cambodia travel guide
ART PERFORMANCES IN CAMBODIA
Talking about Cambodia is talking to palatial Angkor Temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. However, during the most glorious time of Khmer Empire, not only holy Angkor Temples were built but also flexible Khmer dance was created and completed. Khmer Dance is the quintessence of Khmer culture which representing Khmer history, cultural traditions and the art of choreographing dance of Khmer people. Tours Indochina Cambodia
There are three main types of dance in Cambodia: Classical dance, Folk Dance and Social Dance.
Classical Dance
Classical Dance is the oldest dance art performance in Cambodia. According to historic documents, Khmer classical dance is created by royal courts and only served the royal family. During the long history of developing and completing, Classical Dance has become a pinnacle art in all ways: costumes, postures, movements and choreograph. Each performance of classical dance is the perfect co-operation of costumed dancers and traditional orchestra. Especially, these performances are to invocate deities and spirits as well as express respect to the royal family and guests. In the middle of the 20th century, Classical Dance was introduced to the public; since then it has become a popular art performance in festivals, important ceremonies and for tourists. Classical Dance has many types but Robam Chuon Por (Wishing Dance) and Robam Tep Apsara are among the most popular and quintessential. Especially, Apsara Dance has been the pride of Cambodian for centuries as it delicately carved in Banteay Srei Temple. Apsara Dance with dancers in glamorous costumes, taut posture and flexible movements together with codified facial expression will leave hard-to-forget impression. Tours In Cambodia

Folk Dance
Folk Dance is a kind of modern art performance in Cambodia created in the 20thcentury. As compared to Classical Dance, Cambodian folk dance is simpler and faster. In folk dance performance, instead of wearing glamorous and delicate costumes like Classical Dance, dancers often wear more casual clothes to portray characters in their performances such as hill tribes, farmers and peasants. Love or folk tales are often the topics of folk dance’s performance. Frequently, folk dance performance is supported by a mahori orchestra. There are many type of folk dance: Trot Dance, Sneak Toseay Dance, Robam Kom Araek, Robam Kngaok Pailin and Chhhayam. Each type has distinguished characteristics and portrays a particular face of life. Most of folk dance represent producing activities of Cambodians through which Cambodians’ love for their works and their labor outcomes are reflected in a vivid and colorful way.
Social Dance
In national festivals and events, you will find Cambodians excited to dance together. This bustling activity is called as the Social Dance. Social dance inherits Khmer traditional dance and adapts social dances from around the world. Social Dance is a frenetic activity that can not be excluded in banquet parties.
CHARACTERISTIC OF CAMBODIAN
People in each country have typical characteristics: Japanese are discreet, Chinese are cautious and Koreans are emotional. Cambodians also have some typical characteristics that make the unique attraction of Cambodia. Generally, Cambodians are gentle, sympathetic and polite.
The first impression of Cambodian is that they always smile despite being suffered from Khmer Rouge Regime. The reason why Cambodians always keep smiling is still a mystery. It is predicted that Cambodians have tradition of smiling all the time as the giant statues carved in Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom with content smile on their faces. It is also said that most of Cambodians are Buddhist follower; therefore, they learn the way to be happy with everything happen to their lives. No reason is certainly true but overall Cambodians are easy and friendly. Their smiles reflect their kindness and sweetness.
The second thing to talk about Cambodians is that they are deep Buddhist follower. As a result, they are amazing simple and humble. They are satisfied with what they have; hence, they even do not have a little ambition to improve their material lives. To some extent, Cambodians are negatively conservative to protect their belief and religious view. In addition, Cambodians are amazingly calm. They rarely show anger or displeasure on their face. However, if someone makes them lose their faces or tell lie to them, it is difficult for them Cambodian to forgive.
Last but not least, Cambodians are quite shy. They even feel quite uncomfortable to say hello or express. However, they are very sentimental; they will never forget your goodness but remember deep inside their hearts. Expressing their thoughts and opinions to a stranger is something amazingly unfamiliar thing for them. However, for Cambodians, everything must be completely clear: What is right? What is wrong? There is nothing between two contrasting sides.
All in all, Cambodians are really friendly and cheerful who will be great hosts. Just coming to Cambodia, you will absolutely have unforgettable memory with lovable locals and understand better about their unique culture.

Beaches in Vietnam

Vietnam Beaches
The best time to visit Southern Vietnam is between the months of December and May, when the weather is hot and humid. Rain showers are frequent, but dark skies never last for long. The wet season, which runs from June to October, brings regular downpours and typhoons. Tours in Indochina

Vung Tau

Just a short trip from Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau is one of the most popular beach resorts in Vietnam and it tends to get very crowded during the months of December through to May. The beach doesn’t compare to other beaches in Vietnam, but its close proximity to HCMC makes it a popular summertime destination.

Mui Ne Beach, Mui Ne Bay

Any time of year, Mui Ne Bay in Southern Vietnam boasts hot, sunny weather, stunning landscape, and miles of fine white sand beaches. This beautiful resort area is famous for its gorgeous beach and sand dunes; world-class windsurfing and kite surfing.

Mui Ne, being in such close proximity to Ho Chi Minh City, attracts a lot of attention from residents looking to escape the city for a weekend of fun in the sun. Local attractions include a golf course designed by Nick Faldo, fishing villages, remote sand dunes, and fresh seafood 24/7.

Mui Ne Bay is easily accessible by bus from Phan Thiet, while the bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City takes about three hours. South Vietnam travel packages

Hon Chong Beach, Ha Tien

Hon Chong Beach is a silky white sand beach with calm tropical water. The beach is located in Ha Tien, which is on the border with Cambodia. The entire area shelters some really nice beaches. Other nearby attractions include Tien Cave and its interesting rock formation

The Hai Tac islets are also a nice option, especially for scuba drivers. The islands are accessible by boat from Ha Tien, and the biggest of these islands, Ho Doc, also has some splendid white beaches.

Ho Coc

From the southern area of Vung Tau to south-central Phan Thiet, you can expect to see long stretches of beach. Unfortunately, most of it has remained inaccessible. If you’re interested in sampling some of the beach life here, head to Ho Co, a serene sandbar that is located about halfway along this stretch of property.

Nha Trang



Nha Trang Beach, Vietnam

Located in the Khanh Hoa province, Nha Trang is a busy beach area known for its endless days of sunshine. The beach is notably home to Rainbow Divers, Vietnam's first PADI-certified dive center. Divers explore hard and soft coral reefs, caves and walls for some of the best diving in the South China Sea. Adventures above water include wakeboarding, kite surfing and banana boat rides. Divers and aquatic athletes relax poolside and exchange stories over unique brews at the beach bar and pool at Louisiane Brewhouse. The luxurious Evason Ana Mandara and Six Senses Spa has a private beach and quick access to the countryside and nearby mountains. The Vinpearl Resort and Spa is a resort island that can be reached by motorboat or the Vinpearl cable car, the longest sea-crossing cable car system in the world. In addition to the 5-star resort, there's an amusement park, shopping mall and endless entertainment options both on the beach and off.

Danang Beach, Vietnam

Danang Beach, a central fighting area during the Vietnam War, is known locally for its great beaches with notable surfing, scuba diving and even a swanky resort. Furama Resort is the grand dame of Vietnam's hotel scene and is continually praised for its 5-star service, top-notch amenities and perfect location on one of the country's best beaches. My Khe beach, known as China Beach to foreigners, has a busy expat scene and was the former recreation base for the US military during the war. The white sands are framed by natural pines and coconut palms, the perfect backdrop for a morning tai chi class or just lounging on the beach.

Doc Let Beach, Vietnam

Doc Let is just 30 miles from the bustling beach town Nha Trang, but it offers a vastly different beach experience. There are few tourist facilities making this a popular choice with renegade travelers looking to forgo the crowds to settle into a beach paradise with lots of peace and quiet. The Paradise Resort Hotel has 25 simple but comfortable beach bungalows and a friendly proprietor. Prices include 3 meals a day so there's no reason to stray far from the beach. The White Sand Doc Let Resort and Spa brings 4-star luxury to the area with 54 luxurious rooms and villas overlooking the turquoise waters and private sandy white shores.

Phan Thiet

The fishing village Phan Thiet is a 3-hour drive from Saigon, making it a quick weekend escape from the city. Both Saigon's wealthy locals and expats flock to Cape Mui Ne, a 13-mile stretch of beach just east of the city. Head inland for a cool photo shoot at the unusual red sand dunes that rise above the village creating an exotic dessert vibe. The cozy and laidback Coco Beach Resort is a TV-free zone with thatched roof bungalows scattered around the manicured green lawn and overlooking a private strip of beach. The Novotel Coralia Ocean Dunes Resort is a more modern spot with 3 bars, 2 restaurants and a rare amenity in the area -- an on-site golf course designed by Nick Faldo.