Latest news with #Indochine
Hospitality Net
27-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
IHG Hotels & Resorts debuts the world's first voco resort in Quang Binh, Vietnam
IHG Hotels & Resorts opens the world's first voco resort with the opening of voco Quang Binh Resort - By IHG in Vietnam. The all-suite-and-villa resort also marks the second voco hotels property to open in Vietnam, alongside voco Ma Belle Danang - By IHG which opened in 2023. Each voco property is characterised by its individual charm, which provides guests with something unique while creating an inviting and unstuffy atmosphere for guests to truly unwind and feel at ease. Infused with charming personal touches and subtle Vietnamese influences, voco Quang Binh Resort - By IHG is a great gateway to explore the province of Quang Binh. Located in Dong Hoi, the capital city of the Quang Binh province in central Vietnam, voco Quang Binh Resort - By IHG offers 68 suites and beachfront villas providing a tranquil and personal atmosphere with direct access to Bao Ninh beach. Its design focuses on creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The distinctive interior offers a subtle nod to Indochine aesthetics with rich colours, intricate patterns and local craftmanship, paired with artworks exclusive to voco hotels. The spacious layout of its suites and villas - between 43sqm and 300sqm, invites natural light to flood in, creating a rustic and calming atmosphere perfect for relaxation. Upon check in, guests will be greeted with a signature voco welcome treat that's both unique and representative of the local area. At voco Quang Binh Resort - By IHG, guests will enjoy "Cu Đơ" - a traditional Vietnamese candy from the region, made of peanut, caramel, ginger and rice paper. The resort's spa - Yen Spa & Wellness, comprises of 17 treatment rooms, a foot spa, a rejuvenating hydrotherapy pool, sauna room, and salon. In addition, guests can access both an indoor and an outdoor pool as well as a 24-hour gym. For dining, guests have the option to dine at Flamingo Restaurant, an all-day dining concept that serves up local signatures such as Quang Binh banh canh, Quang noodles, Hue beef noodle soup as well as favorite international dishes, or sip on refreshing cocktails at Oasis Pool Bar while watching the spectacular Vietnamese sunset. The hotel is a great gateway to explore the magnificent beauty of the province of Quang Binh including Son Doong Cave which is the largest cave in the world and home to towering stalagmites, underground rivers, jungle with wildlife and a 116-kilometre-long coastline with picturesque beaches such as Nhat Le and Da Nhay. Guests can also look to visit the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, kayak on Mooc spring, experience Vietnam's longest zipline, mud bathing at Chay river or visit the spiritual cultural site of Lieu Hanh Mother Temple. Launched in 2018, voco hotels by IHG has quickly become one of IHG Hotels & Resorts' fastest growing with 94 open hotels and 95 exciting destinations in the pipeline, including voco Bandung Setiabund and voco Bangkok Surawong in South East Asia later in 2025. Staying true to voco hotel's "step by step" sustainability mantra, voco Quang Binh Resort - By IHG is committed to innovation and sustainability, and the belief that small steps collectively make the biggest difference. This includes pillows and duvet fillings made from recycled materials and premium organic New Zealand bulk bath amenities from Antipodes. For more on voco Quang Binh Resort, visit the hotel's website or follow on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. *Numbers are correct as of 31st March 2025 Hotel website
Tatler Asia
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
From Merdeka 118 to the Blue Mansion: Malaysia's most spectacular film locations that have captivated international cinema
Penang: Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and Armenian Street Above The Blue Mansion, Penang George Town, Penang's UNESCO-listed capital, has provided atmospheric backdrops for films including Beyond Rangoon , Indochine , Lust, Caution and Road to Dawn . The iconic Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (The Blue Mansion) featured in Indochine and again in Crazy Rich Asians , where it stood in as a mahjong parlour for a pivotal scene between Michelle Yeoh and Constance Wu. Following the film's 2018 release, visitor numbers to the mansion tripled. In the 1999 historical drama Anna and the King , starring Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat, Armenian Street in George Town stood in for a street in Bangkok, while Swettenham Pier doubled as Bangkok Harbor in this riveting story of British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens and her time in Siam (now Thailand) as a tutor to the king's children. For Ang Lee's espionage thriller Lust, Caution , set in 1940s Shanghai and Hong Kong, Wisma Yeap Chor Ee and China Street Ghaut in Penang provided perfect period settings. The film follows a young woman who infiltrates the household of a powerful political figure with the intention of assassinating him. See also: Explore three distinctive heritage properties in Penang, Selangor and Melaka, Malaysia Langkawi: Tropical paradise fit for royalty and romance Above Four Seasons Resort Langkawi was one of the filming locations of the movie 'Crazy Rich Asians' (Photo: Four Seasons Resort Langkawi) The breathtaking archipelago of Langkawi in Kedah state has lent its pristine beaches and lush landscapes to films seeking paradisiacal settings. For Anna and the King , a spectacular set was constructed on a beach in Telaga Harbor, with remnants remaining until around 2008 as a tourist attraction. Crazy Rich Asians featured Langkawi's luxurious resorts and idyllic settings, helping to position the island as a premium destination for affluent travelers. Following the film's success, Langkawi saw an uptick in visitors seeking the lavish experiences depicted on screen. The 1980 Australian mini-series A Town Like Alice was also filmed partially in Langkawi, capturing the island's natural beauty decades before it became a luxury tourism hotspot. Additionally, a movie set for the Bollywood hit Don was located in Langkawi, utilising the island's dramatic landscapes for Shah Rukh Khan's action sequences. Pahang: Cameron Highlands Above Tea plantations in Cameron Highlands (Photo: BOH Tea Malaysia) The misty Cameron Highlands in Pahang provided the perfect setting for the critically acclaimed historical drama The Garden of Evening Mists , based on the novel by Malaysian author Tan Twan Eng. The film, starring Lee Sin-je and Hiroshi Abe, tells the story of a former prisoner of a Japanese war camp who seeks peace by creating a garden with a mysterious Japanese gardener. The location choice was particularly poignant as it was near an actual Japanese war camp where the main character was imprisoned during World War II. The film showcases the highlands' cool climate, tea plantations, and lush forests, offering viewers a glimpse into a side of Malaysia rarely seen in international productions. Sarawak: Jungle Adventures and Cultural Immersion Above Bako National Park in Sarawak, Malaysia (Photo: Unsplash) Borneo's Sarawak state provided the authentic rainforest setting for The Sleeping Dictionary , a romantic drama starring Jessica Alba, Hugh Dancy, and Bob Hoskins. The film follows a young Englishman (Dancy) working in the British colony who learns the local Iban language and customs through a 'sleeping dictionary'—a local Iban woman (played by Jessica Alba, who is not, in fact, Iban) who serves as both language tutor and companion. The production showcased Sarawak's lush jungles, traditional longhouses, and indigenous cultures, filmed at locations such as Buntal Jetty in Kuching, and the Red Bridge near Matang. Although the 2018 film Venom famously opened with a scene supposedly set in Sarawak's Sibu, the 'Sarawakian village' in the movie was actually filmed in a woodsy area in Atlanta, Georgia. Melaka: Historical port city with cinematic versatility Above Melaka: Historical port city with cinematic versatility in Malaysia (Photo: Unsplash) The UNESCO World Heritage site of Melaka, with its rich trading history and unique architectural blend of Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences, provided atmospheric settings for the Indian Tamil-language film Kabali , starring superstar Rajinikanth. Following the release of Kabali, Tourism Malaysia launched a special tour for Indian tourists of the shooting locations. While Entrapment famously depicted the Petronas Twin Towers as visible from Melaka—a creative liberty with geography—the historical city's streets and thoroughfares offer authentic glimpses into Malaysia's colonial past. The exposure from these films has reinforced Melaka's status as a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and architecture lovers, contributing to the steady growth of tourism in this historically significant port city. Perak: Kellie's Castle, Ipoh and more Above Kellie's Castle in Ipoh, Perak in Malaysia (Photo: Unsplash) Ipoh, the capital of Perak state, with its well-preserved colonial buildings and surrounding limestone karsts, served as a filming location for an impressive array of international productions, including After This, Our Exile , Anna and the King , Beyond Rangoon , Blackhat , Indochine , and Lust, Caution . For Anna and the King , Kellie's Castle in Batu Gajah near Ipoh—an unfinished mansion built by a Scottish planter—provided a perfect colonial-era setting. Additionally, a massive seven-acre palace recreation was constructed near Ipoh specifically for the film, becoming a temporary tourist attraction during production. The historical drama Road to Dawn , which tells the story of revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen's time in Penang, also filmed scenes in Ipoh, taking advantage of the city's well-preserved early 20th-century architecture. Michael Mann's cyberthriller Blackhat , starring Chris Hemsworth, used Ipoh's urban landscape and surrounding areas to create tense action sequences in its story of international cybercrime and terrorism. The future of film tourism in Malaysia As Malaysia continues to attract international productions, the symbiotic relationship between filmmaking and tourism is likely to strengthen. The upcoming feature of the Merdeka 118 tower in Marvel's Thunderbolts represents a significant opportunity for Malaysia to showcase its modern architectural achievements to global audiences, potentially driving a new wave of tourism to Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysian government has recognised this potential, offering incentives to international productions through initiatives like the Film In Malaysia Incentive (FIMI), which provides a 30 per cent cash rebate on qualifying Malaysian expenditure for foreign productions. As streaming platforms continue to fund diverse international content, Malaysia's varied landscapes and architectural wonders are likely to appear more frequently on screens worldwide, further enhancing the country's appeal as a destination for discerning travelers seeking experiences beyond the ordinary. Whether you're a film enthusiast tracing the footsteps of Hollywood stars or a luxury traveler seeking locations of extraordinary beauty and cultural significance, Malaysia's cinematic landscapes offer an unparalleled journey through one of Southeast Asia's most visually stunning and culturally rich nations. Credits This article was created with the assistance of AI tools
The Guardian
05-05-2025
- The Guardian
Man arrested on suspicion of murder after death of man on cruise ship
A 57-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of a 60-year-old man on a cruise ship. The man died in what police said was an 'isolated incident' after an altercation that took place two and a half hours after the cruise began while the vessel was still in British waters. The ship, MSC Virtuosa, returned to Southampton, Hampshire, and police arrested a man from Exeter at the docks. He remains in police custody and detectives asked for people who were on board and had any information to contact them. Hampshire police said: 'The ship left Southampton at 6pm on Saturday 3 May. It was reported that at around 8.30pm, a 60-year-old man died following an altercation. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. 'As part of our inquiries, a 57-year-old man from Exeter has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody at this time. DCI Matt Gillooly, the senior investigating officer, said: 'We want to reassure you that this appears to be an isolated incident onboard, and we want to thank the crew for their cooperation and assistance with our inquiries. A spokesperson for MSC Cruises, which owns and operates the ship, said: 'Following an incident onboard our ship, the relevant authorities were contacted, and we are cooperating fully with their investigations. We are providing full support to those impacted.' The ship had left Southampton heading on a two-day trip to Bruges/Zeebrugge. On a Facebook page for the vessel, the administrator said: 'No one needs to speculate into an ongoing police investigation. Thoughts are with the family and friends affected.' The ship, which the company bills as a ''masterpiece at sea', can carry 6,334 guests and 1,704 crew members. There are 2,421 cabins. Its cruises include trips around Europe and the Caribbean. It has four pools, capable of accommodating more than 1,000 guests, 21 bars and 11 dining rooms, including a new Indochine restaurant. The ship was officially named by the actor Sophia Loren. Lynda Hardiman-Pearce, a passenger on the ship, said she saw five police officers at Southampton docks when she disembarked. She said the cruise was 'full of hen and stag parties' and she had been told an army medic who was on board tried to help the man who died. The police said: 'If anyone who was onboard has information that could assist, please contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary on 101 with reference 44250193676.'
Local France
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Local France
French rapper Jul breaks attendance record at national stadium
Saturday's event saw 97,816 people pack the venue that also hosted the 2023 Rugby World Cup final and the 2024 Olympics closing ceremony for one of the biggest music events of 2025, it told AFP. Jul, 35, who has released some 30 albums in his career, beat the previous record held by the rock group Indochine whose May 2022 concert was heard by 97,036 fans in the stadium. "Historic record... we and the team made it together," Jul, whose real name is Julien Mari, said Sunday on X in response. Besides Jul's popularity, the record can be explained by "the stage design, the available floor space, and the stadium's layout", said Stade de France. Tickets sold out in minutes when put on sale last year for the Paris and subsequent Marseille concerts by Jul, the most-streamed artist in France in 2024 on Spotify.
France 24
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
French rapper Jul breaks attendance record at national stadium
Saturday's event saw 97,816 people pack the venue that also hosted the 2023 Rugby World Cup final and the 2024 Olympics closing ceremony for one of the biggest music events of 2025, it told AFP. Jul, 35, who has released some 30 albums in his career, beat the previous record held by the rock group Indochine whose May 2022 concert was heard by 97,036 fans in the stadium. "Historic record... we and the team made it together," Jul, whose real name is Julien Mari, said Sunday on X in response. Besides Jul's popularity, the record can be explained by "the stage design, the available floor space, and the stadium's layout", said Stade de France. Tickets sold out in minutes when put on sale last year for the Paris and subsequent Marseille concerts by Jul, the most-streamed artist in France in 2024 on Spotify. © 2025 AFP
