The past decade has seen a tourism boom in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. High on everyone’s lists are destinations like Cambodia’s Angkor temples, Laos’s Plain of Jars, and Vietnam’s Hoi An and Hue cities. Those sights are fantastic. By all means see them. But much of Indochina’s best still remains off the radar, while many old favourites have begun reinventing themselves since they were first thrust under the spotlight. CNN has listed its Top 10 places to visit in Indochina and Kampot features high on the list, described as:

Oozing French colonial charm, this scenic town nestled on the east bank of Kampot River is Cambodia’s most under-rated destination. If the crumbling French architecture, shady boulevards and riverfront dining aren’t cause for love at first sight, visits to Kep beach resort, the ancient Funan Empire-era temple ruins or a hike in Bokor National Park will ensure you’re permanently endeared to this Cambodian beauty spot.

To visit the CNN website follow: http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/none/indochinas-top-10-hot-destinations-064669

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The Cambodian Ministry of Tourism has stated that international flights are set to link Siem Reap with Indonesia and Brunei in order to boost tourism. The Director General of the Ministry, said that Cambodia would launch connections with the temple complex site Borobudur in Java, Indonesia in April this year, with Brunei flights to follow later.

“If the plan is successful, we believe that more and more tourists will come to visit Cambodia. We hope that tourist numbers will increase around 10 percent in coming years. We are now discussing technical matters in order to facilitate the flights,” he continued. Cambodia is trying to create direct flights with all ASEAN countries in an attempt to make tourist travel easier. So far, routes have been set up with Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Laos, and in late 2009 Cambodia announced that it would directly link flights with the Philippines.

Ang Kim Eang, president of Cambodia’s Association of Travel Agents, said that Cambodia is an attractive destination for tourists, as the country offers appealing cultural sites and ecotourism. But he added that the nation has international flight links with too few countries in the region.

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Edited from the Phnom Penh Post 8-2-10

In an effort to increase tourist access and prevent further damage to the magnificent pre-Angkorian temple in the far north of Cambodia on the Thai border a staircase has been built adjacent to the ancient stone steps. Om Phirom, chief of the Preah Vihear Heritage Police explained, “We will have this wooden staircase along the old one for tourists to walk up to Preah Vihear temple”. He added: “Tourists, especially foreign tourists, like to do adventure travel, so they will be excited to walk by the ancient staircase.”

Chuch Phoeung, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said the idea for the staircase had come from UNESCO, which in July 2008 approved Cambodia’s application to make Preah Vihear temple a World Heritage site. The deputy governor of Preah Vihear province, said that he believed tourists would appreciate the different views afforded by the new approach. “When this stair construction is finished, it will give tourists a chance to see new views, and it will help attract more tourists to the site”.

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Edited from the Phnom Penh Post 21-10-09