Responsible tourism is a way to approach tourism management, in order to maximize the benefits of economy, social, environment and minimize the cost to the destinations. The nature of this type of tourism contains the characteristics of the sustainable tourism development, however it is universal, more highly oriented, even adjust all other types of tourism towards the harmonious development of the tourism industry, providing equality to all entities involved in the process of tourism development; at same time contribute significantly in supporting the creation of a healthy environment.


Over the developments, all of the countries headed towards the sustainable development, including the sustainable tourism development. Responsible tourism and sustainable tourism have quite similar concepts and objectives. The concept of sustainable tourism was born in 1992, but the objects and methods of how to implement have still been always arised. Faced to the actual needs, the concept of responsible tourism was launched in 2002 showing how to proceed actually towards sustainable tourism development.



What is responsible tourism?
Tourism is responsible for helping economic growth, ensure environmental integrity, social justice, labor strengthen and promote the values ​​and respect for the local culture, creating tourism products quality tourism, cultural content and moral values ​​and a higher value of experience.

Responsible tourism in destinations is understood as minimizing the negative impact on economic, social and environmental; create greater economic benefits and improve the welfare of local people , improved working conditions and participation in tourism activities; encourage local people to participate in decisions that affect their lives; positive contribution to the conservation of the natural heritage and culture in order to maintain a diverse world; provide enjoyable experiences for tourists through the link between tourists and local people, to create understanding of the socio-cultural issues and local environment; create opportunities for people with disabilities and disadvantaged; respect for local culture, encouraging mutual respect between tourists and local people; build trust, ethnic pride for the community.

Types and concepts related to responsible tourism

Sustainable tourism
Sustainable tourism development is to meet the current demand while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future. Three factors balance in sustainable tourism development: economic, social and environmental.
Ecotourism
"Ecotourism is based on nature and local culture, associated with environmental education, can contribute to conservation efforts and sustainable development with the active participation of the local community" (According to the Law on Tourism)

Travel community
Community tourism is a form of travel to natural destinations, where indigenous cultures in order to bring benefits to local people by helping them to maintain their own decisions about the organization of tourism travel in areas of their lives.

Agricultural tourism
Is a kind of eco-tourism and rural tourism, encouraging visitors to experience and learn the agricultural life of the farmers and fishermen during the day, overnight, or long-term activities such as: coffee, grapes, rice or fish, shrimp, crab ...
Tourism development principles responsible

Responsibility for economic
- When developing tourism projects, the need to assess the economic impact, determine the type of development priorities to bring benefits to local communities and minimize the negative impact on life their lives.
- Strengthen links to encourage stronger participation of local communities in tourism activities.
- The quality of the tourist product to the need to highlight the unique charm and focus on value-added.
- Promotion of tourism advertising to ensure respect for the integrity of the cultural, economic, natural and social; encourage the development of tourism in accordance with the actual situation.
- Create a fair business environment, offering reasonable rates and building business relationships shared responsibility in risk and success; recruiting and training skilled employees.
- Provide significant support for medium-sized businesses, small and very small activity in areas related to sustainable tourism.
Social responsibility
- Actively attracting local communities involved in the process of policy formulation and decision-making, improve their capacity to realize the proposed initiatives.
- Social Impact Assessment through the campaign right from the project planning, project design in order to minimize the social impact and maximize the positive elements.
- Bringing tourism experience needs of the whole society to ensure the rights of all people, especially those groups and individuals are vulnerable and disadvantaged.
- Preventing sexual abuse in tourism, especially for children.
- Damage reduction in the exploitation and utilization of resources; tourism development closely associated with pro-poor objectives and support poverty alleviation.
- Respect the customs and habits of the natives; preservation and promotion of cultural diversity and social.
- Ensure that tourism contributes significantly to the improvement of health and education.
Responsibility for the environment
- Environmental impact assessment in the planning and design of tourism projects.
- Use appropriate and sustainable resources, reduce waste and excessive consumption of resources and energy.
- Management of ecological natural diversity in a sustainable way; restore the natural resources sector abused and identify the type of tourism associated with the environment to protecting, preserving intact ecosystems vulnerable to destruction and protection zones.
- Increase training and awareness for all the subject of sustainable development.
- Capacity building for tourism for all subjects and comply with healthy tourism development model, the most effective.

For the local tourism management: policy, strategy, clear development perspective; dissemination, training, documentation, support businesses and local communities follow the principle of responsibility; organization of seminars, training courses to raise awareness and exchange of experience in the practice; propaganda, encourage and honor the typical implementation responsible tourism ...

For the travel business: focus on policy development, business strategy in accordance with the principle of responsibility; attracting and training of human resources; regime for rewarding employees perform responsible initiatives; implementation of the principle of responsible tourism development; develop responsible tourism products; travel guide visitors made responsible; encourage sex tourism activities voluntary and highly responsible activities; building fund environmental protection, community development funds ...

For hotels and tourist accommodation establishments: policy development, business strategy; attract and train personnel; reasonable payoff mode; tourist guide implementation of responsible tourism; implementation of the principles of responsible tourism development, especially in the use of energy, water ...

For other service businesses: management policy, environmental protection and sustainable development activities of the restaurant; energy and water savings; safe food use; handle and limit waste; reduce pollution and use environmentally friendly chemicals; using environmentally friendly materials and green product sales ...

For local communities: need-friendly behavior, respect and support in the process of visiting tourists, learn locally; knowledge of community resources is to protect property and introduce to visitors; participate in tourism activities in an organized manner, to avoid spontaneous, cause confusion, lack of urban civilization ...

For tourists: to understand and comply with local customs; selection enterprise perspective, principles and work towards sustainability and accountability; conscious energy saving; available prepared to participate in environmental activities, supporting social and economic development locally; consciously protect the environment, local culture ...

Vietnam Travel is currently facing many difficulties and challenges, especially on the management and organization of tourism activities. Prior to the new context and global tourism trends, Vietnam tours industry aware of sustainable development is the inevitable trend of the times. Vietnam's tourism development strategy to the year 2020, Vision 2030 has set out the measures towards the implementation of tourism shall be responsible to achieve sustainable development. To realize this goal will require close coordination between the relevant departments and levels. Development of responsible tourism will create a solid foundation for the comprehensive development of the tourism industry in Vietnam in the future.

( Souce: Indochina tours )

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This is a practical document for the eco-tourism management of the method to construct eco-tourism destinations in Vietnam as well as to improve their knowledge and professional skills for favorable conditions of the professional works.
On the 25 Feb., in Hanoi, the Institute of Research and Development of Tourism (IRDT) organized the training courses "Pocket Guide for Ecotourism Development in Vietnam".

This activity is a part of the project to enhance the capacity of Vietnam tourism industry funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) with the tasks is to orient the management and development of eco-tourism in Vietnam.

The tourism development strategy to 2020, vision to 2030, always specifies the eco-tourism as the most priority form of tourism development in Vietnam because in the sustainable development of tourism, travel with responsibility is an important point, the orientation of the tourism development of every country. Sustainable tourism is not only to ensure the long-term economic benefits for the locals but also to help protect the environment effectively.

Dr. Pham Trung Luong, Deputy Director of the Institute emphasized: "The Pocket Guide for Ecotourism Development in Vietnam has been completed with the financial support of AECID and the direction of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the IRDT and the Vietnam Sustainable Tourism JSC. This is a practical document for the eco-tourism management of the method to construct eco-tourism destinations in Vietnam as well as to improve their knowledge and professional skills for favorable conditions of the professional works."


The training focused on contents: Overview of eco-tourism and eco-tourism in Vietnam; Development of the criteria system, recognition of an eco-tourism destination in Vietnam; the process of an ecotourism evaluation ; guide to manage the activities in an ecotourism destination. To be recognized as an eco-tourism destination, there must be 42 required criteria including: resources, infrastructure, sustainable environment management, products and services in the system evaluation criteria.

With abundant and special natural resources systems through out the country, especially with 30 national parks, 69 nature reserves, parks and special forests and other reservation areas, Vietnam ecotourism has much potential for the development, for unique tourism products, created great appeal for tourists, bringing enormous economic and environment benefits to the locals.

Souce: Indochina tours

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It is expected that from the 5th - 8th of novermber 2012, Vietnam Tourism Department in cooperation with the National Airlines - Vietnam Airlines will join the International Tourism Fair 2012 at the World Travel Market center Excel - London
It is expected that from the 5th - 8th of novermber 2012, Vietnam Tourism Department in cooperation with the National Airlines - Vietnam Airlines will join the International Tourism Fair 2012 at the World Travel Market center Excel - London (UK) to propagate and promote the beauty of the country, the beauties of the people of Vietnam to international friends. This is one of the promotional activities of Vietnam in 2012.


The booth of Vietnam at the fair is expected to have a total area of ​​118m² to exhibit, introduce some pictures of the scenic celebrities and typical tourist forms of the country such as beach tourism, ecotourism, adventure tourism, cultural tourism, community touris.. In addition, Vietnam booth will have the participation of some local tourism businesses for the showcase of tourism products to UK travelers, while seeking opportunities for business cooperation with the foreign partner.

WTM is one of the travel fair for top international agencies and management companies operating in the field of tourism, travel, held annually in the UK. Reportedly, in 2011, the International Tourism Fair WTM has attracted around 7,600 booths from over 200 countries, arranged on an area of ​​about 42.000m², of which Vietnam's tourism has almost 30 pavilions at the fair.

International Tourism Fair WTM 2012 is an opportunity for Vietnam's tourism industry continues to promote the brand and attract more international tourists at the same time looking for investment partners as well as international business, contribute to promoting the development of tourism in the country.

Parts of Western Europe - one of the key markets of the tourism industry in Vietnam, the United Kingdom is the No. 2 country in this market in sending visitors to Vietnam. In 2010, the number of unique UK travelers to Vietnam is 139,152 (upto 2.8% of numbers of the international visitors to Vietnam).

Vietnam travel news for Vietnam tour packages and  tours to Vietnam by Vietnam tour operators and Vietnam travel agencies.

Souce:  Indochina tours

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Vietnam, read about it in books, learnt about it in movies, heard about it from others. But this time, one Vietnam holidays offers the opportunity to experience the real Vietnam and countries around. Vietnam's beauty and diversity are far beyond your imagination during your Vietnam tours. Ho Chi Minh is a city blending tradition and modernization so perfectly and seamlessly for its international Vietnam tours fans; Hanoi, your Vietnam holidays in this passionate city may introduce you to some Ao-Dai-dressed girls in high heels; Ancient Royal Palace in Hue dyes your Vietnam vacation with its amazing hues and smoothing peace; Hoi An is like a museum where different historian imprints are on display along with cultural ruins; Sunny beach in Nha Trang offers the best sunbath for your ideal Vietnam holidays; you wouldn't miss the chance to explore the numerous mysterious caves in breath-taking Halong Bay; and don't forget Mekong Delta, where the water irrigates and fertilizes both the land and people's hearts. The country is vividly revealed during your Vietnam holiday, it's not only in the movies.

We use our innovative ideas with full carefulness to blend your needs and Vietnam's unique beauty into your truly worry-free and memorable Vietnam holidays.

Bravo Indochina Tours has been specializing in private Indochina tours for worldwide travelers for years. All Indochina tours BIT provides are tailor-made according to your needs. No other company puts more efforts into personalizing each tour than we do. With over 20 years of experience, BIT, as a trustworthy Indochina Tour operator, can always work with you to create a memorable Indochina trip for you at the cost that suits your budget. When you choose to travel one or more countries of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, we are dedicated to provide you with worry-free, boundary-free and fake-free services in Indochina area.

Souce: Vietnam travel

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Kampong Cham is the third largest city in Cambodia tours. Despite not having as many tourist attractions as Phnom Penh or Angkor Wat, this charming city is the best place to get a feel of the “real” Cambodia. The remnants of French colonial rule are here, as are modern improvements to this one poor area’s infrastructure. The real charm of Kampong Cham lies with its people. Despite their almost universal poverty and the brutal history of their country, the people of Kampong Cham are mostly friendly, happy-go-lucky folks who are welcoming to tourists.
Because there is still not much in the way of a tourist industry in Kampong Cham, visitors will have to arrange their own transport. Motorcycle riders will be able to rent bikes, although many tourists take advantage of the cheap prices and purchase their own bike. Non motorcycle riders, and those who don’t want to risk Cambodia’s sometimes crazy roads can find motorcycle drivers (motodops) to drive them. There are also cars for hire.
Though there are a few temples, the best things to do in Kampong Cham and the surrounding area (Kampong Cham Province) is just to hang out or cruise the countryside. Within the city, it is worth checking out the markets. There is all the hustle and bustle of a Southeast Asian market, but with Kampong Cham’s unique charm and friendly local people. It’s a great place to socialize, even if you don’t speak Khmer. Because this is an outlying area, the food is probably not as safe for a western stomach. However, people who have been in Cambodia for a while, or those who just want to jump in, can find great food stalls at some of these markets. As a general rule, if the place has multiple patrons and seems clean, it’s probably OK.

 Indochina tours
 

After a hard day, the improvised beer halls on the banks of the Mekong are the best place to be. Beer is dirt cheap (Angkor, Tiger), and the locals will definitely be around to socialize.
Just cruising in the countryside, past the fruit and vegetable farms, and local villages (including several stilt house villages along the Mekong) is reward enough for most tourists. Those seeking "untourist" attractions will find a couple of temples in the area worth checking out. Thousand year old Nokor Temples is the most famous in the area, but be prepared to wander by yourself unless you happen upon one of the monks who live there.
A cruise on a slow boat (as opposed to a fast one) on the Mekong would be a great way to end a visit to this sleepy but charming ville.

Contact information and derections to our office

    Main Office : 37 - Ton Duc Thang St- Ben Nghe Ward - Dist 1 - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
    Tell : (08 360 149 18) Or (08 360 269 13)
    Email : info@bravoindochinatours.com Or info@vietnamtourism-jsc.com

    Website: http://bravoindochinatours.com

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Luang Prabang is the jewel of Indochina ( Indochina tours ), and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.  The ancient royal city is surrounded by mountains at the junction of the Mekong and its tributary, the Khan river.  In the centre of the city is Mount Phousi with stunning views of the surrounding temples and hills. Luang Prabang is a city where time seems to stand still.  As part of the UNESCO plan, new buildings have been limited and development must be in keeping with this magical place.

Attractions

The National Museum

Until the communist takeover in 1975 this building directly opposite the town rock was the king's palace. The building itself is not very old. Its construction, consuming 20 years, was begun only in 1904. But it contains spectacular objects of art. However, the museum's most important piece of art can only be admired as a copy: a small Buddha statue by the name Pra Bang. The name of the town derives from the name of that statue: Luang stands short for Nakhon Luang = capital, Pra = holy. Luang Prabang may well be translated as Capital of Holy Bang.
In the 11th century it was kept in Angkor tours until it was brought to Luang Prabang by the Laotian King Fa Ngoum, after he had married a Khmer princess. When King Setthathirat made Vientiane the capital of Laos ( Laos tours ), he took the statue there. In 1779 it was robbed by the Siamese, but was returned in 1839. The statue is the most important holy object of Laotian Buddhism.

 Images: Laos tours

Mount Phousi

Mount Phousi is right in middle of Luang Prabang. On top of the mountain is Wat Chom Si, built in 1804. You have to climb 328 steps up Mount Phousi, but if you're fit enough, the beautiful view from the top is worth the effort. In the 18th century a number of other Wats were on the mountain.
Wat Pra Bath Nua

This Wat features a 3 meters long "footprint" of the Buddha. Such Buddha "footprints" are found in all Southeast Asian Buddhist countries. Usually they are richly decorated ornaments with the approximate outline of a footprint. They are supposed to express that the teachings of the Buddha have reached, and are respected, here.

Wat Visoun

This Wat south of Mount Phousi is a replica of an older Wat, which had been erected in the same place in 1513. Even though the replica has been built only in 1898, it does exude the atmosphere of a monastery of the middle ages. The Wat houses numerous religious art treasures.
Wat That Luang

This Wat to the South of the town dates to the year 1818. Urns with the ashes of kings and members of royal families are kept here. A golden Stupa reminds of the last Laotian king, Sisavang Vong. As he had been very popular among the citizens, many Laotian bring offerings.

laos tour packages

The Pak-Ou Caves

These caves in the rocky walls of the sandstone mountains at the confluence of the Ou river and the Mekong, some 25 kilometers upriver from Luang Prabang, are the most important attraction out of town.
The caves are inhabited by thousands of Buddha statues, some allegedly more than 300 years old. Monks used to live in the caves, too. When Laos was still a monarchy, the caves were visited every year by the king. A small royal Wat is near the caves.
The citizens of Luang Prabang believe that many good-natured spirits have their homes in the caves. Thus they undertake short pilgrimages there on special occasions, especially traditional New Year's Day. The best way to visit the caves is by boat tour. The nature along the Mekong is absolutely beautiful, and a boat tour to Pak Ou is likely to be the most co memorable excursion from Luang Prabang.

Ban Phanom

Ban Phanom is a wavers' village a few kilometers east of Luang Prabang. Visitors have the opportunity to buy local cloth.

Khoung-Sy Waterfall

The waterfall is about 30 kilometers from Luang Prabang, on a Mekong tributary. In the surrounding area live a number of hill tribes.
sequent target of hostile visits by Thais and Vietnamese.
After invasions, many destroyed structures were rebuilt, some of them again and again, roughly the same as they have existed before an invasion. Though physically no longer present, architecture dating back many centuries shapes the town and contributes to Luang Prabang's unquestioned charm. To this, the numerous Wats in and around the town provide a spiritual component.

Contact information and derections to our office

    Main Office : 37 - Ton Duc Thang St- Ben Nghe Ward - Dist 1 - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
    Tell : (08 360 149 18) Or (08 360 269 13)
    Email : info@bravoindochinatours.com Or info@vietnamtourism-jsc.com

    Website: http://bravoindochinatours.com

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Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings

Images: Cambodia tours

rief synthesis
Angkor, in Cambodia’s northern province of Siem Reap, is one of the most important archaeological sites of Southeast Asia. It extends over approximately 400 square kilometres and consists of scores of temples, hydraulic structures (basins, dykes, reservoirs, canals) as well as communication routes. For several centuries Angkor, was the centre of the Khmer Kingdom. With impressive monuments, several different ancient urban plans and large water reservoirs, the site is a unique concentration of features testifying to an exceptional civilization. Temples such as Angkor Wat, the Bayon, Preah Khan and Ta Prohm, exemplars of Khmer architecture, are closely linked to their geographical context as well as being imbued with symbolic significance. The architecture and layout of the successive capitals bear witness to a high level of social order and ranking within the Khmer Empire. Angkor is therefore a major site exemplifying cultural, religious and symbolic values, as well as containing high architectural, archaeological and artistic significance.
The park is inhabited, and many villages, some of whom the ancestors are dating back to the Angkor period are scattered throughout the park. The population practices agriculture and more specifically rice cultivation.
Criterion (i): The Angkor complex represents the entire range of Khmer art from the 9th to the 14th centuries, and includes a number of indisputable artistic masterpieces (e.g. Angkor Wat, the Bayon, Banteay Srei).
Criterion (ii): The influence of Khmer art as developed at Angkor was a profound one over much of South-east Asia and played a fundamental role in its distinctive evolution.
Criterion (iii): The Khmer Empire of the 9th-14th centuries encompassed much of South-east Asia and played a formative role in the political and cultural development of the region. All that remains of that civilization is its rich heritage of cult structures in brick and stone.
Criterion (iv): Khmer architecture evolved largely from that of the Indian sub-continent, from which it soon became clearly distinct as it developed its own special characteristics, some independently evolved and others acquired from neighboring cultural traditions. The result was a new artistic horizon in oriental art and architecture.
Integrity
The Angkor complex encompasses all major architectural buildings and hydrological engineering systems from the Khmer period and most of these “barays” and canals still exist today. All the individual aspects illustrate the intactness of the site very much reflecting the splendor of the cities that once were. The site integrity however, is put under dual pressures:
endogenous: exerted by more than 100,000 inhabitants distributed over 112 historic settlements scattered over the site, who constantly try to expand their dwelling areas;
exogenous: related to the proximity of the town of Siem Reap, the seat of the province and a tourism hub.
Authenticity
Previous conservation and restoration works at Angkor between 1907 and 1992, especially by the École Française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO), the Archaeological Survey of India, the Polish conservation body PKZ, and the World Monuments Fund have had no significant impact on the overall authenticity of the monuments that make up the Angkor complex and do not obtrude upon the overall impression gained from individual monuments.
Protection and management requirements
The property is legally protected by the Royal Decree on the Zoning of the Region of Siem Reap/Angkor adopted on 28 May 1994 and the Law on the protection of the natural and cultural heritage promulgated on 25 January 1996, the Royal Decree on the creation of the APSARA National Authority (Authority for the protection of the site and the management of the Angkor Region) adopted on 19 February 1995, the No. 70 SSR government Decision, dated 16 September 2004 providing for land‐use in the Angkor Park: “All lands located in zone 1 and 2 of the Angkor site are State properties”, and the sub-decree No. 50 ANK/BK on the organisation and functioning of the APSARA National Authority adopted on 9 May 2008, specifically provided for the establishment of a Department of Land‐use and Habitat Management in the Angkor Park.
In order to strengthen and to clarify the ownership and building codes in the protected zones 1 and 2, boundary posts have been put in 2004 and 2009 and the action was completed in 2012.
As off 1993, the ICC-Angkor (International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the historic site of Angkor) created on 13 October 1993, ensures the coordination of the successive scientific, restoration and conservation related projects, executed by the Royal Cambodian Government and its international partners. It ensures the consistency of the various projects, and defines, when necessary, technical and financial standards and calls the attention of all the concerned parties when required. It also contributes to the overall management of the property and its sustainable development.
The successful conservation of the property by the APSARA National Authority, monitored by the ICC-Angkor, was crowned by the removal of the property from the World Heritage List in danger in 2004.
Angkor is one of the largest archaeological sites in operation in the world. Tourism represents an enormous economic potential but it can also generate irreparable destructions of the tangible as well as intangible cultural heritage. Many research projects have been undertaken, since the international safeguarding program was first launched in 1993.The scientific objectives of the research (e.g. anthropological studies on socio-economic conditions) result in a better knowledge and understanding of the history of the site, and its inhabitants that constitute a rich exceptional legacy of the intangible heritage. The purpose is to associate the “intangible culture” to the enhancement of the monuments in order to sensitize the local population to the importance and necessity of its protection and preservation and assist in the development of the site as Angkor is a living heritage site where Khmer people in general, but especially the local population, are known to be particularly conservative with respect to ancestral traditions and where they adhere to a great number of archaic cultural practices that have disappeared elsewhere. The inhabitants venerate the temple deities and organize ceremonies and rituals in their honor, involving prayers, traditional music and dance. Moreover, the Angkor Archaeological Park is very rich in medicinal plants, used by the local population for treatment of diseases. The plants are prepared and then brought to different temple sites for blessing by the gods. The Preah Khan temple is considered to have been a university of medicine and the NeakPoan an ancient hospital. These aspects of intangible heritage are further enriched by the traditional textile and basket weaving practices and palm sugar production, which all result in products that are being sold on local markets and to the tourists, thus contributing to the sustainable development and livelihood of the population living in and around the World Heritage site.
A Public Investigation Unit was created as « measure instrument » for identifying the needs, expectations and behaviors of visitors in order to set policies, monitor its evolution, prepare a flux management policy and promote the unknown sites.
The management of the Angkor Site, which is inhabited, also takes into consideration the population living in the property by associating them to the tourist economic growth in order to strive for sustainable development and poverty reduction.
Two major contributions supporting the APSARA National Authority in this matter are:
The Angkor Management Plan (AMP) and Community Development Participation Project (CDPP), a bilateral cooperation with the Government of New Zealand. The AMP helps the APSARA National Authority to reorganize and strengthen the institutional aspects, and the CDPP prepares the land use map with an experimental participation of the communities and supports small projects related to tourist development in order to improve the income of villagers living in the protected zones;
The Heritage Management Framework composed of a Tourism Management Plan and a Risk map on monuments and natural resources; a multilateral cooperation with the Government of Australia and UNESCO. Preliminary analytical and planning work for the management strategy will take into account the necessity to preserve the special atmosphere of Angkor. All decisions must guarantee physical, spiritual, and emotional accessibility to the site for the visitors.
Long Description

Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. It contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th centuries. The influence of Khmer art, as developed at Angkor, was a profound one over much of South-East Asia and played a fundamental role in its distinctive evolution. Khmer architecture evolved largely from that of the Indian subcontinent, from which it soon became clearly distinct as it developed its own special characteristics, some independently evolved and others acquired from neighbouring cultural traditions. The result was a new artistic horizon in oriental art and architecture.
At the beginning of the 9th century the two states that covered the territory of modern Cambodia were united by Jayavarman II, who laid the foundations of the Khmer Empire, the major power in south-east Asia for some five centuries. One of the sites was in central Cambodia, to the north of Tonle Sap (Great Lake), where half a century later Jayavarman's son, Yashovarman, was to establish Yashodapura (later called Angkor), the permanent capital of the Khmer Empire until the 15th century.
The first city conformed with the classic form of Khmer capital with certain fundamental elements: a defensive bank and ditch with a state temple at its centre, built from brick or stone, and a wooden palace. There would also have been many secular buildings, constructed almost entirely of wood, in and around the enceinte. The state temple at Roluos, the Bakong, and the temple built in memory of the royal ancestors, Preah Ko, were erected around 880. Another essential feature of a Khmer capital, a large reservoir, was added a decade later, with in its centre a third temple built to the north-west of Roluos, around the hill of Phnom Bakeng, now known as the Eastern Baray.
The second capital at Angkor was built by Rajendravarman in the 960s, the state temple being situated at Pre Rup. He also constructed a temple, the Eastern Mebon, on an artificial island in the centre of the Eastern Baray. During his reign he built the exquisite temple of Banteay Srei. Rajendravarman's son, Jayavarman V, abandoned the Pre Rup site in favour of a new location with its state temple at Ta Kev, which was consecrated around 1000. Shortly afterwards he was overthrown by Suryavarman I, who was responsible for erecting the formidable fortifications around his Royal Palace and state temple, the Phimeanakas, and also for the construction of the great Western Baray.
In 1050 his successor created a new and more impressive state temple, the Baphuon. The succeeding rulers left little traces in the form of monumental buildings, and it was not until the accession of Suryavarman II in 1113 that the next great phase of building began. He was responsible for the greatest of all Khmer monuments, Angkor Vat, set within an extensive enclosure and dedicated to Vishnu. The death of Suryavarman II, around 1150, was followed by a period of internal strife and external pressure, culminating in 1177 with the sack of Angkor by the Chams. The situation was restored by Jayavarman VII, who celebrated his military success by creating yet another capital at Angkor Thorn and launching an unprecedented building campaign. His state temple was the towering Bayon, dedicated to Buddha.
Another significant element of the Angkor complex is the irrigation system of the region based on the great reservoirs, which provided the economic infrastructure for the successive Khmer capitals and their rulers.
Source: UNESCO/CLT/WHC
Historical Description

At the beginning of the 9th century AD the two states that covered the territory of modern Cambodia were united by Jayavarman II. who laid the foundations of the Khmer Empire, which was the major power in south-east Asia for nearly five centuries. One of the sites where his court resided for some years was in central Cambodia, to the north of Tonle Sap (The Great Lake), where half a century later Jayavarman's son, Yashovarman, was to establish Yashodapura, the permanent capital of the Khmer Empire until the 15th century. It was later given the name Angkor (from the Sanskrit "nagara", meaning city or capital).
The first capital was at latter-day Roluos, itself a pre-Angkorian capital, Hariharalaya. This conformed with the classic form of Khmer capital. This comprised certain fundamental elements: a defensive bank and ditch with a state temple at its centre built in brick or stone, and a wooden palace. Leading dignitaries would also build temples, both inside and outside the enceinte, which were dedicated, like the state temple, to Hindu divinities, notably Shiva. There would also have been many secular buildings, constructed almost entirely of wood, in and around the enceinte. The state temple at Roluos, the Bakong, and the temple built in memory of the royal ancestors, Preah Ko, were erected around 880. Another essential feature of a Khmer capital, a large reservoir, was added a decade later, with in its centre a third temple. Lolei.
Yashodapura was built to the north-west of Roluos, around the hill of Phnom Bakeng. The enclosure was square, each side measuring 4km, and it was equipped with a vast reservoir (baray) measuring 7km by 1.8km, now known as the Eastern Baray. The state temple was built at the summit of Phnom Bakeng around 900. Following a short period when the Khmer capital was transferred to Koh Ker, some 60km north-east of Angkor, the second capital at Angkor proper was built by Rajendravarman in the 960s. the state temple being situated at Pre Rup. He alsoconstructed a temple, the Eastern Mebon, on an artificial island in the centre of the Eastern Baray. During his reign Rajendravarman's guru built the exquisite temple of Banteay Srei, some 25 km north-east of Angkor.
Rajendravarman's son. Jayavarman V, abandoned the Pre Rup site in favour of a new location. with its state temple at Ta Kev. which was consecrated around 1000. Shortly afterwards he was overthrown by Suryavarman I, who was responsible for the formidable fortifications around his Royal Palace and state temple, the Phimeanakas, and also for the construction of the great Western Baray, extending over an area of 8x2.5km. In 1050 his successor created a new and more impressive state temple, the Baphuon, to the north of the temple.
The succeeding rulers left little traces in the form of monumental buildings, and it was not until the accession of Suryavarman II in 1113 that the next great phase of building began. It was he who was responsible for the greatest of all Khmer monuments, Angkor Vat, set within an extensive enclosure and dedicated to Vishnu. Among other important monuments dating from this period are Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda.
The death of Suryavarman II around 1150 was followed by a period of internal strife and external pressure, culminating in 1177 with the sack of Angkor by the Chams. The situation was restored by Jayavarman VII, who celebrated his military success by creating yet another capital at Angkor Thorn and launching an unprecedented building campaign. His state temple was the towering Bayon (dedicated to Buddha): among the many other monuments of Jayavarman VII's reign are Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Ta Som, and Banteay Prei.
Such was the grandeur of this capital that none of Jayavarman VII's successors saw fit to replace it. Nor were there any major monumental additions between his death around 1200 and the end of the Khmer Empire in the first half of the 15th century.
The Angkor group, including Roluos and Banteay Srei, has to be treated as an ensemble which steadily grew over some three centuries, Masterpieces such as the Bayon and Angkor Vat have to be seen in their contexts and integrated with the temples and other constructions, particularly the great reservoirs. It is also essential to take into consideration that the areas of jungle between the brick and stone monuments constitute a reserve of buried archaeological remains of immense importance in the study and interpretation of Khmer culture. Another significant element of the Angkor complex is the irrigation system of the region based on the great reservoirs, which provided the economic infrastructure for the successive Khmer capitals and their rulers. a.

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