SE Asia Food and Adventure Vacation in Vietnam and Cambodia

Filled with lush, green landscapes, towering temples, bustling cities, and rich history and culture, the countries of Vietnam and Cambodia are ideal vacation destinations for anyone seeking an unforgettable getaway to Southeast Asia. From mountains and coastline to five-star hotels and world-class restaurants and entertainment, there’s much to see and do here, whether you come for the food, fun, history, or stunning natural beauty.

This Southeast Asia adventure begins in Hanoi, where you’ll be met at the airport and taken to your hotel, centrally located for easy access to local attractions. While in Hanoi, you’ll explore the city through two fabulous guided tours—first, seeing the early morning sights on a leisurely cyclo (pedal-powered rickshaw) ride through town, then with a full-day guided trip to Hanoi’s historic landmarks that includes lunch and an afternoon tour of Hoa Lo Prison with a Vietnam War expert. 

You’ll also enjoy an incredible welcome dinner of creative French cuisine from Michelin-starred chef Alain Dutournier at the award-winning Press Club restaurant in Hanoi’s beautiful French Quarter, and have time to relax at the hotel or experience more of the city on your own.

From Hanoi, you’ll travel to the coast and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed waters of Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay for a two-night cruise onboard a luxury vintage-style sailing boat, designed with rich oak, spacious guest rooms, private balconies, and other high-end touches. You’ll enjoy elegant, hotel-like accommodations and onboard dining, plunge pool, bar, and fun activities, while taking in unspoiled views of the bay’s dramatic, tree-covered limestone pillars rising out of calm, blue-green water.

Your next destination is the small, picturesque port town of Hội An. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to walk the quaint narrow streets and alleyways around the town’s temples and historic landmarks with experienced guides, meet with town elders and craftsmen, enjoy fabulous local cuisine, and find yourself immersed in the beautiful culture and history of the city. You’ll also take a guided six-mile bike ride to a small farming village in the countryside, where you’ll tour the farm, pick fresh herbs and vegetables, and spend time in the kitchen learning to make one of the area’s local specialties. On another day, you’ll have a guided Culinary Culture tour of the town, visiting the local market, sampling street-food offerings, and getting a hands-on cooking lesson before sitting down to enjoy what you’ve prepared.

Between the planned excursions, you’ll have time to rest or explore more of Hội An at your own pace—spend the afternoon on the beach, swimming and soaking up the sun; take a guided eco-tour through the Son Tra Peninsula; or play a round of golf at nearby Montgomerie Links Vietnam. The choice is yours!

From the slow, quiet pace of Hội An, you’ll head to exciting Ho Chi Minh City for the next stop of your trip. Flying in from Da Nang, you’ll be met at the airport and taken to your hotel for check in. Afterwards, you’ll visit the famed Củ Chi Tunnels, about an hour north of the city, meet with an experienced war veteran and guide, and have lunch by the river before heading back to your hotel. That evening, you’ll enjoy a fun (and unique) food tour with an after-dark ride in a Soviet-era sidecar motorcycle—stopping to sample some of Ho Chi Minh’s most popular dishes and learning more about the flavors of the city along the way.

During your time in Ho Chi Minh, you’ll also take an early morning cyclo ride through the city center; enjoy a Vietnamese coffee in a scenic spot behind the Reunification Palace; engage your senses with a unique Dining in the Dark lunch experience at Noir restaurant; and go on an in-depth afternoon history tour of the local neighborhoods, markets, museums, and temples with your knowledgeable guide.

After exploring the fabulous food and culture of Ho Chi Minh City from past to present, you’ll depart Vietnam and fly to Cambodia for a stay in the breathtaking provincial town of Siem Reap, known as the gateway to the treasures of Angkor. Here you’ll kick off your stay with a nighttime guided tour on the back of a Vespa, stopping to experience the city’s vibrant after-dark social scene and try authentic Cambodian cuisine at some of Siem Reap’s best (and off-the-beaten-path) restaurants, street markets, and food stalls. 

A leisurely morning bike ride to the South Gate of Angkor Thom; guided tours of the world-famous temple of Angkor Wat and the tree-entwined ruins of Ta Prohm; a lovely early-evening gondola boat ride (with cocktails and canapés) along the moat of the ancient walled city; and a visit to the pink sandstone Banteay Srei temple northeast of Siem Reap round out the exciting activities we’ve arranged for you while you’re here. And you’ll also have time to see more of the city on your own.

Finally, to cap off this unforgettable vacation, you’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner of traditional Khmer cuisine at one of Siem Reap’s elegant, upscale restaurants on the last night of your trip.

Throughout your journey, you’ll enjoy deluxe accommodations at luxury hotels—and one luxury cruise boat—in each destination, offering spacious, comfortable rooms, high-end amenities, friendly service, and wonderful views of the beautiful cities and landscapes around you.

Please note: appropriate dress is required when visiting temples and religious sites. Shoulders and knees should be covered (no short skirts or short pants). Bakan Tower, inside Angkor Wat, is closed on Buddhist Sabbath days, religious holidays, and various days in the lunar calendar. For safety reasons, children under 12 are not permitted to climb up Bakan Tower.