Vietnam and Cambodia Luxury Tours

Where to Go

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  Hanoi

  Peel back the layers of noise emanating from those iconic Hanoi streets heaving with scooters, and you’ll find layer after layer of French and Chinese colonialism blended with traditional and modern Vietnamese touches, where art galleries and stylish cafes are stirred with street food stalls, stately houses, and ornate pagodas. Journey to the Old Quarter for remnants of the original city wall, its slender streets concealing old workshops, Buddhist temples and shrines, and the French Quarter to walk along leafy boulevards lined with stately mansions, the striking gothic facade of St Joseph Cathedral, and the Neoclassical Hanoi Opera House.

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  Halong Bay

  A World Heritage Site since 1994 and one of South East Asia’s most renowned destinations, Halong Bay’s forested islets, and lofty limestone pillars, rising from those dreamy turquoise waters are recognizable to all. The best way to see it is to bypass nights in Halong City and embark on a luxury overnight cruise for a full itinerary of 5-star amenities with sunloungers posed for the best views of a sunset over those impossibly pretty islands. Stray a little from the usual trail to stay on Ba Island and add a trip to Lan Ha Bay to see a slightly quieter side to the region.

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  Hoi An

  Hoi An’s deeply atmospheric riverside is a pleasure, with unwaveringly pretty architecture — the remnants of old traders’ houses — stuffed with hotels, restaurants, and bars. And while it may seem a little touristy, Hoi An has been a haven for overseas traders, sailing up the Thu Bon River from the South China Sea, for millennia. As such Hoi An has a busy and charming old town with distinct aesthetic layers given by the Chinese, Japanese, and French — all enhanced by colorful lanterns and old-world charm. A highlight is the attractive arched 16th-century Japanese covered bridge and trips along the river at night, but the star is the food. Particularly Cao Lau, a local dish that distills the city into a bowl: with noodles influenced by the Japanese and the Chinese, beautiful fresh Vietnamese herbs, and French croutons bequeathed a smoky flavor from cooking over fire.

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  Siem Reap

  While Siem Reap is the gateway to the temples of Angkor Wat, the city, with its absorbing art tours, luxury hotels, and eclectic dining is a delight. The after-dark food market is an ideal spot to get lost in local cuisine, but there are spas for post-temple relaxation and Phare: Cambodia’s largest contemporary circus. But the main event will remain the otherworldly beauty of the Angkor Archaeological Park. There, nature dresses temples in vast roots from ancient trees at Ta Prohm and Preah Khan, while The Bayon Temple in the heart of the ancient city of Angkor Thom looks like a mess of stone from afar but quickly morphs into hundreds of giant stone faces carved into imposing towers as you step closer.

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  Phnom Penh

  Cambodia’s resilient capital, Phnom Penh offers up a stunning blend of Parisian boulevards, Khmer temples, and bustling modernity — all of which was almost lost to the Khmer Rouge. But the city, rejuvenated after years of growth is awash with modern cafes, cocktail bars atop luxury hotels, and bustling markets. Visit the riverside promenade in Sisowath Quay for sunset strolls along the Mekong, taking in the views of Wat Ounalom and the glittering spires rising from the Royal Palace, as well as orange-robed student monks relaxing by the water.

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  Koh Rong

  The Koh Rong archipelago embodies South East Asian island life with lengths of seemingly untouched sandy beaches giving way to cerulean waters, lush jungles, and characterful villages. Beaches are various across the islands, some completely unspoiled (try Lazy Beach on Koh Rong Samloem), with languid white sands shaded by pines perfect for DIY beach days, snorkeling, and unobstructed views, while others, such as Long Set Beach, bustle with restaurants and places to stay. All the usual watersports are available, there’s a dive center on Sunset Beach, and it’s possible to see the magical display of bioluminescent plankton in the less occupied areas of Koh Rong.