Vietnam & Cambodia with Andrew Zimmerman

Day 1

Welcome to Vietnam! We start early in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), meeting up with Andrew and our fellow adventurers to hit the morning markets, when locals hawk the freshest fruit and vegetables. Ho Chi Minh City’s streets are always a wonder to watch, as the cavalcade of motorbikes whir past. We’ll take it in while stopping at sidewalk vendors to sample the world’s best street food. Then we’ll visit some of the city’s French Colonial architectural icons, and the spot where the Vietnam War—locally, the ‘American War’—ended at Reunification Palace.

The city is at its best after the sun sets, so brace yourself for a seriously energized and unforgettable evening. We’ll head out on the backs of scooters and zoom through narrow alleys, stopping to dine with locals on sidewalks as we sip cold beer and down platters of fresh crab, snails and other street food specialities. 

Day 2

After an adventurous urban day, we dive into rural Vietnam. Southwest of Ho Chi Minh City are the spidery tributaries of the mighty Mekong, where the bulk of the country’s produce and rice comes from. We start in Ben Tre, witness how coconut shells are turned into charcoal, then cross the river for a row-boat ride up tight canals—palms pressing over the waters—and a visit at a local home to experience life in the Mekong. Lunch is an unforgettable experience, catching fish and shrimp by hand, then learning to cook them with a local chef! 

After our time in the countryside, it’s back to the city for a night venturing into chic back alley restaurants, and rooftop bars for cocktails as the city that won’t stop blinks its lights back to us.

Day 3

Next stop, Cambodia! After breakfast, we pack and take a quick flight to Phnom Penh and check into the iconic Raffles Le Royal. Then it’s a deep dive into traditional Cambodian life, starting with a dance. We’ll join a workshop, where we learn a few classical and folk dance moves and work up our appetites for an epic welcome dinner on the banks of the Mekong River. Chef Nak, one of Cambodia’s leading chefs, is at the forefront of keeping traditional practices and recipes alive. Andrew will collaborate with Chef Nak in a cooking demonstration featuring local and regional delicacies. We’ll sip on cocktails while enjoying our beautiful surroundings—it’s the perfect kick-off for our Cambodia journey.

Day 4

Today, we’ll explore the roots of the Cambodian capital, beginning with a leafy, leisurely stroll after breakfast. We’ll see grand French colonial buildings, then climb the steps of a 14th-century pagoda, Wat Phnom, atop the city’s lone hill. Afterwards we visit the Royal Palace, the unofficial residence of the king, and pop into the ornate Throne Hall topped by a 59-foot tower. Next door is the Silver Pagoda boasting a floor filled with five tons of gleaming silver.

Our royal theme continues back at our hotel, where we meet Princess Sita Norodom, who’ll chat about its long royal connection and the community projects she’s engaged in. The Phnom Penh’s evening is yours to explore. And you’ll see its spire-topped temples and monuments truly shine at night! Have a dusk walk along the Mekong River promenade, or take a tuk-tuk taxi to bar hop in the atmospheric alleys off Street 51.

Day 5

Today we head to Siem Reap on a cross-country roadtrip with some unforgettable stops. Have cameras ready for Skuon, where we walk through a village market of fruits, crispy rice-flour snacks and, its claim to fame, fried spiders! Villagers farm a diminutive form of tarantula here, then fry them with garlic into a regional delicacy you can try—if you dare!

After a stop for a local lunch, we continue on a walk across the historic Kampong Kdei, a 900-year-old bridge that, incredibly, was used as a highway crossing for traffic until 2006. It’s a true stand-out of Khmer architecture, built of corbel arches with nine-headed Naga spirits watching from both sides. After a rest in our luxury resort in Siem Reap, we move into tuk-tuk taxis for a wild night of street food and cold beer, led by a local expert. Welcome to the Khmer heartland!

Day 6

We begin the trip’s most epic day with a morning mist hanging in the air. Before 5am, we’re up to witness the ancient sunrise tradition of alms-givings, then receive a blessing from chanting monks. Afterwards it’s full-on adventure. We start amidst the jungle ruins of Ta Prohm, aka the “Tomb Raider” temple, where thick, twisting spung tree roots snake down crumbling walls as monkeys rise to the day in the trees above us. Then we venture over the moats to traipse through Angkor Thom, the ancient walled capital of the Khmer empire, and finish by inspecting the smiling faces of the bas-reliefs adorning the expansive temple of Bayon. We then stop for lunch at celebrity chef Luu Meng’s Malis. His food is unforgettable, a modern renaissance of traditional Cambodian cooking.

Back at the hotel, we have a bit of time to ponder what we’ve seen, learned and felt. Relax, swim, visit the spa, or shop, before spending the evening on your own exploring Siem Reap’s top-flight food scene.

Day 7

Today starts big. We meet one of the Kimsan twins—local culinary legends of Embassy Restaurant—for a tour of the Old Market to learn about quintessential Cambodian ingredients. We’ll then use our new knowledge in a hands-on cooking course of traditional Khmer dishes—skills you can use back home!

After a break to stock up on last-minute souvenirs, we regroup for the big one: sunset at the namesake Angkor Wat temple. The first look at this vast complex is the world’s largest religious monument. We’ll have time to truly soak up the atmosphere, then get the best view from a hilltop perch as the dipping sun turns everything a soft golden hue. No ruin you ever see again will quite compare.

Back in Siem Reap, we’ll meet for a grand farewell dinner, where we take our time as we savor the best of Cambodian cooking and toast our journey: the people we’ve met, the food we’ve tried, and the bonds made with Andrew and each other!

Day 8

Alas, our time in southeast Asia is over. We’ll have a last breakfast, pack up our things and head to the airport. Till next time!