Vietnam & Cambodia Real Food Adventure

Intrepid Travel · 19 days

4.5

2 Reviews

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Duration

19 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Chop, slice and chomp your way through the diverse flavours of South East Asia on this mouth-watering adventure into Vietnam and Cambodia.

Highlights

Embrace your adventurous side on a tour of Hue’s imperial monuments from the back of a motorbike (the local way of getting around). Then be treated to lunch, specially prepared for you by a chef who is the descendant of the royal family in the garden of their family home.
Don’t just taste your way around this foodie haven, don your chef hat and learn the recipes behind these incredible eats, too. Learn the secret spices directly from local chefs (often in their own homes) and be guided to the freshest ingredients in authentic local markets.
Explore the Mekong Delta – known as ‘Vietnam’s rice bowl’ for its abundance of rice paddies, fruit and flower orchards. Cruise on a traditional sampan, then meet fresh produce vendors along the way to your veranda-wrapped homestay for the evening.
Visit Ha Long Bay – a truly bucket list experience – and set sail on the emerald-green waters, gliding between limestone karsts and staying on a traditional junk boat for the evening.
Head to a small village for a traditional homemade breakfast of Khmer noodles, then spend the day roaming the Angkor complex – maybe the most important site in all of Cambodia and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Trip Details

Duration

19 days

Transportation

Overnight Sleeper Train,Plane,Private Vehicle,Taxi

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Hanoi , Cambodia

Finishes

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in the country’s capital – Hanoi. If you arrive early, maybe grab a delicious Vietnamese coffee (typically served with condensed milk or, for the more adventurous, egg)! Meet your group and leader for a welcome meeting at 5 pm, then head out for your first introduction to Vietnam’s lively culinary scene. Your leader will take you on a street food tour around the streets, as the sun goes down and the city comes alive at night. Maybe try bun cha (a grilled pork and noodle dish loved in Hanoi) or lau (Vietnamese hot pot). Thinking of arriving a few days early to explore the majestic Northern Vietnam? Then check out our Ninh Binh Mini Adventure (TVAN) -for an off-the-beaten path discovery of Pu Long and Ninh Binh. Or you can try our Hiking In Sapa (TVAG) - for a big doze of dramatic mountain landscapes, crisp fresh air and colorful hilltribes.

Included Activities:

Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure

Optional Activities:

Hanoi - Ninh Binh Mini Adventure (TVAN) (355 USD)
Hiking in Sapa (TVAG) (432 USD)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Halong Bay

This morning, hit the road for the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay. The harbour, with approximately 2000 limestone islands rising from the turquoise waters of Bac Bo Gulf, spans an area of about 1500 square km and is dotted with beaches and grottos. When you arrive, you’ll set sail on the emerald-green waters, gliding between limestone karsts to take in the incredible scenery from the best outlook of them all – the water! Then, you’ll explore Surprise Cave, one of the most striking caves in the bay. In the afternoon, you’ll return to your boat and enjoy a delicious feast prepared by an onboard chef. Tonight’s stay is something special as you’ll be sleeping on the traditional boat, letting the water lull you to sleep and really taking in the beauty of the surrounding bay.

Included Activities:

Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise

Optional Activities:

Halong Bay - Kayaking Tour (250000 VND)

Accommodation:

Boat (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Overnight train

If you’re an early riser, you might like to wake up for sunrise this morning, watching the bay come alive. Perhaps organise an optional kayak experience to see the limestone karsts from a new perspective. Tonight, you’ll head back to Hanoi and board an overnight train bound for Hue. Perhaps grab some snacks today for the train, then settle in and play some cards with your group or watch the scenery pass you by from the window.

Accommodation:

Overnight sleeper train (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Hue

Arrive in Hue this morning – Vietnam’s former royal capital - and enjoy a local breakfast of bun bo hue (a spiced beef noodle soup). The food here is influenced by its imperial heritage (small dishes and a focus on aesthetic presentation) and Buddhism, reflected in the many vegetarian restaurants. After leaving your luggage at your hotel, embark on a tour of the city’s imperial monuments from the back of a motorbike. Stop past Thien Mu Pagoda – an active Buddhist monastery since 1601, where you'll see a car that belonged to Thich Quang Duc, the worldly famous self-immolating monk of the 1963 protests. After some time exploring, it's time to eat! You’ll enjoy a plant-based Buddhist meal specially prepared by a chef and descendant of the royal family, in the garden of their family home. After, visit the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and enjoy some free time this evening. You may like to ask your leader for the best place to try imperial street specialties for dinner tonight like banh hue (rice flour cakes stuffed with shrimp, pork and spices).

Included Activities:

Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
Hue - Highlights & back streets tour by motorbike
Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Hoi An

This morning you’ll go to a local coffee house where three generations of Hue locals are living together. Admire the traditional house and gardens before meeting your host, Mr Khoa. Learn about his passion for coffee with a demonstration of how to make Hue’s traditional salt coffee, from the bean roasting process to the secret ingredients. Maybe even have a go at making it yourself! After, visit the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City before heading south by bus through coastal rice paddies and the mountainous Hai Van Pass to Hoi An. This beautifully restored city retains the feel of centuries past and tonight, you’ll head to the Old Centre – a UNESCO World Heritage site full of colourful streets, heritage buildings and specialty shops. Try Cao Lau (a local noodle dish) with your group tonight, then head out among the lanterns for a nighttime orientation walk with your leader.

Included Activities:

Hoi An - Cao Lau dinner + lantern orientation walk in Hoi An
Hue - Salt coffee
Hue - Imperial City entrance and guided visit

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Hoi An

Today, you’ll really get to know Hoi An – first, your leader will take you on a walk around the Ancient Town. Then, you’ll discover Reaching Out Tea House – a non-government organisation that supports the local deaf and mute community by providing employment and vocational training. While here, you’ll sip delicious teas in total silence – a tranquil experience you won’t soon forget. After a little time to relax, you’ll get ready for a cooking class with a local chef this afternoon. You’ll be escorted to a local market to shop for fresh ingredients, then you’ll go through a culinary journey with hands-on demonstrations. Your local chef will even share the stories behind the yin and yang elements, unveiling the secret of home-cooked Vietnamese meals.

Included Activities:

Hoi An - Tea Tasting in Silence
Hoi An - Cooking class with local chef
Hoi An - Market tour

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Overnight train Danang to Nha Trang

Enjoy a free day in Hoi An to explore at your own pace. Maybe relax at the hotel pool or go for a bike ride in the nearby rice fields. You can stroll around Hoi An’s Old Centre for some last minute shopping – you'll have your hotel room for the whole day, before driving to Danang along the coast. Maybe visit the beach for a while before boarding an overnight train bound for Nha Trang.

Accommodation:

Overnight train (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Nha Trang

Arrive in Nha Trang this morning at around 10 am, then have some breakfast. After checking into your hotel, maybe stroll around the city, visit the Po Nagar Cham Towers or head to the Tran Phu Bridge for scenic views of the city and coastline. This afternoon, you’ll meet back up with your group for a seafood dinner – a local speciality in Nha Trang.

Included Activities:

Nha Trang - Seafood dinner

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City

Leave Nha Trang this morning and drive on to Ho Chi Minh City, once known as Saigon. Stop for lunch along the way, then when you arrive, take a walking tour to get a feel for the city's fascinating blend of old and new, East and West. You’ll notice a strong French influence here, which means excellent coffee and baguettes! Stop past the General Post Office, then take a guided walk around one of Vietnam’s most pulsing markets – Ben Thanh. This is the perfect place to pick up any last-minute snacks, cooking utensils, ingredients or presents for friends and family. Try the world famous crispy pork belly Bahn mi, then visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the city’s sobering past.

Included Activities:

Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
Ho Chi Minh City - City tour
Ho Chi Minh City - Banh mi
Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Thanh market visit

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 10: Mekong Delta

After breakfast this morning, kiss Ho Chi Minh City goodbye and make your way to the Mekong Delta. The delta is known as ‘Vietnam’s rice bowl’ for its abundance of rice paddies, fruit and flower orchards. When you arrive, you’ll hit the water and cruise up this mighty river, stopping at tropical fruit gardens and local cottage industries to sample honey, coconut candy and fruit, right at the source. Enjoy being paddled slowly along the quieter backwaters in a sampan – one of the most common forms of transport in these parts. Continue to your homestay for this evening. Meet your hosts and take some time to wander the garden, relax or lend a hand with dinner preparations. Enjoy a southern Vietnamese feast on the wide veranda overlooking the garden as the sun goes down.

Included Activities:

Mekong Delta - Boat cruise with visits to local producers

Accommodation:

Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy the freshest fruit of the Mekong Delta for breakfast, then head to Cai Be for a hands-on cooking class with a local chef. Enjoy the tranquil setting and the spice garden as you learn some contemporary twists on traditional Vietnamese dishes with your passionate chef. Sit down and enjoy the delicious feast you've prepared over lunch and then enjoy a free afternoon to continue your explorations. Tonight, you might like to get together with your group and toast to a great trip over a farewell dinner.

Included Activities:

Ho Chi Minh City - Cooking Class with local chef

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 12: Phnom Penh

Wave goodbye to Vietnam today as you catch an unescorted flight to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's lively capital city, where you'll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive early, why not go for a stroll and discover the city’s French architecture or check out the National Museum and its fascinating collection of Khmer craftsmanship. This evening, there will be a second group meeting to meet your new group and local leader. After that, you’ll kick off the Cambodian part of your food adventure with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. The Cambodian cooking pot combines an eclectic mix of local and international influences and has a flavour all of its own. Later, maybe go for a drink or stroll along the famous Sisowath Quay.

Included Activities:

Phnom Penh - Welcome Dinner

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 13: Kampot

Before you leave Phnom Penh this morning, confront Cambodia's tragic past on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, in a former high school that served as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) for the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979. See the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, which represent the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. After, you’ll drive south by private vehicle, towards Kampot – one of Cambodia's most attractive old towns. Famous for its pepper, Kampot supplied most French restaurants for many years during colonial rule. Today, the region is also renowned for its durian (a spiky, pungent fruit that you’ll either love or hate). Tonight, maybe ask your leader about the sunset river cruises here and watch the gorgeous nightly display of colour, looking out for the resident fireflies.

Included Activities:

Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)
Phnom Penh - The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 14: Kampot

This morning you’ll have breakfast at Epic Café – a social enterprise that provides employment for local people living with disabilities. After, visit the salt fields that stretch across much of Kampot’s coastline. After learning a bit about the salt production here, head to Phnom Chhngok – a Hindu cave temple built in the 7th century, dedicated to Shiva. Then it’s onto the Kampot Pepper Project. Grown in Cambodia for centuries, Kampot pepper is considered the world’s finest. Today, pepper is also seen as an important symbol of Cambodian regeneration. You’ll taste some pepper ice cream here before heading to Kep Beach for lunch – the nearby Kep markets serve fresh crab cooked to perfection – and eat on the pier overlooking the ocean. After lunch, walk along the coastline and explore the old oceanfront buildings. Kep was once Cambodia's most popular and prestigious beach town, but the Khmer Rouge destroyed many of Kep's mansions and villas. The ghostly remains now stand as a silent reminder.

Included Activities:

Kampot - Phnom Chhnork
Kampot - Food tour and lunch
Kampot - Pepper plantation & salt field visit

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 15: Phnom Penh

If you’re a morning person, you might like to rise early and see the fishing boats arrive at the port with their daily catch. Then, maybe find a good spot for breakfast and enjoy a leisurely morning. After, you’ll return to Phnom Penh. When you arrive, meet with a passionate chef for a guided tour of the markets, learning about the building blocks of Khmer cuisine. Enjoy a hands-on cooking class and master Khmer staples such as Chicken Curry, Fish Amok (Cambodia's signature dish, a mildly spicy fish curry, typically made with freshwater fish like catfish, and cooked with a rich coconut milk-based sauce) or bok svay (pounded green mango salad, usually served with dried fish or prawns). Feast on your creations over dinner.

Included Activities:

Phnom Penh - Khmer Cooking Class and Market Tour

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 16: Battambang

Travel by private bus to Battambang (pronounced battambong)– Cambodia's second-largest city. Battambang is a riverside town of French influence, famous for its many statues of animals and divinities that decorate the streets and buildings. It also lacks the traffic of Phnom Penh and the visitor numbers of Siem Reap, so it’s a great place to get a real slice of Cambodia. Your leader can recommend activities for your free afternoon. Perhaps join a local Battambang foodie for a home-cooked meal, tasting local dishes such as amok, Khmer curry and fried spicy chicken with homemade rice noodles.

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 17: Siem Reap

Take a bicycle ride into the countryside. The ride is easy and takes mostly shady roads through local villages. Along the way, stop to experience rice paper making, fruit drying and preparation, production of the famous prahok (fish paste) and rice wine making at local homes. Finish up at the best Kralan (sticky rice in bamboo) stall in the district. After, you’ll head to Siem Reap via private vehicle. When you arrive, head out for a street food tour with your local leader, tasting grilled fish or spicy fried chicken. Enjoy the atmosphere along the riverbank as the sun goes down, then head to a cocktail class and tasting. As you taste local liqueurs and snacks made with Cambodian herbs, mango and ginger, you’ll also learn how to make three popular cocktails. Later, maybe ask your leader for the spots to keep the party going.

Included Activities:

Battambang - Rural food by bike tour
Siem Reap - Street food tour
Siem Reap - Cocktail class

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 18: Siem Reap / Angkor Wat

Head to the village of Preah Dak for a traditional breakfast of homemade num banh chok (a popular Khmer noodle dish). This village is famous for its lifestyle, language, spirituality, culture and of course, its food! You’ll see how the local families make the noodles just as their ancestors made them, then you’ll try some seasonal fruits. After, it's time to explore more of the Angkor complex, built between the 9th and 13th centuries when the Khmer Empire was the pre-eminent influence in South East Asia. See the Bayon temple and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm. Tonight, head out for a final dinner at a plant-based restaurant celebrating contemporary flavours. Using fresh produce from their own gardens, you’ll tuck into dishes like grilled eggplant, creamy pumpkin soup, vegetable curry and homemade lime pie.

Included Activities:

Siem Reap - One day Angkor Pass
Siem Reap - Village breakfast
Siem Reap - Sunrise at Angkor Wat

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 19: Siem Reap

Your adventure comes to an end this morning. There are no activities planned for today and you’re free to leave at any time. If you’re keen to continue your exploration of the Angkor complex, please speak with your leader about extending the length of your access pass.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $5,570

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 19 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Chop, slice and chomp your way through the diverse flavours of South East Asia on this mouth-watering adventure into Vietnam and Cambodia.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 30 Nov 2025

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

April

Traveled, March 2023

03/23/2023

A wonderful experience and fantastic food. A wonderful in insight into two countries.

4.5

Linda

Traveled, March 2023

04/17/2023

The Vietnam food tour was fabulous and I came away knowing what Vietnamese people eat. We ate a local places on the streets and where the Vietnamese people go to eat. Unfortunately I was not impressed with the Cambodia food tour as I have returned home knowing only a couple of dishes Cambodians eat. We often went to large restaurants that catered to groups of tourists with western menus rather than seeking out the local eateries.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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