Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Civil Aviation recently reported that the country has seen an 18 per cent increase in travellers between January and April 2025. The country’s beauty belies its troubled history: low-lying plains and towering tropical rainforests give way to ancient Angkor temples and Khmer Rouge-era jails.

Start your journey in Siem Reap. This is a resort town in the Angkor province with more than 1,000 temples, including Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple and the lesser visited Banteay Srei. These enormous stone structures were built during the Khmer Empire (802-1431 CE) for the Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu. 

While here, Amansara Siem Reap is a perfect base to relax and reflect upon your daily excursions, while while Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang is quintessentially Cambodian, providing a tranquil escape in stilted Khmer-style villas set among lush rice paddies - both are just minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat.

Next, immerse yourself in the energy of Phnom Penh, where the streets are abuzz with activity. Lashings of kuy teav, num banh chok and fish amok are served everywhere from street carts to fine dining restaurants, showcasing the breadth of Cambodian dining. In the Art Deco Central Market, you’ll find stalls selling beautiful artisanal goods, while other key sights include the Royal Palace and the National Museum. Here you will also find S-21 and the Killing Fields, former labour camps and jails during the reign of Khmer Rouge’s Pol Pot. The sites stand as a memorial to the hundreds of thousands of people who were killed or locked up under their leadership in the 1970s. It's a sobering yet essential part of understanding Cambodia's story, and on that deepens the experience of everything that follows.

Outside of the cities, beaches such as Otres and Ou Chheuteal – as well as the aptly named Lazy Beach – are popular sites for sun-lounging, while island hopping offers the opportunity to admire this stunning nation without the crowds. 

For the ultimate barefoot luxury escape, Song Saa Private Island offers eco-conscious indulgence across two pristine isles in the Koh Rong Archipelago, with overwater villas, white sands, and uninterrupted serenity.

Next, Vietnam. Discover hillside tribal villages, vibrant metropolises and landmarks from the Vietnam War and communist era. To arrive in Vietnam in style, hop on the Aqua Mekong luxury cruise from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and disembark in Ho Chi Minh. This dynamic city was named after the previous leader of the Vietnamese Communist Party. Embark on a private tour to explore the full breadth of the city’s heritage and culture, or book one of the famed boat tours towards the must-visit Mekong Delta. 

This fertile region features a maze of rivers, swamps and islands, upon which you’ll find floating villages and markets. While in the region, we suggest staying at the Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, an idyllic resort located on a dramatic bay overlooking the East Vietnam Sea that can only be reached via boat.

In northern Vietnam, visit the capital city of Hanoi, which is still full of traces of its French, Chinese and Southeast Asian history. Grab some Trà đá’ (iced green tea) before exploring popular sights such as the Old Quarter, Train Street, Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo Prison. We then recommend heading to Sa Pa in northwestern Vietnam to admire the vast rice paddies before exploring Ha Long Bay and the island of Hoi An.