Just Back From: Southeast Asia
Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand
For this installment, I spoke with a guest who spent two weeks traveling in Southeast Asia this past February. For the first leg of the journey, she visited Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap, and Luang Prabang with her husband and daughter. For the second leg, they joined a larger group to visit Bangkok, Phnom Penh, and Hanoi. Because this trip was so chock-full, we’ve broken the interview down by city, with details on accommodation and activities accompanied by the interviewee’s comments.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Accommodation: two nights at the Park Hyatt Saigon, Park Room
Activities
Tour the Reunification Palace (aka Independence Palace)
Visit the beautiful Cao Dai Temple
Take a boat ride down the Mekong Delta, visiting local villages such as Vinh Long and Cai Be
Go on a food tour, sampling bahn mi, Vietnamese coffee, cha lua, and dumplings, among other traditional staples
Visit the History Museum to learn about Vietnamese culture dating back to antiquity & the War Remnants Museum for graphic but powerful exhibits on conflicts in the region
Thoughts
We had a great time in Ho Chi Minh City, but, while it was really interesting, it was not the most exciting of all the places we visited. One activity that stood out to me was the War Remnant Museum, as it was so different from American museums.
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Accommodation: two nights at the Amansara in a Courtyard Suite
Activities
Visit Angkor Wat, a Khmer temple and crown jewel of the region–as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site
Tour Angkor Thom, an impressive walled city with various temples, including Baphuon Temple and Bayon Temple
Take a food tour through Taste Siem Reap. An English-speaking guide takes participants via Tuktuk around the area to try traditional Khmer cuisine. Some must-stops include The Sugar Palm, Malis, and Miss Wong
Visit Banteay Srei, aka the Citadel of Women, and explore the countryside, taking in the views of villages and rice paddy fields
Attend a Phare performance, a Cambodian circus with dancing, acrobatics, and theatre
@amansara
Thoughts
We had a wonderful stay in Siem Reap. The hotel was beautiful, and our room even had a plunge pool. If I had to pick one must-do activity, it would be the Tuktuk food tour. The food was fantastic!
Luang Prabang, Laos
Accommodation: three nights at the Amantaka in a Khan Pool Suite
Activities
Tour Luang Prabang’s traditional architecture and temples with a guide like Francis Englemann, an author and UNESCO consultant
Visit the Royal Palace Museum to learn about the history of Laos
Watch artisans weaving (or take a class) at Ock Pop Tock, a local textile-making business that uses traditional weaving techniques
Drive out to the Kuang Si Waterfall for a swim or to explore nearby trails
Visit the elephant sanctuary Mandalao, learning about wildlife conservation efforts while getting to interact with the animals up close
Thoughts
Laos was the highlight of the trip for us. It was a magical place. The Amantaka is an old hospital repurposed as a hotel. It was very charming, with a big lawn, and centrally located in the middle of town. It had a campus, though, so it felt like a retreat from the bustle. We were in a Khan Pool Suite that was beautiful and simple, with a pool and private garden.
The most special moment was probably when our guide took us to the temple where her brother was a monk. Instead of having that experience with many other tourists on the main drag, it was very personal. One activity we missed out on (but I’ve heard great things about) is the string-tying ceremony. I want to do it next time.
Bangkok, Thailand
Accommodation: three nights at the Four Seasons
@fsbangkok
Activities
Tour the Grand Palace, the official royal home of the Kings of Siam
Visit the Chakrabongse villas, a set of royal residences on the Chao Phraya River with a view of the Temple of Dawn
Visit the Bangkok Museum of Contemporary Art and Prasart Museum
Explore the food, flower, and textile markets
Visit the Jim Thompson House, viewing the collector’s famous assemblage of Asian Art
Take a boat tour along the Chao Praya, stopping to see Buddhist temples like Wat Pho and Wat Arun
@mocabangkok
@jimthompsonhouse
Restaurants
Ojo, a Mexican restaurant, set seventy-six stories up. Perfect for a dinner or cocktail watching the sunset and the city come alive
Methavalai Sorndaeng, a Thai fine dining restaurant that has been open since 1957
Savoey Tha Maharaj, a seafood spot with gorgeous river views
Riva del Fiume, an Italian restaurant at the Four Seasons serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Thoughts
The Four Seasons in Bangkok is a huge, beautiful hotel. I typically prefer a smaller hotel, but it was very nice. Thailand could have been a whole separate trip. You could do the north, including Bangkok, and then the south with Phuket. I'd love to go back and do just all of Thailand.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Accommodation: three nights at Raffles Hotel
Activities
Visit the Phnom Penh National Museum for an immersion in Cambodian history and culture
Learn about the Khmer genocide at the Tuol Sleng Museum
Tour the Royal Palace, a beautiful residence that housed the royal family since the mid-1800s
Watch a performance by the Royal Ballet of Cambodia
Restaurants
Sombok, a beautiful fine-dining establishment serving traditional Cambodian cuisine
The iconic Elephant Bar located in Raffles Hotel
Topaz, a culinary staple serving French cuisine
Bar Menaka, a beautifully designed bar and speakeasy
Thoughts
I loved the Raffles Hotel. It was so cool, and the architecture was lovely. The history has affected everyone there, so we learned so much. A highlight was watching girls performing traditional dancing—it was super fun to see!
Hanoi, Vietnam
Accommodation: two nights at the Sofitel Metropole
Activities
Walk Ho Chi Min Quarter, visiting the Presidential Palace and the Temple of Literature
Take a Tai Chi class at Hoan Kiem Lake
Visit the Hoa Lo Museum
Explore the city via Vespa tour
@latablehanoia
Restaurants
KOTO, which serves a fusion of Vietnamese, Southeast Asian, and Western
La Hanoia Table, a fine dining restaurant with delicious cocktails
Spice Garden, a traditional Vietnamese restaurant located at the Sofitel Metropole
Le Beaulieu, a culinary institution that has served French cuisine at Sofitel Metropole for over a century
Thoughts
Hanoi is charming. We did a tour of the city and loved it, trying all the different kinds of food—which was really fun. One of the highlights of my stay was purchasing a beautiful sculpture from a local artist there. I will need to go back for sure!