SOUTHEAST ASIA
Southeast Asia is a longtail gliding through the Chao Phraya at dawn, charcoal and lemongrass drifting out of a Hanoi alley at dinnertime, monks chanting through the open windows of a Luang Prabang guesthouse at 5:30 am. It's Angkor at first light, when the towers are in silhouette and the heat hasn't arrived. It's a bowl of pho slurped on a plastic stool, a motorbike threading through Saigon at rush hour, the noodle stalls of Hoi An. Or a hike into Ha Giang where the trail bends into the clouds, the hill villages of northern Thailand where the road runs out, the quiet karst cathedrals of Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long. For active travelers, the borders of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos sit close enough together that one trip can beautifully stitch multiple countries into a seamless adventure.
A Taste of What's Possible
Helicopter to remote Angkor temples in the Siem Reap countryside
Visit a potter’s generations-old kiln in Bát Tràng
Hike to a hilltribe village near Chiang Rai for a jungle lunch
Where You'll Stay
We spend a lot of time obsessing over the perfect accommodations. Our favorites tend to be smaller, boutique properties with a unique sense of style and fantastic service.
Here are just a few of our favorites...
Three of Our Favorite Spots
BANGKOK
01
Thailand's full-volume capital. Bangkok runs on the river, with longtails knifing up the Chao Phraya, ferries crossing between temples, monks taking morning alms along the waterfront. The Grand Palace and Wat Pho hold the old kingdom; Sukhumvit and Thonglor hold the next. The street food remains legendary, while the city's fine-dining continues to innovate. Eat constantly, sleep if you must.
HANOI
02
Vietnam's northern soul, a layered city that wears its thousand years without apology. The Old Quarter's 36 streets, each named for a trade, silver, silk and votive paper among them. Hoan Kiem Lake sits at the center, a calm oasis where locals practice tai chi before the traffic wakes. The French left a boulevard-wide legacy in the faded mustard facades of the colonial quarter, cafés still spilling out beneath tree-lined streets. Eat pho in a plastic chair at 6 am, bun cha over charcoal at noon, banh mi from a woman on a bicycle whenever the opportunity presents itself.
LUANG PRABANG
03
An elegant town that moves at its own unhurried pace, wedged at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, part French colonial, part centuries-old Lao Buddhist. Mornings start before sunrise with tak bat: hundreds of saffron-robed monks walking single file through the streets, collecting sticky rice from kneeling locals. Wat Xieng Thong glints in gold leaf and inlaid mirror at the river's tip. Slow-boat to the enchanting Pak Ou caves and their thousands of Buddhas, and swim the turquoise tiers of nearby Kuang Si Falls.
"“Our trip was wonderful! You did a great job planning it. We are glad we went to Sapa, a very different experience from the cities. The ecolodge was wonderful. I was very happy with our Angkor photographer. Having both a guide and a photographer guide seemed like overkill, but it turned out great. The food was amazing! One of the highlights was the restaurant in Cambodia that you suggested. It lived up to its reputation. The chef came out and talked to all the diners. Overall, the trip was excellent. This is one of our top vacations, right up there with Japan. It was well planned, and the pacing suited us. We had enough time on our own and the guides and activities worked out well. We are so pleased with our adventures. Thank you again.”
Glade and Tina // California
Sample Itinerary
From the Red River to the Andaman Sea:
Luxury & Local Life in Southeast Asia
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi and private transfer to your accommodations in the heart of Hanoi’s French Quarter. Settle in with your first taste of authentic pho noodle soup and ca phe sua da, Vietnamese ice coffee.
Day 2: Explore the Old Quarter’s zigzagging streets and alleyways with a local insider to experience authentic, behind-the-scenes Hanoi. Enjoy lunch in a hidden village where you’ll find mouthwatering food stalls run by local families. Spend the afternoon with a renowned Hanoian artist who will show you around the city’s dynamic contemporary art scene.
Day 3: Head out on a day trip to Ky Son Village in the countryside outside of the bustling city. Enjoy a private cooking class before a cycle ride through local farming communities. End your day with a relaxing traditional lime and herbal hand massage and warm foot bath.
Day 4: Travel west from Hanoi into the stunning countryside of Mai Chau, home to the White Thai ethnic community and some of northern Vietnam’s most picturesque landscapes. Along the way, enjoy an active day of cycling and kayaking through Hoa Binh Province, passing peaceful villages, lush forests, and the scenic Hoa Binh Reservoir before continuing on to your luxurious retreat in Mai Chau.
Day 5: Discover the natural beauty and cultural traditions of Mai Chau Valley on a half-day excursion through the region’s charming Thai villages. Cycle along quiet countryside paths lined with rice paddies and traditional stilt homes before enjoying a local lunch and a private cultural performance featuring traditional music and dance.
Day 6: Today you will return to Hanoi for your flight to Danang in Central Vietnam. On arrival you will be transferred to your accommodations in charming Hoi An.
Day 7: Rise early for a visit to Hoi An’s bustling fish and central markets, where fishermen, vendors, and locals begin their day. Later, venture into the peaceful countryside of Gò Nổi for a leisurely cycling excursion through rice paddies and village lanes, with opportunities to meet local families, discover traditional crafts, and enjoy a home-hosted cooking experience and lunch. In the evening, enjoy a peaceful private boat ride along the Hoai River at sunset.
Day 8: Today you will fly south for your last stop in Vietnam, Saigon. As the sun sets, hop on the back of motorbikes and enjoy an evening adventure soaking up the city’s organized chaos and metropolitan buzz as you sample street food and enjoy a rooftop nightcap.
Day 9: Start your day in Cholon, Saigon’s Chinatown, where you can roam the old spice district as well as the colorful and sensory Binh Tay Market. After a pho lunch at a traditional establishment, continue to GIac Lam Pagoda, one of the city’s oldest Buddhist temples, before exploring Saigon’s historical district on foot with your guide.
Day 10: Your adventure continues as you fly to your next destination: Siem Reap, Cambodia. Settle into your serene accommodations tucked away outside the city center and prepare for an early morning start tomorrow.
Day 11: Enjoy a full day in an open-air tuk tuk exploring the expansive and awe-inducing Angkor temple complex with your private guide. You’ll visit some of the area's most impressive temples, including Bayon, Ta Prohm, Ta Nei, Sra Srang and more. Following lunch at a local restaurant, in the quiet of the early afternoon when many tourists have retreated back to the city, you'll explore the most famous temple of all, Angkor Wat.
Day 12: Today you will fly to Bangkok for a night in Thailand’s buzzing capital. In the evening head out on a lively street food tour by tuk-tuk through the city’s bustling markets and hidden alleyways while sampling a variety of local favorites, from spicy noodle soups to grilled specialties and traditional desserts.
Day 13: To round out your action-packed trip, fly south to the idyllic island of Phuket. Settle into your luxurious beachside resort.
Days 14-15: Enjoy two full days to relax and recharge in the serenity and beauty Phuket’s white-sand beaches and warm turquoise waters.
Day 16: Private transfer back to the Phuket airport to begin your journey home
