What No One Tells You About Travelling Vietnam & Cambodia

Ok, so maybe you have heard this one. But for those of you who haven’t, roads in Southeast Asia are... different. Traffic in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City doesn’t stop. It flows. Constantly. Crossing the road can feel like stepping into a real-life game of Frogger as scooters, bikes and cars weave around you in a perfectly imperfect rhythm.

The secret? Walk slowly. Don’t run. Just commit. This is normal life here, and you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to get used to once you start stepping.

Agent Insight: “I stood at the crossing for a full five minutes ... then realised everyone else just walked. Once you do it, you feel unstoppable! If you’re nervous, buddy up. I can’t tell you how many locals helped me out on my first day.”

Pack light, thank yourself later. This is Southeast Asia. It’s warm. Sometimes very warm. And humid. But it’s all part of the experience.

Light clothing, comfy shoes and plenty of water are your best friends, especially when exploring vast temple complexes like Angkor Wat. But here’s the trade-off for travelling in the hotter shoulder seasons: fewer crowds at sunrise, golden light over ancient ruins, and that feeling of discovering something truly special.

Agent Insight: “Golden rays. Dragonflies hovering over misty water. Chattering monkeys. Watching the sun rise over Angkor Wat and feeling the tingle of first morning light on my skin made every drop of sweat completely worth it.”

In the best possible way, of course. You might think you know Vietnamese food... that is, until you try it there. Fresh, fragrant and bursting with flavour, dishes like pho and banh mi taste completely different when enjoyed on a tiny plastic stool on a busy street corner in Hanoi. And in Cambodia? Expect rich curries like fish amok, sizzling street snacks and flavours you’ll dream about long after you’re home.

From legendary beef noodles from Pho Le in Ho Chi Minh City and quirky Egg Coffee from Café Giang in Hanoi, to night market snacks in Phnom Penh, street food is a taste of local life.

Agent Insight: “We followed the busiest food stalls. If locals are queuing, you know it’s good. The best meal of my trip cost less than £2!”

Sunrise hits differently on the other side of the world; we can’t explain why; it just does. And believe it or not, when you holiday in Vietnam or Cambodia, you’ll be seeing the opal glow peak above the horizon more often than you think. Because there’s something about Southeast Asia that turns you into a morning person.

Maybe it’s the misty morning air. Maybe it’s the picture-perfect views. Maybe it’s the promise of magical moments like sunrise over Ha Long Bay, where mist drifts between towering limestone islands carved by dragons. Or maybe it’s just that you don’t want to miss a single second.

Agent Insight: “I’m not a morning person at home, but here? I was up before my alarm every day.”

Beyond the beaches and bucket-list sights, there’s a depth to both countries that often surprises travellers. In Phnom Penh, history is powerful and emotional. In Vietnam, stories of resilience and culture are woven into everyday life. There’s history here that many of us don’t know. The temples of Angkor in Siem Reap. The Cu Chi Tunnels of Ho Chi Minh. Tuol Sleng in Phnom Penh. Museums that should be on every traveller's list.

This isn’t just a “pretty” holiday you’ve seen in a glossy travel brochure or TikTok; it’s one that makes you truly feel something.

Agent Insight: “It’s one of the few trips where I came home feeling changed. I remember the stories from tour guides and can still feel the goosebumps. The experiences really stay with you."

Go with the flow is the unofficial mantra of touring holidays. And there’s nowhere better to practice than in Vietnam and Cambodia. Plans shift. Weather changes. You take a wrong turn and end up somewhere unexpected. And somehow, those are the moments you remember most.

A hidden cafe. A spontaneous market visit. A water puppet performance. A bike ride by some buffalo. A conversation with a local that turns into a homemade meal. These are the things that make you stop and think, “Wow… I didn’t see that coming. Best holiday ever!”

Agent Insight: “Our favourite day wasn’t planned at all. We just wandered the stunning streets of Hoi An and found the most incredible little places. From lantern making to karaoke by the river, it was a magical mismatch.”

As many of our travel experts have learned, this is the part no one really warns you about. So, buckle up.

You won’t just enjoy Vietnam and Cambodia. You’ll feel connected to them: the people, the places, the pace of life. And somewhere between your first temple sunrise and final bite of fiery flavour in a lantern-lit street, you’ll start thinking…

“When can I come back?

Lucky for you, the answer is anytime with Hays Travel. And the real secret? Whether you’re touring as a couple, solo cruising the Mekong, or gathering the whole family for a multi-generational group adventure, Vietnam and Cambodia invite you to travel differently. Meaning every time feels like a new kind of magic. 

Chat with Helen about her Southeast Asia trip!