- The International Kitchen
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Our Best Vietnam & Cambodia Cooking Vacations
Best 2025 Southeast Asia Food Tours: Hanoi, Hoi An, Saigon & Siem Reap Cooking Classes
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There’s a reason our culinary tours in Vietnam & Cambodia are so popular
Best Vietnam and Cambodia Cooking Vacations and Culinary Tours
Join your fellow food-obsessed travelers in a guided Southeast Asia culinary tour package and experience first-hand what makes this part of the world a food lover’s dream. This exotic area becomes infinitely accessible with the help of our expert local guides, who will lead you through the streets and markets, down the rivers, through the rice fields, and into the teeming cities.
Your cooking vacation in Vietnam and Cambodia will include first-class accommodations and hands-on cooking classes with local chefs who will teach you the secrets and techniques behind many of Vietnam and Cambodia’s iconic dishes. And as you learn Southeast Asian culinary traditions and explore its great variety of tastes, you and your fellow travelers will have the opportunity to also enjoy the sights, including the region’s tropical coasts and lush, mountainous interiors. Discover the region’s rich history, from ancient wonders like Angkor Wat to its modern-day metropolises, and learn why this is a culinary destination unlike any other.
FAQ on Vietnam & Cambodia Food Travel
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What is the main food grown by Cambodians and why is it so important for Cambodian culture?
Rice is the cornerstone of Cambodian agriculture and culture, with the phrase “niam bay” (eating rice) being synonymous with eating itself. The annual rice cycle shapes community life, festivals, and traditions. Cambodia’s fertile Mekong Delta allows for multiple rice harvests per year, and the cultivation techniques have been passed down through generations, making rice farming not just an agricultural practice but a cultural heritage that connects Cambodians to their ancestors.
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What is Cambodia's most popular food?
Fish amok, a curry steamed in banana leaves, is considered Cambodia’s national dish. This coconut-based curry showcases the country’s abundant freshwater fish and complex spice paste (kroeung). The dish perfectly represents Cambodian cuisine’s balance of flavors – creamy coconut milk, aromatic spices, and fresh herbs — while demonstrating traditional cooking techniques that have remained unchanged for generations.
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What are food taboos in Vietnam?
Vietnamese dining etiquettes include several important customs: never stick chopsticks vertically in rice (resembling incense sticks for the dead), avoid passing food with chopsticks directly to another person’s chopsticks, and always respect the elderly by allowing them to eat first. While not strictly taboo, waste is strongly discouraged, and it’s considered disrespectful to leave rice in your bowl, as each grain is viewed as precious.
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What is the signature dish of Vietnam?
Phở, Vietnam’s beloved noodle soup, is considered the country’s national dish, but the signature dish varies by region. In Hanoi, it might be bún chả (grilled pork with noodles), while Hoi An is famous for cao lầu (noodles with pork and local greens). The diversity of “signature” dishes reflects Vietnam’s regional cuisine, where each area has developed its specialties based on local ingredients and historical influences.
Recipes
From fragrant spring rolls to hearty clay pot eggplant, our collection of Vietnamese and Cambodian recipes brings the vibrant flavors of Southeast Asia into your kitchen!
