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This curated art-historical journey through Vietnam and Cambodia is designed for intellectually curious travelers seeking depth, continuity, and meaning across Asia. Building on the shared experiences of past travels with Kiki and Mahesh in India, the expedition reveals the artistic, anthropological, and historical threads that connect South and Southeast Asia—patterns of ritual, architecture, narrative art, and performance shaped by centuries of migration, exchange, and empire.
In Vietnam, we explore these continuities firsthand: in the northern highlands where ethnic minority cultures echo the tribal worlds of Northeast India, and in central Vietnam, where classical Vietnamese traditions reflect both Chinese intellectual influence and profound Indian artistic lineages. The Cham civilization opens a particularly vivid chapter, with temples, sculpture, and narrative forms that recall Mahabalipuram, Pallava aesthetics, Ellora, and Ajanta—recognizable touchstones for seasoned travelers of the subcontinent.
The journey culminates in Cambodia, where Angkor and the legacy of the Indianized kingdom of Funan reveal one of Asia’s great cultural syntheses—Indian cosmology transformed through Khmer genius into monumental architecture, sculpture, and performance. Along the way, travelers also encounter the grandeur of French Indochina, experiencing colonial urbanism and visual culture at scale in Danang, Hoi An, and Siem Reap—an evocative counterpoint to earlier encounters with French India and a fitting conclusion to a richly layered expedition.
VIEW FULL ITINERARY HERE
Kiki Keating treats travel as an art form. Each journey is composed with precision, intuition, and a taste for the unexpected. She has a passion for taking small groups on life-changing adventures and works tirelessly to ensure that every detail of each trip is meticulously planned and executed.
Kiki curates intimate, life-shifting journeys with a sharp eye for detail and a refusal to follow the expected. Each itinerary is a collaboration with world-class guides and insiders, blending culture, music, art, and exceptional food with access that feels both rare and effortless.
Her journey as a travel leader began in 2000 while she was leading international trips for the dean in her role as Communications Director at the business school at Dartmouth. Over the last decade, KikiNetwork Travel has been dedicated to transformative travel. While her trips touch iconic landmarks, the real focus lies deeper: meaningful encounters, cultural fluency, and connections that linger long after the journey ends.
Cultural Historian & Lead Expedition Guide
Mahesh Sriram is a Fortune 100 executive educator, global leadership consultant, and founder of I|India and BTS Curations Pvt. Ltd. He designs VR- and AI-enabled experiential learning programs across emerging markets, helping leaders and MBA students build cross-cultural and innovation capabilities. An HBR contributor, Tuck Executive Education alumnus, and lifelong traveller, he brings real-world global insight into leadership development.
He began his career at the intersection of travel and education, practicing economically inclusive and ecologically sustainable tourism. He has since consulted, designed, and delivered experiential learning programs and immersive travel journeys for UNDP, central and state governments, museums, cultural institutions, non-profits, and the travel industry.
The visionary behind wanderlust and global connections is my guest on Speaking of Travel!
Watch Kiki’s presentation with The Covey Club: How to Travel Alone as a Woman Today: Tips to Keep You Safe & Happy
However, if you have a bit more travel time, central and southern Vietnam are parts of Vietnam that cannot not be overlooked. Well, most parts of them anyway.
Hue, the capital of the Nguyen emperors, really is the middle of Vietnam. It is a city most people only pass for a day while on their way to Danang or Hoi An. But it is worth it to linger for a few days in this small, cozy city. The main reason is the Citadel. A walled city within the city, showcasing how the emperors of old days lived. It’s impressive and pretty big, you can easily get lost there for half a day. If you can stand the burning sun, going during mid-day will give you the most alone time with the temples. The ancient city is not the only thing that has been abandoned.
A half an hour motorbike ride takes you to an empty amusement park. Water slides and swimming pools that haven't heard a child’s laughter for ages, now overgrown with trees and bushes. It’s also possible to do a tour to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), an area that played a big part in the Vietnam war (or American war, as the Viets call it). Next to sightseeing, Hue offers lots of nice little cafe’s, eateries and rooftop bars for some lounging around. A great little budget hotel is Glenda guesthouse, friendly people, great location and a nice breakfast included!
An absolute must in Vietnam is taking a tour on the back of a motorcycle with an easy rider. These drivers take you from one place to another, while you enjoy the road and the scenery (perfect if navigating yourself through the Vietnam traffic chaos really isn’t your thing). There are lots of options to do these tours, but the route from Hue to Hoi An is a famous one. The reason? The Hai Van Pass (a.k.a top gear mountain since Jeremy Clarkson cruised this road for his tv show). Winding roads up and down the mountain, combined with stunning vista’s of the sea and the mountains. There is no camera that has the ability to capture these pretty pictures. Go see for yourself!
On the way to Hoi An you’ll pass Danang. If you are looking for anonymous 5 star resorts, lots of Russian tourists and a beach, this is the place to be. Otherwise, skip this boring city and spend your time in Hoi An. And time is what you need in this cute little town. Yes, there are tons of tourists here, but that doesn’t dull the little lights coming from the lampions that hover above the narrow streets. There is lot’s to look at in Hoi An and even more to buy. Get your tailor made clothes for a dime (i recommend Maya) and pretty leather bags for even less.
Have dinner at the waterfront and sip on a brightly colored smoothie while you watch all the people passing by. Most hotels won’t be in the ancient city centre so opt for one that includes (free) bicycles. It’s the perfect way to explore ánd to head to An Bang beach for some time in the sand and water. Lots of beach bars offer free loungers if you take lunch with them, a fair deal! The Hoi An Rose Garden Hotel is in between the city and the beach and offers a nice swimming pool to cool down after a day of strolling/biking around. A word of advise: don’t go with one of those snorkling trips to the Cham Islands. The underwater scenery is meh and much worse: you’ll be surrounded by tourists in life jackets who are stepping on (and thus damaging) the corals. The trip you should take is to My Son. These ruins will take your breath away.
Further down the coast lies Nha Trang. The beaches are nice, but that is about it. This town has been attacked by many tourists. If beach is what you want, just stick around Hoi An a little longer. If adventure is what you seek, head to Dalat. This is one unique city, as it lies up in the mountains and carries a much cooler climate. There are waterfalls, there is wine and a lot of adventure sports. The true adrenaline junkies have to sign up for canyoning. Abseiling from waterfalls, sliding through rock pools and jumping of a 11 meter cliff (if you dare). After a day like this, you’ll be pumped for the rest of your travels.
In need of some chill time now? On the southern coast between Dalat and Ho Chi Minh City, quiet Mui Ne will give you just that. It has a beach which is okay and some nice restaurants. Hire a beach lounger at coco beach resort and you’ll find relaxing here is pretty easy (they have some very nice massages there too). If you are an avid wind or kite surfer, Mui Ne offers it all. But be aware, the prices for lessons and gear hire are extremely high.
There are many places to spend the night in Mui Ne, but the Xin chao hotel offers the best bang for your buck. Spacious rooms, a pool table ánd a refreshing swimming pool. Near Mui Ne are the white sand dunes. All little piece of desert in Vietnam. Pretty cool to run up and down those sand mountains. Lots of excursions to these dunes are organised in Mui Ne. However, most of them are package deals, also tacking you to other (tourist trap) sights. Oh and they mostly forget to mention that you have to pay an extra fee when you want to go up the dunes. So be extra aware on what you book and if it is what you are looking for.
You either love it or hate it, the second big city of Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a smoggy and crowded metropole, with lots of bars, shoppingmalls and street food. Try to find a local or a tour that takes you out of the centre to experience true Vietnam city life. A city full of skyscrapers asks for a drink in a rooftop bar. The best one: the View rooftop bar. It is not the highest one, but you’ll find a great informal vibe and an amazing cocktail list.
Ho Chi Minh City also is the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Multiple or one-day tours are on offer throughout the city (or just take a bus and organize everything by yourself). If you take a one-day tour its worth it to spend a bit more money. That will get you smaller groups and more time to experience life in the river delta. Little boats will guide you on small canals through fields. Learn how to make coconut candy and down a fermented-snake-shot. It all is a bit touristy, but still a lot of fun.
Surely, before the tourist boom hit Vietnam, the Southern island of Phu Quoc was a real beauty. But the white sandy beaches now are full of rubbish and troubled by fumes from all the boats. But there are still a few nice places left to end your Vietnam trip in pure relaxation. Ong Lang Beach is quite far from the nearest town and therefore very peaceful. The beach here is a bit rough, but clean. Phu Quoc Dragon Resort & Spa will give you all you need for ultimate relaxation (at very reasonable rates). While you’re in the area, grab a chicken sandwich at Sakura restaurant.
Central and Southern Vietnam has some flaws, but most definitely its beauty. There is only one way to find out if you love it or not: go see for yourself.
Where is Cambodia? If you’re most people, you probably have no idea. That’s okay. We’re going to talk about it. Why should you want to visit Cambodia? We’ll talk about that too.
I was first alerted to the existence of Cambodia on the last day of my sophomore year of college. My Spanish professor, Heidi — who helped grow my love for Spain and international travel — was telling us how much she’d enjoyed teaching us that semester, and the conversation turned to the importance of traveling. She became emotional as she shared some of her most memorable experiences, including her visit to Pol Pot’s Killing Fields in Cambodia.
And in that moment, I could not have told you where Cambodia was. But when I got back to my apartment that afternoon, you already know what Wikipedia page I ended up on.
Nearly five years later, I found myself in a coffee shop in my hometown of Kansas City. As I was planning my upcoming trip to Thailand, I noticed neighboring Cambodia while looking at a map. After some Googling, in which I came across some stunning images of Angkor Archaeological Park, I performed some mental gymnastics to figure out whether I could squeeze in this side trip to visit Cambodia. In the end, I decided that since I was going alone, I could do whatever I want. (That’s always true.) So, despite not knowing a lot about Cambodia, I booked a flight from Bangkok and a hostel in Siem Reap.
This ended up being a good decision, and it’s something I will continuously recommend to people planning trips to Thailand and Vietnam. So, here are five reasons why you should visit Cambodia on your trip to Southeast Asia.
If you’re planning to visit Cambodia, this one is probably obvious, but with good reason: Angkor Wat Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the “New 7 Wonders of the World.” You could spend days riding through the park on a tuk-tuk, maybe with a certified guide or maybe with a few strangers you met in your hostel that morning. Stopping at each of the temple ruins, you could get lost wandering through the expansive maze of hallways and climbing up narrow ladders to rooftop terraces.
Angkor Wat is the one of the most famous temples in the park. And every morning when it’s still dark, tourists flock to watch the sun rise from behind it. You might think it won’t be very busy and you’re beating the crowd by arriving at 5 a.m., but instead you’ll wonder if you’ve ever seen so many people in one place at one time. Good luck getting a picture unobstructed by the crowd in front of you.
(Suggestion — bring a selfie stick to raise your phone above everyone else and get that perfect pic. The people behind you will hate you, but every person there kind of hates everyone else for existing in the same place at the same time.)
Yes, when you’re in the market areas, you won’t be able to take two steps without someone aggressively soliciting you: “Tuk-tuk, lady?” or “You want to buy something, lady?” or “Three dollars, lady?” Be understanding of the fact that this is how they make a living. But the truth is that Cambodians are really, really nice people. A lot of them have suffered a difficult national history, and they’re excited to connect with and share their culture with visitors. There was an overall different level of friendliness I experienced in Cambodia vs. what I experienced in Thailand.
My tour guide at Angkor Park, Nemo, was a Cambodia native who really made my visit to the park special. Nemo and I, along with the two Australian girls I was touring with, spent the whole day together, and we had a great time. We talked a lot about language — American English and Australian English, and Cambodia’s Khmer. When I told Nemo I also knew Spanish, he was delighted to have someone to practice his Spanish with, as he had just begun learning.
He told me I was a great teacher, and I told him I thought it was amazing that he already spoke Khmer and English and was trying to teach himself yet another language.
I had absolutely no idea of this before I arrived, and I didn’t even think twice about the fact that I paid for my Cambodian visa with USD, but it’s true. In Cambodia, although they do use the Cambodian Riel, you can also use your U.S. dollars. If you bring them with you, you don’t even have to take them out of the ATM, thus potentially avoiding the dreaded ATM transaction fee.
If you’ve been in Thailand using Thai Baht, or especially if you’ve been in Vietnam using Vietnamese Dong, (which comes in multiples of what, 100,000?) you don’t have to do any currency conversions in your head. Yep, when you see fruit smoothies or rolled ice cream or fish foot massage tanks for $1, they really mean $1. Another great reason to visit Cambodia!
*It is imperative that any USD used in Cambodia are in pristine condition.
See previous point — fruit smoothies and rolled ice cream and fish foot massages cost $1. I’m serious. Beers are 50 cents, and strong cocktails are $2.50. A large meal will probably never be more than $6. Long story short, your money is going to stretch very far while you’re there.
Keep this in mind while planning other excursions. Some people may sigh over the cost of admission to the Angkor National Museum, which I recommend especially if you aren’t planning to use a guide during your visit to the park. Other people may complain about the $37 entrance fee for a one-day visit to the park itself. But put it all in perspective, and remember that you likely spent less than $15 to eat yesterday.
Siem Reap is the third-largest city in Cambodia. (Phnom Penh takes the top spot by a long shot: 1.5 million to Battambang’s 250,000 and Siem Reap’s 230,000.) It doesn’t have a metropolitan, big-city feel at all, but that’s not to say that it’s quiet.
Quite the opposite: there’s Pub Street, and the bazaars, and street vendors, and tuk-tuks and shouting tuk-tuk drivers and motorbikes and hole-in-the-wall cafes and fruit carts on wheels and mothers hosing their naked children down with bottled water in the middle of the sidewalk. It feels like you’re really experiencing authentic Cambodian life. And it is chaotic.
At one point, as I walked to my hostel alone at night (feeling very safe, by the way) I remember thinking it felt like the way I experience the 4th of July in the States. Though it was nighttime, there was still lots of activity and it seemed no one was asleep. There were families and friends hanging out in front of their homes and shops; many of them were cooking, and delicious smells wafted through the air. Children were playing loudly. It was sticky hot, even though the sun had long gone down.
And though the feeling was somewhat familiar, I knew I was immersed in Cambodia.
Hanoi, Vietnam 
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