Vietnam and Cambodia are ready to welcome you! (Pictorial + Video)

What’s changed in Vietnam and Cambodia since the pandemic? Plenty! Find out what makes these destinations ideal for your first trip back – from stress-free airports to tourist-free cultural experiences. 

Air travel in Asia was hit hard during the pandemic. In Vietnam alone, borders were closed for a full two years.  

Now, with COVID restrictions easing and borders re-opening, flights are steadily returning to Asia’s major airports. Provided you have the right COVID documentation, arriving in-country is hassle-free. 

Edventure Travel’s director, Billy Penfold, describes his smooth experience traveling through Vietnam’s Hanoi International Airport in June 2022. 

“Passing through Vietnam’s immigration and quarantine was a breeze. All I needed to show was my passport and International COVID Vaccine Certificate, no questions asked,” he says. 

If your timing’s right, you might even get special treatment. Flying between Vietnam and Cambodia, Billy became the first passenger on the Cambodia Angkor Air route in over two years.  

“I was treated like a VIP guest while flying economy. I received a bunch of flowers, and even a photoshoot!” 

In another pandemic-driven change, many of the airlines flying into Vietnam and Cambodia are now focused on sustainability. Members of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, for example, have committed to a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. 

You’ll be pleased to know we’ve updated our environmental credentials, too. Whatever your flight path, we offset carbon for all international and domestic airfares within your trip. 

Have you ever wanted to visit popular cultural sites without tourists? Now’s your chance. Like Billy, you could enjoy a peaceful experience at a place like Angkor Thom in Siem Reap. 

“I was able to study a particular bas-relief wall at Bayon Temple in the heart of Angkor Thom, with no-one around,” Billy says. 

“The carving reveals how, over 800 years ago, sandstone was cut and carried by stonemasons and labourers to produce the Angkor temples. It depicts people fanning the stone carriers, labourers cutting rock with chisels and axes, and workers preparing meals for the stonemasons and labourers.” 

With tourists away, this kind of front row view can be yours, too. 

“It’s a fascinating carving, and the closest thing to a photo of the construction methods you’ll ever see. Looking at it up close gives you great insight into how the temples came to be,” Billy says. 

Across Asia, cities have used the pandemic as an opportunity to clean up their streets. A lack of visitors during COVID revealed empty urban spaces whose physical condition needed improving. As a result, authorities have put new solutions like waste management in place. 

“In Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi, the streets were cleaner and much more orderly than pre-COVID. The markets were tidier and there was very little plastic rubbish,” Billy says.  

Similar improvements have taken place in Cambodia’s second-largest city. 

“The streets of Siem Reap have undergone a remarkable transformation. During the last two years, the local government has repaired over 40 stretches of road around the city and the Angkor temple complex. Rubbish bins are now dotted around the city centre, and the place is nearly spotless!” 

The improvements have boosted urban amenity and liveability. And fortunately, they haven’t erased the bustle of daily life. 

“Other than a few hotels changing names and the odd shop closing or diversifying what they offer, street life continues as normal,” Billy says. 

During the pandemic, several local museums across Asia updated their exhibits. For instance, you can enjoy new displays at the Cambodian Landmine Museum.  

The museum was founded by former soldier Aki Ra, who once laid landmines for the Khmer Rouge. When the Cambodian Civil War ended, Aki Ra decided to help repair his country and remove as many mines as he could – by hand!  

“Today, the museum houses thousands of deactivated ordnances. Videos and displays explain the different types of mines and their specific uses,” Billy says. 

“When you visit, you can’t help but think of the recent use of landmines in Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria. It’s a sobering experience. Your ticket proceeds go towards de-mining teams and amputees, who help run the museum.” 

If you’re travelling in Vietnam, you can check out the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. The museum has made use of COVID lockdowns to create extra exhibition spaces, including a room dedicated to soldiers against war and a new photo exhibition.  

“Like the Cambodian Landmine Museum, the displays here are confronting. I’ve seen many a tour group moved to tears,” Billy says. 

Above all, the pandemic has changed how we support you. We’ve put in place new practices to make sure your trip has a lasting positive impact in the countries and communities you visit. 

For example, we’ve upskilled our team in best practice COVID-safe travel protocols. Our new processes cover everything from basic hygiene to medical care and are informed by Billy’s professional experience working in a COVID clinic.  

We’ve also trained our tour leaders and local guides in a range of eco-friendly approaches, like minimising the use of plastic on tour. 

“When there’s free time for shopping, our team will instruct students to not accept plastic bags from sellers to carry their purchases. Instead, they’ll encourage students to carry items in their own day pack,” Billy says. 

Finally, we’ve made sure all our staff understand the ‘why’ behind our work. So when you take part in one of our service-learning programs, your tour leader will be able to explain the genuine impact you’re having. To learn more about how we develop the ‘why’ behind every community project, watch our short video to see Billy and our team at work in Vietnam. 

One thing that hasn’t changed, though, is our hard-working team. From Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh, our committed staff are as eager as ever to teach you about their country. 

“Recently, our entire Siem Reap team gathered for a welcome back dinner at a hotpot restaurant. We celebrated travel opening up, and exchanged stories and travel experiences,” Billy says. 

“We’re all positive about the coming year, and we can’t wait for you to see what’s new!”