Top Culture Trips in Southeast Asia

Vietnam is a feast for the senses – and we’re not just talking about getting your fill of pho, banh mi and other delicious street food. Step away from the bustling stalls and you’ll discover a country rich with urban and rural intrigue. Get to know your Local Insider and like-minded travel companions on this 12-day journey, which loops through the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, visits the Imperial City of Hue, heads along the banks of the Perfume River, and takes in a calmer, lesser-known alternative to Halong Bay with a junk ship cruise around unspoilt Lan Ha Bay.

Spending all day lounging on the beach is the second-best way to experience Bali. The best? Exploring the island’s rural villages, inland peaks and rice paddies with a small group of new friends on this 12-day trip. Between hiking to the summit of Mount Batur at sunrise, discovering sacred temples and picking up a new recipe during a Balinese cooking class, you’ll forget all about your tan. Keep the sunscreen at the ready, mind: surf lessons, snorkelling with sea turtles and swimming under waterfalls are also on the itinerary.

Let’s be honest – the promise of a great Thai meal is enough to have you packing your bags and booking a flight, right? This 11-day trip goes further: in between sampling Thai food around Phuket, you’ll shed calories in style. Kayak through the Bor Thor Mangrove Forest, swim with tropical fish on Hong Island and trek your way across Koh Yao Yai. It’s worth working up an appetite – you’ll need the extra energy for dancing the night away in Phuket’s bars.