STEAL THIS TRIPA family cultural adventure in Cambodia & VietnamJuly and August are two of the wettest months in Cambodia and Vietnam, yet it’s precisely when many UK families want to travel, over school holidays. But, with the rains comes a quieter time of year, and landscapes are lush and green. Planned by LucyTravel ConsultantCambodia & Vietnam The Turners weren’t set on a specific country – but they were keen on Southeast Asia, and it had to fit within the school holidays. That’s peak ‘wet season’ for much of that region. Off-putting for some, but prime time for green landscapes and fewer tourists.Lucy suggested the Family Fun in Vietnam and Cambodia trip idea, and she adapted this to match the open minds and adventurous spirit of the Turner family: from kayaking past floating schools to walking with elephants through rewilded forest, to fishing with locals off bamboo boats. The briefOur brief was simple: a mix of cultural insight, plenty of activities, and some beach time at the end – all without feeling rushed. We were up for experiencing as much as possible, but needed some direction on what would suit us best. Being matched with brilliant guides made all the difference – they brought the trip to life and, just as importantly, made it fun.The tripLucy based us in three spots, so we got a real sense of each place without the constant repacking. The “wet season” label didn’t deter us. If anything, the rains focused our activities to the morning, gave us a slower rhythm to our days and brought more life to the landscapes – it’s known as “green season” for a reason. Royal palaces, doughnuts and street art Phnom PenhOur Phnom Penh hotel was just across the road from the Royal Palace. We crossed over to explore, padding through the shaded courtyards and past the silver-tiled floor of the main pagoda. The royal history was impressive, and we were surprised to hear that the king still lives here.As usual, food took centre stage. Lucy had booked us onto a street food tour that kicked off at the market. We crouched on low stools, slurping bowls of noodle soup while locals stocked up on herbs and greens. Street art lined alleyways, and the university quarter served up our second breakfast – crisp fried chicken and yellow bean doughnuts. Without a guide, we’d never have found these places.The tour ended on a sweet note at Cambodia’s only chocolate maker. We sampled 30-plus flavours - but choosing a favourite? Impossible. We left with ten bars. Tarantulas and floating playgrounds Tonlé Sap LakeOn the way to Siem Reap, we broke up the drive with a roadside snack stop – dried fruit, spiced crickets, and deep-fried tarantula (ch’ngain, or “tasty” in Khmer). The boys didn’t hesitate to try. Lunch was at what we thought would be a basic service station, but turned out to be a modern roadside restaurant. It gave us the chance to try dishes we hadn’t yet, including a rich, creamy amok curry.Later, at Tonlé Sap Lake, recent rains had pushed the water levels high. Villages appeared to float, with homes on stilts and bamboo rafts rising above the floodplain. We took a motor-powered fishing boat along narrow channels , past kitchens, classrooms and even a floating school with a playground – it was a glimpse into an everyday life wholly different to back in Britain. Stories, carvings and a change of plans Angkor WatWe wanted to see the temples without it feeling like a history lesson. Enter Virak – a local guide Lucy found. He had a knack for bringing the temples to life in a way that kept the boys engaged throughout.He showed us how the temple layouts reflect shifts in power and religion over the 12th century, and pointed out intricate carvings that captured everything from hairstyles to clothing. Catherine’s favourite? A carving of a woman chasing her two sons…It wasn’t just about the past, either. The restoration team explained how their efforts continue today – right down to sourcing the right stone, so repairs blend seamlessly into the walls. There are no quick fixes here.The afternoon turned stormy, so we contacted the customer support team to shift our Angkor Thom visit to the following day. They rearranged everything in minutes - giving us time to recharge. Vespas, hero rats and bamboo snacks Siem Reap countrysideThe Vespa ride through the countryside got instant buy-in from Jacob and Zachary. With experienced drivers steering it was exhilarating, but never terrifying.Our first stop was the APOPO centre, where we met the rats trained to detect unexploded landmines. Cambodia aims to be landmine-free by 2030, and these clever rodents play a key role. They were surprisingly cute and impressively effective – clearing spaces the size of tennis courts in just half an hour.We drove to a rice farmer’s home for lunch, where we learned to cook sticky rice in bamboo, then Catherine received a blessing at a quiet Buddhist temple. The final stop was a basket weaving session with a local artisan.With our Vespa guides doubling as translators, we were able to chat with the people we met - something we'd have struggled to do with Google Translate alone. Face to trunk with Cambodia’s gentle giants Kulen Elephant ForestNone of us had ever seen elephants up close before – and it’s hard to put into words just how special this was for us as a family. The elephants at Kulen were once used for temple work, but now live more freely in forested surroundings as part of a rescue initiative.We didn’t just watch – we got stuck in. From preparing their food (messy, chaotic, and brilliant) to feeding and walking with them through the trees, the whole experience felt grounded in their world, not ours. Watching them bathe in the mud was a clear highlight – especially for Andy, who couldn’t stop grinning.The project also supports local jobs and keeps things low impact. No rides, no tricks – just meaningful time spent alongside these animals, in a way that felt right. Returning twenty years later – to the same tailor Hoi AnWe ended our time in Cambodia and crossed into Vietnam – landing in Hoi An. We’d visited the city as a couple twenty years ago, and while much had changed, the Old Town had retained its charm. The wooden Japanese bridge, Chinese temples, and lantern-lit boats on the river at twilight felt just as we remembered. Visiting in the off-season gave it a more local feel too, with fewer Western travellers around, and more Vietnamese holidaymakers in the city.Lucy booked us into a beachside hotel, so we could split our days between the coast and the city. Mornings were for wandering the town, afternoons were spent lazing on the sand. We even tracked down the tailor we’d used on our first trip. What was once a single shop has grown into a small empire, now spanning three stores. Catherine had a Chanel-style jacket custom made and Andy walked away with loafers. Kayaking through mangroves, fishing and farming Cam Thanh and Hoi An outskirtsWe were keen to see what lay beyond Hoi An city. One day, we kayaked through the Cam Thanh mangroves, stopping to explore island villages where raised concrete paths took the place of roads. We flip-flopped our way across narrow walkways and visited a family of mat weavers. The technique took some getting used to, but with patient guidance it seemed Zachary had found his new vocation…The next morning’s cycle took us past rice paddies to a small organic farm, where we tried watering the crops the traditional way – balancing a don ganh bamboo pole across our shoulders. We all loved it.Later, with the boys dressed in lunar New Year fishing outfits, we joined local fishermen in round bamboo basket boats for a net-casting lesson. A fresh noodle lunch was cooked on board using that day's catch – a delicious treat for a morning of hard work. Huge thanks to Lucy for turning vague ideas into something unforgettable. You understood our family straight away – and planned a trip that was the perfect mix of interesting and memorable experiences, combined with the chance to relax and recharge.And while we were in country, the customer support team were brilliant. We asked for changes mid-trip, and they made it feel like the easiest thing in the world. Meet LucyLucy is a Southeast Asia specialist who would eat noodle soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner, given the chance. Her favourite memory of travelling through Cambodia is a midnight swim in Koh Rong – among the starlike, bioluminescent plankton.