Vous souhaitez organiser un voyage privatif et sur mesure ?
Nos circuits
Incontournables
Nos circuits
Authentiques
Nos circuits
Culturels
Nos circuits
En famille
Nos circuits
Extension plage
Jonque 7 cabines
Jonque 4 cabines
Jonque 2 cabines
Jonque 2 cabines
Come Quickly to Witness the Traces of the Past!
Phnom Penh was known as Chaktomuk during the Angkorian period. In the 15th century, as the Khmer Empire declined, Ponhea Yat Chao decided to establish his court here, making him the last emperor of the Khmer Empire and the first king of Cambodia. Yet until the 19th century, Phnom Penh remained a small town.
It was only in this period that the Royal Palace was built and the city truly became a capital, especially under French influence. The French built roads, a port, and many houses, including colonial-style villas. The early 20th century was Phnom Penh’s golden age, earning it the nickname “the Pearl of Asia.” In the 1960s, even Singapore’s authorities looked to Phnom Penh as inspiration for their development plans.
Sadly, the following decades were marked by turmoil. During the Vietnam War, thousands of refugees arrived, followed by the Cambodian Civil War, which gave way to the Khmer Rouge terror from 1975 to 1979. The city was emptied of its inhabitants for most of this dictatorship. It is estimated that 80% of Phnom Penh’s pre-Khmer Rouge population perished during this period.
Reconstruction began after the Vietnamese liberation in 1979, but real development only took off in the 1990s. Today, the city is constantly changing, with the old often being replaced by the new — as seen in the colonial public buildings increasingly demolished in favor of modern constructions.
Phnom Penh is therefore worth visiting to understand the country’s harsh recent history and to see the remaining colonial architecture — though these heritage buildings are becoming rarer with time.
Visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda
A symbol of Cambodia’s monarchy, this complex showcases richly decorated traditional Khmer buildings. The Silver Pagoda, named after its floor covered with 5,000 silver tiles, houses a solid gold Buddha statue encrusted with diamonds.
Discover the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)
A former school turned prison under the Khmer Rouge. A poignant but essential site to understand the country’s tragic history.
Pay Tribute at the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
A memorial dedicated to the victims of Pol Pot’s regime. The well-designed audio guide makes it a highly recommended visit for adults.
Explore the National Museum of Cambodia
A fine collection of Khmer objects, including pre-Angkorian and Angkorian sculptures and artifacts. The red architecture is a beautiful example of Khmer style.
Wander Through Local Markets: Central Market & Russian Market
Central Market (Phsar Thmey): Art deco architecture, souvenirs, jewelry.
Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung): More artisanal and local vibe.
Take a Sunset Cruise on the Mekong
Enjoy city views from the river. Dinner cruises are also available.
Enjoy Cafés and Rooftops
Phnom Penh boasts chic cafés and rooftop bars. Try Sora Skybar or Eclipse Sky Bar for stunning 360° views of the city.
Climb Wat Phnom Hill
An iconic temple perched on a small hill north of downtown. A legendary site linked to the founding of Phnom Penh.
Take a Trip to Silk Island (Koh Dach)
Accessible by ferry or boat from the city center. Discover local silk weaving, rice fields, and bike rides in a rural setting.
Taste Khmer Cuisine in Great Restaurants
Recommended spots: Malis, Khéma, Romdeng (a social enterprise restaurant). Must-try specialties include fish amok, beef lok lak, and Khmer soups.
Essential Cambodia in 6 Days: Phnom Penh, Angkor, Tonle Sap, and a Homestay Experience in the Floating Village of Kompong Pluk
Cambodia in 12 Days: Angkor Temples, Tonle Sap Lake, Rural Immersion in Battambang, Phnom Penh, and Beaches in Sihanoukville and Koh Rong
Treasures of Indochina in 14 Days: From Hanoi to Angkor, Discover Hoi An, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong, and the Temples of Angkor.
Vietnam and Cambodia Family Tour in 18 Days: Lan Ha Bay Cruise, Angkor Temples, Craft Workshops, Floating Market and Fun Discoveries
Vietnam and the Must-Sees of Cambodia in 20 Days: Lan Ha Bay, Mu Cang Chai, Hoi An, Mekong, Phnom Penh, and Angkor
“Mathieu was truly wonderful. A big thank you for all the flawless arrangements! We had an amazing cruise with so many beautiful memories 🥰 – the crew was incredibly friendly, and all the activities were very well organized.”
“An effective agency and more … We discovered Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Min through Hue and Hoi An thanks to the excellent services. To choose the tour I had excellent exchanges with the agency throughout the preparation of the trip so that it fits what we wanted. We had three different guides. All friendly and speaking English very well. The drivers were professional (and you have to be to get around Vietnam),very attentive and punctual.”
“Such a great experience! They organised a transfer from our homestay in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh, directly to Cat Ba. We did the Lan Ha Bay cruise, spending 2 days and 1 night around. This bay is beautiful and quiet, indeed we didn’t meet too many boats so we appreciated the panorama 100%. Our boat was beautiful and we shared the cruise with another couple, so it is the best choice if you are looking for a peaceful experience”
“EXTRAORDINARY Agency I called on them for a cruise on September 23rd in the evening to ask for a place for a cruise on the 24th (my birthday) not only did they take care of my return from sapa to Hanoi that same evening, on the 24th on the boat all the crew knew about my birthday, they wished me, also made me a surprise cake in the evening. The stay on the boat was so amazing that I added an extra night , without being a ray of sun, he smiles all the time and pampers us throughout the cruise.”
“The agency took great care of us, answering all our questions and showing real flexibility. We went on a cruise in Lan Ha Bay aboard the Quatre Saisons junk. The boat was comfortable and clean, the food was delicious, and the scenery absolutely stunning. We didn’t come across many other boats along our route, which made the experience even more special. The activities were well organized and done in small groups, which we really appreciated.”
“Exceptional service and magnificent organized tours ! We’re Swiss and took advantage of Parfum d’Automne’s offers to visit Cat Ba, Lan Ha Bay, next to Halong Bay, and the Pu Luong region in the northwest mountains of Vietnam. It was fantastic! We met a lot of great locals, not least thanks to the guides and tours organized by the agency.”
4,8/5 (249 avis)
4,6/5 (142 avis)
Want to learn more about Vietnam before traveling there? Here are our blog posts with the best tips from Parfum d’Automne for your trip to Vietnam. Discover insights on its gastronomy, destinations, people, and all the best travel hacks!
October 27, 2025
Vietnam has everything you need for an amazing holiday: fascinating landscapes, beautiful beach resorts at the best prices, and cities full of charm with rich, multicultural histories. In this article, we present five cities that, in our view, offer the most interest for a first-time discovery of Vietnam: Hanoi, Hue, Danang, Hoi An, and Ho […]
October 27, 2025
Less known than that of its neighbor Cambodia, Vietnamese pepper nonetheless enjoys a strong reputation, both nationally and internationally. This is reflected in the fact that Vietnam is today the world’s largest producer of black pepper and the second-largest producer of pepper overall, after India. In this article, we will explain what makes Vietnamese pepper […]
October 27, 2025
Vietnamese silk is a precious material with a long and rich history. Silk fibers have been used to make clothing, upholstery, and decorative items for thousands of years. In Vietnam, silk was long considered a luxury product, often associated with nobility and the upper classes. In this article, we’ll look back at its history, the […]
October 27, 2025
Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, is developing very rapidly. From a dense city with its typical narrow alleys, Hanoi is gradually expanding to become a true metropolis, requiring its means of transportation to modernize as well. Upon arrival, you’ll likely be surprised by the wide variety of transportation options used: cars, motorbikes, bicycles, buses… and even cyclos […]
October 27, 2025
Vietnam has many temples and pagodas, which reflect the strong presence of spirituality in the daily lives of its people. During your trip, you will certainly have the opportunity to visit some of these cultural monuments. The first question you might ask yourself is: what is the difference between a temple and a pagoda? The […]
October 27, 2025
When thinking of Halong, the first thing that comes to mind is, of course, taking a boat trip on one of the bay’s cruises. But if spending the night on the blue ocean and enjoying the serene calm of the bay doesn’t appeal to you (who knows?), you might simply enjoy stopping by and exploring […]
October 23, 2025
Despite the traffic and constant bustle of Vietnam’s major cities, it’s still possible to take care of yourself while traveling in the country. One of the most popular activities for relaxation and wellness is enjoying a massage in a local spa or wellness center. Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, is full of spas and massage centers that […]
October 22, 2025
The holiday season is approaching, and some of you might be spending it in Vietnam! In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to make the most of Christmas and New Year’s celebrations in Vietnam: what’s the weather like at this time of year, what are the local traditions, and—most importantly—our tips […]
October 22, 2025
Many of our travelers use their last day in Hanoi for shopping. But it can be difficult to know what to buy. Would you like to bring back local handicrafts (from Hanoi and the surrounding villages)? Are you looking for fun souvenirs to give to your friends? Or perhaps you are more interested in eco-friendly […]
October 21, 2025
Set off to discover Quang Phu Cau, the incense village located near Hanoi, and learn about the symbolic meaning of incense in Vietnam’s traditional and religious rituals, as well as the different stages of making this important object. Do not hesitate to contact us to include the village in your customized itinerary in Vietnam. Ancient […]
Planning a trip to Vietnam?
Our local travel agency in Vietnam.
Custom tours in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, English-speaking experienced tour guides, exclusive cruises.
© 2025 Parfum d’Automne • All rights reserved • Legal Notice
Demandez votre devis gratuit et personnalisé. Nos conseillères francophones expérimentées vous répondront rapidement avec un programme adapté à votre projet de voyage.