Vegan hospitality training in Cambodia and Vietnam

Vegan travel in Cambodia and Vietnam has seen a remarkable surge in recent years, reflecting a growing global trend towards plant based lifestyles. In both countries, traditional cuisines offer a wealth of plant based options, making it relatively easy for vegan travellers to indulge in local flavours. Both countries boast an abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, forming the backbone of their vibrant culinary scenes. In Vietnam, dishes like pho chay (vegetarian noodle soup) and fresh spring rolls filled with tofu or vegetables are readily available in restaurants and street stalls across the country. Whilst in Cambodia, traditional dishes like amok and lok lak can easily be adapted making them perfectly plant based.

An increasing number of hotels and resorts in both Cambodia and Vietnam currently cater to vegan travellers, or those that wish to eat plant based cuisine. You will find plenty of vegan dishes, vegan menus and vegan cooking classes in both countries, and that availability is certainly on the rise. By updating and adapting existing menus, alongside investing in vegan hospitality training for their F&B teams, these three hotels and resorts in Cambodia and Vietnam have continued to enhance and improve their plant based offering. And it’s not hotels and resorts that are making this commitment, restaurants and hospitality schools like the one we have featured below are also ensuring that the next generation of hospitality workers understand how to be vegan friendly!

Jaya House River Park

Jaya House River Park is a tranquil sanctuary situated along the serene banks of the Siem Reap River in Cambodia. With its elegant fusion of contemporary luxury and traditional Khmer architecture, this boutique hotel offers a unique retreat for discerning travellers. Each of the thoughtfully designed rooms and suites boasts modern amenities and stylish decor, providing their discerning guests with a comfortable and inviting space to unwind. In addition to the exquisite accommodations, Jaya House River Park is committed to sustainability, with initiatives such as being a plastic free hotel, and ensuring that their menus feature an ever growing number of planet friendly plant based options.

Since opening in 2016 Jaya House River Park have been at the forefront of promoting sustainable tourism practices in Siem Reap and further afield. This includes producing their own range of plastic free and natural bathroom amenities called Jaya Organics, also offering multiple vegan options on each of their menus. Food equality is their aim, ensuring that their vegan guests or those that choose to eat plant based food, have as many options as their other guests. We absolutely love these initiatives, and continue to support them with training and menu consultancy whenever we can, ensuring that Jaya House River Park remains to be one of the finest sustainable and vegan friendly luxury hotels in the region.

Alma Resort Cam Ranh

Alma Resort Cam Ranh is the place for luxury beachfront living on the pristine shores of Cam Ranh Bay in southern Vietnam, The contemporary architecture blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings, creating a tranquil oasis where guests can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Accommodations at Alma Cam Ranh range from spacious rooms to lavish multi room private pool villas, each designed with modern amenities and elegant decor. The huge array of delectable dining options truly offer something for everyone, and that includes those who wish to enjoy vegan cuisine, who will be very well catered for at Asiana Restaurant with their extensive vegan options on the menu.

Alma Resort made a number of positive changes after a series of recent training sessions and menu consultancy. Their welcome drink is now vegan having removed the honey making it suitable for all, whilst the plant based options on the buffet are now labelled with small flags. The vegan dishes on the menu at Asiana have been improved and expanded, and they now have ‘vegan ambassadors’ on the staff team who understand exactly what their vegan guests may want, and are available to assist where required. This is all such a positive move in the right direction, as is the decision to have two ‘vegan days’ each month in the staff canteen. These are on the first and the fifteenth day of the lunar calender which are the days when many Buddhists in Vietnam eat vegan and vegetarian food.

FCC Angkor by Avani

FCC Angkor by Avani is situated in the heart of Siem Reap and embodies a blend of colonial charm and contemporary luxury. This iconic hotel, formerly the residence of the French governor, now boasts a selection of elegant rooms and suites that seamlessly integrate modern comforts and old world charm. The tranquil courtyard garden and swimming pool offer serene spaces to unwind amidst lush greenery and tropical blooms. Guests can enjoy an evening signature cocktail at Scribe, perfect after a long day exploring the nearby temples, before heading to The Mansion to select from their varied menu which includes a number of creative and delicious vegan options.

FCC Angkor by Avani continued their journey to be even more vegan friendly by offering vegan training to their F&B team. Diners at The Mansion can now choose dishes including the delightful ‘Lotus Roots and Edible Flower Tempura’ which is inspired by Cambodian nature and tradition, this is served with organic black sticky rice and is part of the ‘Garden Stroll’ culinary journey. The lunch menu features the delicious and beautifully presented ‘Black Sticky Rice Mango’ with passion granita offered as a vegan option instead of mango ice cream. We are excited to see how the team at FCC Angkor develop new vegan dishes to be added to their menus in the future.

SPOONS Cambodia

SPOONS Cambodia is not just a restaurant, it’s a social enterprise dedicated to making a difference to future stars of the hospitality industry. Located in the heart of Siem Reap, this unique dining establishment offers guests a culinary experience that goes beyond delicious food, SPOONS are committed to empowering local youth by providing them with opportunities for training and employment in the hospitality industry. It’s a dining experience that nourishes both body and soul, whilst contributing to positive social change in the community. The restaurant’s menu features a tantalising selection of Cambodian and international dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options of course.

We have continued to support the team at SPOONS Cambodia, advising their restaurant and their hospitality training school, empowering them to have an understanding of the ever changing culinary landscape. By adapting current dishes to create vegan options, and labelling the menu in a clear fashion, both the guest and staff team experience has been made easier. Combining this menu consultancy with vegan hospitality training, SPOONS Cambodia are well on their way to becoming a vegan friendly restaurant!

As more and more hotels, resorts, restaurants and hospitality schools embrace the demand for plant based food, vegan travel will continue to become easier for everyone. Southeast Asia has long been a tourist destination, famed for it’s warm welcome and local hospitality, now it seems that countries throughout the region can also start to be known for their vegan hospitality.

Paul Eyers

Paul Eyers is co-founder of Vegan Food Quest who write about luxury hotels and resorts in Southeast Asia with a focus on sustainable travel, eco travel and vegan travel. Currently based in Malaysia, Paul also writes about sporting events and some of the finest golf courses throughout the region.