Vegan Hospitality training in Cambodia and Vietnam

Vegan tourism in Cambodia and Vietnam has seen a dramatic increase in recent years, reflecting the growing global trend towards plant-based lifestyles. In both countries, traditional cuisine offers a wealth of plant-based options, making it easy for vegan travelers to indulge in local flavors. Both countries boast an abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, which form the backbone of their healthy food scenes. In Vietnam, dishes like pho chay (vegetable noodle soup) and spring rolls filled with tofu or vegetables are readily available in restaurants and street stalls across the country. While in Cambodia, traditional dishes such as amok and lok lak can be easily adapted to make them well-planted.

An increasing number of hotels and resorts in Cambodia and Vietnam now cater to travelers who eat meat, or those who wish to eat a plant-based diet. You will find many vegan dishes, vegan menus and vegan cooking classes in both countries, and that availability is increasing. By revising and adapting existing menus, as well as investing in pet training for their F&B teams, these three hotels and resorts in Cambodia and Vietnam have continued to develop and improve their plant-based offerings. And it’s not just hotels and resorts making this commitment, restaurants and hospitality schools like the one featured below are also making sure the next generation of hospitality professionals understand how to be vegan friendly!

Jaya House River Park

Jaya House River Park is a peaceful sanctuary located on the banks of the Siem Reap River in Cambodia. With its beautiful blend of modern luxury and traditional Khmer architecture, this boutique hotel offers a unique getaway for discerning travelers. Each carefully designed room and suite has modern amenities and stylish decor, providing their discerning guests with a comfortable and inviting place to relax. In addition to beautiful accommodations, Jaya House River Park is committed to sustainability, with initiatives such as becoming a plastic-free hotel, and ensuring that their menus include an increasing number of options based on earth-friendly plants.

Since its opening in 2016, Jaya House River Park has been at the forefront of promoting sustainable tourism in Siem Reap and beyond. This includes producing their own range of plastic free and organic bathroom accessories called Jaya Organics, and offering many vegan options on each of their menus. Food equality is their goal, to ensure that their guests who eat meat or those who choose to eat a plant-based diet, have as many options as their other guests. We really like these initiatives, and we continue to support them with training and menu consultation whenever we can, ensuring that Jaya House River Park remains one of the best sustainable and vegan-friendly hotels in the region.

Alma Resort Cam Ranh

Alma Resort Cam Ranh is a luxurious beach resort that sits on the pristine shores of Cam Ranh Bay in southern Vietnam, Modern architecture blends seamlessly with the surrounding nature, creating a peaceful haven where guests can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Accommodations at Alma Cam Ranh range from spacious rooms to multi-bedroom private villas, each designed with modern amenities and elegant decor. A huge range of delicious dining options offer something for everyone, and that includes those who wish to enjoy vegan food, which will be well catered for at Asiana Restaurant with their extensive vegan options on the menu.

Alma Resort has made many positive changes after a series of recent training sessions and menu consultations. Their welcome drink is now vegan as it has removed the honey making it suitable for everyone, while the plant-based options on the buffet are now flagged. The vegan dishes on the menu at Asiana have been improved and expanded, and they now have ‘vegan ambassadors’ in the staff who understand exactly what their non-meat-eating guests might have to say, and are available to help where needed. This is all a good step in the right direction, as is the decision to have two ‘vegan days’ each month in the staff canteen. These are the first and fifteenth day of the lunar calendar which are the days when most Buddhists in Vietnam eat vegan and vegetarian food.

FCC Angkor by Avani

FCC Angkor by Avani is located in the heart of Siem Reap and features a blend of colonial elegance and modern luxury. This iconic hotel, formerly the residence of a French emperor, now has a selection of elegant rooms and suites that seamlessly combine modern comfort with old-world glamour. The peaceful courtyard garden and swimming pool provide peaceful places to relax amidst lush greenery and tropical flowers. Guests can enjoy an evening signature cocktail at Scribe, perfect after a long day exploring the nearby temples, before heading to The Mansion to choose from their varied menu that includes many creative and delicious vegan options.

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

Spoons Cambodia

HOLIDAYS Cambodia is not just a restaurant, it is a social enterprise dedicated to making a difference to the future stars of the hospitality industry. Located in the heart of Siem Reap, this unique restaurant offers guests a culinary experience that goes beyond fine dining, SPOONS is committed to empowering local youth by providing them with training and career opportunities in the hospitality industry. It is a restaurant that nourishes both body and soul, while contributing to positive social change in society. The restaurant’s menu includes an enticing selection of Cambodian and international dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, as well as plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.

We continued to support the team at SPOONS Cambodia, advising their restaurant and hospitality training school, empowering them to understand the ever-changing culinary landscape. By adapting current dishes to create vegan options, and clearly labeling the menu, both the guest and the staff team’s experience is simplified. Combining these menu details with vegan hospitality training, SPOONS Cambodia is on its 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, famous for its warm welcome and local hospitality, now it seems that countries across the region can start to be known for their vegetarian hospitality.

Paul Eyers

Paul Eyers is the founder of Vegan Food Quest who writes about luxury hotels and resorts in Southeast Asia focusing on sustainable travel, eco travel and vegan travel. Currently based in Malaysia, Paul also writes about sporting events and other top golf courses across the region.