What are the latest luxury trends from Asia? We checked in with Realistic Asia, a boutique DMC specializing in tailor-made journeys across Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand to hear what affluent clients are demanding these days.
The company was founded in 2011 in Vietnam as a family-owned enterprise and has grown from a local expert team into a multi-destination company that provides on-the-ground support for travel advisors. It can provide support with transfers, accommodations, experiences, VIP fast-track services, concierge services and visas.
Realistic Asia is a member of Ensemble Travel Group and is affiliated with the FORA and MTA luxury travel agent networks.
Its philosophy centers on tailor-made authentic, immersive travel, designing journeys that go beyond sightseeing and include meaningful human connections and deeper cultural understanding.
Hien Do, Realistic Asia’s CEO, is seeing several strong trends, such as a greater demand for highly personalized and flexible itineraries; slow travel with longer stays in fewer destinations (i.e., clients start opting out with fewer destinations, but staying longer in each of them); increased interest in wellness, nature, and meaningful cultural exchange (often added as elements to one tour) and growth in experiential luxury rather than traditional luxury.
Thailand and Vietnam remain the most requested destinations, says Do who says the company is open to new partnerships thanks to a strong operational capacity.
“We operate year-round and can fulfil the job well during any season, but we recommend planning well in advance for peak season (December-January) and major festive seasons, when luxury accommodations and top guides are secured quickly, especially for Thailand,” Do tells World of Luxury.
One of the newest programs added to Realistic Asia’s offerings is an excursion that fits in well with a Hanoi city stay and pairs up well with the desire for cultural immersion. Artist Suzanne Lecht was born in Montana but moved to Vietnam in 1994 and founded the Art Vietnam Salon. Clients can visit her to learn about Vietnam’s ancient heritage while showcasing the development of fine arts in Vietnam.
For those Asia newbies
Have a first-time client to Southeast Asia? Do says that Realistic Asia often suggests a curated cultural exploration of Hanoi, Vietnam, combined with countryside immersion in nearby villages.
Other suggested options include a private sunrise visit to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, “We also recommend taking a boat along one of the canals there to see the temples from a different angle and get further from the crowds,” she adds.
Another “must” is a cruise through Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. “We recommend looking at the areas of Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay, where there are fewer boats. It is also a perfect option for MICE, we can arrange the charter cruise for an incentive or celebration event).
Visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary in Northern Thailand and a heritage-focused exploration in Luang Prabang, Laos are also included in Do’s list of recommendations for first timers.
Culinary experiences in Vietnam and Thailand. It is a must-add; clients always mention it as a highlight. It could be a street food tour, cooking lesson or dining in a Michelin Star restaurant (we can also invite travelers to the local house to cook with locals and talk about life and cultural exchange, it is very cozy and memorable).
But for those clients seeking unique and exclusive experiences, Do’s list shifts a bit. Here are her favorites:
For the experienced traveler
Ba Vi Eco Tour: A countryside immersion near Hanoi operated exclusively by our team. Guests participate in farm-to-table cooking, exploring the local neighborhood so they can engage with the locals and learn what they are doing for a living (making tofu, rice cultivation, and making conical hats).
“We do not train the hosts to present for travelers; we keep it all natural and authentic,” says Do. “We also visit a tea plantation here and learn to harvest and roast the tea. The owner of this farm is a Vietnam War veteran, who can share personal stories of that time.”
Traditional Hill Tribe Wedding Ceremony: Through our close relationship with a local community leader in the village nearby Sapa (an area famous for stunning rice terraces in Northern Vietnam), we can arrange a traditional wedding ceremony of the Hmong people, which is an incredibly rare cultural experience for honeymooners or those who want to renew their vows.
Scholarly Access at Angkor Wat: Private explorations of the famous temples with archaeologists.
Golden Thread Embroidery Workshop: Learning about the art of golden thread embroidery from an outstanding artist in Luang Prabang, who is also a member of the former royal family.
Whether a first-timer or a veteran of Asia travel, we say Realistic Asia’s suggestion of culinary experiences in Vietnam and Thailand are absolute add-ons. “It could be a street food tour, a cooking lesson or dining in a Michelin Star restaurant,” says Do, “We can also invite travelers to a home to cook with locals and talk about life and cultural exchange. It is very cozy and memorable,” she adds.