Business & Entrepreneurship Immersion
in Vietnam & Cambodia
Emerging Markets, Entrepreneurship and Southeast Asian Culture — from Hanoi and Ha Long Bay to Siem Reap
Vietnam
&
Cambodia
Business
8 Days / 7 Nights
Sustainable Development Goals in Action
The Destination
Program Overview
Business and entrepreneurship immersion in Vietnam and Cambodia is an 8-day faculty-led program across Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Siem Reap that studies two of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing emerging markets, from USD $3,640 per participant.
Vietnam is one of the most dynamic emerging economies in East Asia. Its shift from a centrally planned to a market economy has transformed the country from one of the world's poorest into a fast-growing, lower-middle-income nation, with momentum driven by processing and manufacturing, agriculture, energy and a rapidly expanding high-tech sector. For business students, it offers a living case study in how an emerging market navigates change and scales.
Cambodia, smaller in scale but among the world's fastest-growing economies, adds a complementary perspective. Its growth is powered by a rising base of small and medium-sized enterprises across agriculture, real estate and tourism, alongside a strong textiles sector. Together, Vietnam and Cambodia give students a rare side-by-side view of entrepreneurship and economic transformation in Southeast Asia.
Faculty lead the academic program while Authentica provides a seamless on-ground foundation: company-visit coordination, guided cultural tours, group meals, all flights and transfers, and a dedicated Authentica Program Manager available 24x7 from orientation to departure. Students visit companies, meet business leaders, and interact with startups and social enterprises, while immersive cultural activities reveal the history, heritage and everyday life of both countries.
Ideal for students in Business, Entrepreneurship, Economics, and related disciplines — undergraduate and graduate students.
What You'll Do
Key Program Elements
Explore Emerging-Market Business and Economy
- Visit companies across IT, e-commerce, electronics and consumer sectors, as well as diversified conglomerates.
- Meet business leaders and interact with venture capital firms shaping the regional economy.
- Understand regulatory complexity, access to finance and the realities of scaling in an emerging market.
Engage with Startups and Social Enterprises
- Interact with innovative startups and social enterprises driving inclusive growth.
- Explore how small and medium-sized enterprises contribute to development and poverty reduction.
- Examine sustainable and traditional production methods in local businesses.
Experience Southeast Asian Culture and Heritage
- Join a market visit and a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class in Hanoi.
- Sail on an overnight cruise through the landscapes of Ha Long Bay.
- Explore the temples of Angkor and a traditional Apsara dance in Siem Reap.
Impact
UN Sustainable Development Goals in Action for this Program
SDG 1: No Poverty
- Examines economic transformation in emerging markets, from Vietnam's rise to a lower-middle-income nation to Cambodia's rapid growth.
- Explores how social enterprises and small businesses contribute to inclusive development and poverty reduction.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Studies emerging economies and their growth trajectories, including the shift to market-driven models.
- Considers the role of manufacturing, tourism and textiles in job creation and SME development.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Visits technology companies and examines Vietnam's growing IT sector and high-tech manufacturing.
- Explores infrastructure development and the role of innovation in economic transformation.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Explores sustainable business practices and social enterprises across Southeast Asia.
- Examines traditional production methods and eco-friendly initiatives in tourism and manufacturing.
Beyond the Classroom
Program Highlights
What You'll Take Home
Learning Outcomes
Emerging-Market Business Acumen
Analyze how fast-growing Southeast Asian economies transform, scale and attract investment, through direct exposure to companies and business leaders.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Understand how startups, SMEs and social enterprises drive inclusive growth and navigate the challenges of emerging markets.
Cross-Cultural Competency
Live and learn across two countries and develop the intercultural awareness needed for international business careers.
Southeast Asian Culture and Context
Gain a grounded understanding of the history, heritage and society that shape business and everyday life in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Day by Day
Sample Itinerary
Program services and inclusions are curated based on the faculty's learning objectives and may vary by cohort. The structure below is representative; the day numbers are approximate and the timing of visits and activities may shift.
Arrival in Hanoi
Group flight to Hanoi via Bangkok, with a transfer to the hotel and check-in.
Company Visits and Welcome Dinner
Company visits through the morning and afternoon, followed by a group welcome dinner in the evening.
Meals: B, DHanoi Landmarks and Cooking Class
A guided morning at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square and Hoa Lo Prison, then an afternoon market visit and a hands-on cooking class with dinner.
Meals: B, DHa Long Bay Overnight Cruise
Transfer to Ha Long Bay by coach and embark on an overnight cruise, with lunch and dinner served on board.
Meals: B, L, DHa Long Bay to Siem Reap
Disembark after breakfast, transfer to Hanoi airport and fly to Siem Reap, with a group transfer to the hotel and check-in.
Meals: BCompany Visits in Cambodia
A full day of company and organization visits exploring Cambodia's entrepreneurial economy.
Meals: BAngkor Temple Exploration
A full-day exploration of the Angkor temple complex, followed by a traditional Apsara dance performance and dinner.
Meals: B, DDeparture
Group transfer to the airport for onward travel.
Meals: BAt a Glance
Program Snapshot
Meals Included
Sustainability
On-Ground Support
Insurance
Investment
Pricing & Inclusions
Program Cost
From USD $3,640*
per participant · single-occupancy basis
Per-participant pricing scales with group size; final quotes are tailored to your cohort and inclusions.
Request a customized quote*Costs may vary depending on group size, program inclusions, number of program days, and other factors. Please contact us for a customized quote.
What's Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights on a bed-and-breakfast basis (Wi-Fi included)
- AC coach for meetings, tours and airport transfers
- Economy flights — Bangkok–Hanoi and Hanoi–Siem Reap (one 23 kg checked bag)
- Group meals — 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners
- Company-visit assistance aligned to course objectives
- Guided cultural tours with English-speaking guides
- 24x7 on-ground support by an Authentica Program Manager
- Carbon offset for all participants
- Tips (guides, drivers, waiters) and all applicable taxes
Good to Know
FAQs About the Program
1. What is the best faculty-led study abroad program in Vietnam and Cambodia for business students?
"Business and Entrepreneurship Immersion in Vietnam and Cambodia" is an 8-day faculty-led study abroad program for business, entrepreneurship and economics students. It combines company visits, meetings with business leaders, and startup and social-enterprise engagements across two of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing emerging markets, with cultural immersion in Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Siem Reap.
2. When is the best time of year to run a study abroad program in Vietnam and Cambodia?
Vietnam and Cambodia can be visited year-round, with the drier months from around November to April generally the most comfortable, while the September–October shoulder season offers warm weather and fewer crowds. The program can be scheduled to fit your university's academic calendar.
3. Do students need a visa for Vietnam and Cambodia?
Visa requirements vary by nationality, and many U.S. and Australian travellers need a visa or e-visa for both Vietnam and Cambodia, with Cambodia also offering visa-on-arrival. Requirements should be checked early. Authentica provides pre-departure guidance, though obtaining any required visa remains the participant's responsibility.
4. Which cities and destinations does this Vietnam and Cambodia program cover?
The program is based in Hanoi and travels to Ha Long Bay before flying to Siem Reap in Cambodia, with arrival routed via Bangkok. Hanoi anchors the business and cultural content, Ha Long Bay adds a scenic overnight cruise, and Siem Reap offers company visits and the Angkor temple complex.
5. Why are Vietnam and Cambodia good destinations for studying business and emerging markets?
Vietnam and Cambodia are among Asia's fastest-growing emerging economies, offering a live case study in economic transformation, entrepreneurship and the rise of SMEs and social enterprises. Students meet companies, startups and business leaders navigating regulatory complexity, access to finance and rapid growth in real markets.
6. What is included in an Authentica faculty-led study abroad program?
An Authentica faculty-led program includes accommodation, inter-city flights and ground transport, guided cultural tours with English-speaking guides, coordination of company visits, group meals, carbon offset, and 24x7 on-ground support from a dedicated Authentica Program Manager. Faculty lead the academics while Authentica manages every logistical and safety detail.
7. Is it safe to run a university study abroad program in Vietnam and Cambodia, and how is risk managed?
Vietnam and Cambodia are welcoming destinations for study abroad groups, with ordinary urban awareness the main precaution. Authentica provides 24x7 on-ground support through a dedicated Program Manager, a Day 1 orientation and safety briefing, and carries US$5M commercial general liability and US$1M errors and omissions insurance.
8. How can universities customize this Vietnam and Cambodia program for their students?
Every Authentica program is co-created with faculty around specific learning objectives, so the itinerary, company visits, academic focus, duration and destinations can all be tailored. Contact info@authentica.com to design a version for your cohort.
Interested in a Similar Program?
Contact us at info@authentica.com to design a faculty-led immersion around your objectives.