How to Plan a Trip to Vietnam and Cambodia in 2025

Some experienced travelers consider combining a Vietnam and Cambodia tour in Southeast Asia. It's a good way to save on international airfares and reduce travel time, allowing for a more efficient itinerary. So, how to plan a perfect trip to Vietnam and Cambodia? This ultimate travel guide will tell you the answers.

Best Time to Go to Vietnam and Cambodia

When is the best time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia? The answers vary. Someone who wants to enjoy the best weather will advise going during November to March of the upcoming year. However, if someone wants to escape the crowds and higher seasonal costs, they might choose spring or autumn. If someone wishes to enjoy the lowest prices and the least visitors, summer would definitely be an ideal time.

Where to Visit in Vietnam and Cambodia

Top Places of Vietnam and Cambodia

Top Places to Visit in Vietnam

Halong Bay is the top site in Vietnam, and no one wants to miss it for the first time. Why not take a 2-day or a 3-day cruise to immerse yourself in the stunning landscape?

Hanoi, a typical Vietnamese city in Northern Vietnam, is full of surprises. One of the highlights is visiting the Old Quarter by cyclo. After this, you can sip a cup of Vietnamese coffee. Additionally, it's highly recommended to savor a bowl of Pho (rice noodles), the famous dish in Vietnam.

Hoi An, a small ancient town in Central Vietnam, is famous for its mixed cultures of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and French. Enjoy a basket boat tour to experience the local lifestyle. Shopping is also a must! You can buy exquisite handicrafts or custom-made Ao Dai (a traditional Vietnamese gown) at the best quality and price.

Basket Boat Tour in Hoi An, Vietnam

Da Nang, a city very close to Hoi An, can satisfy a variety of interests. Whether you want to give your child a theme park experience, marvel at the Hands Bridge (Golden Bridge) in Ba Na Hill, or relax on a beach, you can find it here.

Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon) is the vibrant capital of Vietnam, located in the south, and a place that makes people want to visit time and time again. You can always find interesting activities here: from a Vespa night adventure to a Mekong Delta exploration, from a visit to Ben Thanh Market to an extension at Cu Chi Tunnels.

Top Places to Visit in Cambodia

Siem Reap, home to Angkor Wat, is a must-visit place on a Cambodia tour. Discover this Hindu-Buddhist temple complex and delve into the unrivaled charms of the largest religious structure in the world. Besides, you can ride a boat to see local life along Tonle Sap Lake.

Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is a great place to explore Cambodian history. The top sites in Phnom Penh include the Royal Palace, National Museum, Wat Phnom, and the Killing Fields, where you can learn more about this amazing country.

Angkor Wat

How Many Days to Spend in Vietnam and Cambodia

A multi-country tour usually requires more time than a single destination. Spending 2 to 3 weeks is ideal for a Vietnam and Cambodia tour.

Consider taking 2 days in Hanoi, 2 days in Halong Bay, 3 to 4 days in Hoi An and Da Nang, and another 2 days in Ho Chi Minh City. After finishing the Vietnam tour, continue to Cambodia, enjoying 3 days in Siem Reap and 2 days in Phnom Penh. 14 days can cover the essentials of these two destinations.

If you have more time, you can have an in-depth tour to Northern Vietnam - Sapa, spend a few days in Nha Trang in Southern Vietnam for a relaxing beach holiday or take a border tour to neighboring countries such as Thailand, Laos, and Singapore.

Transportation Between Vietnam and Cambodia

Is Vietnam close to Cambodia? Yes! Cambodia shares a border with Vietnam in the east and southeast, making it easy to travel between them. There are many international flights between Vietnam and Cambodia.

The main international airports in Vietnam are Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, and Da Nang Airport, all of which have flights to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh in Cambodia.

You can also take a Mekong River cruise from Cambodia to Vietnam if you want to experience a unique waterway through a luxury floating retreat.

Vietnam and Cambodia Tour Itinerary Sample

This 13-day sample itinerary includes the highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia. In Vietnam, you will luxuriate in Hanoi's Old Quarter on a cyclo ride, embrace the refreshing landscape in Halong Bay, be excited about a basket boat trip in Hoi An, and bask in the inviting atmosphere at night in Ho Chi Minh City after an extension tour to Mekong Delta. Fly to Siem Reap from Saigon and experience the meaning of "Khmer Smile" by visiting Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, and Ta Prohm Temple. Based on this itinerary, it is very easy to add other destinations. Just contact us, and Odynovo will help you design a tour that matches your needs.

Day	Country	Place	Highlights
1 - 2	Vietnam	Hanoi	Temple of Literature, Old Quarter Cyclo Tour
3 - 4		Halong Bay	Overnight Cruise With Varied Activities
5 - 6		Hoi An	Basket Boat Trip, Cooking Class, Ancient Town Discovery
7 - 10		Ho Chi Minh City	CU Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta Tour
11 - 13	Cambodia	Siem Reap	Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm Temple

Top Southeast Asia Tours Including Vietnam and Cambodia

Odynovo is proficient at tour arrangements and has continuously achieved the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in top tourist destinations (such as Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, etc.) since 2012. We know what you need and how to travel hassle-free. You can email us at: [email protected] to inquire about a tailor-made tour. Additionally, here are some popular multi-country tours in this area for your reference:

• 18-Day Tour to Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos

• 17-Day Essential Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam

• 14-Day Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam Explorer

Travel Tips for a Vietnam and Cambodia Tour

Use One-Stop Tour Service

If a tour company can arrange Vietnam and Cambodia tours together, you can save a lot of time communicating with multiple companies. For example, the travel expert at Odynovo will help you book full-service arrangements, covering flights, transportation, accommodations, tour guides, meals, and more. They will know what kind of hotel you prefer, your favorite tour style, and any food allergies you need to avoid, requiring you to only tell them once. If you are a repeat customer, you don't even need to mention your preferences again; they will remember.

Avoid Arranging Similar Tourist Sites

If you have planned to visit Cambodia to see Angkor Wat, it may not be necessary to visit My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam unless you love Hindu-Buddhist culture very much. Sihanoukville in Cambodia has pristine beaches, but if you have already arranged a beach holiday in Da Nang or Nha Trang in Vietnam, you might consider changing to other destinations to explore.

Prepare Your Visas

Though you are traveling to Vietnam and Cambodia at the same time, you will need to apply for separate visas for each country. There are different policies to apply depending on the tourists from different countries. Generally, applying for an e-Visa online or obtaining a Visa on Arrival is the most convenient way. Check the details and find the best way for you.