3 Weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia: Advice For Your Plan

Should you plan your trip in 3 weeks?

A 3-week trip is a reasonably long journey for any traveler. Before diving into this adventure, you should ensure the following:

• Your physical and mental well-being is prepared for the trip.

• You have organized your work or commitments back home.

• Your budget for the journey is set.

• You can pack essential documents and items for a long trip.

If you are all set with the above, you are ready to embark on your 3-week adventure through Vietnam and Cambodia. Now, you might wonder: is 3 weeks long enough to explore both countries?

Spending 3 weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia to discover and experience more

Three weeks is an ideal amount of time to fully immerse yourself in the rich cultures of both Vietnam and Cambodia. These two countries are conveniently located next to each other, making travel between them accessible via flights, river, or road routes. Of course, you could adjust your trip length, cutting it to 1-2 weeks or extending it beyond. However, with 3 weeks in hand, I can guide you through an intriguing and well-balanced itinerary.

Suggested Itinerary

With 3 weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia, depending on your flight bookings or package tour preferences, you have several route options:

• North Vietnam - Central Vietnam - South Vietnam - Cambodia

• North Vietnam - Central Vietnam - Cambodia - South Vietnam

• Cambodia - South Vietnam - Central Vietnam - North Vietnam

Here, I will outline a classic itinerary: North Vietnam - Central Vietnam - South Vietnam - Cambodia, offering a blend of iconic experiences for first-time visitors to both countries.

Hanoi train street

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

• Fly into the vibrant capital of Vietnam, Hanoi.

• Check into your hotel and rest.

• Explore the Old Quarter by cyclo or double-decker bus.

• Have dinner at a traditional Vietnamese restaurant (Madam Tran Restaurant, MET Vietnamese Restaurant, Hanoi Food Culture, etc).

• Alternatively, you can choose to take a cooking class followed by dinner.

• Visit Ta Hien Beer Street or unwind at a rooftop bar like Terraco Sky Bar or Top of Hanoi.

Day 2: Explore Hanoi

• Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.

• Visit famous landmarks: Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and the Ho Chi Minh Complex.

• Relish street food like Pho, Bun Cha, Banh Mi, and Egg Coffee.

• End your day with a traditional water puppet show before heading back to your hotel.

Day 3: Day Trip to Ninh Binh

• After breakfast, take a 2-hour bus ride to Ninh Binh.

• Visit the ancient capital’s highlights: Trang An, Tam Coc-Bich Dong, and Hoa Lu.

• In the afternoon, hike up Mua Cave or stop by Buffalo Cave Coffee for a countryside experience.

• Return to Hanoi in the evening.

Buffalo Cave Ninh Binh

Day 4: Halong Bay – A Natural Wonder

• After breakfast, check out of your hotel and take a 2.5-hour bus to Halong Bay.

• Board a cruise, check-in, and enjoy lunch.

• Kayak or take a sampan boat through Dark Cave and Light Cave.

• Enjoy a swim and sunset cocktail, followed by a cooking class.

• Have dinner onboard and relax under the stars.

Day 5: Another Day in Halong Bay

• Rise early for a stunning sunrise, Tai Chi, and breakfast.

• Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, or a bike ride to Viet Hai fishing village.

• Visit Ba Trai Dao Beach and savor the evening on the bay.

Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Hue

• After breakfast, visit Tra Bau floating village.

• Check out from the cruise and have brunch before heading back to Hanoi.

• Fly to Hue and check into your hotel.

Have a memorable time in Halong Bay

Day 7: Discover Hue’s Imperial Legacy

• Explore Hue’s highlights: Imperial Citadel, Nguyen King Tombs, and Thien Mu Pagoda.

• Enjoy a dragon boat ride on the Perfume River.

• Savor a royal-style dinner while listening to nha nhac - traditional court music.

• Travel from Hue to Da Nang.

Day 8: Da Nang’s Coastal Charms

• Visit My Khe Beach, Marble Mountains, and Son Tra Peninsula.

• Wander the city and its markets, or enjoy a riverside café (Cong Cafe, Ut Tich Cafe, Firgun Corner Coffee, etc)

• If it is a weekend, catch the Dragon Bridge’s fire show at 9 PM.

My Khe Beach Da Nang

Day 9: Hoi An’s Countryside Adventure

• Spend the day in Hoi An’s countryside: Coconut Village, fishing, cooking classes, gardening, and more.

Day 10: Hoi An Ancient town

• Discover Hoi An’s ancient town: the Japanese Bridge, ancient merchants’ halls, and old houses.

• Sample Hoi An’s specialties like Cao Lau, Mi Quang, and Banh Mi.

• Watch the Memories of Hoi An show in the evening.

Day 11: Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City

• Enjoy some free time in Da Nang.

• Fly to Ho Chi Minh City.

• Explore the city by motorbike or double-decker bus in the evening.

Ho Chi Minh night tour by double-decker bus

Day 12: Cu Chi Tunnels & Ho Chi Minh City Tour

• Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels in the morning.

• Explore Ho Chi Minh’s attractions in the afternoon: the Post Office, Independence Palace, and Thien Hau Pagoda.

• Visit Bui Vien or Nguyen Hue Walking Street in the evening.

Day 13: Mekong Delta Day Trip

• Venture to My Tho - Ben Tre, where you will take a boat trip to explore the islets in the river, visit fruit orchards, local homes, coconut workshops, bee farm, a fish farm, etc. 

• Continue the journey to Coconut Village by sampan boat.

• Enjoy a traditional Southern meal at a countryside home.

• In the afternoon, return to the city for shopping at Ben Thanh Market or Saigon Centre.

A day to South Vietnam countryside

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap

• Bid farewell to Vietnam and take a flight to Cambodia.

• In the evening, enjoy dinner and watch an Apsara Dance performance.

Day 15: Angkor Temples

• Rise early to witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat.

• Spend the morning visiting temples in the Angkor complex: Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei, and Srah Srang.

• In the afternoon, explore Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, and the Terrace of the Elephants.

• Return to the city in the evening for some relaxation, fun, and shopping at the Siem Reap night market.

Set foot on the proud of Cambodia - Angkor Complex

Day 16: Tonle Sap Lake

• In the morning, visit a Khmer family and participate in a cooking class.

• In the afternoon, head to Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. 

• Take a boat trip to explore Kompong Phluk floating village and visit the flooded forest.

Day 17: Battambang Rice Fields

• Travel from Siem Reap to Battambang by bus, a 3-hour journey.

• Check-in at your hotel and visit Phnom Sampeau Hill. Hike to the temple at the top for panoramic views, explore the Killing Caves, and enjoy the sunset.

Hiking to visit the pagoda on Phnom Sampeau hill of Battambang

Day 18: Battambang Day 2

• Spend the day cycling through the fields and towns of Cambodia, or opt for a ride on a remork (Cambodian tuk-tuk).

• Visit Preah Netr Preah stone carving village, a brick factory, and Samrong Khnong village.

• End the day with a bamboo train ride at the Bamboo Train Station.

Day 19: Battambang - Phnom Penh

• Visit Banteay Chhmar, a hidden temple, before heading to Phnom Penh.

• Check into your hotel.

• In the afternoon, take a boat trip along the Mekong River.

Cruise on the Mekong River in Phnom Penh 

Day 20: Phnom Penh City Capital of Cambodia

• Visit Wat Phnom Temple, the Royal Palace, and the Silver Pagoda in the morning.

• In the afternoon, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.

• In the evening, enjoy a tuk-tuk food tour, sampling Phnom Penh's famous dishes like Fish Amok, Nom Banh Chok, and grilled pork rice.

Day 21: Phnom Penh Departure

• Visit the National Museum and Central Market before bidding farewell to Cambodia and taking your flight home.

Budget

The average cost for 3 weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia typically ranges from around $1,200 to $2,500 per person. Actual expenses can vary depending on individual preferences and circumstances. Below is a breakdown of estimated costs:

Note: This does not include international airfare.

Biking in Battambang

Travel Tips

Lastly, to prepare for your 3 weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia, check out some essential information and advice here:

• Generally, the best time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia is from November to March, when the dry season prevails. 

• The weather in Central and Southern Vietnam, as well as Cambodia, is quite similar, with only two main seasons: wet and dry. In contrast, Northern Vietnam experiences all four seasons. 

• To pack correctly, you should check the weather for key locations like Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Siem Reap then pack accordingly.

Basket Boat ride in Hoi An Vietnam

• For your trip, make sure to bring essential items like clothing, footwear, snacks, medicine, personal documents, cash, and necessary charging adapters. 

• You should apply for visas for both countries at least a month in advance to avoid any paperwork issues.

• In Vietnam, you will need to use the local currency, the Vietnamese Dong (VND). In Cambodia, US dollars are widely accepted, but it is useful to carry some small amounts of Cambodian Riel (KHR). 

• Credit cards are generally accepted in large establishments across both countries.

• Since three weeks is a substantial length of time to travel, you should have backup plans and, most importantly, enjoy the journey. 

• Remember, tap water is not safe to drink in either country, so stick to bottled water or water provided at reliable points of sale.

• The locals in both Vietnam and Cambodia are known for their warmth and friendliness. These days, more and more people are able to communicate in English, enhancing your chances of interaction. 

• However, be mindful of your attire and behavior when visiting sacred or culturally significant sites, as it is important to respect local customs.

Looking for more information? Our article on best Vietnam itinerary for your trip.

3 weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia offer an abundant amount of time for an exciting journey to uncover the rich and diverse cultures of these two vibrant Southeast Asian destinations. For more key insights for your trip, feel free to explore more content on our website. If you are interested in our Vietnam tour programs, kindly let us know by leaving a message, and we will be in touch with you shortly.