Why Should You Travel Both Countries

  • Convenience: As neighboring countries, Vietnam and Cambodia are easily accessible, whether by air, land, or even waterways.

  • Cultural and historical richness: These destinations offer an immersive experience into diverse local cultures and historical legacies, each unique to its land.

  • Breathtaking landscapes: The natural beauty of both Vietnam and Cambodia makes them ideal for outdoor adventures and relaxing holidays.

  • World heritage sites: Vietnam boasts 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Halong Bay, Trang An Landscape Complex, Citadel of Ho Dynasty, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Hue Citadel, Hoi An Ancient Town, and My Son Relic. Cambodia, in turn, is home to the iconic Angkor Temples—a must-see for history enthusiasts.

  • Culinary delights: Vietnam and Cambodia offer a rich and diverse culinary scene that can cater to every palate, even for those on specific diets.

  • Affordable travel costs: As of August 2024, Vietnam and Cambodia remain highly affordable destinations. The exchange rates stand at around 1 USD = 24,845 VND (Vietnam) and 11 USD = 4,062.23 Riel (Cambodia), making it easier to access quality services while keeping costs low.

trip to Vietnam And Cambodia

A trip to Vietnam and Cambodia is worth it

How Long To Spend In Vietnam And Cambodia

You can plan your trip or choose package tours that range from a minimum of 7 days to a month or more. The most common travel itineraries are 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks.

A 2-week itinerary is often considered the sweet spot. It strikes the perfect balance, allowing you to explore both countries in-depth while maintaining a reasonable budget. This timeframe gives you the chance to fully immerse yourself in both cultures and enjoy a well-rounded experience.

For those short on time, a 1-week itinerary still offers the opportunity to see some of the key highlights in both countries. On the other hand, 3 weeks or more gives you the luxury of taking your time to explore each destination more leisurely. Ultimately, the decision is yours—depending on your interests and how deep you want to dive into the heart of Vietnam and Cambodia.

trip to Vietnam And Cambodia - how long to spend in vietnam and cambodia

How long to stay in Vietnam and Cambodia for the perfect travel experience

Suggested Itineraries & Budget

To help you better visualize how to spend your time in Vietnam and Cambodia, here are some suggested itineraries and corresponding budgets. Each option gives you a clear idea of what to do and how to plan your days efficiently.

7 days in Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary

A 7-day trip typically divides into 4 days in Vietnam and 3 days in Cambodia. The budget for this itinerary is approximately 800 - 1,300 USD per person. The focus here is on South Vietnam and Cambodia.

trip to Vietnam And Cambodia - halng bay cruise sunset

Vietnam and Cambodia Itineraries suggested for you

 

Itinerary

Overnight

Transportation

Day 1

  • Ho Chi Minh City Arrival 

  • Night street food tour by Motorbike 

Ho Chi Minh

Fly

Motorbike

Day 2

  • Cu Chi Tunnel

  • Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Ho Chi Minh

Long Bus

Day 3

  • Mekong Delta Region

Ho Chi Minh

Long Bus

Boat

Sampan boat

Day 4

  • Fly to Phnom Penh

  • Phnom Penh by Mekong River

Phnom Penh

Fly

River Cruise

Day 5

  • Phnom Penh City Tour

  • Fly/Long bus to Siem Reap

Siem Reap

Tuktuk

Fly/Long bus

Day 6

  • Angkor Temples

Siem Reap

Tuktuk

Day 7

  • Tonle Sap Lake & Floating Village

  • Departure from Siem Reap

-

Tuktuk

Boat

 

14 days in Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary

For a 14-day trip, you can explore all three regions of Vietnam before heading to Cambodia. The budget for this journey is around 1,000 - 2,100 USD per person, with 9 days spent in Vietnam and 5 days in Cambodia.

trip to vietnam and cambodia - how long to spend in vietnam and cambodia

Mysterious and timeless beauty of Cambodia 

 

Itinerary

Overnight

Transportation

Day 1

  • Hanoi Arrival

  • Hanoi City by Cyclo/Double-decker bus

Hanoi

Fly

Cyclo/Double-decker bus

Day 2

  • Hanoi - Halong Bay

Halong Bay

Long bus

Cruise

Day 3

  • Halong Bay - Hanoi

Hanoi

Cruise

Long Bus

Day 4

  • Ninh Binh Day Trip

Hanoi

Long bus

Boat

Day 5

  • Hanoi - Da Nang 

  • Da Nang City Exploration

Da Nang

Fly

Motorbike/Long bus

Day 6

  • My Son Relic

  • Hoi An Ancient Town

Da Nang/Hoi An

Long bus

Boat

Day 7

  • Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City

  • Ho Chi Minh City Exploration

Ho Chi Minh

Fly

Motorbike

Day 8

  • Mekong Delta Region

Can Tho

Long Bus

Boat

Day 9

  • Can Tho Floating Market

  • Tra Su Forest

Chau Doc

Long Bus

Boat

Day 10

  • Chau Doc - Phnom Penh

  • Phnom Penh at night

Phnom Penh

Speedboat

Day 11

  • Phnom Penh City

Phnom Penh

Tuktuk

Day 12

  • Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

  • Night time at Siem Reap

Siem Reap

Fly/Long bus

Day 13

  • Angkor Temple Complex

Siem Reap

Tuktuk/Bike

Day 14

  • Tonle Sap Lake & Floating Village

  • Siem Reap Departure

-

Tuktuk

Boat

 

21 days in Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary

For an extended 21-day trip, you can take your time at each location and explore additional destinations. The budget for this option is around $1,200 - $2,800 per person.

trip to vietnam and cambodia - how long to spend in vietnam and cambodia

21 days in Vietnam and Cambodia

 

Itinerary

Overnight

Transportation

Day 1

  • Hanoi Arrival

  • Hanoi City by Cyclo or Double-decker bus

Hanoi

Fly

Cyclo/Double-decker bus

Day 2

  • Hanoi Capital of Vietnam

Hanoi

Long bus/motorbike

Day 3

  • Ninh Binh Ancient Capital

Hanoi

Long bus

Boat

Day 4

  • Halong Bay Natural Heritage Site

Halong

Long bus

Cruise

Day 5

  • Halong Bay Day 2

Halong

Cruise

Bicycle

Day 6

  • Halong Bay – Hanoi 

  • Fly to Hue

Hue

Cruise

Long bus

Fly

Day 7

  • Hue Ancient Capital

  • Hue - Da Nang

Da Nang

Long bus

Day 8

  • Da Nang City

Da Nang

Long bus/ Motorbike

Day 9

  • Da Nang - Hoi An

  • Hoi An Countryside

Hoi An

Long bus

Bicycle/Vespa

Day 10

  • Hoi An Old Town

Hoi An

Long bus

Day 11

  • Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City

  • Ho Chi Minh City at night

Ho Chi Minh

Fly

Day 12

  • Cu Chi Tunnels

  • Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Ho Chi Minh

Long bus

Day 13

  • Mekong Delta Day Trip

Ho Chi Minh

Long bus

Boat

Day 14

  • Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap

Siem Reap

Fly

Day 15

  • Angkor Temples

Siem Reap

Tuktuk/Motorbike

Day 16

  • Tonle Sap Lake

Siem Reap

Tuktuk

Boat

Day 17

  • Battambang Rice Fields

Battambang

Tuktuk/Bicycle

Day 18

  • Battambang Day 2

Battambang

Tuktuk

Day 19

  • Battambang - Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh

Long bus

Day 20

  • Phnom Penh City Capital of Cambodia

Phnom Penh

Tuktuk

Day 21

  • Phnom Penh Departure

-

Fly

 

Travel Tips

If you already have some ideas about how long to stay in Vietnam and Cambodia, next, check out some helpful tips and advice to better prepare for your trip.

trip to vietnam and cambodia - how long to spend in vietnam and cambodia

Travel Cambodia by remorks

Visa

Always remember to apply for your visa at least one month before your trip starts to ensure you can enter the countries without issue. Visa requirements for Vietnam and Cambodia vary depending on your nationality, so make sure to verify the specific requirements.

How to get around

The transportation infrastructure in both Vietnam and Cambodia is steadily improving, making it relatively easy to access tourist destinations. Common modes of travel included in 2 countries are planes, long buses, boats, and motorbikes. In Vietnam, you can also take trains for long-distance travel, which is quite convenient. In Cambodia, the most popular form of transportation for tourists is the tuk-tuk (also called remork).

The best time to visit

The best time to visit both countries is from November to March, during the dry season when there is less rain and the weather is not too hot.

Safety and local culture

Vietnam and Cambodia are safe and friendly countries for travelers. Particularly in Vietnam, the local life is stable, and tourism services are improving. However, be cautious about petty theft and inflated prices when shopping. You should keep your belongings secure and double-check prices during transactions.

trip to vietnam and cambodia - how long to spend in vietnam and cambodia

Floating village in Tonle Sap

Plugs

  • In Vietnam, the standard plug types are A, C, and F.

  • In Cambodia, the plug types are A, C, and G.

SIM cards and currency exchange

You can easily find SIM cards and currency exchange services at the airports.

  • In Vietnam, you will need to exchange for VND (Vietnamese Dong).

  • In Cambodia, both USD and KHR (Cambodian Riel) are widely used, with USD being quite common for travel transactions.

Packing tips

Make sure to check the weather at each destination before packing, especially for any essential items you may need that could be difficult to find locally, such as specific medicines or personal care products.

To gain more insights, navigate to our post about Vietnam and Cambodia itineraries!

To Sum Up

How long to spend in Vietnam and Cambodia? It could be 7 days, 14 days, or even more—it all depends on how much time you can dedicate to travel, your budget, and how well you prepare for your trip. I hope the information provided has given you useful insights for making your decision. You can check detailed travel guides, day-by-day itineraries, and travel deals for Vietnam tours on our website. Feel free to leave us a message if you need further assistance.