Classic Travel Routes
The Classic Southern Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary is ideal for first-time travelers, covering all the major highlights at a reasonable budget—approximately $800 to $1,500 per person for a 7-8 day journey.
Option 1: Southern Vietnam and Cambodia 7 days
This itinerary takes you from Ho Chi Minh City, with side trips to nearby attractions, and then a flight from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. While classic, this route never fails to captivate first-time visitors, featuring key cities in both countries and offering authentic local experiences.
Do Phu Coffee in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrivals
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Check into your hotel and rest up after the flight.
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In the evening, rent a motorbike or join a motorbike food tour to discover the local cuisine and see the city come alive at night. You can also hop on a double-decker bus for a city overview.
Day 2: Cu Chi & City Tour
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Head out to the Cu Chi Tunnels historical site for a half-day tour.
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You can enjoy lunch in the Cu Chi area or back in the city center.
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In the afternoon, join a city tour to visit key sights: Independence Palace, Post Office, War Remnant Museum, and Bunker Coffee.
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In the evening, take a stroll through Bui Vien Bar Street or Nguyen Hue Walking Street for some vibrant nightlife.
Day 3: Mekong Delta
Take a full-day trip to the Mekong Delta (My Tho and Ben Tre) with these activities:
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Boat ride on the Mekong River
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Visit island villages
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Sample fruits, enjoy tea, and listen to traditional music
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Explore coconut factories, bee farms, chocolate factories, orchards, and fish ponds
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Paddle a sampan boat through water coconut forests
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Have a local-style lunch in a garden hut
Discover local Vietnamese cuisine in your trip
Return to the city in the evening for dinner and rest. If you are into the city vibe, don’t miss out on Saigon’s lively nightlife:
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Vietnamese Restaurant recommendations: Bep Nha Luc Tinh, Home Saigon, Secret Garden, Pandan Leaf, etc.
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Street Food suggestions: Stone Bowl Pho, Banh Mi, Banh Canh, Com Tam, Hu Tieu, etc.
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Bar picks: Krystalini Hidden Cocktail Bar, SON Saigon, Chanh Bistro Rooftop, etc.
Day 4: Fly/Bus to Phnom Penh
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Catch a one-hour flight or a six-to-seven-hour bus ride to Phnom Penh.
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Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax.
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In the afternoon, visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, and Wat Phnom Temple.
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For the evening, enjoy a river cruise on the Mekong and check out the Phnom Penh Night Market.
Day 5: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
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In the morning, visit the Independence Monument, Choeung Ek Killing Field, and Tuol Sleng Museum.
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After lunch, check out from your hotel and head to Siem Reap, the gateway to the Angkor temples.
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You can fly or take a long bus ride.
Cambodia Independence Monument
Day 6: Angkor Temples
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Spend the day exploring Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom by tuk-tuk or bicycle.
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In the evening, enjoy dinner while watching a traditional Khmer Apsara dance.
Day 7: Departure
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End your journey and head home.
Option 2: Southern Vietnam and Cambodia 8 days
This Southern Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary stretches a bit beyond the classic routes and adds a unique twist. You will venture deeper into the Mekong Delta and cross the border via the river that connects both countries.
Boat trip in Tra Su forest
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrivals
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After your flight, check-in hotel
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In the afternoon, visit city landmarks and take a water bus ride on Saigon River to view the energetic city by riverside
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Nighttime on walking streets or take a sip in a hidden night bar
Day 2: Mekong Delta: My Tho - Ben Tre - Can Tho
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After breakfast, check-out your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
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Day trip to My Tho and Ben Tre.
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After the trip, head to Can Tho, the heart of the Southern Delta.
Day 3: Can Tho Floating Market - Tra Su Forest
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Wake up early for a visit to the floating market. You can have breakfast on the boat, buy fruit, drinks, and visit noodle-making factories and local crafts workshops.
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After checking out of your hotel, head to Chau Doc.
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In the afternoon, visit Tra Su forest, a brackish water reserve with a vital local ecosystem in South Vietnam.
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Stay overnight in Chau Doc.
Day 4: Speedboat to Phnom Penh
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Check out and take a six-hour speedboat ride to Phnom Penh, observing the riverbank landscapes of both countries.
Monkey Bridge crossing in South Vietnam
Day 5: Phnom Penh City Tour
Day 6: Fly to Siem Reap
Day 7: Angkor Wat
Day 8: Tonle Sap - Departure
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In the morning, visit Tonle Sap Lake, the floating village, and a nearby forest.
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Check out and head to the airport for your flight home.
Southern Vietnam and Cambodia by Cruise
You can opt for either a 5-day or 9-day journey. Budgeting for a cruise trip can be a bit higher, ranging from around $1,500 to $4,000 depending on the length of the trip.
River cruise travel Vietnam and Cambodia
You will be staying on a luxury cruise, traveling along the Mekong River from Southern Vietnam to Cambodia. This option is perfect for those who love cruising, enjoy unique experiences, prefer an all-inclusive service, and have a higher budget.
Here is a sample 9-day Southern Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary for your reference:
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Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival - Get on Board
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Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour
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Day 3: My Tho - Vinh Long - Sa Dec (Mekong Delta)
Spend a full day exploring the rural charm of the Mekong Delta, visiting flower villages, ancient houses, and local temples with unique, blended architecture.
The unique temple architecture in Southern Vietnam
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Day 4: Sa Dec - Chau Doc (Mekong Delta)
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Day 5: Chau Doc - Phnom Penh
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Day 6: Phnom Penh City Tour
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Day 7: Koh Chen – Kampong Tralach – Kampong Chhnang
Depart from the Cambodian capital to explore rural life, visiting local schools, temples, and scenic countryside.
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Day 8: Kampong Chhnang Floating Village - Tonle Sap Lake
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Day 9: Angkor Siem Reap
Finish your trip in Siem Reap. Some Mekong River cruises offering trips from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia are Victoria Mekong, RV Indochine, and L’Amant Cruise.
A trip by Mekong Delta river cruise
Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc Island to Angkor Heritage
Southern Vietnam and Cambodia itineraries aren’t just about cities and heritage sites—you can also relax on tropical islands. The Southern region of Vietnam boasts Phu Quoc Island, one of the world’s top 25 islands in 2024, according to Travel + Leisure.
Phu Quoc is in the list of best islands in the World
A 10-day trip following this itinerary costs around $1,500 to $2,500. The price is slightly higher compared to the classic route due to the additional flight to Phu Quoc.
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh Arrival
Day 2: Cu Chi & Ho Chi Minh City Tour
Day 3: Mekong Delta
Day 4: Ho Chi Minh - Phu Quoc Island
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In the afternoon, visit Dinh Cau—a sacred site on the island, Hàm Ninh Fishing Village, and fish sauce and sim wine production facilities.
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In the evening, explore the night market at Duong Dong town - the island center.
Day 5: Phu Quoc Island
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Phu Quoc offers countless travel germs, from amusement parks like VinWonders and SunWorld, to the northern ecosystem reserve, the southern archipelago and stunning beaches like Starfish Beach and Long Beach. Plan your day based on your preferences.
Strolling by the beaches of Phu Quoc
Day 6: Phu Quoc - Phnom Penh
Day 7: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
Day 8: Angkor Complex
Day 9: Departure
Explore more Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary options!
Here are four suggested travel routes for your Southern Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary, with a wide range of attractions and experiences. We hope this helps you choose how to enjoy your trip through South Vietnam and Cambodia. Feel free to explore more travel guides, itineraries, and deals for Vietnam tours on New Asia Tours’ website. Drop us a message if you need further assistance!
