Should you travel to Vietnam and Cambodia in 12 days?
Yes, 12 days is a reasonable amount of time to visit both countries
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You will have enough time to get familiar with and immerse yourself in the culture, people, climate, and cuisine.
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The budget and travel time are also manageable. Currently, travel in Vietnam and Cambodia remains reasonably priced.
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If you are looking to make the most of your plane ticket to Southeast Asia and visit both countries in one trip, it is very convenient as they are neighboring nations. Crossing the border is affordable and straightforward.
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This is a great plan to explore two unique cultures of Southeast Asia, giving you a more meaningful and fulfilling trip.
Travel Vietnam and Cambodia on 1 trip
How to Travel from Vietnam to Cambodia
From Vietnam, you can reach Cambodia by:
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Airplane: There are plenty of daily flights connecting Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia. The flight time is just around 2 hours.
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Long bus: For convenience, start from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh. The distance is around 230 km and takes approximately 6 hours.
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Cruise: Departing from Ho Chi Minh City, cruises typically take 5 to 10 days, following a set itinerary.
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Speedboat: Starting from Chau Doc (Southern Vietnam), this journey takes about 6 hours, cruising along the Mekong Delta to Phnom Penh.
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Motorbike: You can cross the border at the Moc Bai land checkpoint, connecting the two countries.
There are many ways to go from Vietnam to Cambodia
Suggested Vietnam Cambodia Itinerary 12 Days
Thanks to the convenience, affordable costs, and numerous transportation options, there are many choices for Vietnam Cambodia Itinerary 12 days. You can choose to explore any region in North, Central, or South Vietnam and then fly to Cambodia to continue your adventure.
Option 1: North Vietnam - Cambodia
Here is a suggested Vietnam Cambodia Itinerary 12 days following the North Vietnam - Cambodia route:
North Vietnam and Cambodia travel route
|
Day |
Itinerary |
Details |
Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Day 1 |
Hanoi Arrival |
Arrive in Hanoi, check into your hotel, and rest or explore the Old Quarter with street food |
Hanoi |
|
Day 2 |
Hanoi Suburban |
Take a morning jeep trip to the Red River Delta, followed by an afternoon exploring Hanoi’s landmarks, Train Street, Beer Street, and a water puppet show |
Hanoi |
|
Day 3 |
Ninh Binh |
Take a 2-hour bus to hike Mua Cave, enjoy a sampan boat ride in Tam Coc, and visit Bich Dong Pagoda |
Hanoi |
|
Day 4 |
Pu Luong |
Bus ride (4 hours) to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, hike to Hieu Village and visit the stunning 9-tier Hieu Waterfall, and explore terraced rice fields and Black Thai ethnic culture |
Pu Luong |
|
Day 5 |
Pu Luong |
Visit Tien Moi Village, bamboo forests, and take a rafting tour on Cham River. Visit Kho Muong Village’s Handicraft Village and Hang Doi Cave |
Pu Luong |
|
Day 6 |
Mai Chau |
Transfer to Mai Chau, visit Pom Cong Village, have lunch at a Hmong stilt house, trek to Lac Village and Van Village |
Mai Chau |
|
Day 7 |
Return to Hanoi |
Free morning in Mai Chau, return to Hanoi for shopping or relaxation |
Hanoi |
|
Day 8 |
Siem Reap |
Fly from Hanoi to Siem Reap, check into the hotel, rest, have dinner, and watch an Apsara dance performance |
Siem Reap |
|
Day 9 |
Siem Reap |
Early morning sunrise at Angkor Wat, followed by exploring Angkor Thom |
Siem Reap |
|
Day 10 |
Tonle Sap |
Visit Beng Mealea temple, then explore Kompong Khleang floating village to experience local life |
Siem Reap |
|
Day 11 |
Siem Reap |
Visit the ancient temples of Bakong, Lolei, and Preah Ko, explore Psar Chas market, and enjoy an evening tuk-tuk ride to a blessing ceremony by Buddhist monks |
Siem Reap |
|
Day 12 |
Siem Reap |
Pack up and end your Vietnam Cambodia Itinerary 12 days |
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Halong Bay in Vietnam
This itinerary is ideal if you are okay with flying rather than taking a bus (airfare is about $280 per ticket, while the bus is around $24 per ticket). It offers the chance to explore the beauty of North Vietnam, including the capital Hanoi, the countryside of Ninh Binh, the world wonder Halong Bay by cruise, and hiking through ethnic villages to admire the terraced rice fields unique to North Vietnam.
Option 2: South Vietnam - Cambodia
If you are looking to save on travel costs or prefer South Vietnam, you can follow the South Vietnam - Cambodia route: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel - Mekong Delta - Can Tho - Chau Doc - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap.
Phnom Penh capital of Cambodia travel
|
Day |
Itinerary |
Details |
Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Day 1 |
Ho Chi Minh |
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, check into the hotel, and take a nighttime street food tour by motorbike |
Ho Chi Minh |
|
Day 2 |
Ho Chi Minh |
Morning visit to Cu Chi Tunnel, afternoon city landmarks tour, and explore Bui Vien or Nguyen Hue walking streets in the evening |
Ho Chi Minh |
|
Day 3 |
Mekong Delta |
Bus ride (2 hours) to the Mekong Delta, explore islets by boat, visit orchards, local factories, and farms, then take a tuk-tuk and sampan boat ride. Transfer to Can Tho |
Can Tho |
|
Day 4 |
Can Tho - Chau Doc |
Visit the floating market early in the morning, transfer to Chau Doc, and explore Tra Su Cajuput Forest |
Chau Doc |
|
Day 5 |
Chau Doc - Phnom Penh |
Take a speedboat to Phnom Penh, check into a hotel, and enjoy an evening Mekong cruise |
Phnom Penh |
|
Day 6 |
Phnom Penh |
Visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and Wat Phnom Pagoda. Tour Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, then visit the night market |
Phnom Penh |
|
Day 7 |
Phnom Penh - Battambang |
Visit the National Museum in the morning, transfer to Battambang, and explore the rice fields by bike |
Battambang |
|
Day 8 |
Battambang |
Climb Sampeau Hill, ride the bamboo train, visit Banan Temple and Phnom Sampov, and take a cooking class |
Battambang |
|
Day 9 |
Siem Reap |
Transfer to Siem Reap, check into the hotel, and enjoy dinner with an Apsara dance performance |
Siem Reap |
|
Day 10 |
Siem Reap |
Explore Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom |
Siem Reap |
|
Day 11 |
Tonle Sap |
Visit Tonle Sap Lake, explore the fishing villages and traditional crafts, and enjoy the night market and Bar Street in the evening |
Siem Reap |
|
Day 12 |
Siem Reap |
End your journey and fly back home |
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Battambang countryside with endless rice paddies
Budget
The budget for a 12-day Vietnam Cambodia itinerary ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 per person. Here is a breakdown of estimated costs:
|
Category |
Budget (USD/person) |
Mid-range (USD/person) |
Luxury (USD/person) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Visa |
50 - 100 |
50 - 100 |
50 - 100+ |
|
Flights (ticket) |
120 - 250 |
300 - 500 |
500+ |
|
Accommodation/night |
10 - 15 |
15 - 20 |
50+ |
|
Meals/day |
10 - 15 |
15 - 20 |
40+ |
|
Transportation (domestic)/day |
10 - 30 |
20 - 30 |
50+ |
|
Entry fees |
60 - 80 |
100 |
200+ |
|
Miscellaneous |
50 - 60 |
100 - 150 |
150+ |
|
Total |
1,000 - 1,500 |
1,500 - 2,5000 |
3,000+ |
Southern Vietnam
Travel Tips
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The best time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia is from November to March when it is the dry season with minimal rain.
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Check the weather beforehand to pack accordingly.
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Vietnam and Cambodia are both hot and humid, so always stay hydrated and bring sunscreen.
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Prepare all necessary documents for travel and keep important contacts on hand.
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You can exchange currency and buy SIM cards at airports or border crossings.
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In Vietnam, the local currency is VND, while in Cambodia, both USD and Riel are widely accepted.
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It is a good idea to carry cash as credit card payments aren’t as commonly accepted, especially in Cambodia (though more widely used in South Vietnam).
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Always keep your belongings safe, and dress modestly when visiting temples.
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To avoid any taxi scams, it is recommended to use ride-hailing apps for clear and fair pricing.
Plan your Vietnam Cambodia Itinerary 12 days with your ideal destinations and experiences
For a broader perspective, consult our post on other Vietnam and Cambodia itineraries!
These are some helpful insights for your Vietnam Cambodia Itinerary 12 days. For more travel information and tours, feel free to explore our website. Leave us a message if you need help booking a tour or require any assistance for your trip!
