Vietnam Cambodia Itinerary 7 Days Advice For Travelers

Is 7 days enough to see Vietnam and Cambodia?

Yes, it is. Although seven days might seem short to thoroughly explore both Southeast Asian gems, it is still possible to create a meaningful and memorable journey. While you could spend seven days fully immersing yourself in either Vietnam or Cambodia alone, you can also split your time between both countries for a well-rounded experience. Consider this option if:

• You prefer to visit both nations in one trip.

• Your available time and budget are set for seven days.

• You are content with exploring a select number of key attractions.

If your answer is "yes" to the above, then keep reading for some itinerary suggestions. Rest assured, seven days is enough to enjoy both countries with a well-planned itinerary. You will still be able to soak up some of the best sights and experiences that each country has to offer.

Tourists eagerly wait for the train in Hanoi, Vietnam

Suggested Vietnam Cambodia Itinerary 7 Days

Vietnam and Cambodia are neighboring countries, making it easy to travel between them. Below are three suggested routes for a Vietnam Cambodia itinerary 7 days that include direct or connecting flights.

Option 1: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

Southern Vietnam and Cambodia are adjacent so you can travel between them quite conveniently via air, road, or water. This itinerary covers the highlights of South Vietnam and must-see spots in Cambodia.

Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City

• Check-in at your hotel.

• Explore the surrounding area at your leisure.

Explore Ho Chi Minh City - the most developed city in Vietnam

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Exploration

• Rent a motorbike to explore the city. You can visit 13535 Motorbike Rental Saigon to find one.  

• Visit city attractions: the Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Ba Thien Hau Pagoda, Book Street, etc.

• Explore local markets: Ben Thanh Market, Cho Lon, Saigon Square, etc.

• Sample local cuisine at markets, cafes, bars, or restaurants. Some popular foods in Saigon are Broken Rice, Coconut Coffee, Hu Tiu, Thick Crab Noodle Soup, etc.

• Stroll along walking streets like Nguyen Hue or Bui Vien.

• Consider a cruise or waterbus tour along the Saigon River.

Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnel - Mekong Delta

• Take a half-day trip to the historic Cu Chi Tunnels.

• In the afternoon, explore the Mekong Delta: visit islands, fruit gardens, coconut and honey farms, enjoy a local meal, and take a sampan boat ride, etc in the My Tho and Ben Tren regions.

• Return to the city for a restful evening.

From city to countryside in Vietnam

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh

• Fly to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which takes about 3-4 hours. If you're interested in trying the speedboat option, you will need to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Chau Doc. For those preferring a land route, you can cross the border via checkpoints in An Giang, Kien Giang, or Tay Ninh.

• Check into your hotel, then explore the city: visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Wat Phnom Temple, and the Russian Market.

• Relax and enjoy the city in the evening.

• The food scene in Cambodia is also worth trying, you can sample Fish Amok, Beef Lok Lak, Num Banh Chok noodles, Kuy Teav Broth, etc

Day 5: Phnom Penh City - Siem Reap

• In the morning, visit the National Museum, Killing Fields (Choeung Ek), and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

• After checking out of your hotel, fly or take a long bus to Siem Reap. 

Day 6: Angkor Temple Complex

Spend the day exploring the largest religious monuments in the world: Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. Purchase a one-day ticket to cover both sites.

Set foot on the sacred land of ancient Khmer

Day 7: Tonle Sap - Siem Reap Departure

• In the morning, visit Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, and its floating villages.

• Fly home in the afternoon.

You can also consider the Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta – Can Tho – Chau Doc – Siem Reap route, where you travel by speedboat instead of flying, or join a cruise along the Mekong River, exploring both Southern Vietnam and Cambodia by water.

Option 2: North Vietnam and Cambodia

If you prefer to explore Vietnam's capital - Hanoi, the serene beauty of Ninh Binh, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, this itinerary offers a glimpse into North Vietnam before moving on to Cambodia.

Floating life in Tonle Sap Cambodia

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

• Check-in and rest at your hotel.

• Explore local attractions, markets, and cuisine such as Pho, Banh Mi, Bun Cha, Cha Ca La Vong, Egg Coffee, etc

• Try a cyclo ride or catch a water puppet show.

Day 2: Hanoi - Ninh Binh

• Take a two-hour bus ride to Ninh Binh.

• Enjoy a boat ride through Trang An or Tam Coc, visit the ancient capital Hoa Lu, hike Mua Cave, and go biking through the countryside.

• Return to Hanoi in the evening.

Day 3: Halong - Halong Bay

• Travel to Halong Bay and take a cruise trip, with stops at islands, fishing villages, caves, and opportunities for swimming and kayaking.

• Enjoy a night on the cruise.

Having the best moment in your Vietnam Cambodia itinerary 7 days

Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Siem Reap

• Enjoy the rest of the morning schedule on the cruise, have brunch and then return to the dock to back to Hanoi

• Take a flight to Siem Reap Cambodia

Day 5 - 6: Angkor Temples

Now you have plenty of time in Siem Reap (you can adjust your time to spend in Siem Reap or Hanoi if you want). In Siem Reap, you can spend time:

• Exploring the town, shops, markets

• Taking a boat on the Mekong River

• Buying a 2-day ticket to thoughtfully explore Angkor Complex

Day 7: Tonle Sap - Departure

Visit Tonle Sap Lake before your departure flight.

Option 3: Central Vietnam - Cambodia

If you like to explore the Central strip of Vietnam, you can combine these two routes. There are also direct or connecting flights from Da Nang - Cambodia, but the number is not as many as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, so you should check and book a customized ticket. Now, let's check the schedule below to see what's special.

Travel and meet locals 

Day 1: Da Nang arrival

You fly to Da Nang and explore the city: My Khe beach, Son Tra peninsula, Han market, Con market, Helio night markets, Son Tra, etc.

Day 2: Ba Na Hills

Spend a day at this mountain paradise:

• Take the world's longest single-wire cable car

• Take photos at the famous Cau Vang

• Visit: French village, flower garden, Linh Ung pagoda, market, temple, Fantasy Park, etc

• Watch vibrant street performances

• Enjoy food and drinks

Day 3: Da Nang - Hoi An

• You will visit the UNESCO-recognized Hoi An Ancient Town.

• In the afternoon, hop on a Vespa to explore the countryside: rice fields, peaceful villages, local homes, vegetable gardens, and even try your hand at being a farmer.

• Hoi An also offers some wonderful experiences like cooking classes and lantern-making workshops that are worth trying.

• Return to Da Nang in the evening.

See the signatures of both countries during your Vietnam-Cambodia itinerary for 7 days

Day 4: Da Nang - Hue - Da Nang - Siem Reap

• From Da Nang, you will head to the ancient capital of Hue to visit the Imperial Citadel, the royal tombs, Thien Mu Pagoda, and take a dragon boat ride along the Perfume River.

• Afterward, return to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Day 5 - 6: Angkor Temple

Spend two days exploring the majestic Angkor complex and the town of Siem Reap.

Day 7: Tonle Sap - Siem Reap Departure

In the morning, visit the vast Tonle Sap Lake before catching your flight home, and concluding your journey.

In general, you can follow the suggested itineraries or adjust your time spent in Vietnam and Cambodia depending on your chosen destinations and budget. Both countries can offer numerous off-the-beaten-track options like Ha Giang, Quang Binh, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc Island, Sihanoukville, Battambang, and more. However, as there are no direct flights to some of these locations, be sure to balance your time and check available transportation options.

Immerse in the thousand-year-old space of Cambodia

Budget

The budget for a Vietnam Cambodia itinerary of 7 days typically ranges from 500 to 1,300 USD per person. Here is an estimated cost breakdown:

Cambodia's famous tuk-tuk ride is fun, fast, and reasonable

Travel Tips

• Always ensure that you prepare and securely store all necessary documents, procedures, ticket bookings, and service confirmations in advance to minimize disruptions during your journey.

• Things to Pack: Bring a sufficient amount of clothing appropriate for the weather at your travel time, along with any medications, personal items, snacks, your phone, a power adapter, etc.

• Always pack lightly and take care to secure your belongings wherever you go.

• The weather in Central and Southern Vietnam is quite similar to that in Cambodia (they only have wet and dry seasons), while Northern Vietnam can differ significantly due to its four distinct seasons.

• The best time to travel to Vietnam and Cambodia is generally from September to April.

Your 7 days will be filled with many interesting experiences

• Flight costs from Vietnam to Cambodia vary only slightly, though they may differ depending on the time of year. Be sure to check prices to find the best option for you. 

• In Vietnam, you will need to exchange for VND, while in Cambodia, you can use USD and exchange a small amount of Riel for minor purchases.

• If local prices are higher than your standards, you can try bargaining. 

• You can exchange money and purchase SIM cards at the airports. 

• Downloading translation apps, navigation apps, and currency converters will be helpful during your trip.

• Locals are generally friendly and welcoming to tourists, but it is also essential to respect the local culture, especially at religious sites.

For a related discussion, head to our article on multi-days Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary!

This information covers everything you need to know about Vietnam Cambodia itinerary 7 days as you plan your journey. If you require more detailed assistance with your Vietnam tour or want to inquire about booking programs with New Asia Tours, please leave us a message. We have various options available for both group and private tours.