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Planning a trip through Vietnam and Cambodia and feeling overwhelmed by the logistics, routes, and must-sees? I get it — both countries are packed with incredible cities, breathtaking landscapes, and cultural experiences you won’t want to miss.
After spending over five months across both countries in 2024 and 2025, I’ve crafted a 3-week Cambodia and Vietnam itinerary that balances iconic highlights with hidden gems — and includes the best ways to get around, where to stay, and how to actually enjoy the journey without burning out.
This Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary covers everything from sipping egg coffee in Hanoi, visiting Indochina’s tallest mountain in Sapa, to temple-hopping in Siem Reap — all linked together in a logical flow that makes sense for first-timers and return travellers alike.
Let’s dive into the route, day by day — with my personal recommendations for tours, hotels, transport options, and even where to store your luggage when you just want to explore.
🛫 Overview: How to Use This 3-Week Cambodia & Vietnam Itinerary
- Itinerary pace
✈️ Hanoi → Sapa → Hue → Hoi An → Mekong Delta → HCMC → Phnom Penh → Siem Reap ✈️
This 3 week Cambodia and Vietnam itinerary is fairly fast-paced. However, if you have three full weeks, there’s a spare day in this itinerary for you to decide where you’d most like to spend extra time. Remember that you still need to rest when travelling – I recommend putting in the extra day somewhere you can relax and have a quiet day.
I’ve also put in some suggestions for how to shorten it or extend your time at the end.
- Map of the route
Use this interactive map to find all the spots I recommend on this Cambodia and Vietnam itinerary!
- Visa info
For Vietnam, citizens of many countries can enter visa-free for 45 days, including Europe, the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand and others. Arrival is usually easy and quick, especially if you’re arriving through airports (with the exception of Ho Chi Minh City Airport, see the tips section below).
For Cambodia, most people including from the UK will need to pay for a visa, which costs $30 USD. You can get a visa on arrival at most entry points, or apply for an e-visa in advance. This is an easy online process that I’ve used both times. It won’t significantly speed up the process if entering by bus but it will speed up the process if you arrive by air or by land in a private transfer. If you enter by air, you also need to submit an online arrival card in advance.
Always check your government website for the most up to date requirements – I’ve used the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office as an example above.
- 📲 Get connected on arrival
I always prefer to make sure that I’m going to be able to access data when I arrive somewhere new, and the easiest way to do this is via an Esim. For Cambodia and Vietnam, I recommend Airalo as one of the most reliable eSim providers.
Want help planning Vietnam without overwhelm?
Vietnam, Unlocked is a culture-rich travel guide with itineraries, transport guidance, and planning tools — built for independent travellers who want depth, not rush.
Or, if you’re just getting started, you can sign up for my free Culture-First Traveller’s Guide to Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia — focused on history, everyday culture, and travelling thoughtfully.
And if you’d prefer someone to build a personalised itinerary just for you, I also offer custom trip planning.
👉 Request a custom Vietnam itinerary
Week 1: Northern Vietnam
🏙 Hanoi – 3 nights, 2 full days
📌 2 days in Hanoi
📌 Morning bus to Sapa on the 3rd day
Spend at least two full days in Vietnam’s bustling capital – especially if you’re arriving and likely dealing with jet lag. Hanoi is full of character, with streets in the Old Quarter still dedicated to traditional crafts or types of shop, delicious food and coffee everywhere and beautiful temples on serene lakes.
Prioritise wandering Hanoi’s Old Quarter, sipping Hanoi’s famous egg coffee (trust me, it’s delicious) and checking out Train Street in the evening. Walk across to the gorgeous temple on Hoan Kiem Lake, visit the famous water puppet theatre, and understand more of Vietnam’s past at the chilling Hoa Lo Prison. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the women-led easy rider motorbike tour I took around the city.
Best tours for food + culture
- Women-led motorbike tour (✨ 5/790+)
- Water Puppet Theatre ticket (✨ 4.6/5.6k+)
- Street food tour + Train Street (✨ 4.9/2k+)
Where to stay
Hanoi was the one place in Vietnam where I felt that reviews were truly inflated, and I stayed in places with high reviews but poor facilities – so recommend doing some intensive research on this. I’ve put the one place I’ve personally stayed at and recommend below, but otherwise, I recommend staying in or around the Old Quarter.
- Huong’s Family Homestay – budget guesthouse with shared bathroom, spotlessly clean, decent sized rooms and very friendly host. (✨9.3/190+)
🧭 Find out more: read my 2 days in Hanoi itinerary to make the most of your time!
⛰ Sapa – 1 night, 1 night train
📌 Morning bus from Hanoi to Sapa, Fansipan visit in afternoon
📌 Spend a full day trekking or on a motorbike tour before a night train or bus back to Hanoi and your onward trip to Hue
Take two days to head into Vietnam’s gorgeous northern mountains, where you can do a trek (try to make sure it’s ethical), head to the top of Mount Fansipan (the highest peak in Indochina) on the incredible new cable car, or do what I did: an easy rider motorbike tour that takes you out into the surrounding villages to see how people from Sapa’s many ethnic minority groups live.
Best tours:
- Book your Mount Fansipan tickets in advance
- Book an Easy Rider tour of the mountains around Sapa (✨5/190+) – I loved this experience!
Getting there via sleeper train or bus
Your time in Sapa includes one night travelling via sleeper train or bus and one night in a hotel/homestay in Sapa. You could do this Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary with two nights on sleeper transport, but I personally think it would be too exhausting. Save your energy and take one early morning bus to ensure you get a good night’s sleep.
Book your bus and train tickets on 12GoAsia.
Where to stay in Sapa – homestays vs central Sapa
When visiting Sapa, you have two options: stay in central Sapa, or a more remote homestay. The best option for you depends on your plans and preferences.
| Central Sapa | Homestay | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Near to Mount Fansipan Cable Car | Very touristy and can be overwhelming | Authentic experience | Requires expensive taxis if you don’t hire a motorbike |
| Only short taxis needed | Best for trekking or if you’re hiring a motorbike | No access to restaurants/cafes |
Where to stay:
- Heart of Sapa Hotel – this was where I stayed and highly recommend. It’s in the centre of town but on a quiet street, with spacious, clean rooms, a good breakfast, and a friendly host family. (✨ 8.5/1k+)
- Sapa Farmer House – homestay in the mountains with terraces overlooking ricefields (✨ 9.6/500+)
- Sapa Relax Hotel and Spa – at a slightly higher price point, this has a beautiful roof terrace overlooking the mountains. Reviews are excellent and some rooms also have views (✨ 9.1/3k+)
- Hotel de la Coupole – if you really want to splash out, this hotel houses the Fansipan train, and is one of the most luxurious properties, right in central Sapa. (✨ 9.3/1.4k+)
Find out more:
🧭 My guide on how to visit Mount Fansipan
🧭 My guide to taking the train in Vietnam
🚂 Week 2: Central Vietnam
🏯 Hue – 2 nights, 1 full day
📌 Take a bus or train from Hanoi to Hue. Depending on transport timings you might have extra time in Hue or Hanoi
📌 Spend the next day in Hue before leaving for Da Nang or Hoi An the following morning.
Hue is an underrated gem, often overshadowed by nearby Hoi An, despite being a UNESCO site in its own right. Spend a full day in Hue’s incredible Imperial Palaces and you’ll be blown away by the history and intricacy of these beautiful buildings. Visit the Citadel and Imperial Palaces, Pagoda of the Celestial Lady, tombs of the last Emperors of Vietnam and the Perfume River to make the most of your time.
Got extra time? If you’ve got an extra day, or your travel plans leave you with a half day spare, head to Hue’s famous abandoned waterpark, an eerie but incredibly safe urbex-ing activity.
Best tour to see Imperial Hue:
- Take the exact excellent tour I used (✨4.6/795+) to see the highlights of Hue in one busy but fascinating day.
Getting there
From Sapa, you’ll either need to take an exceptionally long bus or change in Hanoi. You can choose to take a day bus/train from Hanoi to Hue directly after the night bus/train I’ve suggested from Sapa, or spend some extra time in Hanoi before a night train/bus. Book Hanoi-Hue transport here.
Where to stay in Hue
- Pisces Hotel – this incredible hotel is where I stayed. The design in just amazing, making it one of the most Instagrammable hotels I’ve ever stayed in. (✨ 8.5/530+)
- Than Thien Friendly Hotel – this is where I’d booked to stay before I found the Pisces Hotel. It’s a highly rated, budget hotel in a central location. (✨ 8.9/1.5k+)
🧭 Find out more: Read my guide to two days in Hue.
🌊 Da Nang & Hoi An
📌 First day – either ride the Hai Van Pass for a full day adventure, or take the shorter bus/train and spend extra time in either Hue, Da Nang or Hoi An
📌 Spend 3 full days exploring this part of Vietnam – base yourself in Hoi An
📌 On the fourth day, fly to Can Tho in the Mekong Delta
It’s no secret that Hoi An is one of my favourite places in the world (if not my actual favourite) and nearby Da Nang, a much more modern city, is pretty cool too. I’ve visited Hoi An three times, and I lived in Da Nang for two months in 2025 – so I feel qualified to say that! If you’ve got time, you could even get clothes or shoes tailored, as Hoi An is one of the most famous places in the world for tailoring (if this is your aim, prioritise visiting tailors on your first day to give them time).
Prioritise Hoi An – wander the beautiful UNESCO heritage streets, pop into temples and see how people used to live in ancient houses. Board a boat at sunset to release one of the famous paper lanterns, set sail in a bamboo boat during the day to cruise through serene mangrove forest or ride a bike through Hoi An’s gleaming rice fields.
In contrast, Da Nang is a much more modern city – and most often visited as a stopping off point because of train or airport access. However, there’s plenty to do in this bustling town – spend the day on Da Nang’s thriving beach, take part in a coffee making workshop or head to the nearby Marble Mountains and visit the beautiful Lady Buddha, who protects the city from Typhoons.
Got extra time? If you’ve got an extra day or two, consider spending time at Hoi An’s beautiful beach – nearby An Bang.
Best tours for day trips, culture and coffee:
- Marble Mountains & Lady Buddha ( ✨4.7/3.8k) Check availability
- Vietnamese Coffee Culture and Coffee Making Class (✨ 4.9/3.1k+) Book a class now
- Cycle through Hoi An’s rice fields on a small-group countryside tour (✨ 4.8/500+) Book your spot today
- Visit the iconic Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills (⭐ 4.5 700+ reviews) — ticket includes round-trip transfers and skip-the-line entry. Reserve now
Getting there
From Hue, there are a few options to get to either Da Nang or Hoi An. You can:
- Take the train to Da Nang and an onward taxi to Hoi An (c.2.5-3 hours, beautiful views) – I used Vietnam Rail on my way to Hue and booked with 12GoAsia
- Take a direct bus to Da Nang or Hoi An – book via 12GoAsia
- Take a one-way sightseeing bus across the beautiful Hai Van Pass (✨4.6/300+)
- Take an easyrider motorbike tour across the Hai Van Pass (✨4.9/33+) – this is the exact tour I did on the way back and it was an amazing experience (and they will transport your luggage for you)!
Where to stay in Hoi An
- Yen Villas – this is where I stayed. It has spacious, clean rooms and a beautiful small pool. The family running the small hotel are among the most helpful and kind people I’ve come across while travelling. (✨ 9.4/600+).
- Hoi An Town Centre Hotel – on An Hoi, this highly rated hotel is budget/mid-range for Vietnam. It has excellent reviews, and is away from the noise of the night market. (✨ 9.5/1.1k+).
- River Town Hoi An Resort and Spa – also on An Hoi, but on the riverfront, this is a 5* resort, with an infinity pool, gardens, spa and free bicycles (✨ 9.4/1.2k+)
Where to stay in Da Nang
- Golden Lotus Da Nang – this popular hotel is often sold out. It has a rooftop bar and is right next to my favourite cafe in Da Nang for salt coffee. (✨ 9.4/2k+)
- Ha Trieu Hotel – I stayed at this hotel when I first arrived in Da Nang. It’s not in the main tourist area, but further down the beach, near a quieter beach area. (✨ 8.1/1.7k+).
Find out more:
🧭 My full guide to the best things to do in Hoi An
🧭 My full guide to unique experiences in Da Nang
🧭 My guide to the best day trips from Hoi An and Da Nang
🧭 My guide to getting clothes tailored in Hoi An
🧭 My guide to the best cafes in Da Nang and in Hoi An’s rice fields
🧭 My full guide to riding the Hai Van Pass on an easy rider tour
🌴 Week 3: Southern Vietnam + Cambodia
🛶 Mekong Delta (1 full day/2 half days, 2 nights)
📌 Fly from Da Nang to Can Tho and book a tour of the Floating Markets the following morning
📌 Travel from Can Tho to Ben Tre after the floating market
📌 Spend the next morning exploring the delta by bike or boat before taking a late bus to Ho Chi Minh City
The Mekong Delta is one of the most famous parts of Vietnam, and for good reason. This is the area where most of the country’s rice is produced, as well as innumerable fruits and vegetables. It’s a tangle of serene waterways leading to the mighty Mekong itself, and taking river cruises through the mangroves will bring you a sense of serenity like nothing else. You can also visit the famous early morning Floating Market in Can Tho, where farmers bring their wares to sell to wholesalers.
- Independent travel vs guided tour
There are two main ways to visit the Mekong – via tour (most popular) or independently.
| Guided tour | Independent visit | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximise time | Only see touristy spots | Find off-the-beaten-track experiences | Mekong Delta is the most difficult part of Vietnam to organise travel logistics |
| All travel logistics taken care of | Some trips are not small group | Opportunity for more relaxed pace | Less efficient if you are on a strict itinerary |
I travelled independently, and I’ve put the Can Tho Floating Market tour I used below – one of the best tours I’ve done in 18 months of travel.
Best tours:
- Can Tho Floating Market tour (✨5/266+) – I loved this experience, which took us to cafe boats used by locals rather than the touristy floating restaurants
- 1 day guided tour from Ho Chi Minh City – (✨4.5/11.7k+) – Visit Ben Tre and other parts of the Mekong, but doesn’t include the Floating Market
- 1 day guided tour to Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels (✨4.7/9.7k)- if you’re short on time, try this whistlestop tour of two of the most important sites in Vietnam
- 2D/1N Guided tour including Floating Markets (✨4.5/1.3k)- I recommend spending at least a night in the Mekong Delta if you have time, and this guided tour takes you to Ben Tre, My Tho and the Floating Markets
Getting there
- Guided tour: If you want to take a guided tour, fly/train/bus from Da Nang/Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City and join a guided tour there.
- Visiting independently:
- From Da Nang, I recommend flying to Can Tho, the biggest airport in the region. Alternatively, you could take a bus or train to Ho Chi Minh City and then onwards to the Mekong, but this is likely to take around 24 hours.
- Returning from the Mekong to Ho Chi Minh City – there are regular buses from the major towns in the Mekong to Ho Chi Minh City, including from Can Tho and Ben Tre. Book using 12GoAsia.
Where to stay in the Mekong Delta
Chill Guesthouse Can Tho: this very budget guesthouse in Can Tho is run by a Viet-Belgian couple and has simple but spotless and comfy rooms. (✨9.5/600+)
La Villa de Coco Ben Tre: probably the nicest hotel I’ve stayed at in over a year of travel. With only four rooms, this gorgeous hotel is able to give each guest individual attention. The pool is beautiful, the rooms are spacious and well-designed, and the breakfast buffet is amazing. (✨9.8/440+)
🧭 Find out more: check out my guide on how to visit the Mekong Delta independently
🏙 Ho Chi Minh City (1.5 days, 2 nights)
📌 Day 1 – take a tour to the Cu Chi Tunels before having an evening drink at the Cafe Apartments
📌 Day 2 – Visit the War Remnants Museum, Central Post Office and Ben Thanh market before taking a lunchtime bus to Phnom Penh
Ho Chi Minh might not be Vietnam’s capital, but it’s the country’s most thriving city. I much prefer Hanoi, but there are a few good reasons to stop off in Ho Chi Minh City between the Mekong Delta and Phnom Penh.
Make sure to visit the devastating War Remnants Museum (I visited in 2010 and still remember the impact it had on me) and take a day trip to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels to learn more about how the Viet Cong survived American attacks during the Vietnam War. Finally, relax at the Cafe Apartments, a residential building that’s become famous for having some of the capital’s most famous coffee shops.
Best tours:
- Half day trip to Cu Chi Tunnels (✨ 4.7/16.6k) – Crawl through the tiny tunnels used by the Vietcong during the Vietnam war
- 1 day guided tour to Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels (✨4.7/9.7k+)- if you’re short on time, try this whistlestop tour of two of the most important sites in Vietnam
- 11 Tastings Food Tour by Scooter (✨5/2k+)- try the best of Ho Chi Minh’s Street Food on your evening in Ho Chi Minh City
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
Like in Hanoi, I suspect many reviews for Ho Chi Minh City are inflated. I’ve put below the one hotel I personally stayed in and recommend – if you are looking for a different price range, I recommend doing intensive research.
- Vy Khanh Guesthouse – where I stayed in Ho Chi Minh. Perfect budget rooms, spotlessly clean, incredibly friendly host and only a few steps from the bus stops for Phnom Penh. (✨9.3/1.2k+)
✈️ Fly or bus to Phnom Penh
It’s time to cross the border! There are two main ways of getting from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh:
- Fly – this is a short flight, but Ho Chi Minh City Airport is notorious for delays at passport control/security, which will extend your journey time, as will taxis to/from the two airports.
- Bus – this is my recommendation. It’s around six hours on a comfortable bus to Phnom Penh. Departures are from the centre of Ho Chi Minh to the centre of Phnom Penh, reducing the need for car journeys either end. I used Giant Ibis, who were excellent at managing the border control process and made everything seamless.
🏛 Phnom Penh (1 night, half day)
Let’s face it – Phnom Penh is not the world’s most exciting city. However, it is an essential stop on your Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary if you value history and understanding the story of a country.
Take a half day to visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields to understand the devastating impact of the Khmer Rouge, before getting the bus to Siem Reap in the afternoon. If you’ve got the energy after your bus from Ho Chi Minh City, you should also check out the local speciality at the night market: fried tarantulas.
- Take the exact tour I used to learn about the continuing impact of the genocide (✨4.8/2.7k+)- book here.
Where to stay in Phnom Penh
Stay near the riverfront and near but not on the nightmarket for central access without the noise.
Julieka’s Guest House – this is a great budget option, and as it’s opposite the National Museum, the location couldn’t be better. I stayed three times – once in the most basic room and twice in their balcony rooms. If your budget allows, I recommend paying the extra. (✨7.9/870+)
Pacific Hotel – I stayed here the first couple of days I was in Phnom Penh. Spotlessly clean, great bed linen, great lighting options in the room and a good breakfast. However, it’s not in the centre of the city, so you’ll need to take Grab Tuk-tuks to get to central Phnom Penh. (✨8.4/1.1k+)
Aquarius Hotel and Resort – I didn’t stay here, but during my research for my original short trip to Cambodia (before I decided on long-term backpacking) this was my top choice. It has a rooftop infinity pool and gorgeous-looking rooms. (✨9.2/2.2k+)
🧭 Find out more: Read my guide to what to see in Phnom Penh
🛕 Siem Reap – 4 nights, 3 full days
📌 Take an afternoon bus from Phnom Penh after your tour of Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields
📌 Spend 2 full days visiting the Angkor Wat Complex – for most tours, you’ll need to buy your 1 or 3 day Angkor Pass separately to the tour
📌 On your final day, enjoy a fascinating trip to the Floating Villages and see the sun set over the Mekong
It’s time for the jewel in the crown of your 3 week Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary – the beautiful Angkor Wat near Siem Reap, in northern Cambodia. This UNESCO-heritage site is world-famous for a reason – it’s one of the most incredible historic attractions in the world, and particularly magical at sunrise.
Spend two days exploring both the main Angkor Complex and some of the many surrounding temples, all of which are magnificent, before spending your final day relaxing around vibrant Siem Reap. I recommend a delicious morning coffee at one of Siem Reap’s many cafes, before a sunset cruise on the Tonle Sap Lake to see the famous floating villages.
Need to compress your visit? You could visit the highlights of the Angkor Wat complex in one day, rather than two.
The best tours:
- This is the exact, excellent Angkor Wat 2 day tour that I used (✨ 5/2.3k+)
- Highly-rated 1 day tour of Angkor Wat, taking in the major sites (✨5/11.2k+)
- Visit the fascinating Floating Villages and watch the sun set on the Mekong on your final day – book here (✨ 5/4.4k+)
Where to stay in Siem Reap
Stay near but not on Pub Street to avoid noise and crowds.
These options are highly rated:
Siem Reap Comforts Hostel – budget hotel with a pool, near the centre, with a glorious noodle restaurant almost next to it. I really loved my stay here. (✨ 8.9/830+)
Siem Reap Urban Boutique Hotel – right in the centre of the action, this mid range hotel has excellent reviews and a pool. (✨ 8.9/1.1k+)
Golden Temple Residence – this luxury complex was highly rated by people I met on my Angkor Wat tour. In the same area of Siem Reap, it offers real luxury with at a reasonable price tag. (✨ 94/890+)
🧭 Find out more: Check out my full Siem Reap guide
🎒 Bonus: What to Pack for Cambodia and Vietnam
Clothes:
There are a few key tips for packing clothes for a Vietnam and Cambodia trip:
- Bring loose, light fabrics to avoid sweating in the humidity. However, I don’t recommend linen – I honestly found it too heavy.
- I swear by the Airism underwear from Uniqlo – they dry much more quickly than cotton so are much more comfortable.
- You’ll need to make sure your knees and shoulders are covered at many sites, including Angkor Wat. A lightweight scarf can be really useful.
- You’ll need sturdy shoes that are lightweight and comfortable – look around any group of tourists in South East Asia and you’ll see that Tevas or Birkenstocks are the universal choice
- Depending on the time of year, Sapa can be significantly colder than anywhere else. Bring a hoodie/warm clothes and close-toed shoes if you’re visiting outside their summer
- During typhoon season (June to November), Vietnam can see significant rain. While you’ll be able to buy ponchos quickly and easily, remember that it’s not always sunny or warm when doing your packing. You might also have to avoid some activities.
Other essentials – the items I swear by:
- Lightweight packing cubes – I’ve used these for over a year and they let me pack far more than I could without them
- Small handbag charger, or this bigger but heavier charger that offers more power – both perfect for making sure your phone doesn’t run out when you’re trying to get those Angkor Wat pictures
- Mini USB Fan – Perfect for hotels with poor AC or the million other times you’ll be hot.
- Multi-Port Plug Adapter – My go-to for travel: fast charge + universal.
- Locks to keep your luggage safe in hostels, buses and trains – I’ve used these combination locks for the past year with no issue
- Book swaps are far less common than they used to be – keep yourself occupied through inevitable transport waits with a Kindle, and sign up for Kindle Unlimited Membership to stock it up
📘 Want to read books by Vietnamese authors before you travel? I’ve got you covered – I pulled together my list of books I recommend reading before visiting Vietnam (and one I think you should avoid!).
🔁 Variations & Shortcuts
- Only got 2 weeks? My recommendations:
- If you prioritise history and culture: skip Sapa – go straight from Hanoi to Hue
- If you prefer nature: prioritise Sapa over Hue, or visit Hue as a day trip from Da Nang/HoiAn
- Skip the Mekong Delta or visit on a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City- this option is very highly rated
- If you can afford the extra expense, you could skip Phnom Penh and fly from Ho Chi Minh City or even Da Nang to Siem Reap.
- If you need to trim your itinerary slightly, avoid Sapa and do a day trip from Hanoi to beautiful Ninh Binh instead – this option is very highly rated. You’ll get the same incredible mountain scenery without transport diversion.
- Got more time? There are so many options! But I recommend:
- Adding a cruise to Lan Ha Bay (the less touristy bay next to the famous Halong Bay) to view one of Vietnam’s UNESCO landscapes
- Visit the artsy colonial Battambang in north Cambodia for great cafes, bats at sunset and the famous Bamboo Train
- Stop at Kampot in the south of Vietnam for relaxed vibes, riverside chilling and the best NGO-organised, women-led spa day I’ve ever experienced.
- Add on a trip to the serene beach resorts on Koh Rong Samloem off the Cambodian coast. Just beware that if you’re on a tight schedule, high winds can delay ferry departures, so build in flexibility.
Find out more:
🧭 My guide to UNESCO-listed Ninh Binh
🧭 My guide to artsy Battambang
🙋♀️ Final Tips for Your Cambodia & Vietnam Trip
- Cross-border SIM advice: I prefer to have an eSim when arriving in a new country, so that I’m ready to get taxis from airports or bus stations – and I just feel safer in general. For Vietnam and Cambodia, I recommend Airalo, as one of the most reliable eSim companies. You can buy an Asia eSim or specific ones for each country.
- Tips for booking transport online: I used 12GoAsia for almost every trip I booked across the whole of Asia and never had any issues. I particularly like that they let you select upper/lower cabins on sleeper buses.
- Airport Tips – I used Da Nang, Hanoi, Phnom Penh and Can Tho airports and had no issues with delays. All were modern airports with good facilities. I also used Ho Chi Minh, but only as a transfer – facilities were more limited, and I have consistently heard reports of severe delays at security and passport control
- Currency & card tips
- Vietnam uses Dong. Cards are widely accepted in major cities but outside of tourist areas you’ll need cash.
- Cambodia uses a mixture of Riels and USD – you could pay in Riels and get USD change, or vice versa. Always check your change to make sure you’ve been given the right amount, and keep UDS bills flat and pristine, or they won’t be accepted. Card payment is much less common – you’ll need cash.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About This Vietnam & Cambodia Itinerary
What’s the best time of year to visit Vietnam and Cambodia?
The best time to follow this route is November to April, when most of the region is dry and temperatures are more comfortable. If you travel between May and October, expect high humidity and occasional heavy rain, particularly in central and southern Vietnam. It’s still doable — just build in flexibility and avoid tight ferry/flight connections during storm season.
Do I need visas for both Vietnam and Cambodia?
Vietnam: Many nationalities can enter visa-free for 15–45 days.
Cambodia: Most nationalities require a visa ($30 USD), available online or on arrival.
Always check your own government website before travelling, as rules can change. If entering Cambodia by air, remember to also submit the arrival card online in advance.
Is 3 weeks enough to see both countries?
Yes — 3 weeks is a great amount of time to get a balance of cities, mountains, culture and history. This itinerary is designed to reduce backtracking and long travel days so it stays manageable. If you prefer to travel slower, I’ve included suggestions for where to add or remove nights depending on your interests.
Is it better to start in Vietnam or Cambodia?
I recommend starting in Vietnam and heading south into Cambodia.
Vietnam has a more varied pace — bustling cities, mountain trekking, then laid-back river life — so it’s easier to adjust gradually. Ending in Siem Reap also gives you a huge highlight to finish on (Angkor Wat at sunrise is hard to beat!).
Is it safe to travel solo in Vietnam and Cambodia?
Yes — both countries are popular and generally very safe for solo travellers, including solo female travellers. Petty theft can happen in busy areas, so keep valuables secure and use combination locks on transport. People are usually very warm and helpful, and travel infrastructure is well established, especially along this route.
🎯 Ready to Book Your Cambodia & Vietnam Trip?
Here’s everything I used on my own journey — most of it booked in advance to avoid hassle on the road:
✅ My go-to site for transport across Asia: 12GoAsia – book buses, trains & transfers here
✅ My top-rated tour picks:
- Best Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour in Siem Reap ✨5/11.1k+
- Cu Chi Tunnels Day Trip from Ho Chi Minh City ✨ 4.7/16.6k
- Easy Rider Hai Van Pass Motorbike Tour ✨4.9/33+
- Easy Rider Mountain Tour in Sapa – ✨5/190+
- Mount Fansipan Tickets
✅ My personal hotel recommendations:
- Huong’s Family Homestay ✨ 9.3/190+
- Heart of Sapa Hotel ✨ 8.5/1k+
- Pisces Hotel in Hue ✨8.5/530+
- Yen Villas in Hoi An ✨ 9.4/600+
- Ha Trieu Hotel in Da Nang✨ 8.1/1.7k+
- Chill Guesthouse Can Tho ✨9.5/600+
- La Villa de Coco Ben Tre ✨9.8/440+
- Vy Khanh Guesthouse in Ho Chi Minh ✨9.3/1.2k+
- Pacific Hotel in Phnom Penh ✨8.4/1.1k+
- Siem Reap Comforts Hostel ✨ 8.9/830+
✅ Don’t forget:
- Get your eSIM sorted before you land
- Grab these must-have travel accessories: Portable charger ~ USB Universal Adaptor ~ Locks ~ Packing Cubes ~ Kindle
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If you’re still in the inspiration or early planning phase, you can also download my free Culture-First Traveller’s Guide to Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia — a thoughtful introduction to travelling Southeast Asia with context, care, and curiosity.
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And if you’d prefer someone to build a personalised itinerary just for you — tailored to your time, interests, pace, and travel style — I also offer custom trip planning.
