Vietnam and Cambodia Multi-Centre Holiday: Where to Go and How Long You Need

Can you combine Vietnam and Cambodia in one holiday?

Absolutely, and they work brilliantly together.

Vietnam gives you an enormous amount of variety. Hanoi feels completely different from Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An brings a slower pace, and then you have places such as Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, the Mekong Delta and Vietnam's beaches to consider.

Cross into Cambodia and the feel changes again. For most first-time visitors, Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor are the big draw, with Phnom Penh easily added if you have enough time.

The mistake is assuming that because the countries sit next to one another, you can simply pick five or six places from each and fit them all into a fortnight.

You can’t. Well, technically you probably can, but I wouldn't recommend it.

How long do you need for Vietnam and Cambodia?

For me, two weeks is the minimum I'd consider for a proper Vietnam and Cambodia multi-centre holiday, and even then I'd be selective.

Current two-week itineraries commonly combine Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong with Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. It works, but it's a busy trip with several internal journeys.

If you have three weeks, things get much more interesting.

You can slow the pace, spend longer somewhere you love, include more of Vietnam or give Cambodia more than a flying visit. Three weeks also gives you the option of adding some proper downtime at the end rather than arriving home needing another holiday.

If you only have 10 or 11 nights, I'd seriously consider concentrating on one country rather than trying to collect both.

A Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary for two weeks

For a first trip, I'd look at something roughly along these lines:

Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap

That gives you five very different experiences without trying to include every possible stop.

Start in Hanoi, where I'd allow enough time to actually explore rather than treating it as somewhere to sleep before heading to Ha Long Bay.

From there, an overnight cruise around Ha Long Bay or neighbouring Bai Tu Long Bay gives you the limestone scenery that appears on practically every Vietnam wish list.

Next, fly south for Hoi An. This is somewhere I wouldn't rush. The old town, food, countryside and nearby coast make it a lovely change of pace between Vietnam's bigger cities.

Then continue to Ho Chi Minh City. Depending on what interests you, this is where we could incorporate experiences such as the Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta.

Finish in Siem Reap with enough time for Angkor. I wouldn't fly all the way to Cambodia and give Angkor Wat half a day just so another destination fits on the itinerary.

What if you have three weeks?

This is where I think a Vietnam and Cambodia trip really comes into its own.

With an extra week, we could add Ninh Binh, spend longer in central Vietnam, include Phnom Penh, explore more of the Mekong or add a beach stay.

A three-week trip also gives us room to tailor the itinerary around what you're actually interested in.

If food is a huge part of travel for you, I'd build around that. If you're more interested in history, wildlife, beaches or getting away from the busiest tourist trail, the route should look different.

There isn't one “perfect” Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary. There's the one that makes sense for you.

Should you visit Vietnam or Cambodia first?

Either direction can work, so I wouldn't choose purely because someone online says north-to-south is the “correct” way to do it.

I'd look at your international flights, the time of year, where you want to finish and whether you're adding a beach stay.

Sometimes starting in Hanoi and finishing at Angkor gives the trip a brilliant finale. For another itinerary, it might make far more sense to begin in Cambodia and work through Vietnam.

This is one of those small decisions that can make the whole route flow better.

When is the best time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia?

This needs a little more thought than simply choosing a “best month”.

Vietnam is long and narrow, so the weather varies considerably between north, central and south. Northern Vietnam, central Vietnam and southern Vietnam have different seasonal patterns, meaning you can have lovely weather in one part of the country while another is experiencing heavy rain.

Cambodia broadly has a dry season from around November to April and a wetter green season from around May to October, although travelling outside peak season can bring fewer crowds and beautifully green landscapes.

For a trip covering several regions, I wouldn't choose the dates based on one weather chart. I'd look at the actual places on your itinerary and work out the best compromise.

That's particularly important if you're adding a beach stay.

What would I leave out if time is tight?

This is probably the most useful question.

I'd rather give you fewer places and enough time to enjoy them than build an itinerary where you're packing every other morning.

If you've got two weeks, we don't automatically need Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, Phnom Penh AND Siem Reap

Something has to give.

And what I'd remove would depend on you. Someone fascinated by history may make a completely different choice from a couple who want food, scenery and a few relaxed afternoons along the way.

That's why I don't start these trips with a fixed itinerary and try to make the client fit it.

Can you add a beach stay?

Yes, and this can be a brilliant way to finish.

Depending on your dates and route, we can look at beaches within Vietnam or use the wider Southeast Asia and Indian Ocean flight network to create a completely different ending.

But again, season matters. Southern Vietnam's weather, for example, follows a different pattern from the central coast, so the beach I'd recommend in February might not be the one I'd choose in August.

I also wouldn't sacrifice the parts of Vietnam and Cambodia you've travelled all that way to see just to force seven beach nights onto the end. Sometimes three or four nights is exactly what the itinerary needs.

A quick word about entry requirements

For British passport holders, Vietnam currently allows visits of up to 45 days without a visa for tourism, subject to the current entry conditions. Cambodia requires visitors to have a visa, with tourist visas generally valid for 30 days. Passport requirements also apply to both countries.

Entry requirements can change, so this is something that should always be checked against current official guidance.

Is Vietnam and Cambodia right for you?

I'd look at this combination if you want a holiday where the journey itself is part of the experience.

There's plenty to see, eat and do, and you can make the trip as luxurious, adventurous, active or relaxed as you want. It's also incredibly flexible. Two couples asking me for “Vietnam and Cambodia for three weeks” could end up with completely different holidays.

And that's exactly how it should be.

If Vietnam and Cambodia have been sitting on your list but you’re not sure where to start, send me your dates, approximate budget and how long you have.

I’ll plan the route, find the right flights and hotels, arrange the experiences and transfers and bring the whole trip together for you. You’ll have one complete itinerary, one point of contact and me looking after everything from the first idea until you’re home again.

Danielle x