Why combine Vietnam and Cambodia in one trip?
Vietnam moves fast. Cities hum with motorbikes. The coastline stretches for thousands of kilometers. The food is loud and fresh. Cambodia moves slower. The landscape flattens into rice fields. Temples sit half-eaten by jungle. The food is simpler, sweeter, more coconut-forward.
The route from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh is the natural connector. You go from Vietnam's commercial capital to Cambodia's riverside capital in a single day. From there, Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor are a short bus or flight away.
This itinerary assumes you fly into Ho Chi Minh City and out of Siem Reap (or Bangkok). It prioritizes overland travel where it makes sense and flights where the distance demands it.
Visas for both countries: what you need to know
Vietnam visa
Most nationalities qualify for the Vietnam e-visa. It costs $25 for single entry and allows up to 90 days. Apply at the official government portal at least 5 working days before travel. Processing can take 3-5 business days, though urgent processing is available for an extra fee. For detailed guidance on the application process, including common rejection reasons, read Vietnam E-Visa 2026: Step-by-Step Guide, Rejections & Traps.
Citizens of visa-exempt countries (including most ASEAN nations, Japan, South Korea, and several European countries) can enter without a visa for 15-45 days depending on nationality. Check the latest exemptions before booking.
Pro tip: Enter Vietnam first, then cross into Cambodia overland. Do not try to enter Cambodia first and then cross into Vietnam without a visa arranged in advance. Vietnam does not offer visa on arrival at the Moc Bai land border.
Cambodia visa
Cambodia offers visa on arrival at all land borders and airports. The cost is $30 for a tourist visa, valid for 30 days. You need one passport photo and cash in US dollars. The process takes 10-15 minutes.
E-visas are also available for $36 through the official government website. They work for all border crossings, including the Moc Bai gate.
Pro tip: Bring two passport photos and $35 in small bills. Border officials sometimes quote higher prices. The official fee is $30.
Border crossing: Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
The Moc Bai (Vietnam) / Bavet (Cambodia) border crossing is the busiest land route between the two countries. It is straightforward but requires patience.
By bus
Direct buses run from Ho Chi Minh City's Pham Ngu Lao area to Phnom Penh. Journey time is 6-8 hours depending on border traffic. Major operators include Giant Ibis, Mekong Express, and Kumho Samco. Tickets cost 250,000-400,000 VND ($10-16). Buses depart between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM.
The bus stops twice: once at the Vietnam exit gate and once at the Cambodia entry gate. You get off, walk through immigration, and reboard. The driver handles the vehicle paperwork.
By flight
Flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh take 1 hour. Vietnam Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, and budget carriers like Vietjet and AirAsia operate multiple daily flights. Tickets cost 1,000,000-2,500,000 VND ($40-100) one way.
Flying saves 5-7 hours but adds airport transfer time and security queues. For a 21-day trip, the bus is the better choice. You see the countryside, save money, and arrive in central Phnom Penh.
Pro tip: Book the early morning bus. You arrive in Phnom Penh by early afternoon with time to check in and explore the riverfront.
The 21-day itinerary: 14 days Vietnam, 7 days Cambodia
This route starts in Ho Chi Minh City, moves north through Vietnam's highlights, then crosses into Cambodia for Angkor and the capital. It avoids backtracking and uses overland transport where practical.
Days 1-3: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Start in Vietnam's most dynamic city. Ho Chi Minh City is chaotic, energetic, and endlessly interesting. Spend two full days here.
Day 1: Arrive, check in, and walk District 1. Visit the War Remnants Museum for a sobering look at the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese perspective. For a complete guide, see War Remnants Museum Ho Chi Minh City: A Visitor's Guide. In the evening, eat at a sidewalk pho stall in District 3.
Day 2: Explore the French colonial heritage in Vietnam: architecture, history and where to find it. Visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, the Central Post Office, and the Opera House. In the afternoon, take a taxi to the Cu Chi Tunnels. For details, read Visiting Cu Chi: A Complete Travel Guide from Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 3: Morning at the Ben Thanh Market or a cooking class. Afternoon flight to Da Nang or Hanoi, depending on your north-to-south plan.
Pro tip: For getting around the city, Saigon Motorbike Rental Apps work well for experienced riders. Everyone else should use Grab vs Cash Taxis at Tan Son Nhat: The Saigon Airport Truth.
Days 4-6: Hanoi and Ninh Binh
Fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi (2 hours, 800,000-1,500,000 VND or $32-60 one way). Hanoi is the cultural heart of Vietnam. Its Old Quarter has been trading for 1,000 years.
Day 4: Arrive in Hanoi. Walk the Old Quarter. See Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ngoc Son Temple. Watch a water puppetry in Vietnam: history, where to watch and what to expect show at the Thang Long Theatre.
Day 5: Day trip to Ninh Binh. Take the train from Hanoi (2 hours, 150,000 VND or $6). Visit Tam Coc by boat. Cycle through the countryside. For a full itinerary, see Ninh Binh in 2 Days: The Only Itinerary You Need (2026).
Day 6: Morning at the Temple of Literature. Afternoon at the Vietnamese Women's Museum. Evening food tour through the Old Quarter.
Days 7-9: Ha Long Bay or Cat Ba
Skip the crowded Halong Bay cruises. Base yourself on Cat Ba Island instead. It is less touristy, cheaper, and gives you access to Lan Ha Bay, which is quieter than Halong. For an honest assessment, read Is Cat Ba very touristy? An honest assessment for 2026.
Day 7: Take the bus from Hanoi to Cat Ba (4 hours, 200,000 VND or $8). Check into a hotel in Cat Ba Town. For accommodation options, see Cat Ba Island Accommodation: The Complete Guide for 2026.
Day 8: Take a Lan Ha Bay Cruise from Cat Ba. Kayak through limestone karsts, swim in emerald water, and visit floating fishing villages. For activities, see Cat Ba Island things to do: The complete 2026 guide.
Day 9: Morning hike in Cat Ba National Park: The Complete Hiking & Wildlife Guide (2026). Afternoon ferry back to Hanoi.
Days 10-11: Mai Chau or Sapa
Choose between the northern mountains. Sapa offers dramatic rice terraces and trekking. Mai Chau offers gentler valleys and homestays with the H'Mong and Thai ethnic groups. For a comparison, read Mai Chau & Pu Luong: Northern Vietnam's Quieter Alternative to Sapa.
Day 10: Bus from Hanoi to Mai Chau (3.5 hours, 150,000 VND or $6). Check into a homestay in the valley. For recommendations, see Where to Sleep in Mai Chau: Homestays, Ecolodges, and Hotels in the Valley.
Day 11: Cycle through the valley. Visit local villages. Learn about H'Mong culture in Vietnam: markets, textiles and homestays in the northern mountains. For activities, see What to Do in Mai Chau: The Complete 2026 Travel Guide.
Days 12-14: Hue and Hoi An
Fly from Hanoi to Hue (1 hour, 500,000-1,000,000 VND or $20-40). Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty. Its citadel and royal tombs are UNESCO-listed.
Day 12: Arrive in Hue. Visit the Imperial Citadel. Take a dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River.
Day 13: Take the Hai Van Pass train or bus to Hoi An (3 hours, 100,000 VND or $4). The train route is one of the most scenic train rides in Vietnam. Spend the afternoon in Hoi An's Ancient Town. For a full guide, see Visiting Hoi An: The Complete Travel Guide to Vietnam's Lantern City.
Day 14: Morning at the Hoi An Central Market. Afternoon cooking class or beach time at An Bang. Evening flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Days 15-17: Mekong Delta
From Ho Chi Minh City, take a bus to Can Tho (3 hours, 100,000 VND or $4). The Mekong Delta is Vietnam's rice bowl. Its floating markets are the main draw.
Day 15: Arrive in Can Tho. Evening at the Can Tho Night Market: 2026 Practical Guide for an Authentic Evening.
Day 16: Early morning boat tour to Cai Rang Floating Market. For a complete guide, see Can Tho Floating Market: Complete 2026 Guide for Visiting Cai Rang and Phong Dien. Afternoon cycling through fruit orchards.
Day 17: Bus from Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City. Afternoon at leisure. Prepare for the Cambodia leg.
Days 18-19: Phnom Penh
Take the early bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh (6-8 hours, 250,000-400,000 VND or $10-16). The border crossing at Moc Bai is straightforward.
Day 18: Arrive in Phnom Penh. Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Walk the Sisowath Quay riverfront.
Day 19: Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. These sites document the Khmer Rouge regime. They are heavy but essential. Afternoon at the Central Market.
Days 20-21: Siem Reap and Angkor Wat
Take the bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (6 hours, $10-15). Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor Archaeological Park.
Day 20: Arrive in Siem Reap. Afternoon at Pub Street and the Old Market. Book your Angkor pass for the next day.
Day 21: Sunrise at Angkor Wat. Full day temple tour: Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm. Evening flight out from Siem Reap International Airport.
Budget estimate for 21 days
| Expense category | Budget (per day) | Mid-range (per day) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 200,000-400,000 VND ($8-16) | 500,000-1,000,000 VND ($20-40) |
| Food | 150,000-250,000 VND ($6-10) | 300,000-500,000 VND ($12-20) |
| Transport | 100,000-200,000 VND ($4-8) | 300,000-600,000 VND ($12-24) |
| Activities | 100,000-300,000 VND ($4-12) | 300,000-700,000 VND ($12-28) |
| Total | 550,000-1,150,000 VND ($22-46) | 1,400,000-2,800,000 VND ($56-112) |
For a more detailed breakdown of living costs, see Cost of living in Vietnam for single person.
Pro tip: Cambodia is generally cheaper than Vietnam for accommodation and food. Budget $25-40 per day in Cambodia for mid-range travel.
When to go
The best time for this combined itinerary is November to April. Both countries have dry conditions during these months. Temperatures are cooler in the north and bearable in the south.
Avoid May to October if possible. The rainy season affects both countries. Central Vietnam gets typhoons from September to November. For a month-by-month guide, see Vietnam Weather by Month: The Best Time to Visit Each Region.
If you must travel during rainy season, focus on southern Vietnam and Cambodia. The Mekong Delta and Angkor temples are still accessible. For tips, read Vietnam in the Rain: Why Monsoon Season Beats Peak Tourist Months.
Practical tips for the combo trip
Currency: Vietnam uses the Vietnamese dong (VND). Cambodia uses the US dollar (USD) for most transactions. Cambodian riel is used for small change. Bring USD cash for Cambodia. ATMs dispense USD in major cities.
Language: Vietnamese uses the Latin alphabet with diacritics. Khmer uses its own script. English is widely spoken in tourist areas of both countries. For basic Vietnamese phrases, see Vietnamese greetings and social etiquette: a practical guide for travelers.
Packing: Lightweight clothing for both countries. Long pants and covered shoulders for temple visits. For temple etiquette, read Temple etiquette in Vietnam: what to wear, do and avoid. Rain jacket if traveling May to October.
Health: No mandatory vaccinations for either country. Hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus are recommended. For a full list, see Vaccinations for Vietnam and Cambodia: The Complete 2026 Travel Health Guide.
SIM cards: Buy a local SIM in each country. Vinaphone and Viettel are reliable in Vietnam. For pricing, see Vinaphone tourist SIM price official: Complete 2026 guide for Vietnam travelers. Smart and Cellcard work well in Cambodia.
FAQ
Q: Can I enter Cambodia from Vietnam without a visa? No. Cambodia requires a visa for all nationalities except citizens of ASEAN countries. You can get a visa on arrival at the Moc Bai border for $30.
Q: How long does the bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh take? 6-8 hours including border crossing time. Departures are between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM. Book with Giant Ibis or Mekong Express for reliable service.
Q: Is 14 days enough for Vietnam and 7 days for Cambodia? Yes, for a highlights trip. You cover Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Halong Bay, the northern mountains, central Vietnam, the Mekong Delta, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap. You will move frequently.
Q: Which currency should I carry for Cambodia? US dollars. ATMs in Cambodia dispense USD. Bring small bills ($1, $5, $10) for markets and street food. Cambodian riel is used for change under $1.
Q: Do I need to book Angkor Wat tickets in advance? No. You can buy tickets at the Angkor ticket office in Siem Reap. A 1-day pass costs $37. A 3-day pass costs $62. Pay in USD cash.
Q: What is the best way to travel between cities in Vietnam? Trains for scenic routes (Hanoi to Hue, Hue to Da Nang). Flights for long distances (Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi). Buses for short hops (Hanoi to Ninh Binh, Hanoi to Mai Chau). For a comparison, read Overnight Bus vs Train in Vietnam: An Honest Comparison for Every Major Route.
Q: Is it safe to travel solo as a woman on this route? Yes. Both countries are safe for solo female travelers. Take standard precautions: avoid walking alone at night in quiet areas, keep valuables secure, and use reputable transport. For detailed advice, see Vietnam Solo Travel 2026: A Safety Guide for First-Time Women.