The short answer
- Ideal length
- 16 to 21 days
- Best months
- November to March
- Cambodia e-Visa
- US$30
- Angkor pass
- From US$37 for 1 day
Vietnam and Cambodia fit together naturally. Most routes travel Vietnam from north to south, then continue from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, home of the temples of Angkor.
A 3 week route
Best for: A first visit to both countries
| Days | Place | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Hanoi | Hanoi |
| 3 | Ha Long Bay cruise | Cruise |
| 4 to 5 | Ninh Binh, then fly to Hue or Da Nang | Hue |
| 6 to 9 | Hue and Hoi An | Hoi An |
| 10 to 11 | Ho Chi Minh City | Ho Chi Minh City |
| 12 | Mekong Delta | Can Tho or Chau Doc |
| 13 to 14 | Boat or road to Phnom Penh | Phnom Penh |
| 15 to 18 | Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor | Siem Reap |
| 19 | Fly home from Siem Reap |
Want both countries planned for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 19 days, built around your dates.
Crossing the border
| Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fly Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh | About 1 hour | Fastest; good for shorter trips |
| Bus Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh | About 6 to 7 hours | Via the main land border |
| Boat from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh | About 5 hours | Scenic way to finish a Mekong Delta trip |
Visas and tickets
- Cambodia: A tourist e-Visa costs US$30 when applied for online. Use only the official government site.
- Vietnam: If you leave Vietnam and come back, choose a multiple entry e-Visa. See our Vietnam visa guide.
- Angkor pass: US$37 for 1 day, US$62 for 3 days and US$72 for 7 days. Three days is ideal for the main temples.
When to go
November to March is the best time for both: dry in Cambodia and southern Vietnam, and cool in the north. April and May are very hot in Cambodia, and the rains run from about May to October.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | HanoiHa Long is similar | Hoi AnDa Nang is similar | Ho Chi Minh CityMekong is similar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20° / 14°18 mm | 25° / 19°95 mm | 32° / 22°14 mm |
| Feb | 21° / 15°26 mm | 26° / 20°30 mm | 33° / 23°4 mm |
| Mar | 23° / 18°44 mm | 28° / 22°20 mm | 34° / 24°12 mm |
| Apr | 28° / 22°90 mm | 31° / 24°25 mm | 35° / 25°42 mm |
| May | 32° / 25°188 mm | 33° / 25°60 mm | 34° / 25°220 mm |
| Jun | 33° / 27°240 mm | 34° / 26°80 mm | 33° / 25°330 mm |
| Jul | 33° / 27°288 mm | 34° / 26°85 mm | 32° / 25°315 mm |
| Aug | 32° / 27°318 mm | 34° / 26°105 mm | 32° / 24°270 mm |
| Sep | 31° / 26°265 mm | 32° / 24°350 mm | 32° / 24°330 mm |
| Oct | 29° / 23°130 mm | 30° / 23°610 mm | 31° / 24°270 mm |
| Nov | 26° / 19°43 mm | 27° / 22°370 mm | 31° / 23°110 mm |
| Dec | 22° / 15°23 mm | 25° / 20°200 mm | 31° / 22°50 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
Rather have a trip to Vietnam made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Vietnam and Cambodia?
About 16 to 21 days: two weeks in Vietnam and three to five days in Cambodia for Phnom Penh and Angkor.
How much is the Angkor pass?
US$37 for one day, US$62 for three days and US$72 for seven days.
Sources we checked
Vietnam month by month
More Vietnam guides
Best time to visit Vietnam: north, central and south explained
Vietnam has three climates. March and April are good everywhere; the north is best in spring and autumn, the centre from February to August and the south from December to April.
Updated 14 October 2026
Vietnam month by month: weather, festivals and where to go
A month by month planner for Vietnam: the weather in each region, the festivals worth timing a trip around, and where to go.
Updated 14 October 2026
How many days in Vietnam? Routes for 7, 10, 14 and 21 days
One week suits the north or the centre, two weeks covers north to south with a Ha Long Bay cruise, and three weeks adds Sapa, the Mekong and a beach.
Updated 14 October 2026
Ha Long Bay cruise guide: which bay, how long and what it costs
One night is the sweet spot. Choose Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long Bay for fewer boats, or Ha Long Bay for the famous caves. Live prices for 1 and 2 night cruises.
Updated 14 October 2026