Vietnam and Cambodia:
The recommended itinerary and top tips for the perfect trip
- Written by Roi Alfassi
- Updated April 2025
Dreaming of discovering the wonders of Southeast Asia? Embark on a journey through breathtaking landscapes, enchanting temples, vibrant cultures, ancient sites, bustling markets, and picturesque rivers. Welcome to your ultimate Vietnam and Cambodia travel itinerary.
Southeast Asia has long been recognized as a sought-after tourist destination, drawing travelers to visit Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, and more. However, it would be a significant mistake to skip Vietnam and Cambodia, which are must-see destinations in the region.
While Vietnam is becoming increasingly well known among travelers for its stunning landscapes and colorful culture, Cambodia boasts its own unique and tranquil beauty, with a wealth of mysterious ancient sites from the distant past. Here is the perfect itinerary that combines the highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia into one magical journey, along with several useful travel tips.
Day 1: Welcome to Vietnam
Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. Transfer to your hotel in the city center. Check-in is available from 2:00 PM. Enjoy a free day to explore, refresh, shop, or indulge in a 90-minute massage at a great value.
Day 2: Capital City Tour
On the second day of your Vietnam itinerary, you’ll get to know Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital for a thousand years. It’s worth starting with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh complex, where you’ll find the Mausoleum (closed on Mondays and Fridays), his former residence built in a stilt house configuration, the Presidential Palace, and the Ho Chi Minh Museum. The most interesting items are in the Temple of Literature – two stone turtle figurines carrying steles with the names of 82 Vietnamese doctorate holders from the feudal period.
At noon, get a ticket to the Museum of Ethnology, which offers up to date and informative exhibits about the 54 ethnic groups scattered throughout Vietnam: costumes, traditional houses, work tools and more. The Ethnology Museum is closed on Mondays, but there’s an alternative to visit – the History Museum. After the museum visit, return to the old quarter to enjoy a one hour tuk tuk tour that will help you get to know your surroundings excellently. Then go to Ngoc Son Temple, located on a small island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Take a moment to rest at the mini hotel and refresh before heading to the train station, where you’ll board the night train to Lao Cai. The train will travel all night, but there will be a private compartment with a comfortable bed for sleeping.
Day 3: Hanoi - Sapa
Arriving in Lao Cai at 6:00 AM and visiting the Bac Ha Market. This market takes place every Sunday and is the largest local ethnic market in the area. Tribe members from surrounding villages flock here to sell their goods. Most still use horses to carry loads, requiring them to leave very early to arrive at the market on time.
If you visit Sapa during a spring weekend on your Vietnam itinerary, you’ll sometimes see locals dressed in colorful costumes on their way to the market, as according to tradition, this is the best season for finding matches for marriage. After lunch, you’ll leave the colorful market behind and take a zigzag mountain path to visit the villages of Ban Pho 1 and Ban Pho 2, inhabited by the Flower Hmong tribe. Return to Sapa in the late afternoon, overnight in Sapa.
Day 4: Visiting Tribal Villages in Sapa - Return to Hanoi
You can spend the fourth day of your Vietnam itinerary hiking through the breathtaking scenery of Sa Pa Valley – starting from the trail descending at the end of Cau Mai Street, which is 6 km long. Along the way you’ll be amazed by rice fields peeking through the morning mist, definitely a beautiful and special sight.
Follow a narrow path and cross the Muong Hoa River, the organized rice fields on the way to Lao Cai and the Black Hmong tribal village. Now you have enough time to visit Ta Van – the Giay tribal village and Giang Ta Chai – the Red Dao tribal village. After visiting the villages, it’s time to return to Lao Cai and catch the night train back to Hanoi. Time estimate: about one hour driving / 4 hours walking / one hour for lunch.
Find the Best Tours in Vietnam
Day 5: Hanoi - Halong Bay
The night train will arrive at Hanoi station early in the morning. After breakfast, you’ll drive toward Halong Bay, arriving at Halong Pier around 12:00 PM and boarding a traditional and elegant wooden sailing ship for an overnight cruise. Lunch will be served while the ship sails slowly past dozens of islands and spectacular limestone formations emerging from the emerald waters. During your stay in Halong Bay on this Vietnam itinerary, there are several activities you can participate in, from visiting deep and spectacular limestone caves, swimming and visiting island beaches, kayaking and more. You’ll have a private passenger cabin on deck where you’ll spend the night. Note that the program may change slightly during the cruise depending on weather conditions.
Day 6: Halong - Hanoi - Hue
Wake up early for a relaxing Tai Chi session on deck and enjoy breakfast while watching the beautiful sunrise illuminating the bay. The cruise continues during the morning, and you can visit additional hidden areas, returning to the main pier around 12:00 PM. After about a 3 hour drive to Noi Bai Airport, you’ll fly to the city of Hue, where you’ll stay overnight.
Day 7: Hue
Start the day with a visit to the imperial city of Hue and the antiquities of Hue Cathedral, including: the flag tower, Ngo Mon Gate, the nine dynastic urns, the nine sacred cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Purple Forbidden City. Try another relaxing experience – boat cruise on the poetic Perfume River. Stop along the way to visit the famous symbol of Hue city, Thien Mu Pagoda.
Stop to visit the ecological village of Thuy Bieu, known for its healthy green tea and fruit orchards. You’ll have time to participate in an authentic cooking workshop where you can taste your culinary creations. At noon it’s ideal to cycle through the pastoral village, where you’ll visit several cooperative houses, ancient temples and a house garden. End the day with pampering – resting tired feet in herbal medicine infusion and massage treatment by a local blind person. From here, return to the hotel in Hue where you’ll spend the night.
Day 8: Da Nang - Hoi An
After breakfast, you’ll drive on the Mandarin Road, a scenic route from Hue to Hoi An, allowing you to delve into picturesque Vietnam with its stunning beaches and green tropical forests. Don’t be shy about photographing Da Nang Beach along the way, visiting Marble Mountain and the Cham Museum before arriving in Hoi An.
In the afternoon, explore the ancient town of Hoi An in this Vietnam itinerary: visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese style streets, old Phung Hung houses, the bustling Hoi An Market and the ancient port. On the 1st and 15th of each lunar month, the ancient town of Hoi An becomes illuminated with hundreds of colorful lanterns, making it even more beautiful. The sight is really different from usual, so it’s worth trying to arrive on these dates to the area.
Finally, stop at Reaching Out tea house to taste various types of tea produced by local farmers. This visit is managed by deaf and mute girls, with whom you can communicate using fascinating, brilliant and amazingly simple language. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9: Hoi An - Tra Que Village
Breakfast at the hotel, then cycling to Tra Que village. Wander through the vegetable growing village and join daily activities with local farmers. From here, continue cycling toward De Vong River to Hoi An beach pier.
Board a boat to Cua Dai Sand Dunes – here you’ll enjoy the spectacle of casting fishing nets and learn how to do it under the guidance of local fishermen. Then visit the coconut water village of Cam Thanh, where you’ll sail in traditional basket boats along the coconut water river, and fishermen will teach you how to catch small crabs. During the cruise you’ll enjoy performances by local singers.
Dinner will be served and include various interesting cultural dishes, such as local pancakes, tam hieu spring rolls, fried fish and more. After the meal you can learn to make amusing items from coconut leaves.
On the way back to the ancient town to experience the daily lives of hard working fishermen along Thu Bon River. Now it’s evening and you’re free to explore the city independently. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)
After breakfast, drive to the airport to board the flight to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon). Visit Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office at noon. Then continue along Dong Khoi Street to reach the Opera House, City Hall (People’s Committee building) and Reunification Palace, formerly known as the Presidential Palace where the President of South Vietnam resided until the end of April 1975.
In the evening, enjoy a local dinner on board a boat cruising on the Saigon River accompanied by a traditional performance. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 11: Ben Tre
The next day you’ll visit the famous Mekong Delta known as “Vietnam’s great rice basket.” There you’ll board a boat and cruise along Ben Tre River. Stop at a brick field to see how bricks are made manually in Vietnam and visit a homemade coconut candy factory located along the canal, where you’ll watch the making of local sweets and other souvenirs. You’ll also enjoy the opportunity to taste bee honey tea extracted from tropical fruit common in Mekong Delta orchards.
At noon, join a rowboat cruise through a maze of waterways bordered by rows of palm trees. Transfer to Can Tho for overnight stay.
Day 12: Can Tho - Chau Doc
In the early morning hours (starting from 5:00 AM), you’ll cruise by boat through the winding waterways of Cai Rang floating market – the busiest and largest floating market in the Mekong Delta. This is the best time to visit as it’s packed with hundreds of sampan boats loaded with fruits, vegetables, plants, food and other goods for trade. This is an excellent opportunity for photography enthusiasts, to communicate with locals and taste the freshest fruits.
From here, continue the tour to Chau Doc, the town closest to the Vietnam Cambodia border in An Giang province, to visit Tra Su and reach the Bird Sanctuary – where you’ll discover spectacular canals that go deep into the forest and allow viewing of storks, cranes and other tropical birds. From here, return to town and overnight in Chau Doc.
Day 13: Chau Doc - High Speed Boat to Phnom Penh
In the morning, instead of flying to Siem Reap, you can take a high speed boat to Phnom Penh, arriving around 12:00 PM. Spend the afternoon discovering Phnom Penh in your Vietnam itinerary, visiting the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda located within the Royal Palace complex, and the Russian Market for shopping. Overnight in hotel.
Day 14: Phnom Penh - Flight to Siem Reap - Tonle Sap
After breakfast, drive to Tan Son Nhat Airport and fly to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and have time to refresh.
At noon, tour Tonle Sap Lake, the largest natural lake in the Indochina peninsula, for a one to two hour cruise to visit floating villages and observe life on the water. Visit Artisans d’Angkor, founded in 1992 to revive arts and ancestral heritage among young Cambodians, providing guidance and assistance to expand job opportunities. You’ll visit several workshops to learn about the stone and wood carving processes. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 15: Siem Reap - Angkor Thom - Angkor Wat - Siem Reap
You’ll spend the day visiting Cambodia’s most famous attraction: the Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom Temple Complex. Start from the southern gate of Angkor Thom, known as the “Great City,” Bayon Temple built in the late 12th century, Baphoun Temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Phimean Akas, known as the “Celestial Palace.”
At noon, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious structure, dedicated to the ancient Khmer. Then visit Bakheng Hill Temple and watch the sunset from the hill’s peak. Have dinner while watching a special Apsara dance performance.
Day 16: Siem Reap - Kbal Spean - Banteay Srei
Start the day with a visit to Kbal Spean, known as the “River of a Thousand Lingas,” located 30 km north of Angkor Wat, about an hour’s drive away. Note: Kbal Spean site closes at 3:00 PM, so it’s advisable to visit in the morning.
Go for a jungle walk and return around lunchtime. Continue directly from here to Banteay Srei, the “Citadel of Women.” Like many other temples, it honors the Hindu god Shiva. The pink sandstone structure is a spectacular, complex and detailed artistic creation. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 17: Departure from Siem Reap
Free time before transfer to airport for the flight back home.
Two Tips Worth Reading
1. Visa Application
Israeli travelers are required to obtain visas for Vietnam and Cambodia, so it’s recommended to apply for them before travel. Alternatively, you can apply for a visa upon arrival, which means you can get it when you land at the airport in Vietnam. The visa is valid for 30 days only and costs $15 USD. However, if you’re traveling through a travel agency like Asiatica Travel, you’ll probably be offered a visa arrangement at no cost.
2. Best Time to Visit
You can visit Vietnam and Cambodia year-round, but to experience the countries at their best, it’s recommended to arrive during specific periods. In Vietnam, the best months to visit are April, May, and October, and if you’re interested in traveling to southern Vietnam, then also between November and February. Geographically, the country has a very narrow, long shape, so there’s a significant difference in seasons between the north and south. In Cambodia, summer is quite hot and humid, and if you find it difficult to handle such weather, it’s better to choose a more pleasant season, between September and April.
This comprehensive Vietnam itinerary offers an incredible journey through two of Southeast Asia’s most captivating countries, combining cultural immersion, natural beauty, and historical exploration in one unforgettable adventure.