Imagine yourself wandering through the bustling streets of Hanoi, cruising through the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, and stepping back in time at the breathtaking temples of Angkor Wat, these are what you will experience with 21 days in Vietnam and Cambodia. Over the course of 21 days, you’ll dive deep into the heart of Vietnam and Cambodia, experiencing vibrant cultures, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or a foodie, get ready for an adventure packed with once-in-a-lifetime experience. Let’s embark on this incredible journey together!
Why should visit Vietnam and Cambodia in 21 Days?
Vietnam and Cambodia are two attractive tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. Both these two countries boast spectacular natural landscapes, unique cultures, and rich heritage. Coming there, travelers can have diverse experiences, from pristine beaches and bustling cities to historical sites. Now, let’s take a deeper look at the beauty of these two countries.
Vietnam is an S-shaped country stretching from north to south with several stunning destinations for a perfect holiday. You can visit Hanoi, the capital of a thousand years of culture, with the Old Quarter, which features old French architecture, Hoan Kiem Lake, and attractive street food. Another must-visit destination is Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site with thousands of majestic limestone karsts. Heading to the central region of Vietnam, Hue is the old capital of the Nguyen Dynasty with numerous historical sites such as Hue Imperial Citadel and royal tombs. If you visit Hue, it is recommended to visit Da Nang and Hoi An since they are close and offer various exciting experiences. Regarding the southern region, a city tour to popular landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City and a boat cruise to the floating market in the Mekong River are so fascinating and promise an unforgettable holiday for every traveler.
Famous destinations in Vietnam and Cambodia
Cambodia is an unmissable destination for those interested in cultural and historical exploration. Travelers can trace back time with a journey to Angkor Wat, the largest religious site in the world, to explore, learn, and embrace Khmer culture. Phnom Penh, a vibrant capital, is also a must-visit destination due to its well-preserved landmarks such as the Royal Palace, White Temples, and other significant historic sites. Alternatively, you can unwind on the immaculate beaches of Koh Ring and Sihanoukville.
Since Vietnam and Cambodia share the same border, many travelers go on a multi-country trip there to gain a well-rounded perspective on the culture and nature of Southeast Asia. Some popular routes connect them, such as Hanoi–Ha Long–Hue–Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City–Phnom Penh–Siem Reap. From Ho Chi Minh City, you can use a road or highway to reach Phnom Penh and then explore Angkor Wat. With this route through some of the most outstanding destinations in Vietnam and Cambodia, 21 days is a reasonable duration, which ensures a complete experience without hustle or exhaustion.
>>> Visit our Must-sees of Vietnam and Cambodia in 14 Days to have more information about a getaway to Southeast Asia.
Things to Do in Vietnam and Cambodia in 21 Days
Spending 21 days exploring Vietnam and Cambodia is an incredible way to experience the best of history, culture, nature, and food. Every day is packed with unforgettable moments, from bustling cities and ancient temples to traditional festivals and mouthwatering street food. Here’s a detailed travel guide to help you make the most of your adventure!
Visit popular tourist attractions
During your 21-day vacation to Vietnam and Cambodia, you must visit famous tourist attractions to learn more about the country’s history, stunning natural landscapes, and unique culture.
Cruise Ha Long Bay
There is nothing like cruising through the majestic limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its mysterious caves, pristine beaches, and floating fishing villages. You can participate in numerous water activities, such as kayaking, exploring Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave), and savoring fresh seafood on board.
Halong Bay Cruise
Wander the Ancient Town of Hoi An
If you have an old soul and are interested in something nostalgic, then Hoi An is the best place to visit. This is one of the most beautiful cities in Vietnam, with its shimmering lantern streets and ancient houses bearing the mark of history. Coming to Hoi An, you can temporarily escape the hustle and bustle of modern life and slow down the pace of life. There are so many fascinating activities for you such as walking around the old town, visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, taking a lantern-making class, or simply enjoying the relaxing atmosphere on the banks of the Thu Bon River.
Hoi An by night
Marvel at Angkor Wat
Sunrise at Angkor Wat is one of the most spectacular sights you can’t miss during your 21 days in Vietnam and Cambodia. When the first ray of sunlight shines on the exquisitely carved walls, you will feel the sacredness and mystery of this ancient temple. In addition, take some time to explore the Bayon Temple with its giant stone faces and Ta Prohm, where huge tree roots cover ancient ruins.
Discover the world famous Angkor Wat Complex
Relax on the Beaches of Koh Rong
After some days of temple exploration, beach relaxation in Koh Rong is the perfect choice. This island boasts white sand, crystal water, and a spectacular coral reef. In the daytime, you can engage in water activities such as swimming, kayaking, or scuba diving to unwind and refresh your mind. Don’t miss the opportunity to swim with bioluminescent plankton, which is a rare natural phenomenon you can find nowhere.
Koh Rong
>>> Embark on A Trip of Cultural Marvels and Natural Beauty to Southeast Asia 20 Days to embrace the beauty of Vietnam and Cambodia.
Delve into the traditional festivals
One of the most effective ways to learn about the country is to participate in its traditional festivals. This is the time for you to immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam and Cambodia, to feel and embrace the spiritual and enthusiastic locals.
Celebrate Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year)
If you visit Vietnam in late January or early February, you will have the opportunity to experience the Lunar New Year Celebration (Tet Holiday), which is the biggest festival of the year. During the Tet Holiday, people decorate streets and houses with red ornamental stuff such as lanterns and lights. There will be fireworks displays to welcome the new year. People gathered around their families, gave each other lucky money, and enjoyed traditional dishes such as banh chung and banh tet.
People decorate their houses and streets in Lunar New Year
Experience the Hue Festival
Every two years, Hue holds one of the most spectacular festivals, which is the Hue Festival. During this celebration, the Imperial City is ablaze with lights, royal performances, dragon boat races, and spectacular fireworks displays that bring the city to life. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the Nguyen Dynasty’s royal culture.
Hue Festival
Witness the Khmer New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmey) in Phnom Penh
According to the Khmer culture, April marks the new year, then they celebrate the Khmer New Year Celebration at that time. People always come to the temple to pray for luck and participate in traditional games and energetic water street parties. This is the best time to enjoy the lovely and friendly Cambodian people.
Khmer New Year – Choul Chnam Thmey
Join the Bon Om Touk (Water Festival) in Phnom Penh
Bon Om Touk is a spectacular event held every November. In this festival, visitors can witness the dragon boat race on the Tonle Sap River. Thousands of people gather by the river to cheer for the racing team and taste delicious street food.
Bon Om Touk
Savor delicious local cuisine
Every region has its own unique cuisine, and Vietnam and Cambodia are no exception. This 21 days to these stunning countries is truly a culinary adventure!
Slurp a Bowl of Pho in Hanoi
There is nothing better than starting your day with a hot bowl of pho, fragrant and sweet broth, soft and chewy noodles, a little lemon, and herbs. We recommend trying pho at Pho Thin or Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan to experience the most original flavor.
Pho Thin Hanoi
Indulge in Banh Mi in Hoi An
Hoi An bread is known as the “best bread in the world”, with crispy skin and full filling, including grilled meat, pate, pickles, herbs, and special sauce. You should visit Banh Mi Phuong and Madam Khanh, the two most famous places to enjoy this dish.
Banh mi Hoi An
Try Amok in Siem Reap
Amok is the most famous food in Cambodia. This is a curry made with fish, chicken, or tofu, mixed with coconut milk and spices. It is usually steamed in banana leaves, creating a delicious and distinctive flavor.
Amok in Siem Reap
Enjoy Lok Lak Beef
Lok Lak Beef is a famous traditional dish in Cambodia. This dish consists of stir-fried beef and thick soup, vegetables, rice, and fried eggs. Some variations may substitute chicken or pork for beef, but beef remains the most popular version.
Lok Lak Beef
>>> Do you think Vietnam and Cambodia cuisine so special and wanna try? Check out our Food Adventure to Vietnam and Cambodia in 19 Days.
Suggested Itinerary for a 21-day trip in Vietnam and Cambodia
Itinerary 1: Wonders of Vietnam and Cambodia in 21 Days
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
Day 2: Pottery Workshop & Food Tour
Day 3: Hanoi City Tour
Day 4: Free Day in Hanoi—Train to Lao Cai
Day 5: Transfer to Sapa
Day 6: Cable Car to Mount Fansipan
Day 7: Free Day in Sapa—Train to Hanoi
Day 8: Hanoi—Ha Long Bay Cruise
Day 9: Ha Long Bay—Fly to Da Nang—Transfer to Hoi An
Day 10: Explore Hoi An—Take part in Cooking Class
Day 11: Day trip to Da Nang—Visit Golden Bridge
Day 12: Da Nang—Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Day 13: Cu Chi Tunnels—Ho Chi Minh City Tour
Day 14: Day trip to Cai Be—Transfer to Can Tho
Day 15: Visit Cai Rang Floating Market—Transfer to Chau Doc
Day 16: Day trip to Cham Ethnic Village & Temples
Day 17: Speedboat to Phnom Penh
Day 18: Temples & Killing Fields Tour
Day 19: Transfer to Siem Reap—Cultural Tour
Day 20: Day trip to Angkor Temples
Day 21: Departure Flight
Detailed itinerary: Here
Itinerary 2: Explore Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia in 21 Days
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour
Day 3: Hanoi—Transfer to Ninh Binh—Visit Trang An & Hoa Lu
Day 4: Hanoi—Ha Long Bay Cruise
Day 5: Ha Long Bay Cruise
Day 6: Ha Long Bay Cruise—Return to Hanoi—Fly to Hue
Day 7: Hue Exploration
Day 8: Hue—Transfer to Hoi An
Day 9: Free Day in Hoi An
Day 10: Free Day in Hoi An
Day 11: Hoi An—Transfer to Da Nang—Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City Tour—Visit Cu Chi Tunnels
Day 13: Mekong Delta Cruise
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City—Fly to Siem Reap
Day 15: Explore Angkor Temples
Day 16: Visit Elephant Forest, “Hero” Rats & Wat Bo
Day 17: Battambang City Tour
Day 18: Battambang City Tour
Day 19: Transfer to Phnom Penh, Sunset River Cruise
Day 20: Phnom Penh Highlights Tour
Day 21: Departure Flights
Detailed itinerary: Here
Some Helpful Tips
Plan ahead to enjoy the journey
Vietnam and Cambodia have a tropical climate, so the ideal time to visit is from November to April, when the weather is cool and the rainfall is low, making it very suitable for outdoor activities and sightseeing. If you come in the rainy season, from May to October, please prepare an umbrella or raincoat, as there may be sudden rainfall. However, it cost less, with a crowd and lower prices.
To avoid overcrowding or high ticket prices, you should book your flights and hotels at least 2-3 months in advance, especially during peak seasons such as Lunar New Year, Christmas, or Khmer festivals. If your schedule is flexible, you can look for cheap air tickets or choose a less renowned resort instead of central hotels to get new experiences.
Don’t try to cram too many destinations in a short time. Spend at least 3-4 days in each major city such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap for both exploration and relaxation.
Rainy season in Vietnam and Cambodia
Prepare Visa and Documents before you leave
Before you leave, check the visa requirements of both Vietnam and Cambodia. Vietnam exempts visas for 15-30 days for many European countries, Korea, and Japan, but if you need to stay longer, you can prepare an electronic visa (e-visa) online to save time. Cambodia is easier; visitors can apply for a visa on arrival (visa at the airport) without prior preparation.
In addition to the visa, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months to enter. If you plan to travel by road between the two countries, don’t forget to bring a photocopy of your passport and visa to avoid trouble with border procedures.
A small but very useful tip is to buy travel insurance in case of incidents such as lost luggage, flight delays, or health problems during the trip. This is a small investment but will give you a lot more peace of mind.
Exchange money and prepare appropriate payment methods
In Vietnam and Cambodia, cash is still widely used, especially when shopping in local markets, street restaurants, or handicraft villages. Therefore, exchanging some cash before arriving is recommended. In Vietnam, you need the Vietnamese Dong (VND), while in Cambodia, the official currency is Riel (KHR) (in fact, USD is widely accepted in Cambodia).
If you don’t want to carry too much cash, credit cards or e-wallets such as Momo, ZaloPay (in Vietnam), or ABA Bank (in Cambodia) can help you pay easily at many big shops, hotels, and restaurants. However, always carry some cash to pay for taxis, tuk-tuks, or buy street food.
In conclusion, a holiday to Vietnam and Cambodia in 21 days is truly an escape to the heart and soul of Southeast Asia. This trip brings diverse experiences, from the bustling cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phnom Penh to historical sites such as the Hue Imperial Citadel and Angkor Wat. Travelers also have an eye-opening experience over the spectacular natural landscapes of Ha Long Bay and Koh Rong. We hope this travel guide provides you helpful information and travel tips for your future vacation to Vietnam and Cambodia. If you need further support, don’t hesitate to contact us; our experts are willing to help at any time!
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