2-Week Vietnam and Cambodia Tour Itinerary: My Unforgettable Journey

A travel story from Michel Lefèvre, who traveled to Vietnam and Cambodia in March 2019 with Kampá Tour, accompanied by his wife and friends. 

Written by Lan DUONG (Travel Counsellor) Updated on 03-06-2024

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Michel Lefèvre: A combined Vietnam and Cambodia tour is an excellent way to explore two of the three former French Indochina countries. Returning from this fabulous journey with beautiful images and rich experiences, I am pleased to share my itinerary and experiences during my 2-weeks Vietnam and Cambodia tour. I hope it inspires your next trip to this beautiful region of Southeast Asia.

1. What to Do in Vietnam and Cambodia in 2 Weeks?

Planning the sites to visit wasn’t easy since I wasn’t traveling alone. My wife and I were accompanied by another couple, our dear friends. We met several times to discuss the project and decide what we wanted to discover. I was in contact with a travel advisor from Kampá Tour, and thanks to her responsiveness and advice, I had a well-balanced itinerary that met all our needs for our Vietnam and Cambodia holiday package.

In 2 weeks, we focused on the must-see destinations in each location. This allowed us to have an excellent overview of Vietnam and a glimpse of Cambodia through its capital and its grandest site, Angkor. These 2 weeks convinced me that I need to return to explore these two charming countries more deeply. For meteorological reasons, I decided to travel from north to south Vietnam and then move to Cambodia by river for our Vietnam Cambodia tour.

2. My 2-Weeks Vietnam and Cambodia Tour Itinerary

Our brief Vietnam and Cambodia 2-Week Itinerary:

• Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival, first city tours
• Day 2: Hanoi – City tour
• Day 3: Hanoi – Ninh Binh’s terrestrial bay
• Day 4: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay cruise
• Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Evening flight to Hue
• Day 6: Hue – City tour
• Day 7: Hue – Transfer to Hoi An
• Day 8: Hoi An – Free day
• Day 9: Hoi An – Flight to Ho Chi Minh
• Day 10: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta (Ben Tre – Vinh Long)
• Day 11: Visit the floating market in Can Tho – Transfer to Chau Doc
• Day 12: Chau Doc – Boat to Phnom Penh
• Day 13: Phnom Penh – Road to Siem Reap
• Day 14: Siem Reap (Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom temples)
• Day 15: Siem Reap – Small and Grand Circuit temples – Departure

With only 2 weeks for this tour, after thorough research online and with Kampá Tour, I decided to dedicate 11 days to discovering Vietnam’s highlights and then extend to Cambodia for 4 days. Let’s go!

Day 1-2: Hanoi – City Tour

Our first two days of our 2-week Vietnam and Cambodia trip were dedicated to exploring the vibrant Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. This city left me with unforgettable memories as part of our Vietnam – Cambodia itinerary. Hanoi, the ancient capital, enchants travelers with its abundance of cultural and historical landmarks. During these two days, I explored:

• Hoan Kiem Lake, the emblem of the capital
• The bustling Old Quarter of the 36 guilds
• The historic Temple of Literature
• The serene Tran Quoc Pagoda
• The iconic Ba Dinh Square
• The insightful Museum of Ethnography
• Various monuments from the French colonial period

These experiences offered a perfect start to our adventure, immersing us in the rich history and culture of Vietnam.

I really enjoyed the water puppet show, a popular art form that originated in the 12th century in the Red River delta. Accompanied by traditional music, it depicts scenes of peasant life and local myths. However, what enchanted me the most was the bustling life of Hanoi. The vibrant streets, lively neighborhood markets, varied and tasty gastronomy, and the ever-present smiles made the experience unforgettable. Smiles were everywhere - from street vendors with bicycles full of tropical fruits to the 'chefs' of street restaurants, from small children leaving school to elderly people walking in the streets. 

Day 3: Ninh Binh – Outdoor Excursion

Two hours by car from Hanoi, Ninh Binh captivated me with its picturesque countryside and rich natural and cultural heritage. Our visit included a rowing boat trip on the Ngo Dong River, surrounded by stunning landscapes of karst formations, flooded rice fields, and three caves formed by rock erosion. The bike ride through the typical Vietnamese countryside—rice paddies, small villages, and vegetable fields—was equally delightful.

After a day in Ninh Binh, I understood why it is called the "terrestrial Halong Bay" or "Halong Bay on land."

Day 4-5: Halong Bay Cruise

Two days of magical cruising to discover the world's largest marine karst complex. Our 2-weeks Vietnam and Cambodia tour would be incomplete without visiting this grand natural site, also UNESCO-listed. We opted for a collective cruise on a small junk with 10 cabins. The cabin quality and services, especially the seafood feasts, were excellent.

Kayaking, beach and cave exploration, swimming, and night squid fishing filled our days. The romantic sunset views were particularly enchanting, like a postcard!

Day 6: Hue – Discovering the Ancient Royal Capital

A one-hour flight from Hanoi brought us to the elegant city of Hue. I was captivated by the cultural and historical relics of the last imperial capital of the Nguyen lords. In one day, I explored the ancient imperial citadel, the famous Thien Mu Pagoda, some emperors' tombs along the poetic Perfume River, and the Dong Ba Market, where I found high-quality conical hats "non la" and traditional Vietnamese ao dai.

Note that Hue's gastronomy is as refined and delicious as its royal history!

Day 7: Road to Hoi An

We departed in the morning on a scenic route to reach the charming town of Hoi An, a UNESCO heritage site. The road was flanked on one side by the East Sea and on the other by vast expanses of beautiful soft green rice fields. We passed through the stunning Lang Co peninsula and then ascended the famous Hai Van Pass (Sea Cloud Pass). At the top, on a clear day, the view of the coastline was breathtaking.

One of the most impressive parts of the journey was visiting the roadside cemeteries, known as "ghost towns." Our guide shared the unique "Secondary Burial" custom among the Vietnamese, offering us a fascinating glimpse into the country's culture.

We descended to Danang, the ancient Tourane, and visited the museum dedicated to Cham art, created by the archaeologist Henri Parmentier. After that, we continued our journey to reach the charming town of Hoi An. We couldn't resist indulging in the pleasure of our hotel spa to be pampered!

Day 8: Hoi An – Discovery Day

I discovered the historic center of Hoi An with great pleasure, a magnificently well-preserved city that served as a Southeast Asian trading port from the 15th to the 19th century. Hoi An is like an open-air museum, renowned for its picturesque old Japanese covered bridge and century-old wooden houses with yellow, beautifully patinated walls, pagodas, and temples. It’s a delight to stroll along the banks of the Thu Bon River, through the streets and alleys of the old town.

By bike, we ventured into the stunning countryside, exploring the market gardening village of Trà Quế, small fishing hamlets, and rolling rice fields, ending our day on the magnificent An Bang Beach. It was a busy day that concluded perfectly as the old town of Hoi An lit up in the evening, glowing with the soft light of hundreds of lanterns. Truly magical!

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh – City and Surroundings

Once known as "the pearl of the Far East," Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is an essential destination when exploring southern Vietnam. Although half a day felt a bit too short for my liking, it allowed me to see most of the city's highlights: the remnants of the French colonial era (the cathedral, central post office, and colonial buildings), the War Museum, the bustling Ben Thanh Market, and the vibrant Chinese district of Cholon.

I wished I had more time to delve deeper into this fascinating city and its surroundings, including the famous Cu Chi tunnels and the astonishing Caodaist temple in Tay Ninh.

Day 10-11: Mekong Delta’s Aquatic World

We concluded the first part of our 15-day Vietnam-Cambodia trip with an exploration of the Mekong Delta, an exhilarating region traversed by the nine arms of the legendary Mekong River and crisscrossed by a multitude of canals, green rice fields, orchards, islands, and tranquil villages.

We encountered rich and varied craftsmanship, enjoyed a sampan ride through the maze of arroyos, marveled at the lush nature, and were astonished by the incredible ballet of hundreds of boats at the Can Tho floating market. We were also captivated by the natural beauty of the Tra Su flooded forest and deeply touched by the hospitality and kindness of the locals. This destination left me with wonderful memories!

>>> For those discovering the Mekong Delta for the first time, read our article to get an overview: Mekong Delta Vietnam: 12 Interesting Facts to Know!

Day 12: Phnom Penh – City Discovery

From Chau Doc, Vietnam, I took a fast boat up the Bassac, the largest arm of the Mekong, to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. After 5 hours of navigation, I arrived in the kingdom of Cambodia! I devoted my afternoon to discovering the dazzling Royal Palace, built in the mid-19th century, which is a wonderful example of Khmer architecture, including the superb Silver Pagoda housing many national treasures.

Right next door, I visited the National Museum, a true masterpiece of traditional Khmer architecture and an exceptional place dedicated to the conservation of Khmer culture and traditions, as well as the preservation of the kingdom's identity. This visit served as a great introduction for my future tour of the Angkor temples.

I then climbed to the top of Wat Phnom, an emblematic temple in the capital and one of the oldest Buddhist pagodas in the city, before strolling along Sisowath Quay at sunset.

Day 13-14: Siem Reap – Discovering Angkor’s Treasures

To get a glimpse of the Cambodian countryside, I decided to travel to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh by road transport. I absolutely did not regret the 5 hours of driving, which offered me wonderful moments of travel through the hypnotic Cambodian countryside, covered with rice fields where sugar palm trees, the emblem of Cambodia, rise majestically. I passed through interesting towns like Kampong Cham and Kampong Thom, and this journey really made me want to come back and explore these captivatingly beautiful territories in more depth.

Arriving in Siem Reap, I relaxed at my hotel and then ventured to the bustling city center to taste Cambodian cuisine, especially its famous amok, a delicious fish dish steamed in a banana leaf. Note that all the hotels chosen by Kampá Tour are very well located, very close to the city center, which facilitates our discovery of local gastronomy.

The next day, I set out to explore the incredible Siem Reap - Angkor, architectural treasures of great beauty classified by UNESCO. I focused on the short circuit of the archaeological park, which I covered by bike. I was blown away by the majesty of Angkor Thom and Bayon temples, with their 54 faces and enigmatic smiles. I concluded this day of discovery with the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the Angkor complex. This breathtaking architectural gem deserves special mention for the finesse of its incredible bas-reliefs.

>>>> Explore more: Tourist map of Cambodia: Top Tips to Explore like a Pro!

Day 15: Departure

I spent my morning discovering more distant temples, such as the superb Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei. Banteay Srei is a magnificent jewel of pink sandstone, chiseled with extreme finesse. Aside from Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm is undoubtedly my favorite during my 15-day Vietnam-Cambodia trip. Nestled in the jungle, it is invaded by trees with gigantic roots resembling snakes, retaining its authenticity and initial appearance.

Before our evening flight, we had time to do some shopping. Siem Reap is a shopping paradise, and Khmer handicrafts are so delicate and graceful that you want to buy everything!

3. Things to Know About Vietnam and Cambodia Before Your Trip

Here are some general facts about Vietnam and Cambodia (population, language, currency, especially the weather).

I hope my 2-weeks Vietnam and Cambodia tour story inspires your next trip to this fascinating region of the world, where history, culture, nature, gastronomy, and encounters create everlasting memories!

🌏✨ Open your gateways to travel with us to Vietnam & Cambodia🌏✨:

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• Comprehensive Guide to Vietnam Map & Regions: Explore North, Central & South
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