Vietnam or Cambodia: Which Country to Choose in 2026?

Vietnam offers 3,260 km of coastline, mountains in the north, the Mekong Delta in the south, varied cuisine and dynamic cities like Hanoi, Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City. Cambodia concentrates its appeal on Angkor, Khmer temples, Phnom Penh and some emerging beaches (Sihanoukville, Koh Rong). Both countries share a French colonial history, Buddhist influence and welcoming populations, but their rhythms differ: Vietnam is denser, faster, more urban; Cambodia is more rural, slower, less developed.

Combining both destinations is common: a 15 to 21-day Vietnam-Cambodia circuit allows you to see Angkor, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An and the Mekong Delta. Hanoi-Siem Reap or Ho Chi Minh-Phnom Penh flights cost 80 to 150 € depending on the season. Land crossings require more time (6 to 8 hours by bus) but cost less (15 to 30 €).

Entry rules depend on your nationality; the official portal is evisa.gov.vn. If you prefer someone to handle the application, visa-vietnam.app can do it. visa-vietnam.app is run by the same publisher as this site.

01Visas: e-visa for both countries

Vietnam issues a 90-day multiple-entry e-visa for 25 USD via evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn, processed in 3 working days (official source, consulted in 2026). French, Canadian, Belgian and Swiss nationals have access. The 45-day visa exemption for French nationals only applies to stays under 45 days and does not allow exit and re-entry without a new visa.

Cambodia offers a 90-day e-visa (single entry only) for 36 USD + 6 USD processing fee, totaling 42 USD, via evisa.gov.kh. Processing time: 3 working days. Visa on arrival (30 days, 30 USD + photo) remains available at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports, but requires an ID photo and cash (USD accepted). The e-visa avoids queues and hassles.

For a combined circuit, you need both visas. Apply before departure: the Vietnamese e-visa must be requested at least 5 days before arrival, the Cambodian at least 4 days. If you enter Vietnam, exit to Cambodia, then return to Vietnam, verify that your Vietnamese e-visa allows multiple entries (this has been the case since 2023). See the /visa-vietnam page for details on the Vietnamese visa.

02Daily budget: Vietnam slightly more expensive

In Vietnam, a backpacker spends 25 to 35 € per day (dormitory accommodation 5 to 10 €, street food 1.50 to 3 €, local transport 1 to 5 €). A comfort traveler spends 50 to 80 € per day (3-star hotel 30 to 50 €, restaurants 5 to 10 € per meal, taxis or Grab 5 to 15 €). Prices vary by region: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City cost 20% more than Da Nang or Hoi An. See budget voyage Vietnam for complete details.

In Cambodia, a backpacker spends 20 to 30 € per day (dormitory 4 to 8 €, street food 1 to 2.50 €, transport 1 to 4 €). A comfort traveler spends 40 to 70 € per day (3-star hotel 25 to 40 €, restaurants 4 to 8 €, tuk-tuk or taxi 3 to 10 €). Siem Reap (Angkor) and Phnom Penh are the most expensive cities; Battambang, Kampot and Kep remain very affordable. The Angkor Wat pass costs 37 USD for 1 day, 62 USD for 3 days (source: Angkor Enterprise, 2026).

Cambodia is therefore 10 to 15% cheaper than Vietnam on average, but the gap narrows if you visit major tourist sites (Angkor costs more than most Vietnamese sites). Both countries accept USD: in Cambodia, the dollar circulates everywhere; in Vietnam, USD are accepted in hotels and agencies, but the Vietnamese dong (VND) remains the common currency (1 € ≈ 27,000 VND in 2026). In Cambodia, 1 USD = approximately 4,100 riels, but prices are often displayed in USD.

03Recommended stay duration

For Vietnam alone, plan a minimum of 10 days (north or south only) and ideally 15 to 21 days for a complete north-south or south-north circuit. A itinéraire de 15 jours allows you to see Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Hue, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam is long (1,650 km from north to south): internal journeys take time (Hanoi-Da Nang: 2 hours by plane or 14 hours by train).

For Cambodia alone, 7 to 10 days are enough to see Angkor (2 to 3 days), Phnom Penh (1 to 2 days), Battambang or Kampot (1 to 2 days) and a beach (Koh Rong, Kep). The country is smaller (440 km from east to west) and distances can be covered in 4 to 6 hours by bus.

For a combined Vietnam-Cambodia circuit, count on 18 to 25 days minimum. Classic 21-day example: Hanoi (2 days), Halong Bay (1 day), Hue (1 day), Hoi An (2 days), Ho Chi Minh City (2 days), Mekong Delta (1 day), Phnom Penh (2 days), Siem Reap and Angkor (3 days), return. You can reverse the order (start with Cambodia) or add Ninh Binh, Da Lat, Nha Trang in Vietnam, or Battambang, Kampot in Cambodia.

04Border crossings between Vietnam and Cambodia

There are 8 land border posts open to foreigners in 2026 (source: Vietnamese and Cambodian immigration). The three main ones for travelers are:

• Moc Bai (Vietnam) / Bavet (Cambodia): between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh, the busiest. Direct bus 6 to 7 hours, 10 to 20 USD. Open 24/7. E-visa accepted on both sides.
• Xa Mat (Vietnam) / Trapeang Phlong (Cambodia): between Tay Ninh (Vietnam) and Phnom Penh. Less busy, local buses 6 to 8 hours. E-visa accepted.
• Tinh Bien (Vietnam) / Phnom Den (Cambodia): between Chau Doc (Mekong Delta) and Takeo. Bus or boat (Chau Doc-Phnom Penh boat: 5 hours, 25 to 35 USD). E-visa accepted.

Other posts (Ha Tien / Prek Chak, Vinh Xuong / Kaam Samnor, etc.) operate but are less served by tourist buses. Always verify that your e-visa mentions the border post you plan to use: the Vietnamese e-visa lists authorized entry points (checkbox when applying). The Cambodian e-visa is valid at all land posts.

Crossing takes 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic. Have your e-visa printed (or on smartphone), your passport valid for 6 months, and cash (USD or VND/riels) for possible transport or stamp fees (some posts ask for 1 to 2 USD in unofficial "fees", although this is illegal).

05Flights between Vietnam and Cambodia

Flying is faster and often more comfortable than bus for a short circuit. Main connections:

Airlines: Vietnam Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Vietjet, Bamboo Airways. Book 2 to 4 weeks in advance for the best prices. Flights are daily on Ho Chi Minh-Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh-Siem Reap routes, less frequent from Hanoi (3 to 5 per week depending on season).

Flying avoids 6 to 8 hours of bus and the hassles of land crossing, but you miss the journey experience and landscapes. For a 15 to 18-day circuit, flying is recommended; for 21 days and more, bus is feasible if you enjoy slow travel.

06When to go: different seasons

Vietnam has two main climates: the north (Hanoi, Halong) experiences a cool, humid winter (November to March, 15 to 20 °C) and a hot, rainy summer (May to September, 30 to 35 °C). The south (Ho Chi Minh, Mekong Delta) is tropical year-round: dry season from November to April, rainy season from May to October. The center (Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue) experiences typhoons and rain from October to December. Best overall period for Vietnam: February to April and September to November. See meilleure période pour aller au Vietnam.

Cambodia has a tropical climate with a dry season (November to April, 25 to 35 °C, ideal for Angkor) and a rainy season (May to October, afternoon showers, muddy roads). The best period for Cambodia is November to February (bearable temperatures, little rain). March and April are very hot (38 to 40 °C at Angkor).

For a combined circuit, favor November to March: northern Vietnam is cool but dry, southern Vietnam and Cambodia are in dry season. Avoid October (rain in central Vietnam, end of monsoon in Cambodia) and July-August (high heat and humidity everywhere).

07What to see and do: major attractions

In Vietnam: Hanoi (old quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature), Halong Bay (2-day/1-night cruise), Ninh Binh (land Halong Bay), Hue (Imperial City, tombs), Hoi An (old town, lanterns, An Bang beach), Da Nang (beaches, Marble Mountains), Nha Trang (diving, beaches), Da Lat (mountains, waterfalls, coffee), Ho Chi Minh City (colonial quarter, Cu Chi tunnels), Mekong Delta (floating markets, orchards). Vietnam offers significant geographical and cultural diversity: northern mountains (Sapa, Ha Giang), central coast, southern megacities.

In Cambodia: Angkor Wat and Angkor temples (Bayon, Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei), Siem Reap (market, Pub Street), Phnom Penh (Royal Palace, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Russian Market), Battambang (temples, bamboo train), Kampot (pepper, countryside, caves), Kep (crab, beaches), Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem (beaches, diving), Tonle Sap Lake (floating villages). Cambodia is more focused on Khmer history and temples; beaches are less developed than in Vietnam.

If you must choose one country for 10 to 15 days, Vietnam offers more variety (sea, mountains, cities, rice fields); Cambodia is easier (short distances, slow pace) and Angkor remains one of the most impressive sites in Southeast Asia.

08Safety and health

Both countries are safe for travelers in 2026. Vietnam has little violent crime; main risks are bag snatching (bags, phones) in large cities and taxi scams (use Grab). Cambodia has a slightly higher crime rate (theft, nighttime assaults in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville), but remains generally safe if you stay vigilant. Avoid isolated areas at night and unofficial motorcycle taxis.

Health: no vaccine is mandatory to enter Vietnam or Cambodia, but recommended vaccines are hepatitis A and B, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis (if prolonged rural stay) and rabies (if contact with animals). Malaria exists in remote rural areas of both countries (not in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh, Angkor): preventive treatment is generally not necessary for a classic tourist circuit, but consult a doctor before departure. Protect yourself from mosquitoes (repellent, long clothing in the evening). Source: diplomatie.gouv.fr, consulted in 2026.

Tap water is not drinkable in both countries: drink bottled water (5,000 to 10,000 VND in Vietnam, 0.50 to 1 USD in Cambodia). Medical care is adequate in large cities (international clinics in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh), but limited in rural areas. Take out travel insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation.

09Internal transport: bus, train, plane

In Vietnam: the tourist bus network (The Sinh Tourist, Futa Bus, Mai Linh) connects all major cities (10 to 25 € per 4 to 10-hour journey). The Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh night train (Reunification Express) takes 30 to 36 hours (sleeper 30 to 60 € depending on class). Domestic flights (Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, Bamboo) are fast and affordable (40 to 100 € depending on distance). Motorcycles are popular for short trips (rental 5 to 10 € per day), but driving is chaotic. See se déplacer à Da Nang for a local example.

In Cambodia: the bus network is less developed, but companies (Giant Ibis, Mekong Express, Virak Buntham) connect Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Battambang and Kampot (5 to 15 € per 3 to 6-hour journey). No functional tourist train in 2026 (Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville line under construction). Domestic flights exist (Phnom Penh-Siem Reap: 30 minutes, 50 to 80 €) but are rarely necessary given the distances. Tuk-tuk is the local means of transport (1 to 5 USD per city ride). Motorcycle rental possible (5 to 8 USD per day), but beware of poor roads off main routes.

10Language and communication

In Vietnam, the official language is Vietnamese (6 tones, difficult for French speakers). English is spoken in tourist areas (hotels, restaurants, agencies), but little in the countryside and among older people. Some French words remain among generations born before 1975. Download Google Translate (offline mode) and learn some basic words (xin chào = hello, cảm ơn = thank you, bao nhiêu = how much).

In Cambodia, the official language is Khmer. English is well spoken in tourist areas (Siem Reap, Phnom Penh), better than in Vietnam on average. French is still spoken by some older people, but is disappearing. Signs are often in Khmer and English. Google Translate works well for Khmer.

Both countries use their own alphabet (Vietnamese: Latin alphabet with diacritics; Khmer: Khmer alphabet, very different). Maps and apps (Google Maps, Maps.me) work well and display names in English in tourist areas.

11Choose between the two or combine

Choose Vietnam if: you have 15 days or more, you like diversity (sea, mountains, cities, rice fields), you want varied and refined cuisine, you're looking for a dynamic country with modern infrastructure (fast wifi, coworking, frequent domestic flights). Vietnam suits digital nomads and travelers who want to move around a lot.

Choose Cambodia if: you have 7 to 10 days, Angkor is your priority, you prefer a slow pace and short distances, you're looking for a country cheaper and less touristy than Vietnam (except Angkor). Cambodia is easier for a first trip to Southeast Asia: smaller, less dense, fewer choices to make.

Combine both if: you have 18 days or more, you want to see Angkor and Halong Bay, you like varied circuits. The Vietnam-Cambodia circuit is a classic: it allows you to see both iconic sites (Halong, Angkor) and compare two close but distinct cultures. Plan a domestic flight (Ho Chi Minh-Siem Reap or Hanoi-Phnom Penh) to save time.

If you're hesitating, start with Vietnam: it offers more extension possibilities (beaches, mountains, islands) and combines easily with Cambodia on a second trip. Cambodia visits well in 7 to 10 days on a dedicated trip or as an extension of a Vietnamese circuit.

12Key takeaways

Both countries are accessible in 2026 with 90-day e-visas (25 USD for Vietnam, 42 USD for Cambodia), similar budgets (30 to 50 € per day) and simple land or air border crossings. Vietnam is longer, more varied, more urban; Cambodia is more compact, centered on Angkor, more rural. A combined 18 to 21-day circuit allows you to see both, with a domestic flight to save time. The best common period is November to March.

To prepare your trip, consult the detailed guides on le coût d'un voyage au Vietnam and the meilleurs endroits à visiter. If you're considering staying longer, read the guide complet sur l'expatriation au Vietnam.