Vietnam or Cambodia? Choose Vietnam if you have at least two weeks and want variety: bays, rice fields, cities and beaches over 1,600 km (994 mi). Choose Cambodia if Angkor is your priority, if you have about 10 days and prefer a slower pace. And if you can travel in February or March, combine the two: by our calculation these are the only months in which the north, centre and south of Vietnam and Siem Reap all receive less than 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain.
Vietnam and Cambodia are neighbours, share the same time zone (UTC+7) and combine easily. But they are not organised in the same way: three climates to juggle in Vietnam, only one in Cambodia, and very different entry rules, especially for US travellers (see below). This comparison relies solely on the data in our guides to Vietnam and Cambodia, and adds a month-by-month cross table you will not find elsewhere.
Vietnam or Cambodia: key facts
- First trip to Asia, want variety → Vietnam
- Angkor temples, short stay, slow pace → Cambodia
- Entry: UK citizens can visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days but need a visa for Cambodia; US citizens need a visa (or e-visa) for both
- Budget for a tight-budget traveller: roughly US$40 to 55 a day in Vietnam, US$34 to 56 in Cambodia (our estimates, converted from euros)
- Ideal combination: February or March, at least three weeks
The comparison, criterion by criterion
| Criterion | Vietnam | Cambodia | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best time | Varies by region: March-April and October-December in the north, February to July in the centre, December to April in the south | November to February (dry, « cool » season) | Cambodia (a single season to aim for) |
| Climate | Three regimes: cool winter in the north (20 °C (68 °F) in Hanoi in January), autumn rains in the centre, constant heat in the south | Hot all year (31 to 35 °C / 88 to 95 °F in Siem Reap), monsoon from May to October | Vietnam (there is always a favourable region) |
| Entry requirements (UK) | Visa-free up to 45 days (UK FCDO) | Visa required: e-visa or visa on arrival; e-Arrival card for air arrivals (UK FCDO) | Vietnam |
| Entry requirements (US) | Visa or e-visa required (U.S. Department of State) | Visa required: online processing or on arrival (U.S. Department of State) | Tie |
| Budget on the ground (per day) | Roughly US$40-55 tight budget, US$90-170 comfort | Roughly US$34-56 tight budget, US$100-200 comfort | Tie (Cambodia a little cheaper on a tight budget) |
| Recommended length | Two weeks for a first north-south circuit | 7 to 10 days for the essentials, 2 weeks with the islands | Cambodia (short stay) |
| Type of trip | Cities, bays, rice fields, hiking, beaches, food | Temples, history, countryside, quiet islands | Depends what you want |
| Crowds | Spread across the whole country | Concentrated at Angkor, especially at sunrise in high season | Vietnam |
| Safety | Generally safe; bag-snatching and traffic | The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel within 20 km (12 mi) of the land border with Thailand; take care at night in cities | Vietnam |
| Time zone | UTC+7 | UTC+7 | Tie |
Overall, Vietnam wins on variety and, for UK travellers, on visa-free entry; Cambodia wins on the simplicity of its season and the possibility of a short trip centred on Angkor.
The month-by-month cross table
In Vietnam it is always raining somewhere: the north is wet in summer, the centre in autumn, the south from May to October. Cambodia follows the south-west monsoon. To find out when both countries are pleasant at the same time, we crossed the normals for four representative cities and counted, each month, how many receive less than 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain.
| Month | Hanoi (north) | Hue (centre) | Ho Chi Minh City (south) | Siem Reap (Angkor) | Favourable zones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | ✅ 20 mm (0.8 in) · 20.2 °C (68 °F) | ❌ 129 mm (5.1 in) · 23.5 °C (74 °F) | ✅ 12 mm (0.5 in) · 32.0 °C (90 °F) | ✅ 4 mm (0.2 in) · 30.9 °C (88 °F) | ⚠️ 3/4 |
| February | ✅ 20 mm (0.8 in) · 21.7 °C (71 °F) | ✅ 63 mm (2.5 in) · 24.5 °C (76 °F) | ✅ 8 mm (0.3 in) · 32.7 °C (91 °F) | ✅ 4 mm (0.2 in) · 32.3 °C (90 °F) | ✅ 4/4 |
| March | ✅ 36 mm (1.4 in) · 25.9 °C (79 °F) | ✅ 51 mm (2.0 in) · 27.5 °C (82 °F) | ✅ 18 mm (0.7 in) · 33.6 °C (92 °F) | ✅ 41 mm (1.6 in) · 34.6 °C (94 °F) | ✅ 4/4 |
| April | ❌ 104 mm (4.1 in) · 28.5 °C (83 °F) | ✅ 59 mm (2.3 in) · 31.1 °C (88 °F) | ✅ 57 mm (2.2 in) · 34.5 °C (94 °F) | ✅ 48 mm (1.9 in) · 34.8 °C (95 °F) | ⚠️ 3/4 |
| May | ❌ 165 mm (6.5 in) · 32.8 °C (91 °F) | ❌ 111 mm (4.4 in) · 33.5 °C (92 °F) | ❌ 202 mm (8.0 in) · 34.9 °C (95 °F) | ❌ 143 mm (5.6 in) · 35.3 °C (96 °F) | ❌ 0/4 |
| June | ❌ 264 mm (10.4 in) · 34.9 °C (95 °F) | ❌ 103 mm (4.1 in) · 34.7 °C (94 °F) | ❌ 224 mm (8.8 in) · 33.5 °C (92 °F) | ❌ 195 mm (7.7 in) · 32.7 °C (91 °F) | ❌ 0/4 |
| July | ❌ 254 mm (10.0 in) · 33.7 °C (93 °F) | ✅ 95 mm (3.7 in) · 34.7 °C (94 °F) | ❌ 231 mm (9.1 in) · 33.0 °C (91 °F) | ❌ 170 mm (6.7 in) · 32.8 °C (91 °F) | ❌ 1/4 |
| August | ❌ 274 mm (10.8 in) · 33.2 °C (92 °F) | ❌ 139 mm (5.5 in) · 34.2 °C (94 °F) | ❌ 219 mm (8.6 in) · 32.9 °C (91 °F) | ❌ 170 mm (6.7 in) · 31.8 °C (89 °F) | ❌ 0/4 |
| September | ❌ 228 mm (9.0 in) · 31.9 °C (89 °F) | ❌ 411 mm (16.2 in) · 31.7 °C (89 °F) | ❌ 490 mm (19.3 in) · 32.6 °C (91 °F) | ❌ 305 mm (12.0 in) · 31.9 °C (89 °F) | ❌ 0/4 |
| October | ❌ 155 mm (6.1 in) · 30.4 °C (87 °F) | ❌ 773 mm (30.4 in) · 29.0 °C (84 °F) | ❌ 340 mm (13.4 in) · 32.3 °C (90 °F) | ❌ 227 mm (8.9 in) · 31.3 °C (88 °F) | ❌ 0/4 |
| November | ✅ 61 mm (2.4 in) · 26.7 °C (80 °F) | ❌ 642 mm (25.3 in) · 26.5 °C (80 °F) | ❌ 128 mm (5.0 in) · 32.4 °C (90 °F) | ✅ 62 mm (2.4 in) · 31.6 °C (89 °F) | ❌ 2/4 |
| December | ✅ 20 mm (0.8 in) · 21.3 °C (70 °F) | ❌ 350 mm (13.8 in) · 23.8 °C (75 °F) | ✅ 41 mm (1.6 in) · 31.6 °C (89 °F) | ✅ 7 mm (0.3 in) · 30.7 °C (87 °F) | ⚠️ 3/4 |
- February and March are the only months at 4/4: this is the ideal window for a full combined trip, from northern Vietnam to Angkor. The only reservation: Hanoi stays cool (21.7 °C (71 °F) in February).
- January, April and December score 3/4: in January and December only central Vietnam (Hue, Hoi An) is still wet; in April, Hanoi barely exceeds 100 mm, but Siem Reap approaches 35 °C (95 °F).
- From May to October, no month exceeds 1/4: only central Vietnam stays dry enough from May to July. That is the best period for a Vietnam trip centred on Hoi An and Da Nang, not for Angkor.
- November (2/4): good for northern Vietnam and Siem Reap (end of the rains, Tonlé Sap at its highest), poor for the centre.
Month-by-month detail is on our pages when to go to Vietnam and when to go to Cambodia.
Which country for your profile?
First trip to Asia
Verdict: Vietnam. An obvious north-south route (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City) and, for UK travellers, visa-free entry make it simple to organise. The country gives a very complete overview in two weeks.
History and temple lovers
Verdict: Cambodia. Angkor alone justifies the trip; allow several days on the site, with Banteay Srei and Beng Mealea. Phnom Penh completes it with the Royal Palace, the National Museum and the memorial sites of Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek. See our Angkor guide.
A 10-day stay
Verdict: Cambodia, or just one half of Vietnam. In 7 to 10 days, Cambodia can be seen from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, with Kampot and Kep. In Vietnam you have to choose: the north (Hanoi, Ha Long, Ninh Binh) or the centre-south (Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta).
Tight budget
Verdict: tie. Both countries come to roughly US$34 to 56 a day staying in guesthouses and eating local. Cambodia adds the visa and the Angkor pass; Vietnam, longer to cross, adds internal travel.
Beach
Verdict: Vietnam. Da Nang, Hoi An and Phu Quoc offer more choice, provided you aim for the right season for each coast. Cambodia has Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem (December to March) and Kep, which are quieter.
With family
Verdict: depends on the length. With young children and little time, Cambodia limits the journeys (Siem Reap and its temples, then an island). With older children and two weeks, Vietnam offers more activities: a bay cruise, cooking classes in Hoi An, the Mekong Delta.
Nature and hiking
Verdict: Vietnam. Sapa and its terraced rice fields, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay. In Cambodia, nature is discovered more by boat or gently: Tonlé Sap, Irrawaddy dolphins at Kratie, the hills of Mondulkiri.
Why not both?
The combination is a classic and works well. Allow at least three weeks so you do not rush, and aim for February or March, the two months in which all four zones in our table are favourable. Note that the UK FCDO says land borders and crossings between Cambodia and Thailand remain suspended, so do not plan a loop through Thailand; check the current status of any Vietnam-Cambodia land crossing before you rely on it.
- Week 1: Hanoi, Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay, Ninh Binh
- Week 2: Hue, Hoi An, then a flight to Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta
- Week 3: crossing into Cambodia by road or air, Phnom Penh, then Siem Reap and Angkor; fly home from Phnom Penh or Siem Reap
- Beach variant: finish at Kep or Koh Rong Samloem, or at Phu Quoc before crossing the border
On entry rules, Vietnam’s 45-day visa exemption (UK citizens) is for a stay of 45 days at most: if you plan to enter Vietnam twice, check the conditions in our Vietnam visa guide. For Cambodia, apply for the e-visa at least 4 days before departure or obtain a visa on arrival (photo and US dollars needed, UK FCDO), and complete the e-Arrival card within 7 days before arriving at Phnom Penh, Siem Reap or Sihanoukville airport.
Entry requirements
Vietnam, UK citizens (GOV.UK, updated 21 September 2026): you can visit without a visa for up to 45 days for tourism or business; your passport needs an expiry date at least 6 months after arrival, at least 2 blank pages and no damage. Vietnam, US citizens (travel.state.gov, last updated July 02, 2026): you need a valid passport (valid six months beyond your planned stay, with at least one blank visa page) and a visa or pre-approval for a visa on arrival; e-visas can be requested online, usually processed in three to five working days.
Cambodia, UK citizens (GOV.UK, updated 19 March 2026): you must have a visa; tourist visas are valid for 30 days from entry. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and undamaged. Cambodia, US citizens (travel.state.gov, last updated June 04, 2026): you need a valid passport and a Cambodian visa, valid for one month from entry; visas can be obtained online or at the airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and at all major border crossings, and your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of entry.
Safety: the UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel within 20 km (12 mi) of Cambodia’s land border with Thailand, where heavy fighting took place in 2025; a ceasefire was signed on 27 December, but the situation remains tense, some border temples are closed and there is unexploded ordnance including landmines. The tourist areas of Cambodia are visited with the usual precautions.
Frequently asked questions
Vietnam or Cambodia: which should you choose for a first trip?
Vietnam, in general: a north-south route that is easy to organise and, for UK citizens, visa-free entry for up to 45 days. Cambodia suits a short trip centred on Angkor better.
When should you go to combine Vietnam and Cambodia?
In February or March: by our calculation from the official normals, these are the only months in which Hanoi, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap all receive less than 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain.
Is Cambodia cheaper than Vietnam?
The budgets are close: roughly US$34 to 56 a day on a tight budget in Cambodia, US$40 to 55 in Vietnam. In Cambodia you need to add the visa and the Angkor pass.
How long do you need to visit Vietnam and Cambodia?
Two weeks for a first circuit of Vietnam, 7 to 10 days for the essentials of Cambodia: at least three weeks for a comfortable combination.
Do you need a visa for Vietnam and Cambodia?
UK citizens can visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days but need a visa for Cambodia (e-visa or on arrival). US citizens need a visa or e-visa for both countries. See the dated entry requirements above.
Is Cambodia safe?
The tourist areas are visited with the usual precautions, but the UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel within 20 km (12 mi) of the Thai border, despite the ceasefire of 27 December.
See also
To prepare your choice, see our guides to travelling to Vietnam and travelling to Cambodia, their pages on the best time to visit Vietnam and the best time to visit Cambodia, as well as Hoi An and Ha Long Bay. Still torn with another country? Our comparison Thailand or Vietnam and all of our destination comparisons will help you decide.
Our sources
- Destination de Voyage: Vietnam and Cambodia guides and their « when to go » pages, read online on 14 October 2026 (budget and climate data).
- Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology (IBST): climate normals for Hanoi (Láng, 1991-2020), Hue and Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat), standard QCVN 02:2022/BXD.
- Cambodia Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM), via the World Meteorological Organization: 1982-2024 normals for Siem Reap.
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Vietnam (GOV.UK, updated 21 September 2026) and for Cambodia (GOV.UK, updated 19 March 2026), read 26 October 2026.
- U.S. Department of State, Vietnam (travel.state.gov, last updated July 02, 2026) and Cambodia (travel.state.gov, last updated June 04, 2026) country information, read 26 October 2026.
- Destination de Voyage calculation: number of zones with less than 100 mm of rain per month; European Central Bank reference rate of 23 October 2026 for the US dollar conversion.
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.