With unique geography, cities both bustling and friendly, centuries of vibrant history and world-class food around every corner, there’s no shortage of reasons to visit Vietnam and Cambodia.
But planning a balanced itinerary that makes the most of a short time in both countries can be tricky. Is it too much to ask to get lost in the mystery of Angkor Wat and cruise the island-studded waters of Ha Long Bay in a timeframe that’s compatible with your busy life at home? (Spoiler: it’s not!)
Here we’ll take a look inside the 10-night Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary our experiential travel groups experience, which balances the very best sites, excursions and tastes of Vietnam and Cambodia – all with a focus on hyper-local experiences.
Why Visit Vietnam and Cambodia?
A visit to Vietnam and Cambodia is a must for any adventure-hearted traveler who loves mouth-watering food, ancient history, jaw-dropping scenery and genuinely friendly people without an overbearing tourist scene.
Let’s dive a little deeper into what you’ll experience when you visit these two neighboring countries in the heart of Southeast Asia – and why visiting Vietnam and Cambodia is a choice you won’t regret.
The Food
In our official Vietnam and Cambodia Yoga Adventure description, we boldly claim that you’ll taste street food worthy of any Food Channel series, and we stand by that!
From bánh mi (the classic Vietnamese baguette sandwich) in Hanoi to bánh bột lọc (beautifully translucent shrimp and pork dumplings) in Hue, you’ll quickly learn that some of Vietnam and Cambodia’s best foods are served on the street.
And when you follow the local crowds, it’s hard to go wrong. (Trust us, street-eating etiquette comes naturally when you’re speaking the universal language of shared deliciousness!)
But the food scene doesn’t end on the streets – Vietnam and Cambodia are also brimming with restaurants both rustic and gourmet.
The History
The ancient temples around Siem Reap, Cambodia, are the stuff of record books – for one thing, the sprawling temple complex of Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world!
But as you explore the surrounding jungle, you’ll discover that Angkor Wat is just one of many awe-inspiring historical sites. On our Yoga Adventure, we venture off the beaten path with visits to Angkor Thom, Banteay Srei and Ta Prohm. (Haven’t heard of those? That’s exactly our point!)
Both Vietnam and Cambodia have developed through multicultural interactions both peaceful and turbulent. So there’s much to learn at every stop along the way.
The People
Diving into a new culture is always a little intimidating, but the people of both Vietnam and Cambodia are known for their friendliness.
You’ll cross language barriers with shared smiles and laughter, whether you’re visiting a classroom in a floating village, practicing tai chi with the women of Hanoi or chanting with Cambodian monks at dawn.
We do all these things (and more!) on our Yoga Adventure because if there’s one thing we’ve learned in our years of curating adventure itineraries, it’s that Vietnam and Cambodia are perfect places to immerse yourself locally (despite being thousands of miles from home!)
The Scenery
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here’s a picture of Ha Long Bay, in Vietnam:
And emerald-green, cliffy islands that plunge into clear turquoise water are just the beginning. There’s also massive limestone caves to explore, rolling farmland to bike through and mysterious jungles to wander.
The Tourist Scene
You might know neighboring Thailand is quite saturated with tourists, so you’re right to wonder if the same is true of Vietnam and Cambodia! But we have good news:
Vietnam is much less touristed than Thailand, but just as friendly and safe. And Cambodia is less visited than both Thailand and Vietnam.
Translation? Both countries are set up to accommodate foreign travelers (see the stunning boutique hotels in our Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary for prime examples!), but you won’t be surrounded by other visitors at every turn.
Can You See Vietnam and Cambodia in 10 days?
So, you’ve decided you want to visit Vietnam and Cambodia (congratulations!) but you don’t have a ton of vacation time to spare and you still want to experience both countries.
Fear not – it’s very possible to soak up the very best of Vietnam and Cambodia in 10 days.
The key is to have a perfectly planned Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary: one that’s packed with excursions every day while offering you the opportunity to ground down and integrate everything you’re taking in.
For the “staying grounded” part, we swear by a daily yoga practice. Our trips aren’t yoga retreats; they’re yoga adventures. Our groups start nearly every day with a yoga practice so they can dive into whatever cultural or nature-packed activities are on the agenda feeling limber, calm, and fully present.
Day-by-Day Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary
With that, here’s a peek into our 10-day Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary (technically it’s 11 days if you count the final departure day!). This is how we make so much happen in a relatively short period of time.
We start in the north, in bustling Hanoi and work our way to the ancient temples of Siem Reap, Cambodia, with plenty of stops to spend time with local people, take in dramatic scenery and indulge in delicious food.
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, Vietnam, and share a dinner at a local restaurant before sleeping off the jet lag.
Day 2: Boat to the island temple of Ngoc Son, explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, and sample your first street food.
Day 3: Cruise by sailboat through the jaw-dropping Ha Long Bay, stopping for a visit to a floating village and finishing the day with sunset yoga and dinner on deck.
Day 4: After a night aboard the boat, sail to Sung Sot Cave and marvel at the 100-foot-high cavern before returning to Hanoi.
Day 5: Fly from Hanoi to Hue (short flights cut down on drive time!) and explore your second Vietnamese city on foot before a tasty dinner.
Day 6: Cycle and boat your way down the Perfume River, visiting an ancient village and the Forbidden Purple City.
Day 7: Take the (scenic!) drive through Da Nang and on to Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll have time to immerse yourself in the port city’s nautical history before a lantern-making workshop and dinner.
Day 8: Explore Hoi An by bike and share lunch with a local family before packing up for an evening flight to Siem Reap – you’ve arrived in Cambodia!
Day 9: Go deep into history with visits to the remote temples of Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm in the morning, followed by a full afternoon exploring the magnificence of Angkor Wat.
Day 10: Join Buddhist monks for morning chants and then journey to the long-off-limits Banteay Srei, the Hindu “Citadel of Women.” Spend the afternoon wandering (and bargaining!) your way through Siem Reap’s Old Market.
Day 11 – Departure day! Wake up and pack for your journey home.
Adventure Awaits in Vietnam and Cambodia
Can you already see yourself on the deck of a sailboat cruising toward a floating village in Ha Long Bay? Or feel the history hanging in the air as you explore the jungle paths around Angkor Wat?
The (yoga) adventure of a lifetime awaits you. When you visit Vietnam and Cambodia with us, you’ll take all the guesswork out of itinerary planning so you can focus more on savoring moments in the company of local guides and like-minded adventurers.