1 Week in Vietnam & Cambodia - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Northern Vietnam & Siem Reap Culture Escape

Enjoy a delightful sampling of Vietnam and Cambodia's rich culture and breathtaking landscapes on this northern Vietnam and Siem Reap escape crafted especially for first-time visitors. Starting in Hanoi, you'll learn about the city's highlights and cuisine alongside a guide and spend a day cycling and boating through Ninh Binh's rice paddies and dramatic limestone outcrops. You'll also set sail on an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay before hopping over to Siem Reap to discover the wonders of Angkor Archaeological Park.

Welcome to Vietnam! Your adventure begins in Hanoi, where you'll enlist the help of a guide to see the city's top sights, including the Presidential Palace and Hoan Kiem Lake, and sample flavor-packed street food dishes. Spend the following day discovering and exploring the Ninh Binh region, first on foot, then while cycling alongside rice paddies to Tam Coc, and lastly on a sampan boat ride through dramatic karst scenery. Next, transfer to Ha Long Harbor, board the luxurious Athena Royal, and delight in a memorable overnight cruise, which includes a cooking masterclass and time to kayak to hidden beaches.

After breakfast on the ship's deck and free time to relax or kayak, you'll head back to land on Day 4 and catch a flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. The following two days are about exploring the impressive temples and ruins of the nearby Angkor Archaeological Park, starting with the ancient city of Angkor Thom and its Bayon Temple. You'll also wake early for a bucket-list-worthy sunrise from Angkor Wat and see Ta Prohm, whose ruins were featured in the "Tomb Raider" movies. On your final day, enjoy a pleasant cruise past the floating villages of Tonlé Sap before catching your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Mekong River Cruise & Angkor Wat

Perfect for travelers looking to delve into life along the Mekong River, from remote floating villages to Cambodia's vibrant capital city of Phnom Penh, this quicker-paced journey features a four-night luxurious riverboat cruise. Between overnights onboard, you'll explore Cai Be by sampan, tour temples in Sa Dec, and visit a workshop in Hong Ngu. Then, round off your adventure with two days dedicated to exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor.

Upon landing in Ho Chi Minh City, you'll be met by a driver and immediately be whisked south to My Tho. Here, you'll board the luxurious riverboat, the Mekong Navigator, and set off on a memorable four-night cruise along the Mekong Delta. Spend your first evening cruising to Cai Be while enjoying a Mekong-themed dinner onboard, then hop onto a sampan for a scenic ride past floating villages and coconut groves. Back on the Navigator, cruise to Sa Dec for a tour of local temples and the town market before continuing to the island village of Hong Ngu to learn about traditional weaving techniques. 

The final full day of your cruise has been purposely left open, allowing you to relax on the boat's sundeck or treat yourself at the onboard spa. Meanwhile, the ship will cross into Cambodia and dock in the capital, Phnom Penh. Disembark the following morning and wander among the city's highlights during a guided tour until it's time to catch a flight to Siem Reap. Dedicate the last two days of your trip to exploring the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor, home to the famous Angkor Wat and the mystical ruins of Ta Prohm and Ta Keo, before transferring to the airport in Siem Reap. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Landmarks & Local Color in Vietnam & Cambodia

From zipping along the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City on a Vespa to gliding past floating villages on Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, this itinerary is all about experiencing the local way of life in Vietnam and Cambodia. Mixed throughout are visits to each country's renowned highlights, like the Cu Chi Tunnels and Angkor Wat. Foodies will also delight in evenings spent sampling street food and browsing lively markets. 

Your journey begins with four days in the historic yet modern Ho Chi Minh City. Kickstart your stay with a self-guided walking tour, checking out iconic spots like the Ben Thanh Market and the Bitexco Tower. Then, enlist the help of a local guide the following day for a deeper introduction to the city's highlights, including the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum, followed by an indulgent evening diving into the city's street food scene. Next, embark on a day trip to the Mekong Delta, where you'll board a boat, sail on the Ben Tre River, and tour a coconut candy workshop and honey farm.

With one more day based out of Ho Chi Minh City, you'll head out on another day trip, this time to the wartime famous Cu Chi Tunnels. Spend the evening zipping around the city on a Vespa, stopping to sample Vietnamese street food favorites before catching a flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. After an evening exploring by tuk-tuk, you'll hop between the dazzling ruins of Angkor, including Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, and Angkor Wat. Then, end your trip with a peaceful afternoon boating between floating villages on Tonlé Sap until it's time to transfer to the airport in Siem Reap. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Signatures of Vietnam & Cambodia: Da Nang, Hanoi & Siem Reap

Ideal for travelers eager to keep on the move and pack in the highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia, this weeklong adventure features two-night stays each in Da Nang, Hanoi, and Siem Reap. Between city tours and free time to explore at your leisure, you'll pack in a visit to the famous (and beautiful) Golden Bridge, float through Ninh Binh's limestone grottoes, and admire the legendary temples of Angkor. Then, round off your adventure by boating between Tonlé Sap's famous floating villages.

Your weeklong trip begins in Da Nang, an ideal spot to shrug off jet lag while strolling alongside the Han River and unwinding on My Khe, the city's main beach. Get straight to exploring the next morning with a day trip to the famous Golden Bridge on the agenda, followed by an evening sampling Da Nang's delectable street food. Then, board a flight bound for Hanoi on Day 3 and settle in for a two-night stay. Spend your first afternoon exploring the Ho Chi Minh Complex and the Museum of Ethnology alongside a guide, and wrap up the evening meandering through the historic Old Quarter.

Midway through your journey, delight in a break from the busy city while exploring the Ninh Binh region. Here, you'll visit the temples of Hoa Lu, float through limestone grottoes onboard a sampan boat, and enjoy panoramic views from Mua Cave. From Hanoi, catch a flight to Siem Reap, a resort town in northwest Cambodia. Settle in with a free evening to explore or relax, then dedicate the final two days of your adventure to wandering among Angkor's varied and impressively ornate temples, touring the artisan village of Preah Dak, and floating between wooden stilt houses set above Tonlé Sap. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Mekong Reflections: Journey Through Vietnam & Cambodia

Crafted for adventurers seeking a deeper dive into Vietnam and Cambodia's history, this weeklong itinerary showcases wartime relics, villages unchanged by time, and the wondrous ancient city of Angkor Thom. Starting in Ho Chi Minh City, you'll tour the Cu Chi Tunnels and War Remnants Museum and embark on a day trip to time-tested floating markets along the Mekong Delta. You'll also delight in a speedboat ride into Cambodia and spend a day roaming Angkor temples. 

After arriving in Ho Chi Minh City and refreshing at your hotel, you'll dive into an immersive afternoon exploring the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels, touring the War Remnants Museum, and browsing Ben Thanh Market. Then, venture out of the city for a full-day tour of the famed Mekong Delta. Here, you'll take a boat ride through the area's floating markets and stroll along the orchard-lined backroads of Thoi Son Island. The following day sees you transferring to Chau Doc, stopping in Cai Be along the way to mingle with locals at one of the many floating markets and visit a "pop rice" (puffed rice) workshop.

From Chau Doc, settle in for a memorable five-hour speedboat ride along the Mekong River to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Spend the evening strolling along the riverfront and through the Central Market independently, then enlist the help of an expert guide to discover the stories and secrets of the Royal Palace and Psar Toul Tom Pong. Transfer north to Siem Reap next and wrap up your adventure exploring Angkor Archaeological Park. Here, you'll roam Angkor Thom, an impressive royal city dating back to Cambodia's Angkor period, and its Bayon Temple and Terrace of Elephants. Learn more

More Great 1-Week Vietnam Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Vietnam? Check out these other one-week Vietnam itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.