Vietnam vs Cambodia - 13 major differences - which to visit

When planning your trip to Asia, have you run into these questions?

• 1. Which is better to travel, Vietnam or Cambodia?
• 2. Are the travel experiences in Vietnam and Cambodia the same?
• 3. When is the best time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia?
• 4. Is it safe to travel to Vietnam and Cambodia?

Both Vietnam and Cambodia are popular destinations in Southeast Asia . We usually recommend you to visit both if you have enough holiday time (12-14 days) . These two destinations can be easily visited together because they are geographically close and both small countries.

However, if you don't have enough time and need to choose between the two, then which one should you pick? Here are the main 13 differences for your reference .

You should choose Cambodia if temples ( Angkor Wat ), religion, wildlife (elephant sanctuaries), and historical heritage sites are things you are interested in.

You should choose Vietnam if you prefer more diverse experiences such as natural wonders ( Halong Bay ), colonial history, ancient towns ( Hoi An ), city life ( Ho Chi Minh ), floating markets ( Mekong Delta ), and more.

For a classic itinerary, travelers spend 8-10 nights in Vietnam and 3-4 nights in Cambodia (only Siem Reap ) .

1. History and Culture

As neighboring countries, Vietnam and Cambodia have much in common when it comes to history . Vietnam has a bigger culture contrast than Cambodia.

Vietnam was formerly occupied by China, France, and Japan , thus it's deeply influenced by these countries in terms of religion, food, culture, and architecture.

• The Vietnamese celebrate the same Lunar New Year as in China .
• When visiting, you can easily find temples and assembly halls built by Chinese immigrants (mainly from Fujian and Guangdong).
• The lifestyle in Sapa (northeastern Vietnam) is similar to that in Yunnan (southwestern China).
• In Vietnam, you will see European and Japanese architecture alongside vendors selling French and local food.
• Many Vietnamese people feel more comfortable speaking French than English.

Compared to Vietnam, Cambodia is less influenced by other countries. It has received a lot of influence from Indian religion and was possibly influenced by Indian culture in ancient times.

Most Cambodians believe strongly in religion (mainly Buddhism and Hinduism). When in the country, you will see temples nearly everywhere . Angkor Wat is the most famous monument in the country and represents the brilliant ancient civilization of the Khmer.

2. Beaches

If you would like to spend some time relaxing on the beach at the end of your tour, Vietnam is more recommended than Cambodia for a better experience and more value for money.

Vietnam has a long coastline from north to south and plenty of options for beautiful beaches. The best beaches in Vietnam include Phu Quoc , Nha Trang , and Danang .

We like Phu Quoc the most for its romantic sunsets, superior hotel options, clean beaches, and serene atmosphere. This is a good option if you're looking for a place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

In Nha Trang and Danang , the beach facilities are good as well, but there are more crowds and tourists from China and other Asian countries.

The most famous beach in Cambodia is Sihanoukville . It was considered to be pristine in previous years, however, at the moment it is hard to get to with the only available flights from Ho Chi Minh, Siem Reap, and Phnom Penh.

3. Budget

Like in most Asian countries, spending around USD180-250 per day per person (including hotels) is enough for a wonderful experience including a private car and guide in Vietnam .

• 10-Day Best of Vietnam with Mekong Delta
• 15-Day Vietnam Family Holiday Tour
• 15-Day Best of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam Tour

The price of traveling in Cambodia is higher than Vietnam by USD5-20 per day .

• 5-Day Siem Reap Tour in Depth | Authentic Siem Reap Visit
• 12-Day Essential Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam Tour
• 14-Day Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos Tour

4. Food and drink

Vietnamese food is slightly more famous than Cambodian food .

Vietnamese Pho has gained in popularity all around the world in recent years for its fresh ingredients and satisfying flavors. We recommend having Pho for breakfast as it's a great way to start the day.

There are many choices for drinks in Vietnam including fresh juice, beer, coffee, and tea. Vietnamese coffee is particularly famous and is made with a special slow drip filter then mixed with sweet condensed milk. Vietnam is also famous for its civet cat coffee which is worth a try if you are willing!

Cambodian cuisine is rich in flavor and has been influenced by many different cultures . Rice, vegetables, and fruit are popular ingredients in many dishes. Some examples of typical Khmer food include Fish Amok, Lap Khmer, and Nom Banh Chok.

Cambodia is well known for its fresh fruit juices and unique local beers . As it was once a French colony, you'll also find plenty of tea and coffee.

When traveling with Asia Highlights , you'll be provided with plenty of iced bottled water in the car to help you stay cool in the summer as well as best suitable restaurant/bar recommendations for your free time.

5. Visa

These countries enjoy Free Visa Exemption to enter Vietnam :

• Belarus, Brunei
• Cambodia, Chile
• Demark
• France, Finland,
• German
• Italy, Indonesia
• Japan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Laos
• Myanmar, Malaysia,
• Norway
• Philippines
• Russia
• Spain, Sweden, South Korea, Singapore
• Thailand
• United Kingdom

If you're from USA, Canada or other countries not listed above , applying for an e-visa is the most convenient way to enter Vietnam. This can be done by completing an online application. The visa will take around 3 working days to be processed and will cost only around USD25.

E-visa is only for single entry and a maximum stay of 30 days . For multiple entries or for those who want to stay for longer, it is necessary to apply for Visa on Arrival or through the Vietnamese Embassy .

To enter Cambodia, you can apply for an E-visa in advance (single entry with a maximum stay of 30 days) or apply for a Visa on Arrival (around USD30).

You should prepare the following documents for a Visa on Arrival .

• One completed visa application form (fill out on the plane or in the airport)
• Original passport with at least 6 months validity
• One recent, passport-sized photograph (2 inches x 2 inches or 35mm x 45mm)

6. Climate

In Cambodia , the weather is similar all over the country.

In Vietnam , the north is usually cooler than the south by 2-3℃ because there are more mountains in the north (especially in Sapa ).

Generally, the best time to travel to these two countries is the same. Plan your trip anytime from November to February for comfortable weather (not too hot or too cold) .

Tips : Christmas and New Year (from December 24th to January 2nd) is the high season. During this time, the price of hotels, vehicles, guides, and flight tickets are usually double or even triple that of any other time. We usually suggest you make your bookings at least 3 months in advance to ensure availability and better prices.

The rainy season is from June to October . During this time, you can expect some showers without much effect on sightseeing. Traveling in the rainy season usually means more affordable travel and fewer crowds. There might be flooding in September and October in central Vietnamese cities like Hoi An.

Cruises in Halong Bay can be canceled or affected by typhoons in July and August . These tropical storms may happen in summer but aren't too common.

If you happen to encounter bad weather while in Halong Bay, your cruise company or travel agent will inform you 1-2 days in advance of the cancellation or itinerary change. You can consider Ninh Binh (also has the famous Karst landscape and is 2 hours from Hanoi by road) as an alternative.

7. Safety

Both countries are safe for travel , but you should always protect your personal belongings and never leave your wallet out or flash large amounts of money in public.

Though Vietnam and Cambodia are safe countries, petty crimes like theft and scams do happen in popular tourist areas.

Do not trust strangers who promise great bargains . Use reliable tour operators. Only use official taxis and transport agencies.

8. Average stay

Vietnam has more popular places to go than Cambodia, thus most itineraries spend more time in Vietnam.

Usually, we recommend 8-10 nights in Vietnam . Trips will normally visit all regions of the country including:

• The north: Hanoi and Halong Bay
• The center: Hoi An
• The south: Ho Chi Minh and the Mekong Delta

For more time and deeper exploration, you can consider adding a trip to the terraced fields and minority villages of Sapa (2-3 nights) or Hue (1-2 nights) for the ancient royal culture of Vietnam. >>> How Long to Spend in Southeast Asia (for First Timers)

The most popular destination in Cambodia is Siem Reap where Angkor Wat is located . It takes 3-4 nights to see the main highlights there. Two full days to explore the temples and one day to visit the floating villages (better from October to February when there is a higher water level).

Popular activities in Siem Reap :

• Watching sunrise & sunset
• taking a helicopter ride over Angkor Wat
• cycling around the temples
• taking an ox cart ride through the countryside

If time permits, you can extend your trip to Phnom Penh to visit the Killing Fields (Choeung Ek), and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21 prison).

9. Accommodation

Both countries offer different levels of hotels from luxury brands to local guesthouses which you can choose based on your interests and how much you would like to spend. Both countries offer good-value hotels.

Compared to other Asian countries, the cost of hotels in Vietnam is comparatively lower . On average,

• The cost of a local 4-star hotel is around USD 60 per night.
• An international 4-star hotel is about USD 100 per night.
• There are fewer luxury options in the Mekong Delta and Sapa, but a 4-star plus hotel is still easy to find.

Interested in trying a homestay with private bathroom in Sapa for closer contact with the local minority people ? Just contact us . We will make all the arrangements for you.

The hotel cost and level in Siem Reap are similar to that of major cities in Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh). Due to less development, you might find the hotel facilities in Phnom Penh are not as good as those in Siem Reap .

10. Transport

When flying to Southeast Asian countries from America or Europe, you will always have a layover in China, Japan, Singapore, or South Korea because of the long flight time (around 20 hours). Thanks to the development of the tourism industry in both countries, getting to Vietnam and Cambodia is very convenient from other Asian countries like Thailand, China, and Singapore.

Vietnam has more choices for international flight connections than Cambodia because of its bigger airports in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi.

From London or Frankfurt , there is a non-stop flight to Hanoi once a week .

If you would like to include both countries in your trip, the flight between Vietnam and Cambodia takes less than 2 hours .

Read details about 3 ways to get from Vietnam to Cambodia: by plane, by boat, or by land

Tips : Flights to/from Siem Reap (where Angkor Wat lis located) is subject to change daily under COVID-19 situation. Your 1:1 travel advisor will help you check the flight schedule and recommend the best conveneint and money-smart connections.

A tailor-made service with generous cancellation policy might be the best solution for a worry-free journey.

11. Language

Both Vietnam and Cambodia have their own official languages. English is more widely used in Cambodia because tourism is the country's main industry.

In both countries, you will need to be prepared for the local people to have a thick accent . When I traveled to Vietnam in March 2019, I had 5 guides. All of them spoke fluent English, but 2 of them had an accent (they still could be understood). When we were in the villages without a guide accompanying us, we used Google Translate to communicate with local villagers.

Cambodians speak comparatively better English .

12. Currency

• Vietnam : Vietnamese Dong (VND) (USD1≈VND23000)
• Cambodia : Riela (KHR) (USD1≈ KHR4100)

Cambodia is more friendly to USD . Local people in Cambodia actually prefer to use USD because they have less confidence in Riela. In Cambodia, you can use USD in most situations . After buying something you might receive Riels as change.

In Vietnam, local people prefer Dong over USD . It is easy to convert USD to Dong at the airport or in the jewelry stores in the streets in Vietnam. Withdrawing cash is also convenient done at ATMs. They accept most popular cards such as Visa and Master.

13. Wildlife

If you're a fan of animals and adventure, then Cambodia is a good option .

Interested in interacting with gibbons, spotting dolphins, visiting elephant sanctuaries, or bird watching? No problem, Cambodia has plenty to offer in terms of wildlife experiences. Join us for Eco-Tours in Cambodia .

Tour Vietnam and Cambodia Your Way with Us

When traveling with Asia Highlights, we can arrange all the transportation for you. Our travel advisors will help you make decision between these two countries and also suggest the best possible route for you. Check out some related tours and articles for inspiration.

• 11-Day Best of Thailand and Cambodia Tour
• 12-Day Cambodia and Vietnam Highlights
• 19-Day In-Depth Tour of Southeast Asia

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