Another option might be to fly straight from Bangkok to Saigon. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. We love using the trains in Vietnam and have traveled between Hanoi and Saigon several times BUT it does take 36 hours so I dont think it is a viable option in 15 days. This time coincidence with Vietnamese school summer holiday so locals gather at Centrals beaches while the number of foreigner tourist decreases. Shortlist the places depending on your interests and priorities and then comeback to the forum, in which case, you will get better responses. Nha Trang, located at the far south of Central Vietnam, experiences a bit longer dry season until September with high temperatures and little rain. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. In this 8 day trip youll visit this Wonder of the World Angkor Temples (Cambodia) and The World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, visit the home of King Kong in Ninh Binh (Vietnam). This port also allows foreigners enter and exit Vietnam by Vietnamese E-Visa. Hanoi Pride also comes to town towards the end of the month, adding to the September festivities.Key events: Vietnam National Day; Hanoi Pride, A good time to visit the far north, with a strong chance of clear skies and mild temperatures that are good for hiking. Oct-Nov and May-June are the best times to visit Cambodia and Vietnam as you'll find fewer crowds, less humidity and drier conditions . I know there kids really enjoyed it and they were around the same age as yours. Save. mind you, it was hot! This private trip could start from Siem Reap and end in Hanoi or vice versa. The festival sometimes falls in late October.Key events: Khmer Ok Om Bok Festival, The month begins quietly, but from mid-December the popular tourist resorts get increasingly busy. Following the typical weather patterns for much of Southeast Asia, the best time to visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia is during the dry season from late November to early April. Bavet / Moc Bai is the longest and most popular land border crossing so both Cambodia and Vietnam E-Visa are accepted in this point. Travel is difficult at this time, as transport is booked up and many businesses close. The high season (November-March) is the best time for good weather and exploring temples. The weather is very cool. They have one non-stop flight between those cities each day (or so), and I am glad it worked out for us. Temperatures in April and May reach scorchio levels, and September and October are wet, wet, wet. These two countries share five international border crossings: Bavet / Moc Bai; Kaam Samnor / Vinh Xuong (riverine border); Phnom Den / Tinh Bien; Prek Chak / Xa Xia; Le Thanh / O Yadao crossing. -- (Caucasian female traveling solo and speaking only English). Sunny daytime and cooler temperatures make adventure activities like trekking into jungles or interact with wildlife in these places are much more pleasant. Fewer tourist crowds? Things do get notably louder, however, during Phng Sinh, which marks Buddhas Birth, Enlightenment and Death with lively street processions, as well as lanterns being hung on pagodas. Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary help. I did Cambodia in Jan-Feb and it was perfect! Enjoy a smorgasbord of art, theatre, music, circus and dance performances at Hue Festival, held every two years in the citys Citadel, or observe the somber traditions of Thanh Minh (Holiday of the Dead), where ancestors are honored and offerings placed on graves and spiritual sights throughout the country.Key events: Hue Festival; Thanh Minh, A fine time to tour the center and north of Vietnam, with a good chance of clear skies and warm days. May, June and July are the hottest months and rainfalls comes infrequently in the form of short downpours. Follow CBs advice and read up on what the two countries have to offer. What impact is VOLUNTOURISM having on Cambodia? Suggestions requested - Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia in Dec / Jan. Seeking suggestions for a smooth and fulfilling visit and suggested itinerary for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia; arriving in Hanoi December 6, 2023 with return flight to Toronto from Phnom Penh on January 25, 2024. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. more, Reply to: 15 day itinerary Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam. Here's a monthly guide to what you can expect throughout the year in Vietnam. The visit to Phu Quoc or Con Dao Island during these months should be considered seriously if you dont want to spend all day long in your resorts. It usually only rains heavily once a day towards sunset, the countryside is a blaze of green, and many hotels and resorts offer substantial discounts. We remember him on his birthday, June 25. And for many of us, traveling again feels like heading away for the first time. Start with a visit to the ancient Angkor temples of Khmer kingdom and explore the legendary Angkor Wat. First thing you should do is check the weather patterns for places of interest, as I see someone has already suggest central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Of course, every body has different feeling about when to travel to Vietnam is the best. Actually, wet season is not as bad as the label implies because it depends on what you want to do in these countries. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Discover some of the most breathtaking sites, ancient buildings, and fascinating landmarks on the continent as you embark on a magical adventure through time and history. The main drawback of shoulder season travel is that it can rain quite heavily on the coast, meaning Ko Rong and other idyllic islands near Sihanoukville can be quite wet and windy. Designed to capture the essence of this mysterious region, this awe-inspiring itinerary is meticulously crafted to invite you, in elegance and style, into Southeast Asias window of the past., More details at: https://cambodiatravel.com/tour/luxury-heritage-journey/. This private adventure combines the hidden charm of Vietnam and the mystical treasures of Angkor in Cambodia with a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty and traditional lifestyle found throughout the central of Vietnam. Would like to Visit orphanage in Siem Reap to bring gifts?? Some best palces could be: Ha Noi, Mai Chao, Ha Long, Sapa, Hue, Hoian, Nhatrang, Da lat, Hochiminh, mekong. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. These plans are so in the pipeline. Call toll free. Just in time for central Vietnam to begin it's rainy season. If you want to add Loas then cut out Chiang Mai and replace with Luang Prabang. http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/smittee/1/tpod.html. This is an itinerary fro a small group operator which may provide a starting point https://www.intrepidtravel.com/uk/vietnam/best-vietnam-cambodia-143768. It is hard to decide the best time to visit Vietnam, because of the varied topography at different places across the country. Destinations: Saigon, Can Tho, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap. Beach or river to stay? Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. As far as Cambodia goes, it is the perfect country for DIY (Do It Yourself) travel and english is more widely spoken than in Vietnam. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-97096747', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Vietnam and Cambodia (highlights of) but are unsure of the best time to suit the various seasons in both countries, what the 'must see/dos' are, and whether it is do-able to self drive? December to February is peak season and one of the most popular times for travel, so expect to book your accommodation earlier. This will give you broader understanding of the many similarities as well as differences between these two countries, also save lots of travelling time and expenses at the same time. Low season in Vietnam falls on the transition period from winter to summer and summer to winter, offering unsettled weather that can provide glorious days of sunshine, but also days of rain. Chat Preah Nengkal (Royal Ploughing Ceremony): Presided over by the royal family, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient agricultural festival held to mark the traditional beginning of the rice-growing season. Overview: On the other hand, the summer heat somehow helps to lower the crowd numbers at the main temples in specific time of the day. Winter in Vietnam tends to be drier than the summer months, but also colder. Destinations: Siem Reap, Ratanakiri, Pleiku, Hoian, Danang. How about donating things to local people? Answer 1 of 8: On Tripadvisor's Vietnam travel forum, travellers are asking questions and offering advice on topics like "When is the ideal time , weather wise to travel?". Phuong Trang bus from Da lat to Ho Chi Minh . Chaul Chnam Khmer: During the three-day celebration of Chaul Chnam Khmer (Khmer New Year) in mid-April, Cambodians make offerings at wats, clean out their homes and exchange gifts. Spectacular things are happening in the skies throughout the year. The weather is cool for the north of Vietnam. Actually, 3 countries sound good but I think you should visit Vietnam. There are many threads here with ideas. The peak tourist season starts and continues through until February. @2023 CambodiaTravel.Com. Photography exhibitions are staged all over town and some famous Vietnam War-era photographers are sometimes in attendance. 3.2.2 Where to visit Vietnam in . We were in vietnam and Cambodia last October and the weather was great everywhere except Central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? With the average temperature at around 24C-26C, November to January are the coolest months of the year. Address : 67 Oum Khun Street, Khum Svay Dankum, Siem Reap, Cambodia. Might consider choosing either norther Vietnam which I really like or southern part. Temperatures and humidity levels drop too. Best time to visit Siem Reap: November to March with cooler and drier weather, humidity around 74%. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-116899398', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by road will take as long as London-Dundee by train. What health issues do I need to be concerned about? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Adventurous tourists bike through the back roads of South Vietnam and Cambodia. Best time to go for beach lovers. It's sunny for the South of Vietnam an for Cambodia. The two sides of the river have beautiful dunes, picturesque fields, and mountains. Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon creates the cool, dry season (November to March). Central Vietnam (Hue, Danang, Hoian) has hot and dry weather from mid-January to late August when temperatures can hit around 30C. Best time to go for visiting Hanoi and HCMC. Especially, sunset on Thu Bon River can make all visitors fall in love. We're looking to spend 16 nights in Vietnam and Cambodia next Easter travelling with our three children ages 12, 11 and 8. My wife and I met a family from Australia and travelled through the delta with them in boats. Its been a tough few years for travelers, which is why were taking inspiration from these 10 travel ideas for our 2023 trips. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-116896131', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight schedules as a first step is a great suggestion. Save. Any starter suggestions on how we should split . 1. Although November to January are quite cool, April is one of the hottest months in Cambodia with average temperatures of 35C. I realise that it's not long, that's just work. A link to our blog of our travels in Vietnam https://accidentalnomads.com/category/vietnam/ if you click on the destination tab there is also some stuff on Cambodia. Assuming that's including arrival and departure days, that's only 10 days. When it comes to weather, these months are definitely not the best. From immense national parks to cool coastal cities, here are our picks for the best places to visit in Vietnam. Another reason to head south is to witness the Khmer Ok Om Bok Festival, which the Mekong Deltas Khmer community celebrates with colorful boat races at Ba Dong Beach in Tr Vinh province and on the Soc Trang River. Different parts of the country gets different weather at different times of the year. I then have 5 days/5 nights before I need to fly onto my next. Get ready for a journey through every country in the world. We want to go to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It's an ideal time for families living in Europe and North America, thanks to the long school holidays and discounted prices at hotels and resorts. More details at: https://cambodiatravel.com/tour/splendour-of-cambodia-vietnam/. This makes exploring the temples much more pleasant, but it's also the most crowded time at Angkor. September October is an ideal time to visit these mountainous regions in Northern Vietnam as the rice fields turn a golden color and ready to be harvested. Ive a budget of 3000, i have 18 days and I really want to visit the Killing Fields to pay my respects. Overview: Answer 1 of 2: Hi there I'm looking for a little advice. Siem Reap => Hanoi / Danang / Ho Chi Minh City. Apr 28, 2023, 1:05 PM. Ho Chi Minh City is the largest economic, political and cultural centre in the South of Vietnam. Fortunately, with a little timing, you can take advantage of the best times to visit Angkor Wat. If big cities are your thing, shoulder season is a pleasant time to be in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with reliable weather and good temperatures. Visit Sapa in March, then proceed your trip to Hanoi and Central Vietnam in April. The journey through the back roads of South Vietnam and Cambodia, where all your senses will delve deeply into the culture and life style local life along mighty Mekong River. This fourth edition of The Travel Book features incredible photography that illustrates each country, accompanied by a profile that includes details of when to visit, what to see and do and how to learn more about the countrys culture. Characterized by dry and sunny weather, low humidity and relatively cool temperatures, it is no surprise that dry season is when the number of tourists coming to Cambodia reaches its peak. Nor advisable if it was. Also, Cambodia operates a genuine Visa-on-Arrival visa at its airports and International Border Crossing points, unlike the Vietnam pre-approved so called Visa-on-Arrival. In north east regions of Cambodia, journey time to Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri is shorter thanks to good road conditions in dry season. Destinations: Siem Reap, Danang, Hoian, Saigon, Mekong Delta. My husband and I visited Southeast Asia for the first time this February. You could cover Cambodia pretty well in that time, and possibly Vietnam also, but not both, unless you just stop pin a couple of places and move on. Do we have to wear a face mask in trains? ==========================================================. Cultural festivals this month include Trung Nguyen, an ancient Vietnamese tradition where huge spreads of food are left out for wandering spirits and the Childrens (or Mid-Autumn) Festival, a big event in Hi An and Hanoi, when citizens (especially children) celebrate the full moon by eating moon cakes and undertaking colorful dance processions.Key events: Trung Nguyen (Wandering Souls Day); Childrens Festival, September marks the start of Vietnams second annual low season and is an excellent time to tour the whole nation. Enjoy the sunrise over the Khmer temple complex of Angkor Wat. Learn more about the best time to visit Vietnam with our responsible travel guide. I live here for 3 there years but i still do not ever want to stop traveling here. 1. Wolfie, as your questions are very vague and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Don't travel with Paramount Angkor Express in Cambodia! Mar 12, 2023, 10:12 AM. Choose from a 21km (13-mile) half marathon, a 10km (6.2-mile) fun run or various bicycle races. Beach and island lovers surely have difficulty in finding the beach destinations because both countries offer many pristine white sand coastlines and islands, such as Sihanouk Ville Koh Rong Koh Rong Samloem in Cambodia, or Vietnams southern islands of Phu Quoc Con Dao. Angkor Wat: everything you need to know about Cambodia's most iconic temple, Siem Reap: 11 best things to do after you explore Angkor Wat, Cambodia's less-traveled islands visitors need to know about, Buy the latest edition of The Travel Book, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Exploring diverse landscapes, sampling sweet coffee and visiting tranquil countryside rice terraces are just some of the highlights of a trip to Vietnam. New Resort Opens Soon - Song Saa Private Island Resort. Luxury hideaway in private island resorts nearby Sihanouk Ville, Cambodia. Get exclusive access to members only deals by email. I've visited many countries before but looking for some tips, recommendations please. 1. During November April, Southern Vietnam ladles Cambodia into the Gulf of Thailand for comfortable conditions with brilliant sunshine and extremely low chance of raining. Down south, the dry season is ending. Hi, im planning a trip on my own to Vietnam and Cambodia end October 2023. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Months. Vietnam beckons in any season, but picking the optimum time for a visit comes down to what you crave from a trip most: optimum beach weather? North Vietnam experiences a quite pleasant but short fall season from late September to November when the monsoon withdraws from the region. You'll see ideal conditions in Sa Pa and the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark in Ha Giang province. Indulge in the best very best of Vietnam and Cambodia on this one of a kind private luxury tour. Growers, grinders, blenders and addicts rub shoulders in the citys main park, and local entertainment is provided.Key events: Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival, Generally an excellent time to cover the nation, as the winter rainy season should have subsided and there are some excellent festivals on offer. For first-timers, or limited time budget travelers, a 9-day Vietnam and Cambodia tour or 10 days Vietnam Cambodia Tour would be a fantastic experience. Laura I suggest you start with either a guide book or Travelfish and work out for yourself a rough list of things/places etc that are of interest to YOU and then come back here and seek help to refine your plan and seek advice on how best to travel around, One thing I would say is you do not have long and you might start by restricting your self to one or other country . Day 7: Tour of Angkor area. Pchum Ben (Festival of the Dead): This festival resembles the Christian celebration of All Souls Day when respects are paid to the dead through offerings made at wats. Vietnam is long country but you can pick up the north or the south of Vietnam to travel during 2 weeks. Toward the latter months of the wet season (late July September), rains tend to be more intense and can be heaviest along the south coast. This is such a broad question but I know so many people will have some great suggestions so here it goes. We're up for a train journey being throw in if you think its worth it. The summer months (May to August) are typically very hot and humid. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-44800472', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Vietnam, I think. Generally, the area is impacted by monsoons during summer months, but there are some climate variations in different parts of each country at different times of the year. no rain for the whole trip. On the downside, heavy rainfalls make travelling to north east regions (Kratie, Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri) and southern coastal destinations (Sihanouk Ville, Kampot, Kep) fairly difficult. Temperature at night can approach freezing at 0C. Its a wonderful, chaotic time to be in Cambodia, with boat races at Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh, and riverside parties in Siem Reap. My plan is to get flights & hotels to north Vietnam then go to Cambodia for a week there . For those who are planning some relaxing days on the beach should forget Cambodias south coast during these months. Bakong is the first temple mountain of sandstone constructed by rulers of the Khmer empire at Angkor . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-117387017', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');HCMC, Danang and Hanoi. Although Vietnam still receives a little rain this time of year, the driest months for visiting the south of Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) are typically between December and April.Temperatures and humidity levels in March and April can be suffocating before monsoon rains begin to cool things off in the summer months. Overview of climate in Vietnam and Cambodia. 6 years ago. Best time to visit Cambodia. Save. It is depend on how much time you have. We'd like to see mainly Cambodia and Vietnam on our trip, so ideally need to go south to north. 21 reviews. Buddhist monks wandering around quiet Angkor Thom, Cambodia. Instead, they can take short flight to Vietnamese beaches of Danang and Hoian, where experience sunny and dry days in summer time (from May to August). We need to know how long you have, how much you want/have to spend and your likes before suggesting anything for you. Splendor of Cambodia & Vietnam 8 days. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Travelfish has a list of highlights: https://www.travelfish.org/country/vietnam#highlights. Although, during the Tet festival (late January or early February), the whole country is on the move and hotel prices rise. The Khmer calendars second-most-important festival, Pchum Ben, falls in September or October. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/uk/vietnam/best-vietnam-cambodia-143768, https://accidentalnomads.com/category/vietnam/, Get answers to your questions about Cambodia. It's all very random as yet- India next week ! Enough time to visit Mekong Delta Homestay? The whole country, except the far north, is hot and humid, punctuated by spectacular summer monsoon downpours. Ive looked online but realised want to use local companies not international ones. more. December to April is the best time to relax on the beaches of Central and Southern Vietnam with constant sunshine and blue skies. Overview: A Glimpse Of Our Vietnam Itinerary of 11 Days. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The best time to visit the Central of Vietnam Central Vietnam is famous for beaches and fortunately, it offers beaches for every season with a pleasant climate all year. Far North Vietnam is in best trekking conditions between September and early November. Sapa and some mountainous areas may have the high chance of snowing in winter days when temperature reaches below 00C. Can you extend your visa? Prices rise and beaches are busy. Day 8: Visit to Banteay Srei. Big parades and events are held across Vietnam on September 2 for Vietnam National Day. Long and sinuous, like the mythical naga serpent, Vietnam was made for exploring by road. Vietnamese beaches in Central and Southern Parts experience sunny and dry days in summer time (from May to August). In addition to allowing the time needed to get from a to b ( say half a day every time you change location) you will be hit by jet lag for your first few days. However, it can be hot and humid in the south, and sudden showers may come and go quickly. Too much for even 8 days. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 1.2 Peak Tourism Season in Vietnam; 2 Best time to visit Vietnam; 3 Vietnam's weather month by month (Best places to visit Vietnam in each month) 3.1 January. However, sightseeing trips in Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong Delta are possible because rains generally appear in short form and more likely happen in the mid-afternoon. History and Culture. This is such a broad question but I know so many people will have some great suggestions so here it goes. People flock to Vietnam's top beaches, like Ph Quc, during July and August Andrea Pistolesi / Getty. One thing that is important is when exactly you will be visiting as the Khmer new year is mid April and in the run up transport needs booking in advance . From the mountains to the Delta, here are our favorite road trips. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Weather-wise its hot, hot, hot. Temperatures in daytime range from 15-28C, and from 10-18C at night time. Do some homework searching this forum and also use search engines like Google and maps as well. Travelfish is the place to start: https://www.travelfish.org/travel-planning. Sure, the travel part can be fun but it can also be tiring as well. The high season for travel in both Vietnam and Cambodia is from November until April, with dry and favorable weather conditions throughout almost main tourism destinations, except raining November in Central Vietnam (Hue, Danang, Hoian). Destinations: Siem Reap (Cambodia), Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Lan Ha Bay, Danang, Hoian, Hue (Vietnam). Nothing beats the rush of the anticipation of whats to come on your first trip. Report inappropriate content. So travel now and be amazed by the outstanding tourist destinations in Vietnam and Cambodia. July and August are the busiest months to visit Vietnam, with prices increasing by up to 50% by the coast; book hotels well in advance. It's mainly deciding the best month to travel. Make the most of your trip to Cambodia with these top planning tips, from packing to which currencies are accepted. Summer time is still the pretty good period to enjoy Halong Bay overnight cruise with outdoor activities. The wet season usually runs from June to October, coinciding with the southwest monsoon, but it's not necessarily a bad time to travel to Cambodia. In the far north (Sapa, Ha Giang, Mu Cang Chai, Ba Be, Ban Gioc), the winter can be particularly cold and frosty at times, especially in December and January. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Your journey will begin in Hanoi, the cultural and historical heart of Vietnam.