Hello, my name is Franchesca Minetta. For a long time, my husband and I had been dreaming of a big trip for just the two of us, far away from daily life, to see something new and feel a little adventure. In February, we finally decided to go on a Vietnam Cambodia 3 weeks journey. This Vietnam Cambodia 21-day itinerary took us from Hanoi to Siem Reap, passing through Pu Luong, Ha Long Bay, and the Mekong Delta. We saw stunning landscapes, tasted delicious dishes, and met warm, welcoming people. When we came back home, those images were still in my mind. That’s why I want to share here our Vietnam Cambodia trip — to relive these moments and maybe inspire other travelers looking for trips to Vietnam and Cambodia.
Vietnam Cambodia 21-day itinerary with Mrs Minetta
I. Stage 1 – Discovering Northern Vietnam in our Vietnam Cambodia 21-day itinerary
When we booked this
Vietnam Cambodia 3 weeks trip, I must admit I didn’t really know what to expect for the first part in the North of Vietnam. As soon as we landed in
Hanoi after a long flight, we were greeted with a big smile. The Vietnamese massage on our first evening, included in the program, was such a gift to help us recover from the jet lag. My husband almost fell asleep on the massage table so the masseur had to tell him twice to turn over, which made everyone in the room laugh. However, the dinner afterwards was a bit too light for my taste.
The following days, we explored Hanoi with its busy markets, the
Old Quarter, and the water puppet show. Charming, but sometimes a little noisy, especially around
Hoan Kiem Lake. Then we headed to
Mai Chau and
Pu Luong: there, the terraced rice fields and fresh mountain air made me forget all the fatigue. Sleeping in a stilt house was a simple yet peaceful experience.
Arriving at our charming little hotel in Tam Coc, I was delighted to see the rice field view from our balcony. My husband couldn’t stop taking photos, he said he wanted to make a puzzle from them once we were back in France! In the evening, while walking around the village, a group of kids spontaneously invited us to play shuttlecock with them. We ended up laughing together, and my husband even tried to teach them a few French words… which triggered a series of giggles. It’s those unexpected moments that make the best trips to Vietnam and Cambodia even more memorable.
In Tam Coc, the boat ride between the karst rocks amazed me. I recommend bringing a hat, because the sun hits hard on the water. The cruise in Ha Long Bay was beautiful, although some spots are quite touristy. Luckily, our junk boat was comfortable and the food on board was delicious.
Sapa was a real favorite for me. Hiking through
Hmong and Giay minority villages allowed me to meet such warm people, even though walking for hours on muddy paths can be tiring. Spending the night in a family homestay in Ta Van was an authentic moment, with a hearty dinner cooked by the hosts.
This first part of our Vietnam Cambodia trip let me discover such a varied Vietnam — from the city’s chaos to the mountains’ serenity. For those wondering about the Vietnam Cambodia trip cost, I can say every moment in this northern stage was worth it.
Accommodation:
Day 1-2: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Day 3: Pu Luong Retreat
Day 4: Tam Coc Retreat Ninh Binh
Day 5: Paloma Cruise style junk boat
Day 6: Night train to Sapa – shared sleeper cabin
Day 7: Ta Van Family Homestay
II. Stage 2 – Central Vietnam: history and timeless charm
When I think back to our
Vietnam Cambodia 21-day itinerary, I feel the central part of Vietnam was kind of a special chapter. After eight days in the north, we took a flight to
Hue (Day 9) as part of our
Vietnam Cambodia 3 weeks journey. It felt good to slow down a bit. In Hue, I was impressed by the
Citadel and those massive gates, but I must admit the heat got me a little tired. The
Thien Mu Pagoda, sitting quietly by the river, felt peaceful, almost frozen in time.
The next day (Day 11), the road to
Hoi An was just stunning. Crossing the hills and suddenly seeing the sea… it was like a postcard coming to life. We stopped at the
Cham Museum and the
Marble Village, but honestly these stops were a bit quick for me. On the other hand, Hoi An had me from the first walk. The lanterns, the old houses, the
Japanese Bridge… such irresistible charm. In this
Vietnam Cambodia trip cost, Hoi An is the place where I felt the most relaxed.
Day 12, we did the eco-tour in the villages around Hoi An. Cycling through the countryside, a basket boat ride, and lunch prepared with Mister Han… It felt authentic, warm, and I loved getting my hands a bit dirty in the kitchen. My husband, well, he mostly enjoyed the foot massage!
The last day of this stage (Day 13), we had a little free time before flying to Ho Chi Minh City. This Cambodia Vietnam trip taught me that each region has its own personality, and the center is for me a perfect blend of history, landscapes, and sweet living.
Accommodation:
Day 9-10: Azerai La Residence Hue
Day 11-12: Little Hoi An Boutique Hotel & Spa
III. Stage 3 – From Southern Vietnam to Cambodia: colors and connections
In this
Vietnam Cambodia 21-Day Itinerary, the southern part was for me a mix of surprises and warm people. After almost two weeks of travel, we reached
Ho Chi Minh City, that big place that never sleeps. You’ll see some beautiful colonial buildings, but also so much traffic. I liked the
Opera House and the
Notre Dame Cathedral, but to be honest, the noise and crowd made me a bit tired.
Next day, direction
Mekong Delta. Here, everything changes. Life is slower, smiles come easily. In
Ben Tre, we took a small cruise, watched how they make mats, and had a delicious lunch with a local family. I just loved the simplicity.
In
Can Tho, the
Cai Rang floating market is really something unique. Boats full of colorful fruits make you want to buy everything. And then… my husband, wanting to bargain for coconuts, says with full confidence: “Fifty thousand!” instead of fifteen thousand. Bargaining higher than the original price… only he could do that! Even the seller burst out laughing. After that, in
Chau Doc, I felt a quieter vibe, with
Cham villages and temples. Interesting, although the crocodile farm visit kind of scared me… not in a nice way.
The last day of this stage, we took a speed boat to
Phnom Penh. Sailing along the Mekong, watching the landscapes pass, left me thoughtful. Phnom Penh charmed me with its
Royal Palace and
Silver Pagoda, even if some streets felt a bit chaotic.
This part of the best trips to Vietnam and Cambodia really shows the contrast between the busy life of the cities and the gentleness of the countryside. For us, it was a highlight of this trip a deal Vietnam and Cambodia, and I think the Vietnam Cambodia trip cost was worth every penny.
Accommodation:
Day 13-14: Hotel Continental Saigon
Day 15: Can Tho Ecolodge
Day 16: Victoria Chau Doc Hotel
Day 17: Raffles Hotel Le Royal
IV. Stage 4 – The Mysterious and Warm Cambodia
Arriving in Phnom Penh, we took the road to Siem Reap. Five hours by car was not short, but the scenery slowly changed and I found it calming. Once we were at the hotel, we had a bit of free time before heading to Angkor Wat for sunset from Phnom Bakheng. I must say, it was beautiful, but there were so many people, and we had to weave our way through to get a good spot.
The next day, we spent the whole day on the temples. Angkor Wat impressed me with its size and its fine carvings. I loved how our guide made us avoid the crowds, but I wish I could have stayed a bit longer at Banteay Srei, which I found really charming. Ta Prohm, with its giant roots, reminded me of the “Tomb Raider” movie. After all that walking, a one-hour Khmer massage was pure bliss.
On the third day in Siem Reap, we went very early to Phnom Krom to watch the sunrise over the rice fields and the floating village. It was calm and relaxing, but the boat to visit Chong Kneas was a bit noisy. In the afternoon, we took a motorbike to visit a village. The locals welcomed us with simple smiles, and I loved learning Cambodian cooking with Mr. Ron and Mrs. Sina. Cooking and eating together was a real sharing moment.
On the last day, we had some free time before saying goodbye. On the way, we came across a street vendor selling strange fruits. My husband, curious as always, bought one without knowing what it was… and the look on his face when he bit into it was worth all the photos of the trip! This Vietnam Cambodia 21-day itinerary was for us a beautiful mix of discoveries and encounters. If you’re looking for a Vietnam Cambodia 3 weeks trip with a reasonable cost and a lot of emotions, this Vietnam Cambodia trip is totally worth it. Despite a few tiring moments, I will keep the images and smells of this Cambodia Vietnam trip in my heart for a long time.
Accommodation: Angkor Village Hotel (Day 18-20)
After this Vietnam Cambodia 3 weeks journey, I keep very simple memories. The landscapes were stunning, but sometimes tiring with the long journeys. If you do a Vietnam Cambodia trip with a reasonable price, I advise you to choose only a few cities so you don’t run around all the time. During my Vietnam Cambodia 21-day itinerary, I learned it’s better to book hotels close to the center and plan some free days. This Vietnam Cambodge trip also taught me you should always have water, a hat, and some local coins for small purchases.
This
Vietnam Cambodia 21-day itinerary will always stay in my heart. During these three weeks, I saw breathtaking landscapes, met warm people, and discovered so many traditions. The
Vietnam Cambodia trip cost was very reasonable for everything we got. I sincerely thank our guide, always patient and smiling, as well as Autour Asia,
Cambodia Travel Agency,
who organized everything with care. Thanks to them, every step was simple and enjoyable. If you get the chance, try one day a
Vietnam Cambodia 3 weeks trip. You will return, like us, with precious memories and a big smile.
FR
ITA