Vietnam and Cambodia are neighbouring countries which makes travelling between the two countries relatively easy with the option to travel via air or waterway (Mekong River). A combined tour of these fascinating countries can create a tour that explores the unique cultures and natural beauty of the region.

Here are just a few useful tips to make the Vietnam and Cambodia tours that much more enjoyable:

Outline a travel plan
Before arriving in Vietnam and Cambodia for the Indochina tour it will certainly benefit to outline a clear travel plan. A few of the basic things to consider including the travel agency to use, the places to visit and the length of the tour.

Also, it will benefit to have an idea of likely costs for food and drink, transportation, accommodation, and visiting attractions. The accommodation options can vary on the Vietnam and Cambodia tours with hostels, guest houses, resorts, hotels, and homestays the most typical options.

A typical travel itinerary for travellers starting in Vietnam is to travel from the capital Hanoi  in the north to the vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh City in the south. This will include plenty of stops en route to places like Hoi An, Halong Bay, Danang, Hue, and Mekong Delta. Once in the south of the country, the transfer to Cambodia can take place. This is certain to include a trip to Siem Reap, which is the gateway to the temples of Angkor. Other places to visit include the islands and Phnom Penh.

A further thing to organise before travelling is the visa and passport. Most travellers to Vietnam and Cambodia will need to hold a valid passport (with at least six months remaining) and a visa for the duration of the stay. The rules and regulations vary with the visa with certain countries given a short term exemption. Make sure to carefully check your specific requirements well in advance of travelling.

Pack the necessary supplies
Before travelling to Vietnam and Cambodia make sure to check the predicted weather forecast for the duration of your stay. With an idea of the temperature it will be easier to pack the clothes to match. For instance, if the travel itinerary include a mountainous region, the climate will be cool and misty, which means a sweater or soft jacket is appropriate. However, a planned Indochina tour package during the summer when temperatures can easily reach the high 30° C, the use of sandals and a light shirt is certain to be more comfortable.

Most travellers will take along a descent camera or simply use their high-end smartphone to capture the memorable moments. Personal medicine is also necessary. Also, other things like sun protection can be packed to protect against the intense heat, although there will be plenty of local shops that will offer the basic supplies.

A further thing to consider is to exchange money into the local currency. The Vietnamese Dong is the local currency used throughout Vietnam, while the Cambodian Riel is the currency in Cambodia. However, both of these countries will typically accept US dollars, which is a lot more common in the high tourist areas.

Transportation
There are plenty of modes of transport to get around both Vietnam and Cambodia. Getting around by bus is very cheap and effective for the short to medium distance, while the domestic flight is preferred when travelling the longest distance or making the transfer from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Siem Reap in Cambodia.

Alternatively, for the more scenic travel experience, a boat trip using the Mekong River is a great way to pass between countries. Typically, it will benefit to buy flight tickets early to get the best possible deals. The cheapest form of transport is certain to the bus service.

However, for the short distances to get around town, a xe om (motorbike taxi), bus or taxi are all options. For travellers on the Vietnam holiday, it is possible to use mobile apps like Grab and Uber to book a reliable service. Also, if taking a regular taxi it benefits to agree a price before starting the journey, otherwise the cost on arriving at your destination is likely to be a lot more than expected.

Once arriving in Cambodia, the preferred mode of transport for the short distance is the tuk-tuk. A typical trip around town is likely to cost in the region of $2-$3, or a little bit more if planning the slightly longer excursion. Similar to booking a taxi, it benefits to agree a price with the driver before starting the journey.

Food and drink
For the most delicious and cost-effective food choices on the family tours in Vietnam it is certainly worth checking out the street food scene. Any tour of a major city in Vietnam will have food stalls on literally every corner selling a long list of rice, pancake, noodle and other dishes. The food served on the streets is hygienic and safe, but it still benefits to buy from the food stalls that seem to be the busiest with the locals.

In addition to the street food, there are plenty of low to high-end restaurants in the cities. Tourist can use a food review app or website to check out the quality of the dishes served. Also, eating the local dishes will be a lot more cost-effective and give the more authentic travel experience compared to trying to stick with the typical dishes you eat at home. The cost of food in Vietnam and Cambodia is very likely to be a lot lower than neighbouring countries – although you should expect to pay more in Cambodia than in Vietnam.