Apart from the geo-political differences, both Vietnam and Cambodia look like Siamese twins with lots of similarities. Both countries bear the scars of the brutal invasion, the long war against the invaders, and the bloody political instabilities. However, modern Vietnam and Cambodia are preparing to write a new history, sweeping all ills under the rug and emerging as the most promising developing nations in Southeast Asia. A Vietnam and Cambodia tour in 2023 opens a plethora of visual treats rich with culture, history, and incredible discoveries at every turn.

Vietnam and Cambodia Tour 2023 Guide
Vietnam and Cambodia maintain a liberal visa policy, making it easy for tourists to spend their vacation at an affordable rate. Many professionally managed tour operators are offering travel packages for Vietnam tours in 2023 and Cambodia tours in 2023. In addition to package tours, Vietnam tour operators offer tailor-made packages or private tour programs with unrivaled quality service.

To enter Vietnam and Cambodia, all tourists needed a minimum 6-month valid passport and visa, unless they came from a visa-exempt country. Tourists who are allowed to enter Vietnam and Cambodia without a visa must have a confirmed return ticket.

The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled authorities to make numerous changes to their previously liberal visa policies, particularly in Vietnam. Now visas on arrival are granted if the visitor has a sponsor to support their tour plan. Because of these visa policy changes, tourists planning to visit Vietnam must contact Vietnam tour operators and choose a suitable Vietnam tour in 2023 and a Cambodia tour in 2023 for a combined package tour of Vietnam and Cambodia.

You can get the Vietnam visa on arrival service only at the five international Vietnam airports. Whereas visa-on-arrival services for Cambodia are available at Cambodian international airports and land border crossings.

A single-entry Vietnam visa valid for one month will cost you US$18 plus a stamping fee of US$25. The fee for a single entry, three-month visa service is US$28, and the stamping fee is US$25. The Cambodian tourist visa fee is about $30, including service charges and stamping fees.

The best way to avoid last-minute confusion is to apply for an e-Visa if you are from an e-Visa-eligible country. You can get the e-Visa confirmation within 3 working days, and that will let you have a confirmed entry to Vietnam and Cambodia.

It is also to be noted that a visa on arrival will let you stay in Vietnam and Cambodia for 30 days and is non-extendable, whereas you can extend an e-Visa before its expiration for fifteen days to six months, depending on the purpose.

Best Tour Practice:
For a comfortable Vietnam-Cambodia tour 2023, including transportation, sightseeing, and accommodation, it would be better to go with a package tour or tailored tour from any reputed Vietnam tour operator. The tour operator can take you to all those selected areas within your tour plan and also provide you with an English-speaking tour guide, who can make your holiday a blissful experience. The guide can give you proper advice on security protocol and cultural etiquette to be maintained while visiting religious centers.

Travel from Vietnam to Cambodia
The distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh is about 228 kilometers, which can be covered within 6 hours, including the immigration stoppage. Tourists can cross Cambodia from Vietnam by road, and the most popular land border crossing is Moc Bai-Bavet. The distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Moc Bai is about 60 kilometers, and it is the nearest land border crossing. Apart from this land border crossing, tourists can also cross at Ting Bien-Phonm Den, Ha Tien-Prek Chakille, and Vinh Xuong-Kaam Samnor. In addition to this, tourists can also use the Mekong River crossing from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh.

When Is The Best Time Or Month To Visit?
It will be difficult to forecast the weather conditions in Vietnam and Cambodia as both countries span various climatic zones. In general, if you want to avoid the rainy season and scorching heat, October to November and May to June are the best months to plan a combined Vietnam and Cambodia tour.

What Is There To See In Vietnam?
Over the last three decades, Vietnam has experienced lots of changes, from a French colony to a war country to an incredible tourist destination. The country is blessed with beautiful landscapes, beaches, temples, pagodas, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you will see spots unmatched elsewhere in the world. The following are some of the best attractions in Vietnam.

The Mekong Delta: South Vietnam
The Mekong Delta is one of the must-see destinations in South Vietnam. The Mekong River splits into tributaries from here, forming various canals. The delta has been transformed by silt deposits flowing from Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia into a rich paddy field and lush orchards filled with tropical fruits like mangoes and other produce. The splendid rice fields and floating markets are some of the visual treats, you should not miss watching.

Ho Chi Minh City—the New Face of Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City is the emerging commercial center and largest city in Vietnam, located in the western part of the Mekong Delta. The city is a fusion of old and new Vietnam. You can enjoy the vibrant nightlife and shopping facilities, along with the Vietnamese cuisine. The city is also home to ancient pagodas, French colonial buildings, and brilliant French architecture. Some of the must-see colonial structures are the Notre Dame Cathedral, the General Post Office, the Municipal Theater, etc. Besides, some of the most popular pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City are Vinh Nghiem, Xa Loi, and Jae Emperor.

South Central Vietnam
South central Vietnam's most popular destinations include fishing villages like Mui Ne and the best beaches in Mui Ne and Doc Let. Other important locations are the marvelous resort towns like Phan Thiet and Nha Trang. Here, you can find the ethnic Cham minority community, descendants of the Cham dynasty. You can also explore the Cham Tower and ancient Cham ruins. Moving to the central highlands, do not forget to visit Dalat, a notable resort town and French-styled hill station.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Central Vietnam is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and they are My Son, Hue Citadel, Phong Nha Cave, and the Old Quarter. You can also find exciting beach activities at Lang Co Beach and Thuan An Beach. Your tour can be further complimented by taking a boat tour on the Perfume River while visiting Hue, the ancient imperial city.

Hanoi and North Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam's second-largest city and capital, has a lot of French colonial charm. It has various museums, exhibition halls, and upscale restaurants, making it a splendid Vietnam tour 2023 destination. The city is popular for water puppet shows and rich with cultural splendor. Visiting the Military History Museum and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum will let you understand the value and struggle for independence undertaken by the Vietnamese. Besides, there are many pagodas, temples, cathedrals, and modern shopping centers.

Halong Bay
A visit to Vietnam will never be complete without visiting Halong Bay. The dense presence of limestone rocks, karst islands, and natural caves with spectacular stalactites, stalagmites, and stalagmites and the longest water grottos make it a top holiday spot for visitors.

What To See In Cambodia
Cambodia is a colorful, and culturally rich country with plenty of historical sites to explore. From foot to head, you can feel the royal lifestyle with unforgettable memories.

Angkot Wat Temple
The most famous tourist spot in Cambodia is Angkot Wat Temple, located in Siem Reap Province, which is a wonderful piece of historical attraction. The Khmer civilization's extraordinary architectural creativity can be found dating back to the 7th-11th centuries. It is regarded as the cultural home of the Khmer civilization. Angkot Wat was the largest temple city in the world during the medieval era. The temple complex, including Angkor Archaeological Park and the forested area, is spread over 400 square kilometers, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. Beautiful religious engravings, decorative stone carvings, and statues of Hindu gods and Buddhas make it an encaptivating visual treat for visitors.

Angkor Thom
Driving about 3 kilometers from Angkot Wat will take you to Angkor Thom. It was the capital of the Khmer Empire, established in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. Spread about 9 square kilometers, tourists can find the architectural charm of Khmer civilization. At the center of the city is the Bayon temple, the Khmer Royal Temple. Bayon Temple is the second-most popular temple after Angkor Wat.

Choeung Ek Memoria (Killing Fields)
It is a scary field that illustrates human cruelty to fellow citizens because the victims just opposed the political view of the rulers. The 15-kilometer-wide memorial Buddhist stupa is divided into various levels and stuffed with human skulls.

How Do I Plan A Trip To Vietnam And Cambodia?
For combined Vietnam and Cambodia tours in 2023, it would be preferable to make your plan with a reputed local tour operator like Vivutravel, which has a thorough knowledge of the locations in Vietnam and Cambodia. Both Vietnam and Cambodia are wonderful places to visit.

Comparing the two international airports in Cambodia to Vietnam's six international airports, starting your combined Vietnam-Cambodia tour 2023 from Vietnam would be ideal due to international accessibility. You can travel by air or by land between the two countries. Between Vietnam and Cambodia, there are five main border crossings and a river crossing.

Depending on your budget and preferences, you can make an itinerary for a minimum of 10 days to a maximum of three weeks, but still, it will not be enough to cover the entire location. You can always begin your tour in Hanoi and end it on the Vietnamese side in Ho Chi Minh City. From Ho Chi Minh City, take a flight to Siem Reap, or you can opt for a land border crossing. You can always find more options with your preferred tour operator, Vivutravel, for a Vietnam and Cambodia tour in 2023.