Vietnam/Cambodia

Cambodia & Vietnam have a fascinating history filled with both prosperity and terror. Cambodia–Vietnam relations take place in the form of bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The countries have shared a land border for the last 1,000 years.

Both countries are inexpensive, well organized for tourism, and offer lots of opportunity for adventure, cultural immersion, and basking on the beach.

Must-See Highlights

While Vietnam has Ha Long Bay, a natural wonder, Cambodia has Angkor Wat, a man-made sight to behold. Both are bucket-list experiences, both are also overcrowded and expensive! Still, they are worth seeing and so much better if you can get there in shoulder season, so when you’re planning your trip, take that into account.

WEATHER IN VIETNAM:

• North: Nov-Apr: Winter season in the north. Temperatures averaging 16C.

               Summer with rain and occasional storms, temperatures average: 30C.

• Centre: May – June Hot weather, Nov-Dec typhoons and tropical storms season.

               Jan-Feb Cloudy and occasionally rainy. Temperatures average between North and South                

• South: May-Oct: Rainy season. But it rarely rains the whole day long. 

               Nov-Apr: Dry season. Constant temperatures through the year: 25C – 30C.

Vietnam vs Cambodia – Accommodation

For budget travellers, Cambodian accommodation is marginally cheaper. However, it’s harder to find fantastic budget accommodation in Cambodia, so Vietnam wins this round for budget travellers.

For travellers with a little more expendable cash, Cambodia wins out, since the mid-range and high-end accommodation is more affordable (and usually more stylish and welcoming) than in Vietnam.

 During Temples visit

Visitors are required to wear proper attire, covering shoulders and knees as this temple is still considered as sacred site (no short, miniskirt or short trousers).

Children under twelve years old are not allowed to climb up Bakhan tower of Angkor Wat Temple and it will be closed on the Buddhist Sabath Days, the Buddhist religious days, four days a month in accordance with the lunar Calendar.

Visitor Code of Conduct for Temple Visit:

- Dress Code: Revealing clothes such as shorts and skirts above the knees and showing the bare shoulders are prohibited in scared places. Respectful dress is strongly encouraged in Angkor.

-  Smoking Cigarettes inside the temple are prohibited.

-  The Bakhan Tower (Central Tower) of Angkor Wat Temple always closes on the Buddhist Sabath Days; the Buddhist religious days (four days a month).You cannot climb up the tower.

Visa Regulations

Visas are required for all nationalities except Thai, Malaysian, Philippinos, Laotian, Singaporean, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, England, Italian, French, and Germany. If visas are to be obtained via travel agents the following personal data must be supplied to them at least 2 (two) weeks before traveling to Vietnam:

• Full name as per passport
• Passport number, date of issue and expiry
• Date and place of birth
• Occupation and nationality

Visas can also be obtained upon arrival at international entry points to Vietnam, in which case the stamping fee will be quoted separately. But the Cambodia visa fee is $30.