Two countries, one unforgettable journey — from cosmopolitan streets and emerald bays of Vietnam to the timeless temple plains of Cambodia.
Bustling Hanoi, drifting bays, and sacred Angkor stones — this is why Vietnam and Cambodia are best experienced together. This blog post spans 13D/12N itinerary across Hanoi, DaNang, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap.
Sumit and Vinita Dubey, our usual partners in adventure, joined us on the trip with their kids. We kicked off late evening, boarding Vietnam Airlines from Bangalore around midnight. Excitement was high; sleep was tenuous. Vietnam, here we come!
Day 1: Settling in Hanoi
We arrived early morning at Noi Bai Airport. After clearing formalities, we headed straight to our hotel — Bendecir Hotel & Spa, perfectly located in the Old Quarter.
Vietnam greets you with movement. Hanoi, our first stop, felt like controlled chaos — scooters humming like urban bees, street vendors calling out, and coffee aromas floating through narrow lanes. The Old Quarter is where the city reveals its soul: lakeside walks around Hoan Kiem, slow cyclo rides, and evenings spent watching local life unfold on pedestrian streets.
We started our day roaming around Hoan Kiem lake, colorful vibes at Hang Ma Street and crossing the elegant red bridge to visit Ngoc Son Temple.
We had lunch at Met Vietnamese restaurant which is just round the corner of the lake before heading to our hotel for a quick siesta.
Evening started with a charming Thang Long Water Puppet show, which was an amalgamation of folklore, folk music, and frogs splashing more lively than expected. We capped our evening at 1990s Café on the famed Train Street.
We headed to vegan friendly and Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Uu Dam Chay for dinner, which had a calming zen atmosphere and some lip smacking dishes.
Day 2: Incense Village
After witnessing hustle and bustle of Hanoi the first day, this was the day to slow things down. A visit to Quang Phu Cau Incense Village offered a glimpse into artisanal traditions and some serious photo ops.
We had entire evening to ourselves which we decided to take slow on a cyclo and eventually wandering near Ta Hien Beer Street.
On Ta Hein Beer Street, first-copy finds and cold beers set the rhythm, as life flows past and shopkeepers quietly outpace the approaching police.
Day 3-4: Ha Long Bay Cruise
We checked out early and boarded the shuttle to Ha Long Bay — roughly a 2.5-hr scenic drive from Hanoi.
A luxury cruise (Paradise Grand) through Lan Ha Bay felt almost unreal – limestone karsts rising like guardians from calm waters, quiet boating sessions, cave exploration and golden sunsets viewed from a floating deck.
There were many activities on board to keep kids occupied, such as squid fishing, visits to nearby islands, roof deck cooking class – to name a few.
We had a late evening flight to Da Nang. After checking in at BlueSun Danang Beach Hotel — a peaceful base near My Khe Beach, we visited a nearby essential store to stock up supplies before calling it a day.
Day 5: Local DaNang
Da Nang greeted us in shades of rain, where the sea and sky blurred into one quiet mood. Luckily we had planned for an indoor activity, a local Coffee workshop and traditional lunch. This workshop was one of the trip highlight for my daughter, Trariti, who thoroughly enjoyed the fine process of three varieties of coffee making – salt, egg and coconut!
As we were told – Hanoi for Salt, DaNang for Egg and HCMC for Coconut with brews going from mild to strong as you go South.
Despite being rain playing hide and seek, we proceeded to late afternoon visit to Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains) for a serene cliff-top reward. The entire stretch of South China Sea is visible from the top.
As stairs were getting slippery with rain, we decided to cut it short and head for another lovely home owned vegan cafe for dinner – Chickpea Eatery, whose mantra is peaceful food, restful mind.
Day 6: Hoi An Day Trip
Just a 45-min ride from Da Nang lies Hoi An — timeless and charming where lantern-lit evenings and riverside walks feels straight out of a postcard!
We strolled through Japanese Covered Bridge, local Artisan studios, sericulture factory, local markets before stopping at iconic Madam Khanh for Banh Mi.
The kids delighted in the lantern-making workshop were even more spirited during coconut boat ride (nearby Bay Mau Coconut Forest) through a narrow waterway that opened into a lively, bustling tourist spot.
As it was still cloudy with no prospect of witnessing Sunset on Thu Bon River, we took a boat ride offering a magical tradition where you buy small paper lanterns, light them, make a wish, and set them afloat for good luck and blessings.
Day 7: Ba Na Hills
Ba Na Hills, near Da Nang, is a mountain resort famous for its cool climate, French-inspired architecture, and scenic views. Visitors can explore the Golden Bridge held by giant stone hands, ride cable cars over lush forests, and enjoy theme parks, gardens, and pagodas. The combination of natural beauty and man-made attractions makes it a popular escape from the city heat.
We were hoping to catch Dragon bridge fire show, which happens every weekend, and found a Thai restaurant nearby which gets its fresh supply from a nearby market. Here we sampled some of the best Thai dishes we all had till date.
Day 8: HCMC
In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s modern face took over — wide boulevards, colonial landmarks, river cruises, and the energetic market of Ben Thanh Street.
After settling into our hotel, Anise Luxe Home, a small family-run boutique stay, we stepped out to explore the city. We began with Independence Palace and Notre Dame Cathedral, where we saw locals, mostly college students, sitting on mats by the roadside and enjoying drinks. It felt relaxed and fun. After spending some time near the lively apartment café building, busy with events this time of year, we headed to the pier for our dinner cruise on the Saigon Princess. It was an evening filled with slow cruising along the city, multi course food and live music and dance, including some typical Bollywood numbers!
Day 9: Mekong Delta Day Trip
The day began early since we were staying outside District One, where most Mekong Delta tours start.
Our day trip to the Mekong Delta showed us how peaceful rural life continues just beyond the city. On the way, we stopped at Vinh Trang Pagoda, the largest pagoda in the region. The day included many activities such as a sampan boat ride, a visit to a honey farm, a coconut candy workshop, tropical fruit tasting, and a traditional lunch.
On one of the islands, we also came across some unusual sights like snake wine and crocodile leather products.
We returned back to the city in the evening, exhausted and delighted. With the little fuel left in us, we decided to make most of the time remaining in HCMC and headed to Ben Thanh Market for some first-copy shopping.
All Vietnamese markets we visited during our stay there, we noticed how cheap goods, ranging from clothes to toys to bags to food and what not were piled up with little to no space to walk. We also noticed how some Vietnamese shopkeepers can come across as brusque, often more direct than rude, especially in busy markets.
Day 10: Siem Reap
We took a taxi from the airport to our hotel, a drive of nearly an hour. The driver was moving very slowly, and when we asked him to speed up, he calmly replied, “I drive fast, I kill people.” It summed up the city well, where life moves at an unhurried pace, an artery road connects most places, and tuk-tuks naturally set the speed of traffic.
Crossing into Cambodia felt like stepping into a quieter world. Siem Reap doesn’t rush you, it invites you to pause. We checked in at Metta Residence, which is perfectly located on the outskirts of town.
Most travel in Siem Reap is by tuk-tuk, a simple improvised local vehicle. Many tourists end up befriending the first tuk-tuk driver they meet, who then takes them around to different places for the rest of their stay. Cambodian people are known for their warmth and simplicity, welcoming visitors with gentle smiles and quiet kindness, and our experience was no different.
In Siem Reap, an Apsara Dance offers a captivating evening of Cambodian culture. Traditional dancers in elegant costumes perform graceful movements that tell stories from mythology, accompanied by live music. Guests enjoy a delicious local meal while watching the performance, making it a perfect blend of culinary and cultural experience.
Day 11: Temples & Circus
We decided to begin with the Angkor National Museum, a great primer before visiting the temples. Though a couple of hours barely scratch the surface of its treasures, we focused on sections covering Khmer history, their great kings, and the story of Angkor Wat.
Our first temple visit in Angkor Complex was Ta Prohm, where we wandered among the ruins entwined with massive tree roots, followed by the humbling experience of standing before the smiling stone faces of Bayon. These are places that invite silence, reflection, and time.
There are few places to witness Sunset in Siem Reap, each posing its unique charm. We narrowed down on Phnom Bakheng, which is a popular hilltop temple in Angkor, and famous for its sunset views. Visitors climb its steps to reach the top, where the 360-degree panorama of Angkor Wat, surrounding temples, and lush forests unfolds. As the sun dips, the sky lights up in warm hues, casting a magical glow over the ancient stone ruins—making it a perfect spot for reflection and photography.
Though it felt like a long day, our adventure wasn’t over yet. We had an early dinner on Pub Street, enjoying tasty local dishes paired with Angkor and Hanuman beer, before heading to the Phare Circus for a high-energy show full of creativity and storytelling.
After an action filled day, we couldn’t help but say – Cambodia doesn’t overwhelm — it lingers!
Day 12: Angkor Wat
On the first day of 2026, what could be more magical than watching the sunrise behind the majestic Angkor Wat, its glow reflecting off the ancient stones and the still waters of the pool!
After an early start, we visited the APOPO center to see the HeroRATs in action—an unexpectedly inspiring demonstration of how these trained rats can detect active landmines far faster and more cost-effectively than humans.
Now it was time for the most awaited part of our Cambodia visit – Angkor Wat temples. Angkor Wat, the crown jewel of Cambodia, is the largest religious monument in the world and a symbol of Khmer architecture and devotion. Built in the 12th century, its intricate bas-reliefs and towering spires showcase both artistic mastery and spiritual significance.
A relaxed walk through Pub Street and local markets, is what all of us wanted after all the walking in the temple complex. Undoubtedly, market was filled with foot massage parlors.
Day 13: Back to Bangalore
The sojourn came to an end this day where we had a flight back to Banglore (Singapore Airlines). Airports in Vietnam and Cambodia told very different stories—one with long, winding queues, the other almost deserted, with hardly a soul in sight!
This reading will be incomplete without a special mention to what we ate during our stay there. We never had trouble finding Chay (pronounced chai) or vegetarian food.
Food in Vietnam and Cambodia is a delightful mix of fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and street-side culture. In Vietnam, meals often feature herbs, rice, noodles, and fresh vegetables, with iconic dishes like pho, banh mi, and spring rolls reflecting regional diversity. Cambodian cuisine highlights fragrant spices, rice, and tropical fruits, with specialties like amok and Khmer curries offering a subtle, aromatic taste. Both countries excel in street food culture, where casual eats—accompanied by local beers or coffee—become a social and sensory experience.
GB Hacks
- Vietnam needs a lot of mental math with their inflated currency. Some rule of thumb based on multipliers help. Cambodia has adopted USD as their informal currency and you will be good if not carrying any Riel.
- Grab is the lifeline of these two countries. Very reliable, quick, clean and not so expensive cabs, even for day trips nearby.
- Finding vegetarian food was never a problem. Vegan was a well understood concept and we were happy to see options.
- Airports in Vietnam can get crowded. Look for ground staffs and pay some reasonable priority fees to cut the queue.
- Both countries have e-Visa for Indians which just needs filling an application online and paying fees.
- Angkor complex offers 1 or 3 or 5 day passes. We took 3 day pass so that we get flexibility to go for sunrise as well. Besides, it might get overwhelming to cover even the famous temples in a day.
Kedia's Travelogue 