Vietnam and Cambodia are popular places in Southeast Asia because of their sunny beaches, beautiful landscapes, colorful culture, Buddhist temples, and Khmer architecture. A tour of Vietnam and Cambodia will take you to the best places in both countries, from natural wonders to artificial landmarks.
We’re pretty sure Saigon and Angkor Wat in Siem Reap is on almost every Southeast Asia trip. Aside from that, you should know a few of the most beautiful places to visit in Cambodia and Vietnam. If you go to these places, your photos will make your friends envious that you had such a great trip.
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1. Halong Bay, Vietnam
Halong Bay is well-known for its beautiful emerald water and islands that stick right out of the water. UNESCO has named it a world heritage site. It is sometimes called one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Halong Bay also has a lot of beautiful caves. These caves are large chambers with amazing limestone formations.
Don’t miss the chance to spend the night on the bay while you’re here. It will let you see the hundreds of islands from all sides and at all times of the day, which is perfect for getting the perfect shot.
You can also go to Cat Ba Island in the southwest and Bai Tu Long Bay in the northeast to see less popular places with tourists.
What to do in Halong Bay
Halong Bay is a popular place for many interesting things to do because of its beautiful natural and geographical features. Some of these can be seen on a cruise through Halong Bay.
- Take a seaplane over the bay to see it from above.
- Kayak to the karst cave and floating village to see them.
- Try some fresh fish.
- Taking a trip to the pearl farm
- Start an expensive cruise tour.
- Go hiking at Cat Ba National Park
- Check out Hon Trong Mai, also called “The Fighting Cocks Island.”
- Fish for squid at night.
- Go hiking on Ban Sen Island.
- Monkey Island’s green water is a great place to swim.
When to go to Halong Bay
October to December, when the weather is cool, is the best time to visit Halong Bay (maybe a bit cold from the middle of December). Don’t go to Halong Bay from June to September, when tropical storms and heavy rains are possible.
2. Vietnam, Son Doong Cave
Son Doong Cave is the biggest natural cave on Earth. Son Doong Cave has underground rivers, limestone caves, rocky terrains, and some of the rarest rock formations people have ever seen. Son Doong Cave is an adventure of a lifetime. It is about 500 kilometers from Hanoi and close to the border between Vietnam and Laos.
To get to Son Doong Cave, you must walk about 6 kilometers through a dense forest and the small village of Bru Van Kieu. Son Doong is 9 kilometers long and has parts up to 200 meters high. It is big enough to hold an entire New York City block.
This cave can only be seen with a guide, and only 1000 people per year are allowed in. You’ll get to do many interesting things if you’re one of the lucky few. Imagine swimming in a beautiful cave river underground, hiking to explore amazing dry caves, and sleeping in the jungle under the stars.
What to do at Son Doong Cave
- To get to the cave, you must journey through the jungle and cross a river.
- Pay a visit to an ethnic minority.
- Camping under the jungle stars
- Swim in the picturesque cave waterways.
- Hike or walk to discover dry and wet caverns.
- Discover several unique animals that can only be found here.
Best time to Travel
Between February and July is the best time to visit Son Doong. Son Doog is in the middle of Vietnam and has a tropical climate. During the rainy season, heavy rain, tropical storms, and flooding often make it hard to get to the caves.
3. Mui Ne, Vietnam
Mui Ne is an isolated coastal town located along the South China Sea in Southeast Vietnam. Mui Ne is the Mecca for people who like to try new things. It has a long stretch of palm-lined sand, clean beaches, green mountains, and steady winds.
This town is a great place to go kite surfing, windsurfing, diving, sailing, and many other water sports. Mui Ne has become a popular weekend getaway in recent years thanks to a busy strip of mid-range beach resorts, deluxe hotels, fancy restaurants, and shopping centers.
How to spend time in Mui Ne
- Sandboarding on the red and white dunes
- Check out the Po Shanu Cham Towers.
- At Hoi Tinh Pagoda and Phuoc Thien Pagoda, you can pray for luck and good health.
- You can try sailing, surfing, kite flying, diving, and swimming, among other water sports.
- Get a nice tan while you relax on the beach.
- Find the small fishing villages that are nestled in the turquoise water.
When to go to Mui Ne
November to March is the best time to go to Mui Ne. The weather is cooler during these months. Also, the sky is clear and sunny, and the strong wind makes it a great day for outdoor adventures.
4. Fansipan Summit, Vietnam
Since it is 3143 meters high, the Fansipan summit is often called the roof of Vietnam and Indochina. It is a great place for people who want to try new things, explore, and see beautiful natural landscapes.
One of Vietnam’s most important national parks, Hoang Lien Son, is where you can find Fansipan peak. This park has beautiful landscapes, several temperate forests, and a subtropical forest with more than 2,000 plants and more than 300 species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
It takes at least three days to reach the top and get back down. You don’t need to know how to hike or climb technically, but you need to be strong and have a lot of stamina because it’s a steep and fairly hard hike. You can also take a 20-minute cable car ride from Muong Hoa Village to the top, which leaves Muong Hoa Village.
What to do at the top of Fansipan
- Going on a mountain hike
- Take the ropeway.
- Take a picture of yourself with the summit marker
- Visit the village of Muong Hoa.
The best time Travel
The best time to climb Fansipan is from September to December when the weather is dry, and the temperature is a bit cold.
5. Ba Be National Park, Vietnam
Ba Be National Park is known as one of the best places to get away from everyday life. It has limestone peaks, beautiful waterfalls, and green forests, home to many animals.
When you’re on a boat on a lake, you can feel the harmony of the water and the sky, but what’s more interesting is that you can feel the ease of your soul. The largest natural lake in Vietnam is in the middle of this park. It is called Ba Be Lake. This large body of water is 5 miles (8 km) long, so Ba Be Lake is important in protecting North Vietnam’s natural environment.
What to do in Bac Kan & Ba Be Lake
- Walk through the thick, beautiful, and biologically diverse jungle
- Go kayaking down the river
- Discover the beautiful caves, including Hua Ma Cave, Puong Cave, and Lo Mo Cave
- Dive into the clean, calm water of Ba Be Lake.
- Dine with the locals
- Visit An Ma Temple
Best time to Travel
People who want to trek in Bac Kan should go between February and April. During these months, the weather in Bac Kan is pleasant, and the air is dry.
6. Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Sihanoukville is a beautiful coastal city in the southwest of Cambodia. It is about 228 kilometers from Phnom Penh. Sihanoukville is blessed by nature with sunny beaches, tropical islands, and many beautiful waterfalls hidden in the mangrove jungles.
The best way to get here is to fly to Sihanoukville International Airport. It usually takes between 40 and 50 minutes to get there from Phnom Penh Airport and Siem Reap Airport. When you’re in Sihanoukville, take a break on one of the less crowded beaches with palm trees.
You can spend a day here walking along six beautiful beaches, swimming in the cool water, or doing water sports like diving, snorkeling, or kayaking. Then, go to Ream National Park, which is one of the most stunning places to get away from it all and enjoy nature.
Ream National Park is an outstanding place to go on a safari or journey because there are so many wild animals, about 155 types of birds, and lush, green mangrove forests.
Things to do in Sihanoukville
- Travel to Jewelorchid Zoo and Koh Rong Pier
- Discovering the coral reef on Koh Rong Salem while snorkeling
- Take a swim on Koh Rong Island.
- Visit Preah Sihanouk (Kampong Som) to discover some unspoiled beaches and Inhabitat islands
- Enjoy tasty seafood
- Travel to Ream National Park
The Best time to Travel
The dry season November to April is the best time to visit Sihanoukville.
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