South African travellers used to do Vietnam and Cambodia as DIY backpacking trips or as expensive private tours. In the last few years, both have become standard Europamundo destinations, bookable as 10 to 14 day guided coach tours with all the structure of a European trip.
It's one of the fastest-growing destinations in our office. Here's why, and what to expect.
The route
Most variations run Hanoi → Halong Bay → Hue → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) → Phnom Penh → Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor Wat (Cambodia). 12 to 15 days. Some include a side trip to Laos or Bangkok.
Hanoi: the front door
The Old Quarter, motorbikes everywhere, street food on every corner, the Temple of Literature. Hanoi is exhilarating and overwhelming. The first night is your jetlag night, eat lightly and sleep early.
Halong Bay
The classic overnight cruise on a junk-style boat through the karst islands. UNESCO World Heritage. Kayaking, swimming, fresh seafood for dinner, sunrise from the deck. Pack a swimsuit and earplugs (the engines run intermittently). One of the highlights of any Southeast Asia tour.
Central Vietnam: Hue and Hoi An
Hue is the old imperial capital, the Citadel, the Perfume River, the tombs of the Nguyen emperors. Hoi An is the most charming town in Vietnam: lantern-lit alleys, riverside cafés, custom tailors who'll make you a suit in 24 hours. Most travellers extend a day here if budget allows.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
The southern commercial hub. The War Remnants Museum is heavy but important. The Cu Chi Tunnels day trip is an optional that's worth doing if you have any interest in 20th-century history. Saigon's food scene is the most exciting in Vietnam.
Crossing into Cambodia: Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat
Phnom Penh is sombre, the Killing Fields and the S-21 prison are the centrepiece of the city tour, and they are not optional. Then a short flight or coach to Siem Reap.
Angkor Wat. The 12th-century Khmer temple complex. The largest religious monument in the world. You'll do at least two days here, sunrise at the main temple, then exploration of Bayon, Ta Prohm (the "tree temple" from Tomb Raider), and the surrounding sites. Two days is enough; three is better if your tour allows.
What it costs from SA
- Land tour pp sharing: R28,000 to R42,000
- Flights JHB/CPT to Hanoi or Saigon via Singapore or Doha: R14,000 to R20,000
- Vietnam e-visa: $25 (€23), apply online before you fly
- Cambodia e-visa: $30, apply online or on arrival
- On-ground spend: R12,000 to R18,000 (Southeast Asia is much cheaper than Europe)
- All-in couple: R110,000 to R165,000
The visa question
Good news for South Africans: no Schengen-style application. Both Vietnam and Cambodia run simple e-visa systems. Apply online a few weeks before departure, print the approval, get the stamp on arrival. Takes about 15 minutes per application.
When to go
November-April is dry season, the standard tour window. May-October is wet season, with daily afternoon thunderstorms. December and January are peak (cool, dry, crowded). March is the hottest month. Avoid Lunar New Year (late January / February), the whole region effectively closes for a week.
What to pack
- Lightweight, breathable clothing, humid throughout
- A modest outfit for temple visits (shoulders and knees covered)
- Proper insect repellent (DEET-based), dengue exists, especially wet season
- Sturdy shoes for Angkor, uneven stones, lots of climbing
- Hand sanitiser and stomach medication just in case
How it compares
For travellers who've done Italy and France and are looking for a "third trip" that feels meaningfully different, Vietnam-Cambodia is the right next step. The pace is slower than Europe, the food is exceptional, the per-day spend is half what Western Europe costs, and the cultural distance is much larger, you genuinely feel far from home in the best way.
For Asia comparison, see our Japan vs South Korea piece. For first-time guidance, our first-time guide applies here too. Browse Asia tours.
