Cambodia or Vietnam: Which is Best For Holiday

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Both Cambodia and Vietnam are amazing countries where you can experience various things.

They are both in Southeast Asia and have beautiful beaches, delicious food, and rich cultures.

But they are also different in many ways.

So, which one should you choose? 

Let’s find out!

Historical and Cultural Attractions

Cambodia and Vietnam have some really cool old stuff to check out. 

In Cambodia, you’ve got to see the Angkor – it’s this massive old temple complex near the Siem Reap that’s on the UNESCO World Heritage list. 

Over there you can find temples like Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and Bayon. 

These places show off how impressive the Khmer Empire was back in the day. 

Cambodia also has other interesting spots, like the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which tells the story of some tough times in Cambodia’s recent history.

On the other hand, Vietnam has got a bunch of historical sites from different time periods. 

In Hanoi, you can visit the Temple of Literature, which was Vietnam’s first university. 

Hue used to be the royal capital, so you can explore the old Citadel and royal tombs there as well. 

In Ho Chi Minh City, there’s the War Remnants Museum and Cu Chi Tunnels that showcases what the Vietnam War was like.

Relatively both countries have some great cultural experiences. In Cambodia, you can watch Apsara dancing and shadow puppet shows. Whereas Vietnam got water puppet shows and traditional music for your entertainment. 

Cambodia’s cultural stuff is mostly about its ancient Khmer history, while Vietnam’s culture mixes in Chinese, French, and local traditions.

Culinary Experiences

Cambodian food has its own special tastes and dishes. 

Once you got the chance, try the fish amok, which is like a curry cooked in banana leaves, and lok lak, which is stir-fried beef. 

A lot of Cambodian food uses prahok, a strong-tasting fermented fish paste that gives the dishes an extra flavor. 

On the streets, you can find tasty food items like num pang, which are sandwiches made with Cambodian-style baguettes, and different kinds of grilled meats. Some people even eat grilled insects by adding up spices to it!

Vietnamese food is known all over the world for being fresh and having lots of different flavors. 

Some famous Vietnamese dishes are pho, which is a noodle soup, banh mi, which is a type of sandwich, and fresh spring rolls, which is pretty common now a days. 

What’s interesting is that, different parts of Vietnam have their own special cuisines. 

In the north, the food is a bit heavier, in the middle it’s spicier, and in the south, they use lots of herbs.

Both countries have lots of unique food items where you can buy on the street. However, in Vietnam, you can find lots of street food in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. 

Accommodation Options

Cambodia has places to stay for all kinds of budgets. 

In areas where lots of tourists go, like Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, you can find cheap hostels and really fancy hotels to have a relaxing time. 

There are also a lot of small, unique hotels, especially in Siem Reap. 

These often have designs that has inspired by Cambodian culture. 

If you want to experience the local life, you can stay at guesthouses or with families, especially in smaller towns and countryside areas.

Vietnam has even more types of places to stay. 

In lively cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, you can choose from big chains to smaller locally-operating hotels. 

In popular tourist spots like Ha Long Bay and Hoi An, there are resorts and eco-lodges if you want to be near the nature with fascinating amenities. 

If you’re traveling on a budget, you can find lots of cheap hostels and hotels all over the country.

Generally, it costs a bit less to stay in Cambodia, especially if you’re looking out for the budget or mid-range places. 

But if you want to stay somewhere really fancy, the prices are about the same in both countries. 

Vietnam might have more choices of places to stay, especially in the average price range.

Transportation and Accessibility

Getting around Cambodia can be fun and interesting. 

In cities, you can ride in tuk-tuks or on the back of motorbikes with riders. 

These are pretty cheap. For longer trips, buses are the main way to travel. 

This is because the Cambodian government has connected the public transport system to major cities and places where tourist  likes to visit. 

In addition to that, you can also fly between important places like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville to explore some amazing spots. 

Nevertheless, Vietnam has more ways to get around. 

In cities, you can take taxis, use apps to call rides, ride on the back of motorbikes, or try cyclos, which are like bicycles with passenger seats. 

To travel between cities, there are lots of buses and trains that goes from north to south. 

However, many people choose to fly in Vietnam because it’s a huge country with different types of landscapes.

Budget Considerations

Cambodia is pretty easy on the wallet. 

Places to stay, food, and getting around town can be quite cheap, especially if you’re not in the main tourist spots. 

But keep in mind that visiting big attractions like Angkor Wat can cost a bit more. 

If you’re looking out for your spending limit, you can target your budget for $20-30 a day. 

If you want to be a bit more comfortable, you might spend around $50-100 each day.

In Vietnam, how much you spend can really change depending on where you are and how you like to travel. 

Big cities and popular tourist places usually cost more than the countryside. 

But overall, Vietnam gives you a good value no matter how much you want to spend. 

If you’re trying to save money, you can manage with $25-35 a day. 

If you want to be more comfortable, you might spend around $60-120 in a daily basis.

Conclusion

So, Cambodia and Vietnam are different in a few ways. Cambodia has a lot of old temples and history from the Angkor times, while Vietnam has the history from different periods. 

Vietnam is bigger and has various types of landscapes, while Cambodia is more relaxed and less developed.

When choosing between these two countries, think about what you want from your trip. 

If you love ancient temples and want a slower pace, Cambodia might be better for you. If you want to see different landscapes, lots of history, and busy cities, Vietnam might be a better fit. 

Cambodia might be a bit cheaper overall, but Vietnam might have more things to do and places to stay.

If you have enough time, visiting both countries is a great idea. They’re close to each other and offer different experiences. 

Furthermore, no matter which one you pick, or if you visit both, you’ll meet friendly people, see interesting cultures, and have a great adventure in this amazing part of the world.

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