Vietnam - Hue/Hoi An or Mekong/Phnom Penh?

Question

I am going to Vietnam for a couple weeks in August, spending time in Hanoi and Nha Trang (scuba) and a little in Saigon. I am also planning on going to Angkor, but not sure how to get there.

I have a couple options: I can either go to Hue/Hoi An for a few days and fly to Angkor for a couple days, or I can do one of those 2 nite cross-border Mekong Delta trips from Saigon-Can Tho-Chau Doc-Phnom Penh, then boat to Angkor. Is that trip worth it or is it better to skip Chau Doc/Phnom Penh and fly to Angkor? If I flew I would probably just do a 1 day Mekong Delta trip.

So basically it is between Hue/Hoi An and a lenghty Mekong/Phnom Penh trip. Help!!!

Answer 1

You can begin from Hanoi, then fly to Hue( 2nights). Route to Hoi An (2 nights). Transfer from Hoi An to Da Nang ( 30Km ) for the daily flight ( one per day ) to Nha Trang. Scuba in Nha Trang ( Blue Diving or Hai Quy Diving Club ) or 60km from Nha Trang : Whale Island ( best one ).

Nha Trang to Saigon is possiblilty with 2 options: flight (1h) or train (8h~10h).

Saigon to Angkor also 2 options :

1. Bus directly from Saigon to Siem Reap (8h)

2. Two ngiths in Mekong Delta :

Day 1: Saigon - cai Be - Vinh Long - Cantho (road & boat trip )

Day 2: Cantho Floatting market - Chau Doc

Then Chau Doc - Phnom Penh by Speed Boat ( minimum booking with 4 persons ). Fly to Siem Reap.

Answer 2

From Saigon you can enjoy lots of things , the other places are very beautiful too, but nowhere can compare with Hochiminh city

Answer 3

Hue-hoi an is a shorter way and as I've been there 1 time before, it's really beautiful there. Mekong is kinda boring river. You won't enjoy it

Answer 4

Well I love to relax in Hue; so that would be my choice.  We will be there in Hue in 22 days, ya.  Nothing like setting by the Perfume River watching the boats go by while having a bia.  Good luck on your decision.  cheers.

Answer 5

The first idea is good but need some changes as below:

Ha Noi -> Ha Long bay (by Bus)

Ha Noi -> Phong Nha (by AirLine)

Phong Nha -> Hue (by Train)

Hue -> Da Nang (by Train) -> Hoi An (by Bus 30km)

Hoi An -> Ho Chi Minh (by Bus, Airline, Train)

HCM -> Cambudia (by Bus)

Above places are nice for you to visit. I think that plan will take you 2 weeks. Have fun!