Before planning to travel to Cambodia and Vietnam, you might want to study some homework regarding the best time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia because weather is likely a significant factor that affects the quality of your trip to Southeast Asia.
The best time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia
The best time to visit Cambodia and Vietnam is from December to April—deeper breakdown. For Vietnam, this period is in cool weather and low rainfall, coinciding with the most special Tet holiday in the Vietnamese calendar.
The best time to visit Cambodia and Vietnam is also influenced by the Monsoon season in Cambodia and southern Vietnam, when the rainfall is insignificant in both countries.
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When to go to Vietnam and Cambodia?
Vietnam and Cambodia will attract many tourists to the best places to visit in Vietnam and the country of temples with the most famous monument in the world- Angkor Wat. Therefore, the cost of traveling to these two places will increase moderately compared to the low seasons.. The heat of the trip especially lasts from late January to mid-February because of Tet Duong Lich.
If you want to travel during this time, try to book transportation and services in the locations you want to visit as soon as possible.
Besides the above time, you can also visit Vietnam and Cambodia from May to early October. This is the rainy season, and at the same time, the time when people limit travel because they may encounter sudden showers. However, the scenery will be much fresher after the rains.
Seasons in Vietnam and Cambodia
Vietnam and Cambodia are partly tied together which leads to relatively similar weather. The best time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia in the same dry season is from December to April.
Travel in the rainy season to these two countries is also a fantastic choice because in the off-season, we can relatively avoid the crowd, the cost is more affordable with the flights and transportation. Therefore, the most suitable time to travel will depend on visitors' needs.
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Cambodia
Cambodia divides the weather similarly to southern Vietnam, with two distinct seasons: dry season and rainy season.
The dry season: October - April/May. The average temperature is about 24°C-26°C. The most fabulous time in Cambodia falls between November and January, bringing tourist-friendly features such as dry, sunny weather, low humidity, and relatively low temperatures. This period welcomes many tourists coming to the land of thousand-year-olds temples.
The wet season: May-October. The wet season signals the arrival of the southwest monsoon, with 75% of the annual rainfall for Cambodia. During this time, May, June, and July are the months with the highest temperature, which can reach up to 33°C with relatively heavy rainfall but not last. August is the peak of heavy rains, significantly denser in the southern coastal area.
During this time, Cambodia's forests can be fresher than ever! With a small number of visitors, photographers are able to capture the incredible religious architecture adorned with nature without too much human presence. However, you want to avoid a trip to Battambang at this moment when muddy roads can delay your journey.
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Vietnam
Vietnam's weather will be divided by region because it is influenced by geography. The climate in each part can be summarized as follows:
The northern region mountains of Vietnam: The north shows distinct characteristics of four seasons (which other regions do not have). Considering the best time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia, winter in the north comes from November to January, with average temperatures around 12-20°C (and no rain!). However, the humidity will be pretty high from January onwards, called Nồm season, when the air is highly humid.
Autumn takes place from late September to November, the perfect time to see the golden rice fields of Northern Vietnam.
Central Vietnam: including Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An will have low temperatures from mid-January and steadily increase until the end of August when the sun's heat is extreme. From the end of September, the central region of Vietnam is affected by the monsoon and often suffers from heavy storms. The maximum rainfall in October and November is likely to occur. Therefore, tourists should constantly update news about Central Vietnam before traveling.
South Vietnam: as mentioned above, south Vietnam has many similarities with Cambodia. Therefore, the best time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia is the same from December to April.
The monsoon does not affect this area of the S-shaped strip of land; the year-round temperature is 25 - 35°C.
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Things to do in Cambodia & Vietnam
During spring (January to March), the North of Vietnam brings the best weather to travel. Sapa and some mountainous areas can receive snowfall when the temperature drops below 0°C. This is a great time to relax in blue sea places such as Ha Long Bay, Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Danang, and Hoi An.
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At the best time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia (late November - April), Cambodia shines with bright sunshine and a low chance of rain. Not inferior to Vietnam, Cambodia is famous for having many pristine white sand beaches and islands, such as Sihanoukville – Koh Rong – Koh Rong Samloem. Beach lovers will have difficulty finding a place to sunbathe during this time.
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If you love rock climbing, go to Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri in Cambodia. Visiting temples in Luang Prabang from April onwards should be adjusted to avoid the noonday sun when the temperature can reach 35°C.
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Frequently asked questions about the best time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia (FAQs)
What is the best time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia?
The perfect time for you to visit Vietnam and Cambodia is December-April. During these months, nature in both countries is in full bloom. The weather is at its peak with low rainfall and cool average temperatures, and you also have a chance to participate in Tet Nguyen Dan, the most significant event in Vietnam.
How many days are enough for Vietnam and Cambodia?
You can have the best of Vietnam and Cambodia in 14 days. This is the time when you can experience Southeast Asian traditions and connect many cultural similarities throughout your journey from Vietnam to Cambodia.
Before undertaking a trip to 2 countries simultaneously, you must have searched a lot about these two places. This article about the best time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia can help you shorten the time to make this trip.
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Specialties: Culture, landscape, portrait, hiking, active and adventurous tour
Besides my unlimited passion for traveling, a professional tour guide for over a decade, I have been taking photographs since sitting at Hanoi of the University of Culture in the early 2000s. Photography started as a hobby but it was seriously taken due to my work relations and my significant passion for the beauty of our world, especially in Southeast Asian parts such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
Within a few years of taking photographs, my works began to be recognized by many reliable international publications such as AFAR Travel, The Times, and The Daily Telegraph newspaper. In addition, I continuously add to my growing profile by winning numerous major awards: 3rd Position of The Independent Photographer 2018, 1st Position of Amateur Photographer of the year 2018, Grand Prize Winner of the AFAR Travel Photography 2019, and a Gold Award of San Francisco Bay International Photography 2020.
I photograph a wide variety of subjects, from travel to landscapes to street scenes. I enjoy documenting the East’s rich cultural heritage and its land soaked in glorious sunrise or sunset light in remote and secluded spots. And, I am very happy to share my knowledge and experience with you. You can visit Luminousvietnamtour to explore tour!
