Comparison · Ho Chi Minh City vs Phnom Penh · Vietnam / Cambodia
Ho Chi Minh City vs Phnom Penh
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Choose Ho Chi Minh City for War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace; choose Phnom Penh for Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 212 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 212 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Ho Chi Minh City
- December–March
- Best time for Phnom Penh
- November–February
Side by side
| Ho Chi Minh City | Phnom Penh | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Vietnam | Cambodia |
| Known for | War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace and Bến Thành Market | Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and Tuol Sleng |
| Best time to visit | December–March | November–February |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $60–$130 | $60–$130 |
| Cost level | Very affordable | Very affordable |
| Warmest month | April, 35°C (95°F) | March, 35°C (95°F) |
| Coldest month | September, 31°C (88°F) | December, 30°C (86°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 5 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | SGN | KTI |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Ho Chi Minh City for…
War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace. Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by most residents, is Vietnam's largest city and its commercial engine on the Saigon River. Visitors focus on District 1, where the Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Opera House and Bến Thành Market are a…
Choose Phnom Penh for…
Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Cambodia's capital sits where the Tonle Sap river meets the Mekong and the Bassac, and its riverside Sisowath Quay faces the gold roofs of the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. The National Museum holds the country's finest Angkorian sculpture, while Tuol…
Top sights compared
| # | Ho Chi Minh City | Phnom Penh |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | War Remnants Museum | Royal Palace |
| 2 | Independence Palace | Silver Pagoda |
| 3 | Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon | National Museum of Cambodia |
| 4 | Saigon Central Post Office | Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) |
| 5 | Bến Thành Market | Choeung Ek Genocidal Center |
Food compared
| Ho Chi Minh City | Phnom Penh |
|---|---|
| Broken rice | Phnom Penh noodle soup |
| Bánh mì | Khmer rice noodles with fish curry |
| Southern phở | Grilled pork and broken rice |
| Hủ tiếu Nam Vang | Stir-fried short noodles |
Which is cheaper?
Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $60–$130 in Ho Chi Minh City and $60–$130 in Phnom Penh (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Ho Chi Minh City on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh are about 212 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Ho Chi Minh City and 3 in Phnom Penh.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Ho Chi Minh City or Phnom Penh cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $60–$130 in Ho Chi Minh City and $60–$130 in Phnom Penh (estimates).
+Is Ho Chi Minh City or Phnom Penh better for a first trip?
Pick Ho Chi Minh City for War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace, or Phnom Penh for Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda.
+How far is Ho Chi Minh City from Phnom Penh?
About 212 km in a straight line.