Comparison · Ho Chi Minh City vs Siem Reap · Vietnam / Cambodia
Ho Chi Minh City vs Siem Reap
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, Independence Palace and free sights; choose Siem Reap for Angkor Wat and Bayon faces. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 422 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 422 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Ho Chi Minh City
- December–March
- Best time for Siem Reap
- November–February
Side by side
| Ho Chi Minh City | Siem Reap | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Vietnam | Cambodia |
| Known for | War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace and Bến Thành Market | Angkor Wat, Bayon faces and Ta Prohm tree roots |
| 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) | April, 36°C (97°F) |
| Coldest month | September, 31°C (88°F) | December, 30°C (86°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | SGN | SAI |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Ho Chi Minh City for…
War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace and free sights. 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 Siem Reap for…
Angkor Wat and Bayon faces. Siem Reap is the small riverside town that serves the Angkor Archaeological Park, whose temples — Angkor Wat, the faces of the Bayon, the tree-gripped Ta Prohm — begin about 6 km north of the centre. Most visitors spend two to four days touring the temples…
Top sights compared
| # | Ho Chi Minh City | Siem Reap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | War Remnants Museum | Angkor Wat |
| 2 | Independence Palace | Bayon and Angkor Thom |
| 3 | Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon | Ta Prohm |
| 4 | Saigon Central Post Office | Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King |
| 5 | Bến Thành Market | Baphuon |
Food compared
| Ho Chi Minh City | Siem Reap |
|---|---|
| Broken rice | Fish amok |
| Bánh mì | Lok lak |
| Southern phở | Khmer noodles |
| Hủ tiếu Nam Vang | Pork and rice |
Which is cheaper?
Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $60–$130 in Ho Chi Minh City and $60–$130 in Siem Reap (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Ho Chi Minh City on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap are about 422 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Ho Chi Minh City and 3 in Siem Reap.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Ho Chi Minh City or Siem Reap cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $60–$130 in Ho Chi Minh City and $60–$130 in Siem Reap (estimates).
+Is Ho Chi Minh City or Siem Reap better for a first trip?
Pick Ho Chi Minh City for War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace and free sights, or Siem Reap for Angkor Wat and Bayon faces.
+How far is Ho Chi Minh City from Siem Reap?
About 422 km in a straight line.