Comparison · Hoi An vs Siem Reap · Vietnam / Cambodia
Hoi An 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
Photo: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote . Feel free to use any of my images, but plea, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Hoi An for Lanterns, Japanese Covered Bridge and beaches; choose Siem Reap for Angkor Wat, Bayon faces and nightlife. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 557 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 557 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Hoi An
- February–May
- Best time for Siem Reap
- November–February
Side by side
| Hoi An | Siem Reap | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Vietnam | Cambodia |
| Known for | Lanterns, Japanese Covered Bridge and Tailor-made clothes | Angkor Wat, Bayon faces and Ta Prohm tree roots |
| Best time to visit | February–May | November–February |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $60–$130 | $60–$130 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Very affordable |
| Warmest month | June, 34°C (93°F) | April, 36°C (97°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 25°C (77°F) | December, 30°C (86°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 4 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | An Bang Beach | — |
| Airports | DAD | SAI |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Hoi An for…
Lanterns, Japanese Covered Bridge and beaches. Hoi An was a busy trading port from the 15th to the 19th centuries, when Japanese, Chinese and European merchants traded here on the Thu Bon River. Its compact Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, keeps more than a thousand timber-fronted shophouses…
Choose Siem Reap for…
Angkor Wat, Bayon faces and nightlife. 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
| # | Hoi An | Siem Reap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu) | Angkor Wat |
| 2 | Ancient Town streets and lanterns | Bayon and Angkor Thom |
| 3 | Lantern boat ride on the Thu Bon | Ta Prohm |
| 4 | Tan Ky Old House | Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King |
| 5 | Fujian Assembly Hall (Phúc Kiến) | Baphuon |
Food compared
| Hoi An | Siem Reap |
|---|---|
| Cao lầu | Fish amok |
| Hoi An bánh mì | Lok lak |
| Hoi An chicken rice | Khmer noodles |
| White rose dumplings | Pork and rice |
Which is cheaper?
Hoi An and Siem Reap cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $60–$130 in Hoi An and $60–$130 in Siem Reap (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Hoi An on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Hoi An and Siem Reap are about 557 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Hoi An and 3 in Siem Reap.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Hoi An or Siem Reap cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $60–$130 in Hoi An and $60–$130 in Siem Reap (estimates).
+Is Hoi An or Siem Reap better for a first trip?
Pick Hoi An for Lanterns, Japanese Covered Bridge and beaches, or Siem Reap for Angkor Wat, Bayon faces and nightlife.
+How far is Hoi An from Siem Reap?
About 557 km in a straight line.