Walter Ponce
Last month we did a big South-East Asia loop: Singapore, Siem Reap in Cambodia, Da Nang and Hanoi in Vietnam. Four places, three countries, four flights. This is the route as we did it, how we moved between the countries, the visas you need, and what to budget. Most of the stops already have their own guides on the blog, so I link to them as we go.
The route at a glance
| Nights | Base | Where we stayed |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Singapore | Hotel near Chinatown |
| 3 | Siem Reap, Cambodia | La Bastide de Caro |
| 7 | Da Nang, Vietnam | M Hotel Da Nang |
| 3 | Hanoi, Vietnam | Aira Boutique Hanoi Hotel & Spa |
We flew from Europe into Singapore and home from Hanoi, with three short regional flights in between: Singapore to Siem Reap, Siem Reap to Da Nang, and Da Nang to Hanoi.
Why this route works
- Singapore is the easy landing. After a long-haul flight it is clean, efficient and everyone speaks English.
- Angkor is a short hop away. Siem Reap is a quick flight from Singapore.
- The beach goes in the middle. A week in Da Nang is the rest stop between two intense cities.
- Hanoi is the finale. The most chaotic stop is easier with two weeks of Asia behind you, and it has good long-haul connections home.
Singapore: four nights
Gardens by the Bay, the Botanic Gardens, Chinatown, Joo Chiat and Little India. Singapore is the most expensive stop on this route, but also the easiest. The full neighbourhood guide is in where to stay and what to do in Singapore.
Siem Reap: three nights for Angkor
Siem Reap is the town next to the temples of Angkor, the largest religious monument in the world. You need a Cambodian visa (there is an e-visa you can do online before leaving) and an Angkor pass, which comes in one-, three- and seven-day versions.
We booked a guided tour for one of the days. The temples are spread over a huge area, and a guide gives you the order, the history and the shortcuts. The classic loop is Angkor Wat, then the giant stone faces of the Bayon in Angkor Thom, then Ta Prohm with the trees growing through it.
We stayed at La Bastide de Caro, a small hotel with a pool, which you will want after a day at the temples. More in my ultimate guide to visiting Angkor, and for dinner in town, Pou Restaurant and Bar.
Good to know: the US dollar is used everywhere in Cambodia alongside the riel. Bring small, clean notes. Cover shoulders and knees for the temples.
Da Nang: a week of beach and day trips
From Siem Reap we flew to Da Nang, in central Vietnam, and stayed a full week at the M Hotel Da Nang. Da Nang is the ideal base for this part of the country: a long city beach, good food, and everything else within an hour:
- Hoi An, the old trading town with the lanterns
- My Son Sanctuary, the Cham temple ruins in the jungle (we booked a tour)
- The Marble Mountains, caves and pagodas inside limestone hills
- Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge held up by giant stone hands
- And in the city itself, the pink Da Nang Cathedral
A week sounds long, but it works: a beach or pool day between every excursion. The full list is in what to do in Da Nang, and for food, Roots and Vietnom.
Hanoi: three nights to finish
A short domestic flight north to Hanoi for the last three nights, at the Aira Boutique Hanoi Hotel & Spa. After a week of beach, Hanoi is a shock: motorbikes everywhere, noise, street food on every corner. We gave a day each to the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, the French Quarter, and shopping.
Do not leave without trying egg coffee, Hanoi’s speciality: strong Vietnamese coffee with a thick layer of whipped egg yolk and sugar on top. It tastes a bit like tiramisu.
More in Hanoi: a vibrant but chaotic city, plus cafés like Dream Beans and The Hanoi Social Club.
Visas
- Singapore: no visa needed for Swiss and EU citizens on a short stay. Fill in the SG Arrival Card online.
- Cambodia: e-visa online before you go, or a visa on arrival.
- Vietnam: the e-visa is valid for up to 90 days. Some nationalities are exempt for shorter stays; the list changes, so check the official rules for your passport before booking.
Do the e-visas early, and print a copy.
Budget
This route goes from expensive to very cheap:
- Singapore: prices similar to Western Europe. The biggest hotel cost of the trip.
- Cambodia: good boutique hotels with a pool for a fraction of European prices. The Angkor pass and a guide are the main extra costs.
- Vietnam: excellent value. Good hotels, great food and tours all cost much less than at home.
- Flights: the long-haul flights are the biggest single cost. The regional flights between Singapore, Siem Reap, Da Nang and Hanoi are short and usually affordable if booked a few weeks ahead.
When to go
We went in November. Singapore and Cambodia were hot with some afternoon rain, and Hanoi was pleasantly mild. Be aware that October to December is the rainy season in central Vietnam, so Da Nang and Hoi An can get heavy rain and occasional flooding. For the beach, February to August is the best time in Da Nang.
Tips for this route
- Hire a guide for Angkor, at least for one day.
- Use Grab in Singapore and Vietnam for taxis and food. Prices are fixed in the app.
- Get a local eSIM for each country, or a regional one for South-East Asia.
- Pack light layers. Hot in the day, cold air conditioning inside, and temples that require covered shoulders and knees.
FAQ
Is three weeks enough for Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam? Yes, if you pick one region of Vietnam rather than trying to see the whole country. This route covers Singapore, Angkor, central Vietnam and Hanoi without rushing.
How many days do you need for Angkor? Two to three days. One full day with a guide for the main temples, plus a sunrise and one quieter day if you can.
Is Da Nang a good base for Hoi An? Yes. Hoi An is about 45 minutes away by car, and you get Da Nang’s beach and hotels in between day trips.
What is the best way to travel between Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam? By plane. Short regional flights connect Singapore, Siem Reap, Da Nang and Hanoi.
