Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand: The Ultimate 12-Day Southeast Asia Itinerary for Indian Travelers


Exploring Southeast Asia through a multi-country trip is one of the most rewarding travel experiences. Combining Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand into a single 10–14 day itinerary allows travelers to experience vibrant markets, ancient temples, local culture, river landscapes, shopping districts, and some of the region's most famous attractions.



Whether you are traveling for leisure, cultural exploration, shopping, or combining your holiday with business sourcing, this guide covers the recommended route, visa considerations, border requirements, transportation, and a practical day-by-day itinerary.

Important: Visa and entry regulations can change. Indian passport holders should always verify the latest requirements with the respective government's official immigration or e-visa website before booking flights.

Visa & Entry Requirements for Indian Passport Holders

CountryCurrent Entry/Travel RequirementImportant Note
VietnamE-VisaVietnam's e-Visa can be issued for up to 90 days and can be single or multiple entry. Apply through the official e-Visa system before travel.
CambodiaTourist Visa / e-VisaCambodia's Tourist Visa is generally valid for 3 months from issue and permits a stay of up to 1 month. The official e-Visa system currently lists a processing time of about 3 business days.
ThailandVisa exemption or appropriate visa, depending on the rules in force on your travel dateThailand has announced changes to its visa-exemption arrangements for Indian passport holders. Travelers should check the latest Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate information before departure.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

All foreign travelers entering Thailand must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within the required period before arrival. This requirement applies even when a traveler is entering under a visa-exemption arrangement.

Cambodia e-Arrival

Travelers entering Cambodia should also complete the Cambodia e-Arrival before arrival. The official Cambodian e-Visa system states that the e-Arrival is required even for travelers who already hold a visa.


Recommended Route: Vietnam → Cambodia → Thailand

For a 12-day trip, the route below provides a good balance between sightseeing, shopping, cultural experiences, and transportation time:

India → Ho Chi Minh City → Siem Reap → Bangkok → India

Flying between the major destinations is generally more time-efficient than spending long hours on buses.


Days 1–4: Vietnam

Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City.

After checking into your hotel, spend the day exploring central Ho Chi Minh City.

Suggested places:

  • Ben Thanh Market
  • Nguyen Hue Walking Street
  • Saigon Central Post Office
  • Notre-Dame Cathedral area
  • District 1
  • Local cafés and restaurants

If you arrive late, keep Day 1 relaxed and use it to recover from your flight.

“Vietnam's e-Visa can be issued for up to 90 days and can be single or multiple entry.”

Vietnam E-Visa Guide for Indian Citizens


Day 2: Shopping, Wholesale Markets & Chinatown

Day 2 can be dedicated to shopping and business sourcing.

For wholesale clothing buyers, explore:

  • An Dong Market
  • District 5
  • Cholon Chinatown
  • Local wholesale clothing and accessories stores

An Dong Market and the surrounding District 5 area can be particularly useful for travelers interested in garments, fabrics, accessories, and fashion sourcing.

If your trip is purely for leisure, you can replace the wholesale-market visit with museums, historical attractions, or additional city sightseeing.

For wholesale clothing buyers, explore wholesale clothing markets in Ho Chi Minh City, including An Dong Market, District 5, Cholon Chinatown, and local wholesale clothing and accessories stores.

Top 5 Wholesale Clothing Markets in Ho Chi Minh City


Day 3: Mekong Delta Experience

Take a full-day trip to the Mekong Delta.

Popular destinations include My Tho and Ben Tre, where visitors can experience:

  • River and canal cruises
  • Coconut-growing areas
  • Traditional craft villages
  • Local food
  • Small waterways
  • Rural Vietnamese life

If seeing a famous floating market is a priority, consider extending the trip toward Can Tho and Cai Rang Floating Market, although this requires additional travel time.


Day 4: Cu Chi Tunnels + Flight to Cambodia

Start the day with a morning visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, one of Vietnam's best-known historical attractions.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City and prepare for your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Direct SGN → SAI flights are available on current schedules, although airlines and departure times can change by date.

Tip: If you take an evening flight, book your hotel in Siem Reap in advance so you can check in quickly after arrival.

“Start the day with a morning visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, one of Vietnam's best-known historical attractions.”

Cu Chi Tunnel from ho chi minh city


Days 5–8: Cambodia

Day 5: Explore Siem Reap

After arriving in Siem Reap, keep the first day relatively relaxed.

Explore:

  • Pub Street
  • Siem Reap Night Market
  • Local restaurants
  • Cambodian handicraft shops
  • Old Market area

This is also a good evening to prepare for an early start the next morning for Angkor Wat.


Day 6: Angkor Wat & Ancient Temples

Start early with a sunrise visit to Angkor Wat.

Continue your temple exploration with:

  • Angkor Thom
  • Bayon Temple
  • Ta Prohm
  • Other temples within the Angkor Archaeological Park

Ta Prohm is particularly famous for its atmospheric ruins and tree-covered architecture.

Because the temple complex is large, comfortable footwear, water, and sufficient time are important.


Day 7: Tonle Sap Lake & Local Culture

Spend the day exploring Tonle Sap Lake and one of the nearby floating villages, subject to local conditions and access.

Kampong Phluk is one possible option.

The experience provides a different perspective on Cambodian life, especially the communities that live around the lake and waterways.

Keep in mind that water levels and village accessibility can vary by season.


Day 8: Siem Reap → Bangkok

Fly from Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI) to Bangkok.

Depending on your booking, you may fly into:

  • Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
  • Don Mueang International Airport (DMK)

Direct flights are available on current schedules, but routes and airlines can change, so check your exact travel date before booking.

After checking into your Bangkok hotel, keep the evening relaxed.


Days 9–12: Thailand

Day 9: Bangkok's Famous Attractions

Start your Bangkok sightseeing with:

  • Grand Palace
  • Wat Pho
  • Wat Arun
  • Chao Phraya River

Try to begin early to avoid the hottest part of the day and larger crowds.

In the evening, explore one of Bangkok's popular shopping or food districts.


Day 10: Wholesale Fashion Shopping in Bangkok

If you are interested in fashion sourcing, Day 10 can be dedicated to Bangkok's wholesale shopping areas.

Popular areas include:

  • Pratunam Market
  • Platinum Fashion Mall
  • Local clothing and accessories shops

These areas are especially useful for travelers looking for fashion products, accessories, and wholesale-style shopping.

For leisure travelers, this day can instead be used for additional sightseeing or shopping.


Day 11: Weekend Market or Bangkok Day Trip

If Day 11 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, visit Chatuchak Weekend Market.

It is one of Bangkok's best-known markets and offers a huge variety of products, including clothing, accessories, home items, souvenirs, and local products.

If Day 11 is not a weekend, consider alternatives such as:

  • Bangkok shopping malls
  • Local markets
  • Chao Phraya River activities
  • A cultural day trip outside Bangkok

A floating-market excursion can also be considered, but allow sufficient travel time.


Day 12: Final Shopping & Departure

Use your final day for:

  • Souvenir shopping
  • Final business purchases
  • Packing
  • Hotel checkout
  • Airport transfer

Then take your return flight home.


Transportation & Logistics Tips

Flights vs. Land Travel

For a 10–14 day Southeast Asia trip, flying between the major destinations is generally the most practical option.

The key international legs are:

Ho Chi Minh City → Siem Reap → Bangkok

Direct flights are available on current schedules for these routes, but travelers should check availability for their exact dates before making reservations.

Land travel can be cheaper in some cases, but it may consume considerably more of your limited vacation time.

If you are planning the Vietnam portion separately, you can also check our Vietnam trip cost guide for a practical 2026 budget estimate.

Vietnam Trip Cost from India 2026


Currency

Carry and use the local currency where practical:

  • Vietnam: Vietnamese Dong (VND)
  • Cambodia: Cambodian Riel (KHR); USD is also widely used in tourist areas
  • Thailand: Thai Baht (THB)

It is also useful to carry a suitable international payment card, but travelers should not rely exclusively on cards in smaller markets.


SIM Cards & Internet

Travelers can choose between:

  • Local SIM cards
  • Airport SIM cards
  • Regional Southeast Asia eSIMs

A regional eSIM can be convenient when visiting three countries because you do not have to change SIM cards every time you cross a border.

Before purchasing, check that Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand are all included in the plan and confirm the validity period.


Important Tips Before You Travel

1. Check passport validity

Make sure your passport has sufficient validity for all three countries and enough blank pages for immigration requirements where applicable.

2. Keep digital copies of important documents

Save copies of:

  • Passport
  • Visa/e-Visa approvals
  • Flight tickets
  • Hotel bookings
  • Travel insurance
  • Important contact information

3. Check entry rules shortly before departure

Visa policies can change. Thailand, in particular, has announced changes to its visa-exemption arrangements in 2026, so do not rely on an old travel blog or social-media post.

4. Complete digital arrival forms

Check the applicable digital arrival requirements for each country before flying.

For Thailand, this includes the TDAC.

For Cambodia, the e-Arrival is required for travelers entering Cambodia, including those who already hold a visa.


Final Thoughts

A Vietnam–Cambodia–Thailand trip is an excellent way to experience three very different sides of Southeast Asia in a single journey.

Vietnam is ideal for city life, food, markets, history, and business sourcing.

Cambodia offers some of Southeast Asia's most remarkable ancient temples and cultural experiences.

Thailand combines shopping, temples, nightlife, food, beaches, and modern city life.

For travelers with only 10–14 days, the Vietnam → Cambodia → Thailand route provides a practical combination of culture, shopping, sightseeing, and convenient air connections.

Always verify visa, immigration, airport, and flight requirements immediately before your journey because travel regulations and schedules can change.

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