Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is Vietnam’s electric southern hub—motorbikes weave through French colonial boulevards, incense drifts from hidden pagodas, and coffee is an all-day ritual. The city’s recent history is palpable in museums and the Cu Chi Tunnels, while its present hums in craft breweries and street food alleys.

Just over the border, Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh sits on the confluence of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap, where saffron-robed monks pass modern riverside cafes. It’s a place to reflect at the Killing Fields and S-21, then recalibrate with Khmer cuisine and sunset views from the riverside.

Phu Quoc, floating in the Gulf of Thailand, is your soft-landing: powdery beaches, easy snorkeling around the An Thoi islets, pepper farms, and laid-back night markets. September is rainy season—expect short, tropical showers—so pack a light rain jacket and quick-dry footwear.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Energetic and endlessly tasty, Saigon rewards curiosity: duck into alleyway cafes, bargain at Ben Thanh, and sip rooftop sundowners over neon-lit District 1. Don’t miss the War Remnants Museum, Jade Emperor Pagoda, and a bowl of pho at a timeworn local institution.

• Where to stay: For deals across districts, browse Hotels.com: Ho Chi Minh City or VRBO: Ho Chi Minh City.
• Curated picks: The Reverie Saigon (opulent riverside views), Silverland Yen Hotel (serene, great spa), Sherwood Residence (apartment-style, ideal if you want space), Hotel Nikko Saigon (sleek and quiet), or the social The Common Room Project.
• Getting in: Find flights to SGN on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxi/Grab to District 1 takes 30–50 minutes (~$8–12).

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh blends Royal Palace elegance with sobering 20th-century history. It’s also a food city—try fish amok, kampot pepper crab, and tropical fruit shakes between museum stops and riverside walks.

• Where to stay: Search Hotels.com: Phnom Penh or VRBO: Phnom Penh. Riverside (Daun Penh) puts you by the Palace and nightlife; BKK1 feels leafy and residential.

Phu Quoc

Vietnam’s island escape serves calm mornings on Long Beach, afternoon snorkels in the An Thoi archipelago, and pepper-scented breezes at sunset. Food is ocean-fresh—think sea urchin, grilled squid, and “bun quay” noodles whipped to order.

• Where to stay: For the best mix, base in Long Beach or Ong Lang. Browse Hotels.com: Phu Quoc or VRBO: Phu Quoc.
• Getting there: The fastest route is flying (PNH/SGN–PQC 3–5 hours with a connection via SGN; $120–200). Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Overland bus to Ha Tien + ferry is longer (8–10 hours).

Day 1: Arrive in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

Afternoon: Land at SGN, transfer to District 1. Check into your hotel. Shake off jet lag with an iced ca phe sua da at Shin Coffee (Nguyen Thiep) or Okkio Caffe (Ben Thanh)—both roast-focused and excellent for people-watching.

Evening: Wander Nguyen Hue Walking Street to the colonial-era People’s Committee Hall. Dinner at Pho Le (District 3) for southern-style pho with punchy herbs, or Com Tam Ba Ghien for caramelized pork chops over broken rice. Nightcap at Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar (Caravelle) or Chill Skybar for skyline views.

Day 2: Saigon Icons, Jeep Tour, and Street Food by Night

Morning: Breakfast at L’Usine Dong Khoi (eggs benedict, flaky pastries). Walk the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral (façade under restoration but still photogenic), then the Reunification Palace’s time-capsule interiors.

Afternoon: Roll through the city breeze-in-hair on a classic Jeep.

Featured activity: Ho Chi Minh City Private Half-Day Tour by U.S Army Jeep—great overview with stops at key landmarks.

Lunch beforehand: Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (rich pâté, pickled veg; share a “đặc biệt” to save room). Coffee break at The Old Compass Cafe—quiet upstairs hideaway for a strong phin brew.

Evening: Eat like a local from the back of a scooter.

Featured activity: Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour By Motorbike or Walking—expect bun thit nuong, banh xeo, grilled scallops with scallion oil.

Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels (and optional Mekong Delta)

Dedicate today to the war-era underground labyrinth and, if you have energy, a taste of river life. Pick either a focused half-day or a full-day combo.

• Half-day option: Cu Chi Tunnels Luxury Tour - Morning or Afternoon (4–6 hours) for detailed history, firing range add-on, and forest walks.

• Full-day combo: Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta VIP Tour by Limousine—tunnels in the morning, then a Mekong boat ride with tropical fruit and village stops.

Evening: Back in town, dinner at Cuc Gach Quan (home-style Vietnamese; book ahead) or Quan Ut Ut for smoky ribs and local craft beer. If you did the half-day, slot in the War Remnants Museum (powerful curation; last entry ~4:30–5 pm).

Day 4: Visa Run to the Border (Moc Bai–Bavet) and onward to Phnom Penh

Morning: Depart 7:00–7:30 am for Moc Bai (Vietnam side). Minivans/private cars take ~2–3 hours (expect ~$8–12 by bus; $80–120 return by private car). At the border, exit Vietnam, then enter Cambodia at Bavet. Cambodian visa-on-arrival is commonly available (~$30–36; bring a passport photo and crisp USD). E-visa is also accepted—rules change, so verify before travel.

Important visa note (non-legal): If you plan to re-enter Vietnam the same day, ensure you hold a valid multiple-entry e-visa or have applied for a new e-visa timed to your re-entry. Policies evolve—confirm current regulations with official sources before you go.

Afternoon: Quick Cambodian lunch near the checkpoint (try lok lak beef or fish amok at local eateries), then continue 3–4 hours to Phnom Penh by bus (typical through-operators: $10–15 from Bavet; full Saigon–Phnom Penh bus is ~$20–35, 6–7 hours total). Check in near Riverside.

Evening: Stroll the Sisowath Quay promenade. Dinner at Malis (elegant Khmer tasting menus) or Sovanna I (lively local BBQ). Drinks at FCC Phnom Penh’s rooftop or Le Moon for Mekong breezes.

Day 5: Phnom Penh Highlights

Today balances heritage and remembrance with a private city tour (all tickets included), or focus on the genocide sites if you prefer.

Option A—Full City Day: Phnom Penh Full Day Private Tour Included All Admission Tickets—Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Wat Phnom, National Museum, and more with a guide.

Option B—History Focus: The Killing Field and Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) Tour, a sobering, essential context to Cambodia’s recent past.

Food & coffee: Start at Feel Good Coffee (great roastery) or Brown Coffee (reliable chain). Lunch at Khmer Surin (classic curries) or Mama Wong (noodles/dumplings). Sunset riverside walk, then dinner at Topaz (French-Cambodian fine dining) or back to Malis if you loved it.

Day 6: Fly to Phu Quoc, Beach Time, and Night Market

Morning travel: Fly Phnom Penh → Ho Chi Minh City → Phu Quoc (common same-day connection). Total travel time 3–5 hours plus layover. Compare fares and times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxi from PQC to Long Beach hotels: ~15–25 minutes.

Afternoon: Hit Sao Beach (blindingly white sand) or the gentler waves of Long Beach. Try a seafood lunch at Xin Chao (whole grilled fish, green mango salad) or The Crab House (garlic butter crab).

Evening: Browse Phu Quoc Night Market (Duong Dong) for pepper-spiked squid, rolled ice cream, and souvenirs. Cocktails at Bittersweet Hidden Cocktail Bar or a cold beer with toes-in-sand at Rory’s Beach Bar.

Day 7: An Thoi Islands or Cable Car—and Departure

Morning: If seas are calm, book a local boat to the An Thoi islands for snorkeling over coral gardens off Hon Gam Ghi and Hon May Rut; otherwise, ride the Hon Thom cable car (one of the world’s longest overwater) for sweeping views. Alternative: visit a pepper farm or fish-sauce house to see Phu Quoc’s famed craft.

Afternoon: Slurp a bowl of bun quay at Kien Xay (noodles mixed to order with shrimp paste and herbs) and squeeze in a last swim. Transfer to PQC for your afternoon flight—check options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com to return via HCMC or onward.

How the Travel Fits Together (Times & Costs)

• Flights into Saigon (SGN): Widest choice via Trip.com / Kiwi.com.
• Saigon → Moc Bai (border): 2–3 hours by bus/minivan (~$8–12) or private car (~$80–120 return). Cross to Bavet (Cambodia) for visa update.
• Border (Bavet) → Phnom Penh: 3–4 hours by bus (~$10–15). Full Saigon → Phnom Penh is ~6–7 hours (~$20–35).
• Phnom Penh → Phu Quoc: Fastest by air via SGN (3–5 hours incl. layover; ~$120–200, check dynamic pricing).
• Phu Quoc → Next destination: Frequent flights via HCMC; search on Trip.com / Kiwi.com.

Local Eats & Sips Cheat Sheet

• Saigon: Breakfast—The Running Bean (specialty coffee), L’Usine. Lunch—Banh Mi Huynh Hoa; Banh Xeo 46A (sizzling turmeric crêpes). Dinner—Cuc Gach Quan; Quan Ut Ut. Drinks—Pasteur Street Brewing; Broma Not A Bar.
• Phnom Penh: Breakfast—Feel Good Coffee; Brown Coffee. Lunch—Khmer Surin; Eleven One Kitchen (BKK1). Dinner—Malis; Sovanna I. Drinks—FCC rooftop; Samai Rum Distillery (Thu nights).
• Phu Quoc: Lunch—Bun Quay Kien Xay; Banh Canh Ghe Phung (crab noodles). Dinner—Xin Chao Seafood; The Crab House. Sundowners—Rory’s Beach Bar; Bittersweet.

Accommodation quick-links for booking:

• Saigon: The Reverie Saigon | Silverland Yen Hotel | Sherwood Residence | Hotel Nikko Saigon | The Common Room Project (Hostel)
• Phnom Penh: Hotels.com Search | VRBO Search
• Phu Quoc: Hotels.com Search | VRBO Search

Practical tips: September brings quick downpours—carry a compact umbrella. Keep crisp USD for border fees. Use Grab for safe, cheap rides. Dress modestly for temples, and plan museum visits earlier in the day (many close by 5 pm).

Summary: In one week you’ll taste Saigon’s best bowls, crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels, sort your visa at the Cambodia border, absorb Phnom Penh’s history, and decompress on Phu Quoc’s beaches. It’s a smart, satisfying loop that balances logistics with plenty of wow.