Vietnam vs Cambodia vs Laos: Real 5-Day Budget from Singapore in 2026

Two Singaporean couples book the same week of holiday. One spends SGD 1,240 in Ho Chi Minh City. The other spends SGD 3,180 in Luang Prabang. Same 5 days, same time of year, same continent. This is where the money actually goes across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos in 2026, and the live tool to price your own dates.

Compare Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos prices live on ShopBack Travel Planner, side by side across Agoda, Booking.com, Trip.com, Klook, and Skyscanner with cashback shown next to each result.

The verdict

For Singaporean travellers on a 5-day leisure trip in 2026:

Destination	Per person total (SGD)	Best for
Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh / Hanoi)	620 to 1,200 mid-range	Cheapest overall, street-food heaven, direct SIN flights
Cambodia (Siem Reap for Angkor Wat)	780 to 1,380 mid-range	Angkor Wat pilgrimage, direct SIN flights
Laos (Luang Prabang)	1,180 to 1,760 mid-range	Quietest, most scenic, but connects via Bangkok or Hanoi

Cheapest of three: Vietnam at SGD 620 to 1,200. Mid-range Cambodia at SGD 780 to 1,380. Luxury tier tops out at SGD 3,500+ in all three (Ha Long Bay cruises, Bensley Amansara Siem Reap, Amantaka Luang Prabang). All-in return flights included from Changi. As of 2026-08-07.

Peak season (December to February) adds SGD 100 to 250 on flights. Chinese New Year week adds SGD 200 to 400 on top.

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Where your money actually goes

Flights are the biggest single line for all three (30 to 55 percent of total). Vietnam has the cheapest and shortest options: SIN to HCMC (SGN) is 2 hours 15 minutes on Scoot, Jetstar, VietJet, Singapore Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines, with fares from SGD 200 to 420 return. Cambodia is a similar 2-hour flight to Siem Reap (REP) or Phnom Penh (PNH) but on fewer carriers, so fares run SGD 320 to 560. Laos is the outlier: no direct SIN to Luang Prabang or Vientiane, so you connect via Bangkok (BKK), Hanoi (HAN), or Kuala Lumpur (KUL), adding SGD 350 to 500.

Accommodation is cheap in all three. A mid-range boutique hotel in HCMC's District 1, Hanoi's Old Quarter, Siem Reap's Pub Street area, or Luang Prabang's UNESCO old town runs SGD 60 to 140 per night. Street food in Vietnam is SGD 3 to 6 per meal; sit-down at a nice restaurant is SGD 15 to 30. Cambodia and Laos food prices track similar.

Skimping on flights saves the most money. Skimping on accommodation rarely pays off, because boutique 3 to 4-star hotels in the region are already priced at hostel level in Europe or Japan.

Search Indochina flights from Singapore with cashback: Skyscanner SG · AirAsia Travel

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Full cost breakdown by destination (5 days, per person)

Category	Vietnam (SGD)	Cambodia (SGD)	Laos (SGD)
Return flights from Changi	200 to 420	320 to 560	620 to 900 (1-stop)
Accommodation (4 nights)	240 to 500	260 to 540	240 to 480
Food (5 days)	60 to 140	80 to 160	70 to 150
Transport (airport + day trips)	60 to 120	60 to 120	60 to 130
Activities and entry fees	40 to 120	100 to 220 (incl Angkor Wat pass)	80 to 180
SIM card, visa, misc	40 to 80	60 to 100	90 to 130
Total per person	640 to 1,380	880 to 1,700	1,160 to 1,970

Ranges reflect mid-range tier. As of 2026-08-07. Peak season (Dec to Feb) adds SGD 100 to 250 on flights, Chinese New Year adds SGD 200 to 400.

Compare live hotels and flights on ShopBack Travel Planner before you book direct. Cashback layers on top of the OTA fare.

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Vietnam: the value winner

Vietnam is the cheapest of the three for a 5-day Singapore trip, and the gap is structural. Six carriers fly SIN to HCMC (SGN) direct: Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Jetstar, VietJet, Vietnam Airlines, and Bamboo Airways. Return fares run SGD 200 to 420 in shoulder season and SGD 280 to 520 peak. SIN to Hanoi (HAN) is similar, at SGD 240 to 460 shoulder. As of 2026-08-07.

Accommodation is the sweet spot. A mid-range boutique 4-star in HCMC District 1 (Le Grand Saigon, Fusion Suites, Silverland Sil Hotel) or Hanoi Old Quarter (Hanoi La Siesta, Peridot Grand, La Sinfonia Del Rey) runs SGD 90 to 150 per night for a double. Budget guesthouses run SGD 40 to 70. Luxury (Reverie Saigon, Sofitel Metropole Hanoi) runs SGD 380 to 780.

Food is where Vietnam quietly wins. A bowl of pho at a street stall is SGD 3 to 5. A banh mi is SGD 2 to 4. A sit-down family-style meal at Cuc Gach Quan (HCMC) or Cha Ca Thang Long (Hanoi) is SGD 15 to 28 per person. A traveller can eat 5 days on SGD 80 to 140 without trying.

Ha Long Bay: If you fly into Hanoi, the classic 2-day 1-night overnight cruise is SGD 220 to 480 on a mid-range junk (Bhaya, Alova, Indochina Sails, Cristina Diamond) or SGD 55 to 110 for a day trip via Klook or Trip.com. Luxury cruises (Paradise, Heritage Bình Chuẩn) run SGD 550 to 1,200.

Mekong Delta: From HCMC, a day trip to My Tho or Ben Tre runs SGD 45 to 95. Overnight homestays run SGD 100 to 180.

Visa: Singaporean passport holders enter visa-free for up to 30 days. No fee.

For more, see our detailed Ho Chi Minh 5-day budget guide.

Best for: cost-conscious solo and couple travellers, first-time Southeast Asia backpackers, food-focused itineraries.

Skip if: you want scenic mountain scenery or a quiet resort trip (Vietnam is dense and urban outside Sapa and Phu Quoc).

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Cambodia: the Angkor Wat premium

Cambodia is the second-cheapest of the three but carries the Angkor Archaeological Park entry as a mandatory line item that Vietnam and Laos do not have. That single fee (USD 62 for a 3-day pass, about SGD 82) is why Cambodia budgets run SGD 100 to 200 above Vietnam despite similar flight and hotel costs.

Flights: SIN to Siem Reap (REP) runs on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Jetstar, AirAsia, Cambodia Angkor Air, and Bangkok Airways at SGD 320 to 560 return shoulder season. SIN to Phnom Penh (PNH) runs SGD 260 to 500. If Angkor Wat is the anchor of the trip, fly direct into REP. As of 2026-08-07.

Accommodation in Siem Reap is boutique-heavy and cheap. A mid-range 4-star (Shinta Mani Angkor, Anantara Angkor, FCC Angkor) runs SGD 130 to 260 per night. Boutique hotels near Pub Street (Golden Temple Villa, Villa Chandara, Sala Lodges) run SGD 60 to 120. Luxury (Bensley Amansara, Belmond La Residence d'Angkor) runs SGD 480 to 1,600.

Angkor Wat pass: Buy at the official Angkor Enterprise ticket centre (5 km east of central Siem Reap) or online at angkorenterprise.gov.kh. Cash (USD) or card. Passport required for photo capture at purchase.

• 1-day: USD 37 (about SGD 49)
• 3-day: USD 62 (about SGD 82), valid within a 10-day window
• 7-day: USD 72 (about SGD 96), valid within a month

The 3-day pass is the standard tourist choice: covers sunrise at Angkor Wat, day at Bayon and Ta Prohm, and third day at outer temples like Banteay Srei.

Guide and transport: A licensed English-speaking guide with tuk-tuk for 1 day runs SGD 40 to 70; with air-conditioned van (better for peak heat) runs SGD 80 to 140. Book via Klook or hotel concierge.

Phnom Penh: If you have 5+ days, add Phnom Penh (Killing Fields, Royal Palace, Sisowath Quay) via a 45-minute domestic flight or a 6-hour bus ride. Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Museum tickets are USD 6 each.

Visa: Singaporean passport holders need a Cambodia e-visa (USD 30 plus USD 6 processing fee, visa-cambodia.gov.kh) or visa-on-arrival at Siem Reap or Phnom Penh airport (USD 30). Valid 30 days.

Best for: pilgrimage travellers, photographers, temple architecture enthusiasts, culturally minded first-timers.

Skip if: your priority is street food scene (Vietnam wins) or beach (skip inland Cambodia entirely; Sihanoukville has quality issues).

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Laos: the connection-flight premium

Laos is the most expensive of the three from Singapore for one simple reason: there is no direct SIN to Luang Prabang (LPQ) or Vientiane (VTE) flight. You connect via Bangkok (BKK), Hanoi (HAN), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), or occasionally Ho Chi Minh City. The connection adds SGD 350 to 500 to the flight budget versus Vietnam and Cambodia.

Flights: SIN to LPQ via Bangkok on Bangkok Airways or Thai AirAsia runs SGD 620 to 900 return shoulder season. SIN to VTE via BKK or KL runs SGD 500 to 780. If you have flexibility, book a SIN-BKK-LPQ multi-city (Bangkok Airways) for smoother connections than mixing carriers. As of 2026-08-07.

Accommodation in Luang Prabang is boutique-driven and pleasant. A mid-range 4-star (Villa Maly, 3 Nagas Luang Prabang MGallery, Kiridara) runs SGD 100 to 220 per night. Guesthouses in the old town run SGD 45 to 90. Luxury (Amantaka Luang Prabang, Sofitel Luang Prabang, Rosewood Luang Prabang) runs SGD 550 to 1,800.

Iconic experiences:

• Kuang Si Falls: entry LAK 20,000 (about SGD 1.30). Half-day tuk-tuk with driver: SGD 25 to 40 return.
• Alms Giving Ceremony (Tak Bat) at dawn on Sakkaline Road: free to observe, respectfully.
• Mount Phousi sunset: LAK 20,000 entry.
• Slow Boat down the Mekong to Pak Beng or Chiang Rai (Thailand): SGD 30 to 90 depending on route.

Vientiane: Laos capital, quieter and less touristed. Wat Sisaket and Pha That Luang are the main draws. If you have 6 to 7 days, a Luang Prabang + Vientiane combo works well via a 45-minute domestic flight or the Boten to Vientiane China Laos Railway (LAK 250,000 to 950,000 depending on class).

Visa: Singaporean passport holders need a Laos e-visa (USD 40 to 50 depending on nationality tier, laoevisa.gov.la) or visa-on-arrival (USD 30 to 42 depending on entry point). Cash preferred (USD or LAK). Valid 30 days.

Best for: repeat Southeast Asia travellers seeking quieter itineraries, temple architecture, slow river trips, photographers.

Skip if: this is your first Southeast Asia trip (Vietnam or Bali fit better as an intro), or if flight cost is the top constraint.

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The three-way comparison, three real 5-day itineraries

Same Singaporean couple splitting expenses, three real 5-day trips priced in October shoulder season. As of 2026-08-07.

Line item	Vietnam (HCMC + Mekong)	Cambodia (Siem Reap)	Laos (Luang Prabang via BKK)
Return flights (per person)	SGD 280 (Scoot SIN-SGN)	SGD 420 (Jetstar SIN-REP)	SGD 720 (BKK Airways SIN-BKK-LPQ)
Hotel 4 nights (per person half share)	SGD 260 (Fusion Suites)	SGD 300 (Golden Temple Villa)	SGD 340 (3 Nagas)
Food 5 days	SGD 90	SGD 110	SGD 100
Airport transfer + local Grab	SGD 55	SGD 60	SGD 55
Activities and entry	SGD 85 (Cu Chi tunnels + Mekong day trip)	SGD 130 (Angkor Wat 3-day pass + guide)	SGD 130 (Kuang Si, Alms, Mekong slow boat)
SIM, visa, misc	SGD 55 (no visa fee)	SGD 90 (e-visa + SIM)	SGD 105 (e-visa + SIM)
Total per person	SGD 825	SGD 1,110	SGD 1,450

Same couple, same 5 days: Vietnam is SGD 285 cheaper than Cambodia and SGD 625 cheaper than Laos. Cambodia is SGD 340 cheaper than Laos.

The gap is not luxury vs budget. It is flights, and (for Cambodia) the Angkor Wat pass.

Book Indochina hotels with cashback: Booking.com · Agoda · Hotels.com · Trip.com

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Matching destination to trip shape

Match the destination to your priority, not to what your peers picked.

Trip shape	Best pick	Reason
First-time Southeast Asia backpacker	Vietnam	Cheapest, most street food, easiest to get around
Angkor Wat pilgrimage	Cambodia Siem Reap	3-day pass justifies the trip
Long weekend (3 to 4 days)	Vietnam HCMC	Direct 2h 15m flight, no visa, cheapest hotels
Photographers	Cambodia or Laos	Angkor Wat sunrise or Luang Prabang alms and mountain temples
Second Southeast Asia trip	Laos	Quiet, boutique, less touristed
Family with young kids	Vietnam (HCMC to Nha Trang)	Beach add-on, direct flights, most kid-friendly food
Couple 5-year anniversary	Laos (Amantaka + slow boat) or Vietnam (Hanoi + Ha Long)	Boutique premium at cheap-country prices
Cost-first solo backpack	Vietnam HCMC or Hanoi	SGD 40 per night guesthouse plus SGD 15 per day food realistic
Culturally curious with 7+ days	Cambodia + Vietnam or Laos + Vietnam combo	2 countries, direct inter-country flights

For first-time visitors to any of the three, Vietnam wins on pure cost-to-experience ratio. For pilgrimage or photography, Cambodia (Angkor Wat) and Laos (Luang Prabang) reward the extra flight.

One fixed line: travel insurance. Basic Southeast Asia cover with medical and trip cancellation starts SGD 20 to 40 per person for 5 days. Recommended for all three destinations.

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What's changed for Indochina travel from Singapore in 2026

Five practical shifts to price in:

• Cambodia Angkor Wat pass unchanged: USD 37 / 62 / 72 for 1/3/7-day passes. Buy at Angkor Enterprise or online.
• Laos visa-on-arrival still cash-preferred: USD 30 to 42 depending on entry point and nationality tier. Bring exact USD if possible.
• Vietnam remains visa-free for Singaporeans up to 30 days: no fee, no application.
• China Laos Railway (Vientiane to Luang Prabang to Boten) is operational: LAK 250,000 to 950,000 (SGD 15 to 60) depending on class, replacing the old bus route. Faster than road transport but book via Laos Railway agents or hotel.
• Ha Long Bay entry fees: capped at VND 250,000 to 350,000 per person plus VND 800,000 to 2,000,000 for cruise permits (roughly SGD 15 to 20 total, usually bundled into cruise prices).

Verify current fees at: visa-cambodia.gov.kh, laoevisa.gov.la, and angkorenterprise.gov.kh before travel.

Book Indochina tours and entry passes with cashback: Klook · KKday

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When these numbers do NOT apply

• Peak season (Dec to Feb) and Chinese New Year. Flights add SGD 100 to 400. Book 6+ weeks out.
• Multi-country itineraries (Vietnam + Cambodia + Laos in 5 days). Skip; add 3+ days minimum.
• Ha Long Bay overnight cruise on luxury junk. Add SGD 400 to 900 to Vietnam mid-range budget.
• Angkor Wat sunrise photography workshops. Add SGD 200 to 500 with photographer guide.
• Sapa or Phu Quoc extensions. Add SGD 200 to 400 for domestic Vietnam flight plus accommodation.

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Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper for a 5-day trip from Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos?

Vietnam is consistently the cheapest of the three from Singapore in 2026, at SGD 620 to 1,200 per person all-in for a 5-day mid-range trip. Cambodia follows at SGD 780 to 1,380 (Angkor Wat entry adds SGD 50 to 105). Laos is the most expensive at SGD 1,180 to 1,760 because there is no direct SIN to Luang Prabang flight and you connect via Bangkok.

How much does a 5-day Vietnam trip cost from Singapore in 2026?

A 5-day Vietnam trip from Singapore in 2026 costs SGD 620 to 1,200 mid-range per person, flights (SIN to SGN or HAN return SGD 200 to 420), hotel (SGD 60 to 140 per night), street food (SGD 15 to 30 per day), and one paid activity per day included. Budget trips dip to SGD 480, luxury Hanoi + Ha Long overnight cruise trips run SGD 2,000 to 3,500.

How much does a 5-day Cambodia trip cost from Singapore in 2026?

A 5-day Cambodia trip via Siem Reap for Angkor Wat costs SGD 780 to 1,380 mid-range per person from Singapore in 2026, including SIN to REP return flights (SGD 320 to 560), hotel, food, and the Angkor Wat 3-day pass (USD 62 per person, about SGD 82). Phnom Penh trips run SGD 50 to 100 cheaper on flights.

How much does a 5-day Laos trip cost from Singapore in 2026?

A 5-day Laos trip to Luang Prabang costs SGD 1,180 to 1,760 mid-range per person from Singapore in 2026. There is no direct SIN to LPQ flight; you connect via Bangkok, Hanoi, or Vientiane (total SGD 620 to 900 return). Hotels and food in Luang Prabang are cheap once you land, but the flight adds SGD 350 to 500 versus Vietnam.

How much is the Angkor Wat entry pass in 2026?

Angkor Archaeological Park entry passes are USD 37 for 1 day, USD 62 for 3 days (valid within a 10-day window), and USD 72 for 7 days (valid within a month). Buy from the official Angkor Enterprise ticket centre (5 km from central Siem Reap) or online at angkorenterprise.gov.kh. Bring passport for photo capture at purchase.

Do Singaporeans need a visa for Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos?

Singaporean passport holders enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 30 days. Cambodia requires an e-visa (USD 30 plus USD 6 processing) or visa-on-arrival (USD 30) valid for 30 days. Laos requires an e-visa (USD 40 to 50) or visa-on-arrival (USD 30 to 42 depending on entry point) valid for 30 days. Always check the current fee on the official government portal before travel.

Can I combine Cambodia and Vietnam in one 5-day trip from Singapore?

5 days is tight for Cambodia + Vietnam. A common combination is Siem Reap (Angkor Wat, 2 nights) then fly Cambodia Angkor Air or Vietjet to Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights), returning to Singapore on night 5. Budget SGD 900 to 1,500 mid-range. 7 days works better; 5 days feels rushed with the inter-city flight.

How much is a Ha Long Bay day cruise or overnight cruise from Hanoi?

A day cruise to Ha Long Bay from Hanoi runs SGD 55 to 110 per person including transfer, lunch, and boat time. An overnight cruise on a mid-range junk runs SGD 220 to 480 per person for 1 night, and luxury cruises (Paradise Elegance, Heritage Bình Chuẩn) run SGD 550 to 1,200 per person for 1 to 2 nights. Book via Klook or Trip.com.

How can I earn cashback on Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos bookings from Singapore?

ShopBack Singapore lists cashback on the main platforms used for Indochina trips from Changi. For hotels, activate before clicking through to Booking.com, Agoda, Hotels.com, or Trip.com. For flight comparison, route through Skyscanner SG. For tours, Angkor Wat guided passes, and Ha Long Bay cruises, use Klook or KKday. Cashback rates vary by merchant and change monthly; verify the current published rate on each merchant page before booking.

Which destination is best for a first-time Indochina traveller from Singapore?

Vietnam suits the first-timer for the cheapest flights, largest range of activities across HCMC and Hanoi, and easiest street food scene. Cambodia is the classic iconic ruins trip; Angkor Wat justifies the pass fee. Laos is the slowest, quietest option; skip if this is your first Southeast Asia trip and pick Vietnam or Bali first.

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Key takeaways

• Vietnam is the cheapest of the three at SGD 620 to 1,200 mid-range; Cambodia at SGD 780 to 1,380; Laos at SGD 1,180 to 1,760
• Flight cost drives most of the SGD 500+ spread; Vietnam has 6 direct SIN carriers, Cambodia has 5, Laos has zero (1-stop only)
• Cambodia's Angkor Wat 3-day pass (USD 62 / SGD 82) is a mandatory line item that Vietnam and Laos do not have
• Accommodation and food are cheap in all three; a mid-range 4-star boutique is SGD 90 to 220 per night across the region
• Vietnam is the first-timer default; Cambodia is the Angkor pilgrimage; Laos is the repeat-visitor slow trip

Book Indochina flights, hotels, and activities through ShopBack Travel Planner to earn cashback layered on top of the OTA fare. Every dollar earned playing ShopBack Games can be spent on the same booking.

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Plan your Indochina trip deeper

• Ho Chi Minh 5-Day Budget from Singapore in 2026
• Bali 5-Day Budget from Singapore in 2026
• Bangkok vs Bali vs Phuket: NDP Long Weekend 2026
• 5 ShopBack Travel Planner Features Singaporeans Miss
• Singapore to Tokyo Flights: 2026 Cost Guide

Sources

• Angkor Enterprise, official Angkor Archaeological Park pass
• Cambodia e-visa portal
• Laos e-visa portal
• ICA Singapore, visa-free travel destinations
• Live pricing on ShopBack Travel Planner, Agoda, and Booking.com as of 2026-08-07

Note: Flight, hotel, food, and activity price ranges are indicative 2026 figures pulled from ShopBack Travel Planner and OTA comparison at time of writing. Fares move daily. Run your exact dates on the planner for live quotes before booking.

Disclaimer

The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author.

Prices, rates, promotions, and availability are subject to change. Please verify details directly with the relevant providers before making any decisions.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, financial, or travel advice.