5-Day Cambodia Travel Itinerary for Just 2,800,000 VND

With the detailed itinerary shared by Mr. Huynh Tuan, the journey to Sihanoukville, Koh Rong, and Koh Rong Samloem in Cambodia becomes much smoother for inexperienced travelers.

Detailed Cambodia Travel Itinerary Costs Only 2,800,000 VND

Day 1, Day 2: Kampot – Ta Lon Mountain

9:00 PM: Board Kumho bus to Ha Tien, departing from Mien Tay bus station with ticket price of 170,000 VND/person.

5:30 AM: Bus stops at Ha Tien bus station. Proceed to Kumho bus station to take shuttle bus to Xa Xia border gate for free.

Walking through the border, presenting and stamping passports at 2 gates:

- Vietnam Gate (free of charge)

- Cambodia Gate (requires filling out a simple form and paying a fee of about 20,000 VND/person)

Upon reaching the border, there will be many people offering to transport you outside the border area, but feel free to decline and walk about 200m away where there are plenty of vehicles, providing you with various options.

Outside the border area, you can have breakfast and purchase a mobile phone SIM card (note that there is no 3G SIM, but you need to subscribe to a 3G data plan for usage).

- Metfone SIM: $2. Top-up card: $1, $2, $3, $5. Depending on your usage needs, you can purchase the desired top-up card.

10 AM: Explore the Bokor Plateau. Ask the hotel reception for directions. From the hotel, turn left along the river, cross the New Bridge, then take a slight left to reach the entrance gate.

Purchase tickets at the gate for 1,000 riel per person. Drive about 30km along the stunning mountain road to reach the first stop (make sure to read the signposts). Here, you can enjoy sugarcane juice and grilled meat (sugarcane juice: 5,000 riel/cup, grilled meat: 8,000 riel/piece). Remember to negotiate the price.

Although the roads from the first stop to the attractions are a bit winding and inconvenient, the distances are short, so you can still visit all the spots. I recommend visiting PoPokrvil waterfall, Kampot Resort, Chinese Pagoda, stone church, and rock temple.

3 PM: Return to the hotel, freshen up, and rest.

5 PM: Stroll along the riverside and explore the night market.

In the evening, you can visit a barbecue and hotpot restaurant.

– Later, you can head to the western bars along the riverside to enjoy a few cocktails.

Day 3: Koh Rong – Koh Rong Samloem

6 AM: Wake up early and take a refreshing swim. The morning is cool and fresh (completely different from the scorching noon heat).

7 AM: Get a ride to Samaki Market. Have breakfast at the market. Explore around the market.

– Buy the famous Kampot durian (make sure to differentiate between Thai durian and Kampot durian: Thai durian is green, Kampot durian is brownish-gray and smaller). Price range: 10,000 riel/kg.

– After purchasing, you can sit by the riverbank, enjoy the durian, and admire the beautiful river view.

10:30 AM: Return to the hotel to check out.

– Take a Tuk Tuk to Kampot bus station for $1.

– At the station, choose a vehicle to go to Serendipity Pier – Sihanouk Ville (if renting a private car, it's about $20, if sharing, wait for the car to fill up before departure, $5/person).

11 AM: Depart for Serendipity pier.

2 PM to 2:30 PM: Make sure the car stops at the office: buy tickets for the Fast Ferry Boat to Koh Rong Saloem Island (round-trip $20/person) for the 3 PM trip, stopping at Saracen Bay.

– Also, book a car ticket to Phnom Penh for tomorrow noon. If you're taking the 9:30 AM boat, it's advisable to book a car for at least the 12 PM or 1 PM trip. The car fare is around $6 - $8/person (depending on the vehicle quality).

– Important note: There are only 2 boat trips from the island to the mainland: 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM, usually taking about 1.5 hours as the boat stops at multiple stops to pick up passengers, which may affect your ability to catch the Phnom Penh-bound bus. If you have time, you can buy drinks and snacks before boarding the boat.

3 PM: Depart for the paradise island Koh Rong Samloem (takes about 45 minutes).

3:45 PM: Arrive at Orchid hotel (opposite the train bridge) to register for tomorrow's return trip: 9:30 AM.

4 PM: You can walk along the beach to inquire about prices and choose the resort you like (remember, bargaining is possible).

– After checking in, you can swim and stroll along the beach, or if you prefer, walk to the lighthouse to take photos. Note: electricity on the island is only available from 6 PM to 10 PM, and there's no wifi. Remember to bring mosquito repellent cream.

Day 4: Koh Rong Saloem – Phnom Penh

5 AM – 6 AM: Wake up early to watch the sunrise, relax on the hammock listening to music, then go for a morning swim. Despite the early hour, the water is warm, not cold.

8 AM: Have breakfast at the resort's restaurant. I recommend dining at GreenBlue resort (similar prices to others but generous portions – one dish can feed two people), take photos, and then check out.

9:30 AM: Return to the pier to wait for the incoming boat back to Sihanouk.

11:30 AM – 12 PM: Upon reaching the mainland, walk to the ticket office to reconfirm your Phnom Penh-bound trip.

12 PM – 1 PM: Depart for Phnom Penh. The distance is about 220km, so it should take around 4 – 5 hours, but there might be delays due to traffic.

6 PM: Arrive in Phnom Penh. Rent a room at Heng Long 1 Hotel located near Orussey Market. The rooms are very nice, equipped with hot and cold water (prices range from $15 to $20, and you can negotiate).

7 PM: Rent a Tuk Tuk for the evening. The best price is $12.

Head to Sovanna area for a grilled beef dinner at Heng Heng restaurant, paired with fermented beef with a price of 24,000 riel, and enjoy Angkor beer for $1.25 per bottle (buy 4 bottles, get 1 free). Then, ask the Tuk Tuk driver to take you on a city tour (Diamond Island area, Four Faces Square, etc.).

Day 5: Phnom Penh – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

7 AM: Rent a Tuk Tuk for around $12 for the whole day.

– Have breakfast at Nam Vang Orussey noodle shop, located opposite Orussey Market. They serve delicious Nam Vang noodles and tasty buns.

– Call or go to PhonLinh or Kumho bus station to book tickets to Ho Chi Minh City (priced at 200,000 dong/person). It's recommended to book the 2:30 PM bus.

8 AM: Hop on a Tuk Tuk to visit the Royal Palace (ticket price: 25,000 riel/person). Explore at your own pace (there's a guide map available, or you can hire a private guide if you prefer).

9 AM: Visit Wat Pnom temple for blessings (ticket price: $1/person).

9:30 AM: Head to Central Market to buy souvenirs: scarves, t-shirts, shoes, suitcases, helmets (prices are much cheaper compared to Vietnam).

11:30 AM: Arrive at PhonLinh bus station. Have lunch nearby at a delicious eatery (choose any dish for 12,000 riel: pho, rice, beef stew, steak, including iced tea).

2:30 PM: Depart back to Saigon. The bus will stop at a rest area near the border where you can buy affordable quality liniments. When reaching the border, you'll have to get off the bus, carry your luggage, and walk through the border checkpoint for baggage inspection.

– Note: Keep your passport safe. When crossing the border, don't accept or carry anything for anyone, as it could be a ploy to smuggle contraband across the border.

7:30 PM: You can ask the driver to drop you off at your desired stop. End of the trip.

– Tips for the trip: For those who seek vibrant vibes, Koh Rong Island is the go-to. If you prefer tranquility, stargazing, sitting by the pier, or under the white sand, ideal for honeymooners, then opt for Koh Rong Samloem.

The white sand on Koh Rong Samloem is incredibly fine, crystal clear, and walking on it, you can even hear a delightful sound.

Basic expenses (excluding entertainment and souvenirs): 2,800,000 VND.

Note that it's advisable to exchange your money into USD.

Exchange rate: 1$ = 4,000 riel

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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour