Buzz
Considering a foreign escapade on a tight budget and schedule? Phnom Penh awaits with open arms!
Top Tips for a Thrifty 48 Hours in Phnom Penh
Budget Breakdown:
Transportation: $10 for two
Currency Exchange: $20 USD (approx. 460,000 dong), 20,000 riel (approx. 120,000 dong)
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1:
Depart at 5 AM from Ho Chi Minh City. Currently, ticket prices to Phnom Penh range from 180,000 to 200,000 dong.
7:00 AM - 7:30 AM: Arrive at Moc Bai border gate (Tay Ninh) and complete exit procedures.
11:00 AM: Disembark at the bus station in Phnom Penh. We stop by a local eatery opposite the station and enjoy pork rib rice for 6,000 riel. The owner, a Vietnamese national, warmly assists us in finding accommodation and negotiating tuk-tuk fares.
12:00 PM: With the guidance of the eatery owner, we check into a hotel just 200 meters away, priced at 14 USD for a 4-person room, fully equipped.
At 1 PM: We returned to the restaurant because this area has many tuk tuk drivers who speak Vietnamese. Here we were offered a full tuk tuk package from noon to evening for $20.
After consideration, we decided to hire a tuk tuk to go to Wat Phnom instead of opting for the full package, saving money and being more time-efficient.
Note: Tuk tuks can accommodate 4 people, and you should negotiate for $1 per km. We usually travel at $2 per trip. The entrance fee to Wat Phnom is $1 per person.
At 3 PM: We took a tuk tuk from Wat Phnom to NagaWorld Casino. The casino allows free tours, but you should remove your hat and speak softly to avoid disturbing the players. The receptionist is very willing if you suggest taking a photo together.
At 4:30 PM: Leaving NagaWorld Casino, we decided to stroll and watch the sunset by the Tonle Sap River nearby.
At 5:30 PM: Arrived at the Cambodia Independence Monument.
At 6:30 PM: We headed to the night market for some food and souvenir shopping. The food here is quite delicious. We had a bowl of beef pho for 6,000 riel and a sugarcane juice for 2,000 riel.
At 10 PM: Before returning to the hotel, we hired a tuk-tuk to go to the riverside area near the Royal Palace to buy fried crickets, as this area is the only place that sells them at night. Our group of 4 decided to buy a can of fried crickets for 4,000 riel.
Day 2:
At 7 AM: To save time, we had breakfast at the hotel with biscuits and milk we brought along.
From 8 AM to 9 AM: We went to the riverside area near the Royal Palace. There are many pigeons here. You just need to scatter some breadcrumbs and the pigeons will flock around.
From 9 AM to 11 AM: We bought tickets to visit the Royal Palace for $6.5 per person. This is the residence and activities area of the royal family, as well as where royal ceremonies and rituals take place. The palace is a combination of various architectural structures along with beautiful gardens filled with rare flowers, creating a distinctive architectural complex for Cambodia.
Embedded within the architectural ensemble of the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda stands as an unmissable destination. The temple floor is paved with 5,329 silver tiles, each meticulously crafted and weighing 1,125 kg, hence its name Silver Pagoda. Inside the temple, there is a golden statue of Buddha.
Silver Pagoda serves as a repository of religious and cultural treasures rather than merely a place of worship, housing over 1,050 valuable artifacts made of gold, silver, bronze, etc., offered by kings, queens, and the royal family to pray for the peace and prosperity of Cambodia.
11-12 PM: We return to pack our belongings and check out.
12-2 PM: We hire a tuk-tuk to visit the Central Market. Here, one can find a plethora of delicious food, fashionable clothing, jewelry, and especially souvenirs at more affordable prices compared to the night market.
We decide to try the specialty dish of Cambodian cuisine, beef noodle soup – a unique culinary experience.
I purchased 10 cute nail clippers for $4 as gifts for my family and friends.
Returning to Ho Chi Minh City by car at 2:30 PM to conclude our journey filled with numerous new and exciting experiences.
Summary of expenses for the trip:
– Transportation ticket: 400,000 Vietnamese dong
– Food: 20,000 riel (equivalent to 120,000 Vietnamese dong)
Pork rib rice: 6,000 riel
Pho + sugarcane juice: 8,000 riel
Crispy grasshoppers: 1,000 riel
Beefy fermented shrimp paste noodle soup: 5,000 riel
Lodging + Sightseeing ticket + Souvenir: $20 (equivalent to 460,000 dong)
Guesthouse: $3.5 per person
Royal Palace Sightseeing Ticket: $6.5
Wat Phnom Temple Sightseeing Ticket: $1
Experience the charm of Phnom Penh with a tuk-tuk rental: just $5 per person on average.
Take home a memorable souvenir for just $4.
As reported by Zing News.
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For further insights, consult the travel guide at Mytour.
Source: MytourAugust 16, 2016
