Buzz
Tran Ngoc Toan and three companions embarked on a captivating journey to Cambodia during the Tet holiday, lasting 4 days in the land of ancient temples.
'Lost in Transition' explores Cambodia with 3 million VND
The Kingdom of Cambodia is a popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia, attracting visitors from around the world with its ancient relics such as the Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom complexes, majestic natural landscapes like Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong River…
Transportation
From Ho Chi Minh City, you can go to Pham Ngu Lao Street (District 1) to book tickets with bus companies like Long Phuong, Sapaco, Kumho… Ticket prices range from 220,000-230,000 VND for the route from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh, and 270,000 VND for the route from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.
Departures commence at 6 AM, and there are direct rides to Siem Reap. Daytime journeys offer comfortable seated positions, with the option to recline. Night buses provide sleeper beds, usually at a more budget-friendly rate. The travel time for each segment is 6 hours (including immigration procedures at the Moc Bai border gate in Tay Ninh).
The immigration process at Moc Bai border gate is straightforward; you only need to have your passport. The assistant will collect passports and register with customs. You just need to get off the bus, queue up to retrieve your passport, and pass through the border.
Dress Code
Cambodia is a predominantly Buddhist country, so remember to dress modestly when visiting palaces and temples such as Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom…
Due to the drier and hotter climate from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap in the north compared to Vietnam, tourists may quickly feel tired. Prepare long-sleeved clothes and a hat, pack light and simple, to save energy for the exploration.
Money
Before crossing into Cambodia, exchange your money to USD or riel in advance to get the best exchange rate. And exchange a little extra for unforeseen expenses.
If you forget to exchange, you can do so at the Moc Bai border with a rate around 1 USD = 23,370 VND. As you go deeper inland, the exchange rate will be higher.
Transportation
Tuk-tuks are an interesting choice for both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, as it is a safe mode of transportation. You don't need to drive, and you get a free 'tour guide.' Before taking a tuk-tuk, check the distance to estimate the fare. For larger groups, taking a tuk-tuk is much cheaper.
For full-day tours using tuk-tuks to explore the temples in Angkor, including transportation from the bus station to the hotel and back, a reasonable price is around 20-24 USD. Alternatively, you can ask the driver to purchase bus tickets for you.
Abandon the idea of walking around the Angkor temples, as the area is vast. Additionally, renting a motorbike for 6-8 USD per day or a bicycle is a suitable option for those with more time.
Itinerary
A 4-day duration is ideal for the northern region covering Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
First day: At 7 AM, you board a vehicle from Ho Chi Minh City, arriving in Phnom Penh around 2 PM. Then, you hire a tuk-tuk to explore the western quarter, riverside, Royal Palace (entrance fee 10 USD), central market, Wat Phnom temple... Enjoy a local dinner and riverside beer.
It's advisable not to travel to Siem Reap immediately, as it can be challenging on the first day. Instead, book a night bus with sleeping beds departing at 11-12 PM.
Second day: After the overnight journey, you'll arrive in Siem Reap at 5:30 AM. Quickly get to the hotel, drop off your luggage, prepare a light backpack, rent a tuk-tuk straight to Angkor Wat to catch the stunning sunrise.
If you're riding a motorbike, pay attention to the directions, as the ticket booth is entirely separate from the temple area. Entrance tickets for Angkor temple area starting from February 1st are 37 USD per person per day.
Given the similar architectural features and the intense hot climate, negotiate with the tuk-tuk driver for the destinations (the main 4 points being Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon temple in Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm temple) at a price of 20-24 USD for a tuktuk for 4 people.
Moreover, you can witness the sunset with Phnom Bakheng mountain in the temple complex, but remember to go early, before 4 PM, as this area has a limit of 300 viewers. In the evening at Siem Reap, there's no other choice than Pub Street's western quarter with various food, drinks, and accompanying services.
On the third day: Take a leisurely morning to recover from the previous day and have breakfast. Then, negotiate with the tuk-tuk driver to explore Tonle Sap Lake, 25 km from the center. A reasonable price for this trip is around 15 USD for 4 people. Tickets for the lake tour with two types of boats, motorized and manual, cost 20 USD per person to explore the local waterway life.
On the fourth day: In the morning, board the pre-booked vehicle and return to Ho Chi Minh City after 12 hours on the road.
Additional Note
In Cambodia, you need to purchase a Metfone SIM card to make calls and access the internet. However, only buy from SIM card vendors with proper operations, top-up services, and thorough checks. Avoid buying from street vendors as you may end up with an expired or non-activated SIM. The price for one SIM is 2.5 USD, and an additional 2.5 USD for a top-up card will provide enough credit for calls and Wi-Fi for the entire group to use over 4 days.
Dining at the UNESCO World Heritage site Angkor Wat can be quite expensive, so be mentally prepared to spend between 5-7 USD for a meal. To save money, you can bring some sweet pastries. Drinks are available everywhere, typically priced from 0.75-1 USD for a soft drink can. Upscale restaurants can be pricey, but you can opt for local food stalls with meals at 1 USD each. Afterward, savor the Draft Angkor Beer for 0.5-0.75 USD per glass.
According to Vu Quynh Khanh Linh/Zing News
***
Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourFebruary 9, 2017
