Buzz
Cambodia offers more than just the mystical Angkor; its capital, Phnom Penh, boasts distinctive temple architecture, and it also has pristine islands.
Welcoming the New Year on the Enchanting Island of Koh Rong Samloem
Cambodia boasts numerous beautiful beaches that rival those of the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. These beaches maintain a pristine beauty unmatched by others. Hence, we decided to explore the coastal islands near Vietnam, instead of the increasingly crowded and expensive destinations like Cebu in the Philippines, Koh Samui in Thailand, or Bali in Indonesia.
We booked seats on Kumho bus from Ho Chi Minh City directly to Ha Tien, departing at 8:00 PM from Mien Tay bus station. These days, some roads are under construction in the Cai Lay (Tien Giang) area, so we arrived in Ha Tien at 5:00 AM the next day. The whole group enjoyed the famous bun khen dish at Ha Tien market and waited for the direct bus to Sihanoukville.
Some groups faced difficulties and delays in choosing a bus from Ha Tien to Sihanoukville, so we decided to rent a 16-seater bus for 12 people and arranged to stop at Kep beach to savor fresh seafood. We also made a detour to the city of Kampot to indulge in the fragrant aroma of palm sugar desserts and the famous durian with golden rice. We also purchased some supplies, beer, and food to bring to Koh Rong Samloem the next day.
We arrived at Independence Beach, eagerly anticipating the breathtaking moment of witnessing the sunset over the stunning sea, a gem recommended by Lonely Planet for Sihanoukville visitors.
For dinner, we indulged in a delicious beef hotpot at the roundabout area with the Lion Statue in the city center. Quickly moving to Occheuteal Bridge, we waited for the countdown to the New Year. Unlike other countries with dazzling skyscrapers, Occheuteal Beach in Sihanoukville was vibrant with colorful lantern-adorned bars along its 4 km coastline.
By 8 PM, Cambodian locals and foreign tourists flocked to the beach. They set up tents, cooked, or ordered pre-prepared seafood dishes from nearby restaurants, eagerly awaiting the approaching New Year's moment. Fireworks and sky lanterns illuminated the coastal city, creating a radiant spectacle. We chose a bar near the bridge area with affordable prices, enjoying a light cocktail under the dazzling fireworks in the sky, lighting lanterns, and wishing our families a fortunate and prosperous year.
The next day, our journey continued to the paradise island of Koh Rong Samloem. Just over 30 km from Sihanoukville, a 45-minute boat ride brought us to this beautiful island, where the impact of the tourism industry was minimal, allowing the pristine beauty of the coastal nature to be preserved.
The island resembled a crescent moon with a long coastline, white sandy beaches, and an ideal setting to admire moments of sunrise or sunset over the sea. Instead of staying in beachfront bungalows or cheap dorms, we opted for a more rustic experience using tents prepared from Vietnam. The island is also a haven for trekking enthusiasts, offering routes suitable for varying fitness levels and time constraints.
We joined trekking groups on the other side of the island to witness the sunset or embarked on early morning walks to the lighthouse on the western tip of the island, welcoming the first rays of sunlight. Koh Rong Samloem boasts multiple piers, each with its own unique charm. We also seized the opportunity to capture some hastily taken beautiful photos, rivaling the beauty of the Maldives in the distant Indian Ocean. Koh Rong Samloem provided us with a sense of tranquility and peace that touched our hearts.
Traveling to Sihanoukville
You can catch an evening bus to Ha Tien, cross the Xa Xia border into Cambodia, and then hire a car to reach Sihanoukville. Along the way, you can also explore Kep, Kampot, the Bokor Plateau, and various other attractions.
Getting to Koh Rong Samloem from Sihanoukville
– Fast boat (canoe): only takes 45 minutes. Purchase tickets at Serendipity Pier, Sihanoukville, or pre-book from travel agencies at the Xa Xia border in Vietnam. Departure times are plentiful throughout the day: 9 AM, 12 PM; returns at 10 AM, 3 PM. Ticket prices average around 15 USD one way.
– Slow boat (party boat): priced at 25 USD round trip. Departs at 9:30 AM, returns at 3:30 PM. The journey takes 2 hours and 30 minutes (tickets include both departure and return, allowing passengers to stay and return on the same schedule the next day). The boat offers buffet dining and provides some equipment for snorkeling or diving enthusiasts.
Dining Options
You can choose any restaurant on the island. Most of them offer a mix of Western and Cambodian dishes ranging from 3 to 7 USD, and cocktails priced between 2 to 4 USD. Since there are no residents on the island, guests can only dine at the restaurants within the resorts. Alternatively, you can prepare food bought in Sihanoukville for some interesting DIY meals. Note: it's advisable to bring ice from Sihanoukville as it is scarce on the island.
Accommodation
– Stay overnight in Sihanoukville at the 3-star Green Village Bungalow Villas, located at Phum1, Sangkat3, Sihanoukville, offering either two small beds or one large bed.
– If staying on Koh Rong Samloem, it's recommended to book in advance as accommodation options on the island are limited. There are many resorts such as The Beach, Ataman, Saracen Bay, and Freedom. Notably, at Freedom Bay, there's a natural waterfall, and they've built small ponds using water from the waterfall for visitors to enjoy the refreshing experience of sitting and immersing themselves in nature.
To the west is Robinson Beach at The Beach Resort. You'll need to trek through the forest for about 45 minutes. Before reaching the beach on the other side, you'll have an interesting jungle crossing experience. At Robinson Beach, there's Huba Huba Bungalow. Huba Huba, like other lodges, is made of wood, but each bungalow has stairs leading to a rooftop with a breathtaking view. Experience standing above and overlooking the entire beach, and you'll fully appreciate the beauty of this beach. The price for a Huba Huba bungalow is approximately 20 USD.
– Tent: During peak times, we rented a spot for tent pitching, and the resorts here charge 10 USD per tent and an additional 2 USD per day per person for using the beach facilities and having access to drinking water at the beachfront resorts.
Leisure
Activities in this paradise include beach bathing, sleeping, eating, and indulging in pure enjoyment. It's a life in paradise where all life's worries completely disappear. The island is uninhabited, with only about 10 resorts, and most visitors are foreigners, cultured, polite, and clean.
The island boasts two stunning white sand beaches, one at Saceren Bay and the other at Robinson Beach. Most resorts are concentrated at Saceren Bay, the main direction for admiring the sunrise. On the other side, there are only 2 resorts, but it takes about a 45-minute trek through the forest to reach them.
Heading straight to the right at Saceren Bay, you'll reach Freedom Resort, where you can experience the island's unique waterfall. Taking advantage of this, Freedom Resort has ingeniously redirected the flow of the waterfall to create a naturally built swimming pool. The water here is refreshing and clear, making it enjoyable to soak in all day. If you're up for it, you can explore behind the resort, where a trail leads to the top of the waterfall, providing a fantastic natural massage.
Itinerary Summary
– Night 1: Ho Chi Minh City – Ha Tien
– Day 1: Ha Tien – Xa Xia – Kep – Campot – Sihanoukville
– Day 2: Sihanoukville – Koh Rong Samloem – Camping at Saceren Bay
– Day 3: Koh Rong Samloem – Sihanoukville – Ha Tien – Ho Chi Minh City
– Day 4: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City at 5 AM.
So, you can follow this itinerary on weekends. Depart Thursday night and return Monday morning.
Costs
– Transportation: 330,000 VND/round trip
– Renting a 16-seater van for 12 people: 220 USD
– Dining: 35 USD/person
– Sihanoukville – Koh Rong Samloem – Sihanoukville Boat Trip: 18 USD/person
– Hotel: 390,000 VND/room/2 people
– Tent: 75,000 VND/person
– Renting a spot at Saceren Bay for swimming: 2 USD/person
– Miscellaneous expenses: 8 USD/person
Total: 110 USD, equivalent to 2.5 million VND per person.
Source: Zing News
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourJanuary 8, 2016
