Backpacking VIETNAM-CAMBODIA-THAILAND in 7 days
In his blog post 11 BIGGEST BUSINESS TRENDS in the Philippines 2014 , Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet beautifully describes the emergence of Filipino Free Independent Travelers. "They travel by setting up their own itinerary like a backpacker, but live luxuriously and travel leisurely without the need for a travel agency". I agree. And I am proud to say I am one of them.
If you are a young urban professional or a student transitioning to college/ university, I suggest you take a week off and go for a backpacking tour of Southeast Asia. Seven days through Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand would be a good start. If you have two weeks to spare, you can continue as far as Malaysia and then end up in Singapore before flying back to the Philippines. In this post, I will show you how it is possible to go backpacking Vietnam-Cambodia-Thailand in 7 days.
I also took the liberty of including our itinerary as well as tips on what and where to eat and where to stay. Apologies for the expences though as I cannot provide one that is detailed. I prefer spending without accounting too much for it. We simply made sure we were not lavish so as to stay within the budget of $350 per person.
We flew from Manila to Ho Chi Minh City which served as the setoff point for this particular trip. We arrived midnight in HCMC and went straight to our hotel. The next day, we were up early for a walking city tour. It was a quick introduction to the most vibrant city in Vietnam. A Museum, church, park, post office plus a food trip in a nice restaurant. We were done by 2pm and by 3pm, we were on a bus bound Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Then came the fun land tour across Siem Reap and then Bangkok and Pattaya in Thailand.
Backpacking VIETNAM-CAMBODIA-THAILAND
Itinerary 7D/6N
Vietnam-Cambodia-Thailand
Day 1:
10:50pm -ETD Manila
Day2:
2:00 -ETA Ho Chi Minh City
2:30-8:00am -Sleep 8:00am -breakfast
9:00:2:00pm - walking city tour
2:30pm -back at hotel
3:00pm : leave for Phnom Penh (by bus)
9:00pm -ETA Phnom Penh
9:30pm -late dinner/drinking 1:00am-sleep
VIETNAM
WHERE TO STAY
HONG HAN HOTEL Bui Vien: backpacker friendly + very helpful manager
The rooms are spacious.Two on each floor only.Understand therefore that the orientation of the building is that it's a rectangular edifice with the narrow side facing the road and I reckon that it's a 7-storey building with no elavator.Di uso ang elevator dito given the small space.We stayed at the 4th floor so it was an effort going up and down.make sure you have all that you need before you go down.
for detailed review.
WHERE TO EAT:
Nha Hang Ngon
The manager of our hostel, suggested a good place to eat which is is just a few blocks away from Notre-Dame Cathedral.Nha Hang Ngon is a posh restaurant housed in a nice colonial style building. It gives the impression that its expensive but we were surprised that their food is not the expensive. We ordered some of the food I researched via CNNgo and we really enjoyed our meal.Will talk about it on a separate post soon and will link it here in this section.
READ: Cha Ca, Banh Xeo, Rau Mong and Nem Ran at NHA HANG NGON Restaurant HCMC for full review.
WHAT TO EAT:
CHA CA
Price:135,000 Dong
chunks of fish seasoned with garlic, ginger, turmeric and dill on a hot pan tableside.
Banh Xeo
Price:56,000 Dong
crispy crepe bulging with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts, plus the garnish of fresh herbs that are characteristic of most authentic Vietnamese dishes.
Rau Mong
Price: 70,000 Dong
stir-fried and seasoned with slithers of potent garlic.
NEM RAN / Cha Gio
Price: 58,000 Dong
Bite-sized crunchy spring rolls.Crispy shell with a soft veggie and meat filling.
WHAT TO SEE:
War Remnants Museum
We took the cab to War Remnants Museum.The perfect place to start your City Tour as it will give you a glimpse into the war past of Vietnam (Vietnam War) which has significantly shaped the contemporary psyche of this nation.Will talk about it in my next post.
NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL
It's interesting to see a Catholic Church in a communist country honestly.I know there are many more in HCMC and Vietnam but this one is grand and elaborate in its design.Lakas maka-European feel.I noticed that it's not open to the public though so we had to contend ourselves to having pictures around it. Just across the street side of the church is the Central Post Office.
The CENTRAL POST OFFICE
The Central Post Office is another manifestation of French architectures legacy to the city.It is fully functional until now and inside you can find atm's, souviner shops and money changers. We rested in some benches inside and at some point I felt like I was in an old European Train Station.
Bến Thành Market
From the square, we took the taxi to Bến Thành Market in hunt for souvenirs It's a public market but surprisingly, goods are expensive. I was disappointed coz I thought they are outrageously pricey.I guess for tourists like us who are easy prey to local merchants.Haggling is the order here of course and unfortunately,that's where me and my friends are not very good at. I bought a black Ho Chi Minh shirt for 420pesos after minutes of trying to lower the price.
Ho Chi Minh City to PHNOM PENH
via Mekong Bus
The bus ride from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh (the capital of Cambodia) took 6 hours via Mekong Bus at $14/ pax. I am not sure if it due to speed limit restrictions but I noticed that the bus didn't go beyond 50 kph despite light traffic or navigating the highway.No wonder why Mekong Bus Line is reputed as the safest plying this route.
Read details >>>here
Day 3:
7:00am -breakfast
8:00-start tour
1.Royal Palace
2.The Killing Fields
3.Genocide Museum
4.Public Market + lunch
3:00pm --leave for Siem Reap
9:00pm ETA Siem Reap
9:30-late dinner + night out
11:00pm-sleep (need to wake up early for sunrise at Angkor Wat)
PHNOM PENH
Cambodia
WHERE TO STAY:
KHA VI GUEST HOUSE
Among all the accommodations we tried during our Vietnam-Cambodia-Thailand trip , KHA VI GUEST HOUSE in Phnom Penh was the worst.I mean, $10 overnight accommodation (good for 2pax w/o breakfast) is not expensive but I am sure you can find a better place at the same rate.If I am to describe it in one word, it would be ----- dysfunctional. Or should I say, where NOT to stay in Phnom Penh.
Read full review >>here
WHERE TO EAT:
SINH FOO RESTAURANT Phnom Penh
The 6-hour bus ride from HCMC to Phnom Penh was kinda tiring but we didn't want to waste time since we have only one night to spend in Cambodia's capital.We therefore settled our things at our hotel and immediately went out to hunt for a good restaurant.
Gladly, our tuktuk driver was reliable.He suggested to us a good restaurant by the avenue near the riverside.
Full details >>>here
WHAT TO EAT:
Tom Yam Hot Pot (seafood) --$7
The best Tom Yam I have ever tried in the entirety of this trip. Yes, not even the Tom Yams in Thailand could match it. At least in the places we tried.
Streamed Fish with Lemon --- $8
And the Steamed fish with lemon was awesomeness.The fish was really tender and fresh tasting.They do catch good fish in Mekong river or wherever it was from.
Amok Fish (In Coconut) --$4
Not that impressive but I give it an A for presentation.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO:
The KILLING FIELDS Choeung Ek
We were advised to skip Phnom Penh and head straight to Siem Reap but how can one snob Cambodia's capital when there is so much contemporary history in it.
Phnom Penh is the current capital of Cambodia after it was moved there after the fall of Angkor, the old capital.It lay witness to the continued struggle of the country being pawn to its powerful neighbors ----Thailand and Vietnam.
It is important to note that Thailand (Ayutthaya) was responsible for the fall of Angkor and Vietnam's communist struggle also affected Cambodia in a big way.Khmer Rouge, the notorious communist group lead by Pol Pot was a result of the victory of communist North Vietnam (which by the way was also responsible for the defeat of the group later on).The civil war of 1969-1975 eventually lead to the victory of the repressive regime (helped by communist North Vietnam) which orchestrated the Cambodian Genocide.
One should not miss The KILLING FIELDS in Choeung Ek when visiting Phnom Penh. This is one of the most popular mass graves where victims of the Communist Regime of Pol Pot were dumped.
Read full post >>>here
THE ROYAL PALACE
I thought paying $8 just for a 30-minute peek inside the Royal Palace Complex in Phnom Penh was one desperate move but we had no other choice.I asked my friends and they all agreed ----since we were already here, why not make the most out of it.
Full article >>> here
souvenir hunting + lunch at
he CENTRAL MARKET Phnom Penh
Since the Killing Fields is 15 kms from downtown, our tuktuk driver advised that we go there first.It was a wrong move.He didn't mention of that the Grand Palace actually closes during lunchtime.When we got back to the city center therefore, we were for a few minutes puzzled about what to do.Good thing Katsu (our Japanese buddy who we met during the trip) suggested that we go to the market. Perfect because it's just nearby plus we were in the mood to look for some souvenirs and trying some local food 'market style'.
HOW TO STAY CONNECTED
Globe INTERNATIONAL ROAMING
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Plus, you can also avail of FREE travel insurance with Globe TravelCare.
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Please note that if you are travelling to multiple countries, you will need to purchase one Roam Lite plan for each destination. Perhaps it could be a good strategy to consider in which country you will stay longer. In our case for example, we stayed in Thailand longer so it was there where I activated my international roaming services with Globe. Still , this P199 rate is a good deal.
Learn more about Globe's INTERNATIONAL ROAMING
SIEM REAP
Cambodia
WHERE TO STAY:
GOLDEN TEMPLE VILLA Siem Reap: Small hotel with a BIG Statement
It was another 6 hours ride from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, supposedly, but it took ud only 5 hours because we took the van instead which I think is more efficient especially given the poor road condition between two cities.
It was the same scenario from HCMC, we left the capital 3 pm so we were in Siem Reap by 8pm. We went straight to our hotel for check in. Knowing that a nice accommodation is waiting for you is one of those simple pleasures of tiring road journeys.
GOLDEN TEMPLE VILLA Siem Reap is love.
Read review >>>here
WHERE TO EAT:
PAI SAN RESTAURANT Siem Reap
Read review >>>here
WHAT TO EAT:
Khmer Sour Soup
If it was mostly fish,fish ,fish in Phnom Penh, the food we had in Siem Reap were mostly meat.Pork,meat or chicken. I noticed that in this particular set that we ordered, there's a peculiar "coco-nutty" flavor. Not to mention the curry of course with its flavorful taste.
Day 4:
4:00am-wake up
4:30am-leave hotel for Angkor Wat
6:00am- Sunrise at Angkor Wat
7:00am-breakfast at Angkot Wat
8:00am-Resume tour
1.Angkor Wat
2.Wat Arun and sorrounding Temples
3. Bapuon
4. Angkor Thom
2:00pm-back at hotel + quick lunch
3:00pm -leave to Thai border (via taxi)
6:00pm-ETA Thai Border
6:30-leave for Bangkok
10:30pm -ETA Khao San Bangkok
11:00pm -late dinner +night out
2:00am-sleep
WAHT TO SEE AND DO:
DAY TOUR OF ANGKOR COMPLEX
Sunrise At Angkor Wat
Many highly suggest that you either go to Angkor Complex before sunrise of sunset as the view of the temple is really amazing during this time especially during sunrise when you can see the reflection of Angkor Wat on the pool in front of it.There are two pools actually on both sides but the one on the left was with more water during our visit (summer) so that's where most people gathered.When we came, it was already full of tourists and it was quite difficult to find a spot. Whether you are here to take photos or simply marvel at the view, the experience is equally rewarding.
Unlike other temples, Angkor Wat faces West.It could also be appreciated best therefore during sunset.
the "Forest of Face Towers" that is BAYON TEMPLE
I really find Angkor Wat photogenic in every angle (especially because we were there in the early morning) not to mention that being inside it,you feel how strong the structure is. BAYON TEMPLEon the other hand has a different appeal.From afar,you would find it a bit hard to make sense of what it is except for the impression that it is a giant structure of piled rocks.As you get closer though, the more you appreciate the intricate design and mysticism of the place.
Bayon Temple is the most significant temple inside Angkor Thom which used to be the City with Angkor Complex.
READ FULL STORY >>>here
INSIDE ANGKOR THOM:
climb up BAPUON for an amazing view
I call it "element of surprise".I didn't expect another spectacular temple just around 200 meters Northeast of Bayon.One of the rewards of not researching heavily on the place if I may say so.
While the splendor of Bayon is difficult to match,Bapuon sits quietly proud in the same spot where it all started.This was the exact site that marked the center of the capital that existed (and apparently destroyed) before the construction of Angkor Thom.
Full Story >>>here
it's Human Structures vs. Nature in TA PROHM Eastern Angkor
Temple Overload? I thought I have seen enough.But there was still one that we would like to visit before ending our day tour of Angkor Complex ----TA PROHM.
If it doesn't ring a bell. Ito lang naman yung temple na nasa Hollywood movie na "Tomb Raider" so people usually call it Tomb Raider Temple.Thanks to that movie starring Angelina Jolie, tourism arrival in Cambodia increased from 300 in 1999 to more than 2 Million in 2012.This is no secret of course.
Ta Prohm is not as grand as the other temples we visited and I featured here in my blog but it has a special charm which you don't wanna miss.
Full Story >>>here
Crossing THAILAND-CAMBODIA Border via Aranyaprathet
I find it weird that the last bus to the border of Cambodia-Thailand being Aranyaprathet leaves Siem Reap at 8am.The next trip would be either midnight or 2am.There is already a direct trip from Siem Reap to Bangkok but it's quite pricey.By bus, the regular fare is just $6/pax.You pay extra for convenience of course as it means not changing bus when you arrive at the border and line up at immigration on your own.With the direct bus, somebody will collect your passport and assist you at immigration.
For more flexibility, one can hire a taxi.The border is around 2 hours from Siem Reap and the taxi rate is from $25-$30.
We asked our tuktuk driver to find us a taxi and he did so fast.It pays to have connections.If you are uncertain,hotels do have contacts too so you can always approach the front desk for assistance.Rates are standard and posted on announcement boards at hotels.
READ Story >>here
BANGKOK
Thailand
Thailand
WHERE TO STAY:
Khao San Road -NAT GUESTHOUSE
Khao San Road is very similar to some of the streets in Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur.It's a short strip but is awash with accommodations,pubs, restaurants,flea stores and street food.It is at the heart of the backpacker's district of Bangkok.This is where the world's travelers converge.A fitting set-off point to our Thailand trip.
We arrived at almost 10pm coming from Cambodia via Aranyaprathet. The street was full of people and was very alive with loud music and sidewalk vendors.It is very festive in here.
Story >>here
Silom - LUB d BANGKOK
This is where we stayed on our last night in bangkok. It is away from Khao San which is considered an old district in Bangkok being near key National Temples. Silom on the other hand is near the entertainment districts like Pat Pong which is notorious being the red district of the city. Lub D Bangkok is a posh backpackers accommodation. Modern, well designed and it has a very good vibe to it. We stayed in a dormitory room where we slept in bunk beds and we had to share the room with other backpackers. Very nice place.
Full Story >>>here
WHERE TO EAT:
shabu-shabu dinner at MK RESTAURANT Siam Square
MK RESTAURANT is a famous chain in Thailand, Japan and other Asian Countries and they are well known for Thai Suki which is their version of shabu-shabu or Chinese hotpot.
One of our high school classmates now work in Bangkok as an English teacher so we didn't miss the opportunity to meet him after many years of not seeing each other. Realized that a lot has changed but good old friendship is still there. He accompanied us in Thai Suki branch near Siam Paragon and he even treated us. Love it!
Read Story >>>here
Day 5:
8:00am-breakfast
9:00am- Bangkok City Tour
1:00pm-lunch
7:00-dinner (w/ friend Gideon) Siam Station area
10:00pm-back at hotel /chill
12:00MN: sleep
WHAT TO EAT:
Bangkok is a food paradise. There is food everywhere. Many streets have sidewalk stalls where you can try street food. And they are really cheap. Be sure not to miss Pad Thai which is one of the most famous dishes in Thailand. Pad thai is available everywhere. Authentic Pad Thais are on the streets of Bangkok.
Also try Som tam (Papaya Salad) , Wanton Noodles, spicy tom yam soup among other. I had this list given to me by my godmother and I carried it anywhere but some of those indicated there were not readily available in the places we tried we we randomly pointed on the menu. You will also find out that it is difficult to communicate with Thai's in English so even a simple order could be of an effort. I couldn't even ask the ingredients or what it is. It was also at this point of the trip when I became tired of taking photos before eating. I let go of my camera and any other inhibition to know what the food is, the ingredients and how much. We simply indulged.
Luckily, Thai food is delicious anywhere in Bangkok --even on sidewalks.
Read other food suggestions in this >>>blog
Pad Thai
WHAT TO SEE AND DO:
Wat Pho
Named after a monastery in India where Buddha is believed to have lived, the site of the present temple used to be the center of education for traditional Thai medicine, and statues were created showing yoga positions The temple is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Reclining Buddha dimension --- 15 meters high, 43 meters long.
Full story >>>here
The Grand Palace
The official residence of the kind of Thailand since 1925, the Grand Palace actually refers to a complex of buildings ---halls, pavilions and courtyards.
Entrance to the Grand palace is quite pricey at 500 Baht per pax. Only a certain sections are open to thr public and I remember entering only one of the buildings.You have to content yourself therefore at marveling on the intricate architecture and exterior of the buildings in the complex.Even so,it will not disappoint you. Lovely lovely.
WAT THEPTHIDARAM WORAWIHAN
Did you know, the altar of Wat Thepthidaram features 52 statues of female Buddhist monks? I didn't notice that at first as they were facing the main Buddha Statue.
In fact, this is the only place in Bangkok where you can find female monks ---albeit they are only statues.Cool!
Photography is not usually allowed inside temples but we were granted to take photos inside by the monk inside.I guess they really wanna promote the place.No entrance fee is collected but you can donate money if you want.We gave a few Thai notes and that's it.
This temple is a little off the tourist map. Make sure you read my article below to find out how to get there.
Story >>>here
Chao Phraya River Cruise + WAT ARUN
Why go on an expensive Chao Phraya River Cruise when you can do-it-yourself? This we accidentally discovered after visiting the Grand Palace and Wat Pho as Wat Arun is located across the river from Wat Pho and there is a ferry terminal where you can board to cross the river and eventually go on a cruise.
What we did was wait at the park near Chang Ferry Station until the sun was low on the horizon and marveled at the beauty of Wat Arun.This Buddhist Temple is probably one of the most photographed and popular attraction in Bangkok due to to its imposing structure and strategic location along the bank of Chao Phraya river.
Full story >>>here
Night Shopping in Pat Pong
Walk through the streets of Silom leading to Pat Pong and you might end up buying a few souvenir items even if you originally don't intend to do so. There are many bargain hunts from clothing to accessories. I noticed the stalls in Patpong itself sell at cheaper prices compared to the ones on the sidewalk along the main road. If you have extra cash, you might want to spice up your night by entering one of the many hubs in the district offering no-holds-barred entertainment.
Marvel at the Engineering of
Suvarnabhumi International Airport
Suvarnabhumi International Airport
One of my favorite airports to date. It's huge, fully functional, comfortable, and at the same time, beautifully designed. Who doesn't love beautiful spaces. That coming from somebody from a country whose national airport is considered the worst in the worse. Don't we just envy Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Day 6:
5:00am-wake up
6:00am -leave for Pattaya
8:00am-ETA Pattaya
8:00-9:00am-breakfast
9:00am- leave for Island Tour (Khao Larn)
10:00-3:00pm -Khao Larn
3:00pm-leave for mainland
4:00pm -leave Patayya for Bangkok
7:00pm-check in:Silom
8:00pm dinner
9:00pm -shopping
1:00am -back at hotel
PATTAYA
Thailand
First, I wanna say that Bangkok itself is a feast.There are so many things to do, see and feel.But if you feel like you wanna experience how it is like outside the mega city, the easy options are either Ayutthaya or Pattaya.Ayutthaya is 1 hour North while Pattaya is 1.5-2 hours South.
Since we felt like we already had temple overload, (since Phnom Penh) we opted to go South and see the beach.Alam mo na, Pinoy.Nakakamiss ang dagat.
WHERE TO STAY:
We were here on a day trip so I cannot recommend any accommodation. And that's the good part, you can leave early from Bangkok and go back the same day. All it takes is two hours. Thanks to Thailand's good highways. The cheapest way to PATTAYA from Bangkok is to simply get your ass to Victory Monument and take the van there. Fare is only 91 Baht. The good thing about Victory Monument is that BTS Sky Train with the same name for the station. We were originally from Khao San and we were too lazy going to Victory Monument so we thought of availing of arranged van transfers for 300 Baht.
Full Story >>>here
WHERE TO EAT:
FOOD FAIR Seafood Market. Or shall I say, where did we eat? I mean the place is not bad but I am sure you can find a better one so try to look for another restaurant. The street where it is located, they call it International Meeting Street, is where you can find many restaurants. I am sure you will find a good place to dine here.
WHAT TO EAT:
Try to find these in other restaurants. They might be tastier. haha!
Fried Beef with Oyster Sauce --190 Baht
Spicy Seafood Pepper Curry --130 Baht
WHAT TO SEE AND DO:
PATTAYA PLEASURE: A day at the beach of KOH LARN
I noticed that the sand is really nice.Very fine granules and white as Boracay.But there a certain ruggedness to it.You will encounter rocks punctuating the beach from time to time so be careful when you swim.Rocks are not sharp but they still give a feeling of unease each time you step on em as you tend to be more cautious so as not to be in any trouble.Not so worry-free swimming here.
Actually,I was the only one who hit the water.It is clear and not itchy but not enough to excite my friends to take a dip.They preferred staying at the loungers we rented for 50 Baht each, (Fresh Coconut Juice is also 50 Baht) chatting loudly while sipping fresh coconut juice, eating the snacks and bread we bought from the convenience store in the mainland.We took a lot of photos of course, although not the ones to be very excited to brag about on social media, still nice photos if I may say so.
We enjoyed lazy time on the loungers by the beach. At around 15 minutes before 4 pm, somebody from the boat company already signaled us to be ready as the ferry back to the mainland is coming.
So, my verdict on Koh Larn Beach?
It's okay. Except that I have seen so many beautiful beaches that this one looks rather typical to me.Nothing really to wow for.Peace.
We still enjoyed it though. Three hours from a big city and you are in a beach like this. Not bad at all!
Read Full Story >>>here
Day7:
5:00am-wake up/breakfast
6:00am- leave for airport
9:40am- ETD Bangkok
1:30pm- ETA Manila
Our itinerary was quite tight given that we had so little time so I thought it would stress us out but it was not tiring at all. The three ladies we were with were all glam and still full of energy when we landed back in Manila. Seven days was too short hopping through five key cities with so many things each destination has to offer but it was a good introduction. Crossing borders from Vietnam to Cambodia to Thailand felt like entering a new world each time. Given good preparation and proper research, you too can enjoy these countries in as short as one week.
Of all the places we visited I thought I would love to go back to Bangkok again. I hope to stay longer. A month or two would really be nice. The trick now is how to bring my work there so that I can get to explore the city more. Southeast Asia is love. Make it a promise-to-self to experience this at least in your lifetime. Enjoy travelling!
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