Day 1
Had a lazy day to check out late from my Backpackers hostel (it’s really not a hostel in any means. It’s really just a 2-star hotel with the option to stay in a dorm. There’s absolutely no where to hangout or any backpacker scene.) Checked in with the Like hostel where I would stay for the following 3 nights in a dorm ($8.15).
The hostel receptionist was adorable, she studied Chinese for 2 years so we chatted in a bit Chinese. She also gave me some recommendations for some local coffee shops. After booking a tour to the Cu Chi Tunnel (485k Dong), I decided to head out for lunch.
I ordered a pork rice and a bittermelon soup
For 105k (not exactly cheap, but it’s absolutely delicious)
The shop was really adorable plus the Vietnamese coffee with milk is really to die for!
Time to head to the Tunnel
I think the biggest take-away is the ingenuity of the Vietnamese people and how the US could never have won the guerrilla warfare against them.
At this point, it’s getting pretty dark and I think the tour guide just wanted to bring us back before the rush hour.
We still the rush hour that 50km took almost 3hrs to get back.
(One thing that annoyed me slightly was the upsale during the tour where we were taken to a clay factory as well as the gun range)
Day 2
Museum day. I got up super early since I was not able to get much sleep.
I didn’t take many photos out of the respect. The Museum (30k dong) was really good. Learned a lot about the war. (especially some of the war crimes) Let me just say, I hope we learn from the history and not let it repeat itself.
I walked around the District 1 more, though pretty tired.
Post lunch, I really wanted to have some cold beers.
I was pretty happy about the brewing scene in Saigon. Though the intended market is the westerners.
Took a grab taxi back to my hostel, took a short break and ready to dinner!
A very boutique restaurant. Lots of interesting dishes. We ordered a steamed Cat fish and some frogs. (300k dong)
We headed to the walking street with a few people from the hostel.
The energy!
What a fun day!
Day 3
Managed to get some sleep, decided to take an easy day.
Decided to change my plan to Phu Quoc (via cheap flight) and continue to Kampot instead of heading direct to Phnom Penh after Saigon
City tour! (500k dong)
After the central attractions, we were taken to Chinatown
I do want to say that the temple is among the best I have seen. The Chinatown is truly impressive with its size but not as a party location as in Bangkok
After the temple, we were taken to the living quarter where the old US army lived. Interesting place. It was gentrified (income level is much lower than there than the rest of Saigon) probably due to certain political reasons.
This is also an interesting spot where the statue represented the monk who burned himself to the ground to exhibit the religious freedom
Last stop was the Saigon Bridge
Views are just stunning! Especially with the slight breeze coming from the river
The tour guide was nice enough to take us to the restaurant where he found most interesting.
The veggies are basil, cucumbers, mustard greens, and mungo
sauces are fish sauce, fermented shrimp paste, sweet chillies and hot chillies
meat plates are just an assortment of sausages
Dinner was 300k. I had probably 5 or so beers at the hostel before I called it a night.
DAY 4
Got up early to head to the airport to fly to Phu Quoc ($34.31). Took a local bus (30k Dong) which was nice and comfortable (I even paid the fare with card! what’s a luxury in SEA)
I took a flight in part is to take advantage of the short distance thus the great views over Vietnam.
Phu Quoc is built to be a massive resort island, but lack of tourism really tanked everything including the local buses. I had to take an expensive Grab taxi $6 (motorbike isn’t available) to the city center.
I took a short break before heading out to take a walk.
The city is quite walkable and clean!
Time for dinner! Found this well reviewed DIY noodle soup place ($3.95)
I thought about getting a drink or two, wasn’t able to find any bars open. Figured I just wanted to take a liver break and go to bed early!
Day 5
Motorbike day! Got up with a Vietnamese Ice coffee (40k Dong) to wake myself up. Took me a brief while to sort out the motorbike rental since the outpost doesn’t speak English and the bike had to be ferried from outskirt of the city. (150k + 100k in gas)
After that, I went to local famous temple
I was getting quite hungry and tried to find something good to eat. Ended up eating pork skewers with some rice noodles (105k with a beer)
I took a brief nap and woke up a bit hungry. Decided to order some takeouts
Didn’t get to eat any afterall due to lack of delivery driver. I just went out to get a few beers (90k) and returned my bike instead. Oh well.
Day 6
Border crossing day! First thing was to take the ferry (225k). I had to take a taxi to the ferry terminal (155k). I couldn’t find a lot of information about the Ha Tien crossing.
Fortunately, I was able to quickly network with a Swiss couple who has done their homework and booked the trip via a travel company. There was another guy from the Netherlands who didn’t seem to do much preparation either. I managed to tag along.
There’s no direct buses (there were buses pre COVID), on the Vietnam side someone had to drop us off at the border and on the Cambodia side, someone picked us up. The tout charged us $20 for guiding us through the process as well as the transfers.
Visa fee was $35 US, though itself it’s slightly annoying due to the fact that the border crossing only accepts brand new bills. I just had enough to make it work for me and the Dutch who didn’t have any USD at all.
The “tip” for the border crossing was $1. I probably could get away not paying, I just happened to have a few dollars.
After an hour right, we arrived at the Durian capitol Kampot!
First thing was to get cash and get a Cambodian Sim. The Swiss couple has done the homework and were kindly enough to navigate. The Sim was $1 for the card and $1 for the top-up. (7-day)
We were extremely hungry at this point, the Swiss couple suggested this Iranian restaurant which we happily enjoyed ($10 with 2 beers, definitely on the pricier side)
We checked in our hostel at the Karma Traders ($6) and just chilled out by the pool and at the hostel
Day 7
Motorbike ($5 + gas $4) day to tour the Bokor national park!
Got up early (6am) but didn’t manage to leave until 9:30am. After a few coffees ($3) and chit chat, I managed to pair with an Australian who’s heading to the park as well.
The ride to the park was short, less than 30min
Views are stunning, not to mention the elevation made the temperature very much comfortable
The park is in great condition, definitely not all abandoned as some websites acclaimed.
It’s been a long day. The Australian that was accompanying me was particular about a food that she really wanted. I didn’t eat anything at that point so was definitely ready for whatever
I think the interesting thing about Kampot is that there’re a lot of foreign establishment as well as loads of expats living there. Though, not the digital nomad crowd that you might find in other popular cities like Chiang Mai or Bali. The food price is aiming definitely for the Western crowd and taste preference. When questioned locals about where to eat, they often don’t have any clues.
Chilled out a bit at night to watch sunset at the hostel
Then went to the night market and got dinner nearby with the Dutch I met at the border crossing
Expenses
| Week 2 | |||||
| Day | Food&Drink | Lodging | Transportation | Other (tickets etc) | |
| 1 | $15.21 | $8.15 | $0.00 | $20.21 | |
| 2 | $56.28 | $8.15 | $0.57 | $1.25 | |
| 3 | $19.17 | $8.15 | $0.00 | $20.83 | |
| 4 | $1.67 | $13.63 | $41.13 | $0.00 | |
| 5 | $9.79 | $13.63 | $10.42 | $1.95 | |
| 6 | $19.00 | $6.00 | $37.40 | $38.00 | |
| 7 | $25.00 | $6.00 | $9.00 | $0.00 | |
| $146.11 | $64 | $98.52 | $82.24 | ||
| Grand Total: | $390.58 |
I think the staying the dorm has really helped with the cost management. Though, food cost was higher than week 1. I am okay with that. The highlight was definitely the Bokor national park. Overall, the cost of lodging and food are slightly higher in Cambodia, in part is the lack of competitions from family owned establishment might be a big thing. I also found that locals aren’t as engaging as ones in Vietnam. Good experience regardless. That’s it for week 2!