Economy Trip to Cambodia and Vietnam
When I learned about Design History, I fell in love with Angkor Wat's architecture and started to dream that I could learn about Angkor physically.
I always checked tour packages and found out several ways to get a cheaper price. However, most Cambodia tour packages are more expensive compared with travelling to other South Asian countries. All packages take 5 to 7 days for only one place, the Siem Reap, an ancient Angkor, and around US$ 700-800 without meals. When I check Cambodia's local tour, they also take around US$ 300 without air tickets, airport transfer and accommodation.
Buying Flight Tickets
I patiently waited for the promotion time of the airline. When the right time came, I bought a one-way ticket from Singapore to Siem Reap and chose a return ticket from Ho Chi Minh to Singapore. It charged only around SGD150. The price may vary depending on the season. It can charge higher during the peak season.
Hiring Tour Van
We hired a private 8-seater Van for our group. It's only US$60 per day, so it would charge only US$7.5 per person.
Angkor Pass
We need to buy an Angkor pass to visit every ancient Angkor place. The exact price can be checked on their website. It's around US$ 20 per person per day, US$ 40 per person for three days and US$ 60 per person for 7 days.
We took the night bus from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh, the capital of Vietnam. It was quite an interesting and different experience in my life as the bus was set with couchettes. It left at 7pm from Siem Reap and took 14 hours to the Vietnam border Immigration. Even though it was a direct bus, we needed to interchange with another bus at Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. We arrived in Ho Chi Minh at 9:30 am the next morning. The bus fare is only US$32. There is also another expensive bus, costing US$48, but I have no idea what the differences and additional facilities are.
Meal in Cambodia
I would say that it is quite expensive for food in Cambodia. We need to use at least US$ 8-10 per person for every meal. Additionally, as a foreigner, we have to use USD instead of local currency for everything including meals, shopping and transportation. They can speak English very well.
Meal in Vietnam
We can use both USD and Dong, Vietnam currency. But I recommend using Dong because they return change with Dong only even if you pay with USD. Most of them don't understand foreign languages even though some can speak English fluently.
Their food is healthy as many fresh vegetables are added in and the price also is reasonable. The most popular food in Vietnam is coffee, so you shouldn't miss it. Additionally, the massage service is also cheap and good for relaxing.
For Myanmar Passport holders, we can travel to both countries without a visa because of the agreement between Southeast Asian countries.
This free and easy trip only costs around SGD350. If comparing the tour package as I mention above, we have save half even if we travel two countries.
The important Note for travellers
There are many pickpockets and robberies in both countries, so every tourist must care about their valuable belongings seriously.
I hope many travel spirits enjoy reading this information.
Take your time to plan first if you travel more.
Please make sure that our environment is not destroyed by our actions.
-May Thoon Khit-
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