Korean Job Discussion Forums

bourbon street · Joined: 25 Apr 2007

Do any of you guys have any info. or advice regarding speed boat or ferry tours traveling from Saigon to Phnom Phen via the Mekong? Tour companies, cost, logistics and the like? The dirtier and seedier the better. Very much appreciated.

While Away · Joined: 03 Dec 2006 Location: Seoul

I guess I can't give you much detail, but I did it and it was a great tour. Can't remember who with, a few years ago.
They offer 2, 3, 4 day options. I did the 3. It is a great way to see a nice part of the country cheap and end up in PP.
Vietnam is the only country I have ever been where I think taking a tour is the best option. I have never seen so much blatent cheating as in Vietnam. We bought 4 seats on a bus for extra room, only to have people sitting on our knee. We booked a whole van (with my vietnamesse friend) only to have booking agent disapear with the deposit. All this was with a Vietnamese friend. Saigon is the only city I have ever been poisoned over dinner. I felt it and stopped eating left, back to my room; only to find my laundry still filthy dirty in the lobby because they didn't get it washed (why didn't they tell me any of the sevreal times I was in and out all day!). Just one of daily examples.
Anyway, I could go on, but the point is the Meakong delta tour is great. Highly recommend. Never got cheated on the tour. Well, one funny incident. The hotel on the tour sells croisant with butter. Can I have some cheese and some jelly? Well, with the cheese you must buy another croisant, and with the jelly you must buy another croisant. WTF? OK, Give me a croisant with butter, cheese and jelly, and I'll give these other two croisants to the hungry. Again, just a Vietnam story, this one more funny than anything.
Thanks,

bourbon street · Joined: 25 Apr 2007

Thanks for the info. While Away. Once I'm in Phnom Phen what do you think is the best mode of transport to Bangkok? Train, bus, donkey? And can you advise on guesthouses, seedy bars, and restaurants (khmer food only) in Phnom Phen. Everything on the cheap. Thanks.

While Away · Joined: 03 Dec 2006 Location: Seoul

From PP to Bangkok there are two basic options.
1. go to Sihanookville (sp?) on the cambodia beach, then a speedboat to the Thai border (Trat province), sleep there, then bus to Bangkok.
2. bus from PP to the Thai border (Trat province), maybe all the way to bangkok in one day.

The town on the Cambodia side of the border across from Trat Province is Koh Kong (sp?).

The best website for Cambodia is talesofasia.com. It seems to be down right now. It tells how to get anywhere from Bangkok.

Avoid the Poipet border rom Cambodia, that is the border coming from Angkor Wat, you won't be there if coming from PP, so nevermind.

It is a great trip from HCM to Bangkok the way you are talking about. Good choice! Have fun.

Another good website is www.passplanet.com. They cover backpacking on the cheap very well. There are other Cambodia beaches better than Sihanookville. They are all covered in passplanet.

Again, great trip, have fun,

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Fly...it's only about 50 bucks or less even.

While Away · Joined: 03 Dec 2006 Location: Seoul

Good point, I think Air Asia is flying to PP from BBK now, very cheap.
There is somthing to be said about accomplishing Saigon to Bangkok by land though. It is a vry nice journey. From PP to BKK you can see the Cambodia caostlinet. Then stop at Koh Chang in Thailand Trat province if you like.

bourbon street · Joined: 25 Apr 2007

I think the journey by land is the route I'll take. You guys are right, flying is cheap but where's the fun in that? I also have no time constraints. After all, Nana, Cowboy and Patpong aren't going anywhere. Thanks for the great feedback.