backpacking vietnam + ankor wat?
06 October 2009, 10:20 AM
#1
backpacking vietnam + ankor wat?
I'm off to Vietnam for 10 nights soon(ish).
I'll be flying into the north (Hanoi), make my way down to the south and fly out from Ho Chi Minh City.
However, I've got a multiple entry visa, so I'd like to nip over to Cambodia and at least see Ankor Wat - has anyone done a short trip to Ankor Wat? I'm trying to find a cheap way to get there that doesn't take a day on it's own, but the only flights I can find are 200 dollars each way from Ho Chi Minh City, so as I'm going with the wife, we might have to bus it at 25 dollars each way instead (Not told her that one, yet
)
I really want to go to Nha Trang and do at least one days diving, but am I cutting it too fine with time here?
I'll be flying into the north (Hanoi), make my way down to the south and fly out from Ho Chi Minh City.
However, I've got a multiple entry visa, so I'd like to nip over to Cambodia and at least see Ankor Wat - has anyone done a short trip to Ankor Wat? I'm trying to find a cheap way to get there that doesn't take a day on it's own, but the only flights I can find are 200 dollars each way from Ho Chi Minh City, so as I'm going with the wife, we might have to bus it at 25 dollars each way instead (Not told her that one, yet
)I really want to go to Nha Trang and do at least one days diving, but am I cutting it too fine with time here?
06 October 2009, 10:29 AM
#3
Oh, and I'm crapping my pants at the thought of it... never done anything like it, always had a hotel booked for the whole duration, and now we've just got a room booked for the first night
06 October 2009, 10:59 AM
#4
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Don't say that - I'll be turning 30 when I'm out there! Everyone keeps saying that it's all down hill from here, but I keep reminding myself that it's easier to go down hill than up hill, so it might not be all that bad.
Oh, and I'm crapping my pants at the thought of it... never done anything like it, always had a hotel booked for the whole duration, and now we've just got a room booked for the first night
Oh, and I'm crapping my pants at the thought of it... never done anything like it, always had a hotel booked for the whole duration, and now we've just got a room booked for the first night
See you in the papers, enjoy.
06 October 2009, 03:29 PM
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I haven't been to Vietnam but I recently did Chicago to San Francisco without booking any hotels along the way... absolutely awesome just getting up and driving! 
Have fun!
Have fun!
06 October 2009, 03:38 PM
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Henrik, i have a friend who recently came back from three months in Vietnam and i've just spoken to him. In a nutshell he agrees that it would be criminal not to go to Ankor Wat. Says it's unbelievable. He then went into a rant about the Khmer Rouge but i managed to stop him!
As for getting there from Vietnam no easy options. The plane is THE number one way to do it. He reckons that if you have to do it by bus, you'll end up hot, sweaty and thoroughly naffed off given the quality, or lack of, their roads. And it will take you a whole day, as you said, to get there and back. Only advice he could really offer was to find somebody locally who might have more ideas about other transport options. He also said you might get cheaper air tickets once you're there rather than booking them in the UK. Not much more to go on, but "get there if you can" seemed to be the message. HTH
As for getting there from Vietnam no easy options. The plane is THE number one way to do it. He reckons that if you have to do it by bus, you'll end up hot, sweaty and thoroughly naffed off given the quality, or lack of, their roads. And it will take you a whole day, as you said, to get there and back. Only advice he could really offer was to find somebody locally who might have more ideas about other transport options. He also said you might get cheaper air tickets once you're there rather than booking them in the UK. Not much more to go on, but "get there if you can" seemed to be the message. HTH
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06 October 2009, 10:06 PM
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I combined Cambodia (angor wat) when I did Malaysia about 7 years ago. Can't give you any back packing advice I'm afraid as I stayed in a nice hotel! The temple complex is defo worth a visit if you are in that part of the world though, you never know if you'll ever get the chance again,
The food is fab, and the people friendly.
Good luck
The food is fab, and the people friendly.
Good luck
07 October 2009, 07:55 AM
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My wife has told me about the driving style in Vietnam, she said:
If you need a cab use VinaTaxi or Vina Sun, always pre-book.
Avoid du'Taxi/Ma Taxi.
Tarrif for Vinataxis:
For 4-Seater:
First 1.7 kilometers or less 12,000 VND......
Per additional 200 meters up to the 30th kilometers 1,300 VND
Per additional 300 meters up from to 31st kilometers 1,300 VND
Every 4 minutes of waiting time 1,300 VND, thats waiting if your not in the cab.
Also dont get on the back of a pretty girls moped, she may not be a she, but a he.
If you need a cab use VinaTaxi or Vina Sun, always pre-book.
Avoid du'Taxi/Ma Taxi.
Tarrif for Vinataxis:
For 4-Seater:
First 1.7 kilometers or less 12,000 VND......
Per additional 200 meters up to the 30th kilometers 1,300 VND
Per additional 300 meters up from to 31st kilometers 1,300 VND
Every 4 minutes of waiting time 1,300 VND, thats waiting if your not in the cab.
Also dont get on the back of a pretty girls moped, she may not be a she, but a he.
09 October 2009, 03:34 PM
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was in Cambodia\Thailand for a couple of weeks in August, spent a few days near Angkor Wat and there is a hell of a lot there to see, $25 for a day pass and then you will need to pay a tut-tut (well they are actually mopeds with trailers), around $15 to ferry you around for the day. You could easily spend a week exploring, make sure you get your Tut Tut driver to take you to the best site first or you will be all templed out and not appreciate it
Go to Phnom Penh, it's a pretty amazing place...traffic is exciting
YouTube - phnom penh
Go to Phnom Penh, it's a pretty amazing place...traffic is exciting
YouTube - phnom penh
Last edited by trails; 09 October 2009 at 03:36 PM. Reason: grammar, presentation etc!
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