Our travel Itinerary for Vietnam & Cambodia (Part 1)

Sorry for this very late post, but might as well post it for some help and inputs that can be useful for others.

This is our travel itinerary that we used when we had our short vacation last April, 2012. But I am telling you that this is no way comparable to a "near perfect and complete" itinerary found in travel books, this guide is just a humble work that's a result of reading various blogs and forums, try to check the tips, guides listed here and compare if its feasible. BTW if your days are quite limited try to adjust things stated here.

This trip itinerary is quite jam packed since we only have limited days for our trip.

Lonely Planet Travel Guide Books

DISCLAIMER: I am in no way responsible if you'll get lost or nabbed on your trip, the purpose if this itinerary is to share what we used and to help peolple planning a short trip to Vietnam & Cambodia, Feel free to comment if you have questions and reactions. Enjoy!

More after the jump

This was the exact itinerary that was used during our trip although things may not be perfect since we encountered glitches, but all in all the trip was a blast! I do hope youll find some helpful light as you plan your trip to Cambodia & Vietnam.

Day 1
1:00AM: Arrival at Than Son Nhat International Airport

Arrival Hall & Taxi Queue
Source-  http://ahleng-hochiminh.blogspot.com/2007/09/than-son-nhat-airport.html

1:30-5:30AM: Have some money change (*Compare, compare, compare the rates!) and rest prior to riding a taxi going to your bus station of your choice.

1. We chose to stay at the airport since we are quite not sure if there are any open cafe or fastfood where we can wait prior to going to the station.
2. If you plan to ride the taxi haggle and try to explain that the rate shall be for all the passengers, if the bus station is located at District 1 a reasonable rate would be 120,000 to 150,000 Vietnam Dong or if USD 5-6 for 4 pax.
3. There's also a famous noodle house in front of Sapaco Tourist (Bus company) where you can stay and have some bowl of noodles.

Pho Quynh in front of Sapaco Tourist Bus
Source- http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-photo/ngrick/13/1277412711/pho-quynh.jpg/tpod.html

5:30-6:30AM: Buy your ticket early if you intend to use Sapaco they sell like hotcakes since they have the earliest trips going to PP & SR, then hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and eat some food (Pho Quynh has a branch in front of Sapaco and its quite near also to Mekong Express if I am not mistaken.

6:30-12:30PM: Travel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia and check in at hotel. (White Mansion Boutique Hotel Review)

1. In our case all tourist inside the bus where literally asking each other since the staffs of the bus company don't know english, even when stepping down passing the border just follow the locals,
2. If your a Philippine passport holder don't pay visa or anything since the Philippines is an ASEAN country,  at the Cambodian Immigration, try to listen well once the name calling starts to give your passport and pass the security check.
3. Upon arrival at the bus terminal haggle first prior to riding one, BTW haggle for all passengers so sign language in this case would be helpful or perhaps a paper and pen.
4. Check all you baggage's if it has been unloaded and always have a companion of yours to guard it no matter what as a caution.

1:00-10:00PM: Stroll around PP. (Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Killing Fields, Genocide Museum, Russian Market or Central Market for some shopping, )

This night market also sells cheap stuff you can bring as gifts

1. Again take good care of your bags, purses, and other valuables, its always better to safe than be sorry.
2. In central or russian market try to haggle hard (perhaps start with half of the item's price) as they try to double the price of commodities for tourists.
3. Haggle first with your taxi, tuktuk or your mode of transpo first prior to riding one; it is also safe to explain with him and reiterate that the rate your mention is good for all the persons riding the vehicle.

Day 2
7:00AM- Breakfast
8:30-2:30PM- Pnom Penh to Siem Reap

1. Upon arrival of your bus of choice try to haggle with Tuktuk or Taxi, in our case we opted to hire a taxi as recommended by our Tuktuk at PP. but I wont recommend him since his charge was quite high compared to other transpo. service.

2:30-3:30PM- Hotel Check-In (Tara Angkor Hotel)
3:30-6:30PM- Stroll the nearby places and but ticket for night bus going to HCMC, Vietnam

1. We bought tickets from Virak Buntham (USD 25) and most of the locals recommeds this bus for night travel, ask the friendly locals for the direction going to the reservation office, it also includes a free pick up from your hotel courtesy of their hired tuktuks that are quite snooty.

7:00-22:30PM- Aspara Dance with Buffet, Strolling and some shopping.

Here is my review of the Aspara show we had: Koulen II Restaurant (Aspara with buffet dinner)

USD 1 Fish spa all you can, yup we got it for a $1!!!

Day 3

6:00-21:00PM- Angkor Archeological Park (Angkor Wat, Etc.), Angkor Balloon Ride, Shop and Stroll

1. We opted not to get a tour guide since we already have a taxi driver but you can also get one since I am sure they can explain most stuffs with regards to the various temples.
2. 1 Day Angkor Park entrance- USD 20
3. We also got to ride the Angkor Balloon for USD 15 for 10 minutes (My take on it: Not worth it!)
4. Drink lots of fluid since ts quite hot and don't forget to have some sun protection.

Note: A day of touring the temple is not enough and I suggest to have some more days allotted to it if possible.

Day 4

24:00-1:00PM: Departure from SR (Night Bus) and arrival at HCMC, Vietnam

1. Alot of travel forums had mentioned that night travel going to HCMC from SR is quite dangerous but due to our limited vacation, we gave it a go and it turned out to be the most unforgettable experience with that vacation. 
2. The Virak Buntham bus that was promised didn't turn out to be the nice, reclining, nice smelling bus they promised its fine if they had informed everyone prior to booking that the bus would be not nice as they had shown, Ive seen foreigners that were pissed and mad at the time of riding the bus. The reclining chirs were mostly broke and the smell of URINE is very evident while the bus is moving and no perfume nor my coping skills being a nurse cant seem to remove the smell of it, imagine traveling in an a/c bus with the smell of urine, absolutely not funny and nice.
3. Bus driver, Bus conductor and the Girl Attendant cant seem to speak and understand english so hand gestures is advisable.
4. In short it was one of the most forgettable bus trips of my life.

Want some unforgettable tourist bus ride? Try Virak Buntham

To be continued...