When I am just starting to travel, I always make sure that I create a detailed itinerary before I go on a trip.
But now, I believe that I am not anymore that type of traveler. I usually just read blogs, research on the places I'm planning to visit, and ask friends for recommendations. Then I just draft a rough itinerary in my mind. It's not very detailed, so there would always be some space for surprises, detours, and misadventures. Hahaha!
VIETNAM - CAMBODIA DIY ITINERARY + Travel Planning Tips 2021
But not this time. Me and my friend will be traveling to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, then travel by bus to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and then to Siem Reap to see the Angkor Wat. It will be 9 days of adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia this December 2017. Since both of us are first-timers in these cities, we decided to create a detailed itinerary so we will have a guide and not get lost.
Travel Tips and Planning Essentials
First, let's do some travel planning. Here are the basic things we needed for this trip.1. Book a flight
Originally the plan is to spend 5 days in Siem Reap, Cambodia, just to see the temples. But since our trip is in two weeks time, flights from Manila to Siem Reap is already so expensive, we scrapped our plan of flying directly from Manila to Siem Reap.
Our plan B is to fly from Manila to Bangkok, Thailand then travel by land to Siem Reap. But flights to Bangkok from Manila are also very expensive at this time, so, we decided to search for another option.
After reading some travel blogs about Indochina Adventure, we learned that we could also fly from Manila to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam and then travel by bus to Phnom Penh, Cambodia and then to Siem Reap. Traveling to Cambodia from Vietnam can easily be reached by bus.
We then searched for cheap flights to Ho Chi Mihn from Manila and found an affordable flight for just PHP 3,498.00 per passenger. It's quite affordable considering our flight is in two week's time.
For our return flight, we decided to book a direct flight from Siem Reap to Manila also via Traveloka.com. We got it for PHP 7,900.24 per passenger. It's quite expensive, since we booked our airfare just 2 weeks before the flight. Good thing Traveloka has weekly promos and we got to save 500 pesos on the airfare. Lesson learned: I should have booked our flights several months in advance so I could get cheaper flights.
2. Book Hotel Accommodations
We also used the Traveloka App in booking our Hotels and Hostels during our trip. I really like using the Traveloka App because it gives you so many choices, and you can sort the search results by price. So, if you're traveling on a budget, you can easily find a hotel that will fit your budget. You may also use Agoda.com for more hotel options.
Things we considered before booking our hotels/hostels:
- Location - It has to be at the city center.
- Price - It should be 1,000 pesos or below per night.
- User Ratings - Good to excellent user ratings and reviews on the Traveloka App and Tripadvisor.
Here are the hotels and hostels where we will be staying at for this trip.
Saigon Backpackers Hostel @ Pham Ngu Lao
Address: 373/20 Pham Ngu Lao, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, Pham Ngu Lao ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 711278Room Rate per night: PHP 1,012.74
Number of nights: 2
Total: PHP 2,025.48 for 2 pax
Sundance Riverside
Address: 79 Sisowath Quay, Voat Phnum, Doun Penh, Phnom Penh, CambodiaRoom Rate per night: PHP 842.03
Number of nights: 2
Total: PHP 1,684.06 for 2 pax
Sok San Street Boutique
Address: 169, Steng Thmey Village, Svay Dangkum District, Soutr Nikom, Siem Reap, Cambodia, 17251Room Rate per night: PHP 1,071.63
Number of nights: 1
Total: PHP 1,071.63 for 2 pax
Note: For our last 2 nights in Siem Reap, we will be staying at Tresor d' Angkor Villa & Resort (See rates and book online). They invited us to stay at their hotel for the purpose of reviewing the property.
3. Book Activities
For activities abroad, my go-to app is Klook. We've used it several times in our trips to Singapore and Taiwan this year, and I really love their services. For this trip we just picked few activities that interest us. For convenience, we also booked our airport transfers, WiFi rental, and other essential activities in Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap via Klook.
Ho Chi Minh - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap Itinerary
Now that we already have our flight tickets, hotel accommodations, and activities, let me share to you our 9-day Vietnam-Cambodia Itinerary. Note that it's a "free and easy" adventure. We just want to take it slow and enjoy. Gone were the days of "mala-Amazing Race" na travels. Hahaha! We just want to enjoy the place, immerse in the culture, and taste the cuisines in each of the city we're visiting.
Day 0 – Manila to Ho Chi Minh
10:30 PM - Departure from Manila (NAIA Terminal 3) to Ho Chi Minh via Cebu Pacific Air booked with Traveloka
Day 1 - Arrival in Ho Chi Minh
01:30 AM - Airport Transfer (one-way) to HCM via Klook
02:30 AM - Check-in at Saigon Backpackers Hostel
03:00 AM - 3G WiFi (VN Hotels Pick Up) for Vietnam via Klook
07:30 AM - Saigon City Half Day Tour
02:00 PM - Back at Saigon Backpackers Hostel, freshen up
05:00 PM - Saigon Street Food By Night
09:00 PM - Back at Saigon Backpackers Hostel
Day 2 - Explore Ho Chi Minh City
07:30 AM - Cu Chi Tunnels Half Day Tour
02:30 PM - Back in Ho Chi Minh, Saigon Backpackers Hostel
05:00 PM - Saigon Evening Tour
10:00 PM - Back at Saigon Backpackers Hostel
ALSO READ: Top 15 Best Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Day 3 - Travel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia
07:00 AM - Ho Chi Minh to Phonm Penh by bus
01:00 PM - Arrival in Phonm Penh
02:00 PM - Check-in, Sundance Riverside book via Traveloka
03:00 PM - Free Time to Explore / food trip / night market / shopping
09:00 PM - Back at Sundance Riverside
Day 4 - Explore Phnom Penh, Cambodia
08:00 AM - Phnom Penh Half Day City Tour
12:00 NN - Back at Sundance Riverside
06:00 PM - Sovanna Phum Shadow Art & Cultural Performance Phnom Penh via Klook
10:00 PM - Back at Sundance Riverside
ALSO READ: Top Things to do in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Day 5 - Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Cambodia
09:30 AM - Bus Transfers Between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
03:00 PM - Arrival in Siem Reap, Check-in
06:30 PM - Koulen Restaurant Apsara Cultural Show and Dinner
10:00 PM - Back at the hotel
Day 6 - Explore Angkor Wat in Siem Reap
04:00 AM - Sunrise Angkor Exploration
01:00 PM - Back at the Hotel, check-out
02:00 PM - Check-in at Tresor D’ Angkor Suite, Free time
08:00 PM - PHARE The Cambodian Circus
10:00 PM - Back at Tresor D’ Angkor Suite
Day 7 - Enjoy Siem Reap
06:00 AM - Free Day / Enjoy Tresor D’ Angkor Suite
05:00 PM - Siem Reap Street Food by Night
09:00 PM - Explore Pub Street
Day 8 - Siem Reap and Departure for Manila
06:00 AM - Free Day / Enjoy Tresor D’ Angkor Suite
12:00 NN - Check-out, leave bags at the hotel
01:30 NN - Kompong Phluk Floating Village Half-Day Tour
07:00 PM - Back at Tresor D’ Angkor Suite / get bags
07:30 PM - Dinner
08:30 PM - Private Airport Transfers (Hotel to Siem Reap Airport)
11:15 PM - Flight to Manila via Cebu Pacific booked via Traveloka
ALSO READ: Visiting Angkor Wat and Other Things To Do in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Day 9 - Arrival in Manila
02:55 AM - Arrival in Manila (NAIA Terminal 3)
I hope this Ho Chi Minh - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap Itinerary help you plan your Vietnam - Cambodia adventure.
This is our first time in these places. I hope we could push through will our plans. If not, it's also okay. There's always room for detours and misadventures. Hahaha! Wish us good luck!
ALSO READ: Siem Reap Travel Guide 2018 a 10,000 Pesos Itinerary
FOLLOW MY ADVENTURES ON YOUTUBE @PinoyAdventurista
Thank You For Sharing!
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My aunt and I are planning to go to HCM next April 2020. This blog was detailed and easy to track. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog about Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, and many other countries to plan our dream trip. You're the best :)
And you break down the cost of things spent and links to the Klook bookings so I don't have to search (I only knew about Klook because of you. Thank you for introducing it to me. I booked a your there when I went to Cebu last July)
I know the pricings will change from time to time but at least you gave me a glimpse of what to expect.
Keep up the amazing work and enjoy your adventures ^_^
Hi! I wonder how much was your budget for this Vietnam-Cambodia tour? I'd appreciate your reply.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I'm a regular visitor of your site whenever I have planned travels.
Thanks, sir!
Then how much is the budget for these vietnam-cambodia 9 days including airfares, visa, hotels , foods and sightseeing?
ReplyDelete