Cambodia Travel Forum

Dear all,
I'm planning to travel around South East Asia in this end of year by land. But I heard that u can't get thru to Cambodia from Thailand and from Cambodia to Vietnam by land. Is it true? Should I fly? Since I have limited budget. Or any idea how?

Thanx,
--Perucha

nono, the boarders are open between thailand, cambodi and vietnam. just make sure you've got your visa for vietnam before heading for the boarder (it's not issued on arrival like in cambodia). I took the boat from phnom penh to the mekong delta. a very nice way to enter vietnam!!! have fun, matthias

i cycled across the 2 borders last february and had no problems.
you can organise visas very easily in any capital in south east asia through a local travelagency.

No, don't fly. Remember, it's not the destination, it's the journey. I suppose if your limited on time, then go ahead and fly. Otherwise, go overland whenever possible.
All the borders you mentioned are open. You can get visa on arrival for both Thailand and Cambodia. The Thai visa is free. The Cambodia visa is around $30 US. You'll need to go to the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangkok or Phnom Penn before trying to enter Vietnam by land or air. It costs around $70-$80 US, and takes about 5 working days, so plan in advance. It's less trouble if you can apply for it at the Vietnamese Embassy in you country if there is one.
The road from the Thai border to Angkor is probably the worst in the world, but it's well worth the trouble. I agree that taking the boat over from Phnom Penn to Vietnam would be much better than crossing by land. I've taken the bus twice and it's just long and boring.

Hi again! The visa for Cambodia costs just $20 and for Vietnam (depending how quickly you want them to issue it) between $30 and $50 (at home, in Austria, it was $72!). It is possible to be issued in Bangkok or Phnom Penh. Your accomadation in P.P. will help you with it.
Enjoy the trip, Matt

I always thought VT is not a place for useless replies like that one above. Cambodia is absoulety a wonderful and safe place to go. Of course, prostitution is a problem (not only there), and the health risks don't stop at any border... But, please only give comments, if you have really been there lately.
Happy travels anway, Matthias

i agree with you mathias.
cambodia is freindly and peacful almost all the time and there are a few things being done at the moment to fight child prostituion.
you know; mabye we should stop travelling to all these exotic destination and stay at home and read the sun,bild zeitung and penthouse. then the world would look so much more wild and dangoruos.

cambodia does not produce any arms, but they bought a lot in the past and there are still lot's around.
i was pleasantly suprised to see how little prostitution there actually were.
nowhere near the number you see in the neighboring countries and way less than a europeean city like prauge for instance.
i fact i think it's very important that people with a genuine interest in the country goes there to visit and help the economy of the country.
otherwise the people of the country will be forced to earn an income from fat gutted sex tourists.

Considering the health risks: you are not very likely to enjoy ANY country in the world if you follow the statement of CDC experts. Here in Austria, for instance, you could catch the nasty Central European Encephalitis and Lyme Borreliosis from ticks and - beware - as we don't treat our tap water with ozone or chlorine you may even catch a severe (haha!) diarrhea from drinking water (at least, that's what American health "experts" tell people going to Austria).

Of course, Malaria, Bilharziosis, Filariosis, typhoid fever, Cholera, and so on are problems in SEA, but firstly you could do some medication in advance (chemoprophylaxis, vaccination shots) and it is always clever to follow certain "rules" (like, do not swim in fresh water and you want catch any cercaries, the cause of Bilharziosis) in the second place.
And no one is telling you to leave your home country to broaden your horizon, literally, but spare us with your wisdom! And it just leaves me wondering what you are looking for on a page like this, which is all about (international) travelling...
Matthias

Adamj, you're understandably shaken up by recent events in Bali. I don't blame you for you view of the world.
Although Adamj's description of the present situation in Cambodia is grossly exaggerated, traveller's should excercise caution in Phnom Penh. Daytime is cool, but try not to wander about at night. Personally, I hate Phnom Penh. Get out of the city as quickly as you can unless you like seeing a lot of skulls (Killing Fields). Instead, I recommend you head to Angkor. Spend a couple days wandering around the ancient ruins. Bring lots of film as it's hard to take a bad picture there.
As for the landmine situation, unless you're the type for going really far off the beaten path, you've got nothing to worry about.

http://www.btinternet.com/~andy.brouwer/links.htm

This is the best link I have for Cambodia. If the link does not work do a google for andy brouwer Cambodia.
For me Cambodia was an adventure. Been there twice as a solo traveler.
SOI

The skulls and Tuol Sleng is a thing you MUST see!
It is part of the sad and recent history of Cambodia.
After that travel off for Angkor where the greatest temples are ready to be visited. Do visit the less know temples too, less crowded and nice to walk around.

Thanks to you all for giving me info!
And sorry if you are debating something that I think is not necessary.
FYI I'm Indonesian, so going to other SEA countries are much the same like my country.
Uh well... Prostitutes are everywhere (remember, everywhere!), I've got typhoid and malaria already, and my 'Indonesian brother' did the bomb in Bali...so what? Life is too short anyway! If you don't wanna take any risk, so don't go anywhere nor do anything. Agree, guys? :-)
Once again, thank you! You're all welcome in Indonesia.

peace,
Perucha

Cambodia is safe! The Khmer people are the nicest people on this planet. If you don't know what you are talking about, and have not been to Cambodia lately, shut the hell up!

Peace,

>Why do you have to go somewhere >to have an opinion?
>Open your mind.

wow! such an open-minded AND not at all dumb statement ! -:)

of coz, , u belong to category of ppl who knows everything and values own opinion the most. sure - you may have some kind of opinion, the Q only is - its value. that was the point mathis and other "dumb" ppl were trying to suggest here.

one thing is for sure: nobody called you names till u did it first. that some indication of your brilliant intelligence and over-blown high pride of your own opinion.

I wonder only why at all you bother not only to browse VT pages, but even read and comment its forum, if anyway you know that only you are right and have the best information without need to be in particular place?

seems like better just stay home and share your high opinions with similarly-minded all-knowing without being there people. what do you think? you'll be safer at least: no mines, no malaria etc. etc. etc. ......

cheers

sincerely,
Atri

I would like to say thank you very much to all my friends (who have been to Cambodia) in this forum for your suggestion. I'm back from my trip.
I did go to Tuol Sleng & Killing Fields, also to Angkor. It's amazing! I ended up by flying to Siem Reap from Bangkok since I ran out the time. But still, I really enjoy the time.
Thanks again!

rgds,
Perucha