Asia Travel
Asian travel, particularly the independent kind, can not only broaden your horizons but also expose you to out-of-the-ordinary sights, country hopping & border crossings into and out of Cambodia are not the hassle they used to be, but a bit of research means you will always be prepared
Since I was backpacking during my first trip through Cambodia, air transport was not an option. So I entered by boat from Vietnam using the four-day Mekong delta tour from Ho Chi Minh City through Chau Doc and up the river to Phnom Penh. It is sitll in operation and highly recommended).
I left Cambodia by boat from Sihanoukville to Koh Kong (now no longer operating), then took a moto from the dock to the Thai border. Until cheap flights from Bangkok began, I generally used overland crossings and still do on occasion. Whatever, it all goes to show that if you do a bit of research, going overland can be an enjoyable experience and is often cheaper, more scenic and include stops in communities that don't get much in the way of tourist traffic.
However, these crossings can be fraught with difficulties. So find out ahead of time if entry visas are available at your crossing and be in a position to dispute arbitrary fees at the crossing. Knowing the "standard" prices can make a big difference.
The standard process usually involves checking out of one country and getting to the entry station of the next. At some crossings the stations are a short walk, but at others you need to have transport. There are numerous crossings between Cambodia and Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.
Vietnam: to/from Phnom Penh the two most common crossings are Chau Doc (Kaam Samnor, Cambodia/Ving Xuong, Vietnam) and Bavet checkpoint (Bavet, Cambodia/Moc Bai, Vietnam). Chau Doc is often used on Mekong river trips and, as you might have guessed, is close to Chau Doc on the Vietnam side. From Chau Doc it is about five or six hours by minibus to HCMC. The Bavet route is a common crossing for bus and taxi trips between Phnom Penh and HCMC. It usually takes six to eight hours by bus and is a good option if you want to go straight to HCMC. The main bus companies start and stop in Pham Ngu Lau in district 1, HCMC.
To/from Kampot or elsewhere in southern Cambodia there are also two main crossings. Phnom Den, Takeo, Cambodia/Tinh Bien, Vietnam is closer to Kampot than Phnom Penh and also close to Chau Doc in Vietnam.
In mid-2007 the Ha Tien crossing (Prek Chak, Cambodia/Xa Xia, Vietnam) opened for foreign travellers.
Thailand: the main northern crossing to/from Phnom Penh or Siem Riep is Poipet/Aranyaprathet, Thailand. This route is notorious for officials and transport people overcharging travellers, so do your research and stay calm. Many travellers book packages through tour ncompanies to simplify this trip, but it is not difficult to arrange for yourself. It has to be said, though, however, the packages are often cheaper. On the Thai side, a train takes you easily to or from Bangkok.
The main southern crossing used to/from Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville, is the Cham Yeam checkpoint (Koh Kong, Cambodia/ Had Lek, Thailand). With recent road improvements on the Cambodian side and the bridge to the border, this is a more manageable trip and my preferred crossing.
The Dom Kralor, Cambodia/Voeung Kam, Laos, crossing comprises two close deals: one overland, one over water. Both are accessible from Stung Treng, which is about an eight-10 hour bus ride from Phnom Penh. The crossing into Laos is fairly straightforward but many have talked of "fees" of a buck or two on each side of the border.
Traveling to Cambodia? The Cambodia Pocket Guide is always free! Get free copies everywhere in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Angkor Wat and Sihanoukville.
Free online Cambodia travel hotels flights and nightlife. http://www.cambodiapocketguide.com
Looking for cheap travel in Asia? http://www.cheapcharlieshotels.com
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