Vietnam to Cambodia by speedboat

Departure in Chau Doc – Vietnam

The day in Chau Doc in Vietnam started not good at all. We had booked this trip through an internet agency in Germany, in hindsight this turned out to be a serious mistake. Pick up time was 6.45 in the morning, too early to have breakfast at the hotel. Although the agency knew that we are 2 months on the road, they had booked 2 rickshaws instead of a taxi for the transfer to the speedboat to Cambodia. It is only a 15 minute drive, but we had approx 70 kg of luggage.

It became even worse. Halfway the drivers began to ask for a tip. They are so pushy that we have doubts about whether they would bring us to our destination or whether we reach our boat. Our answer is, they would get a tip later when we reach our destination. Upon arrival, I give them a little tip, but less than I would have given them anyway because we felt the begging while driving as quite rude, what we told them.

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The boat departs at 7:15 am. Via the Bassac River, a branch of the Mekong, it goes on to Kenh Xang, a channel that connects the Bassac River with the main branch of the Mekong.

In Bassac River we first pass parts of the floating town, before the appearance of the shore is dominated more and more by vegetation. Modest huts, playing children, fisherman on their boats and cargo boats determine the picture.

Crossing the border from Vietnam to Cambodia

Nearly, the border crossing had also become a disaster for us. Everywhere on the Internet you can read that you have to pay $ 30. Beforehand we have asked our guides, whether there are ATMs or a bank and if we have sufficient time: Everything is repeatedly affirmed positively. We come to the Vietnamese border guards and are allowed to disembark.

After we have passed the security gates, we came in a big waiting room with terrace. Since we do not know when the boat departs again, our attention is focused on the boat. We cannot discover a bank or an ATM. So we nearly missed a man who is gathering papers (departure, entry form, passports and charges). Later we learned that he is responsible for those who are traveling without a guide.

He approached us shortly before the boat departs. His English is not really understandable, but after he looks so questioningly at us, we show him our papers which he immediately takes. In addition, we understand dollar and want to give him the money in Vietnamese currency. He indicates us that there is a possibility to change money in the waiting room.

And indeed, there is a lady with a big suitcase stuffed with banknotes. We change our last euros in dollar and want to give $ 30 to the man with the papers. But he insists that it costs $ 34, although everywhere is written $ 30. We rush back to the lady with the suitcase full of money and change our remaining bills from Dubai in dollars. She types the amount quickly in her pocket calculator. Presumably, the exchange rate is not advantageous for us. Finally the man with the papers is satisfied. Speaking to the fellow travelers, it turned out that all had paid $ 34.

After approx. 10 minutes it goes on to the Cambodian border control. We try to keep a eye on the man our papers, after all he has our passports which we usually never let out of our hands.

As we cross the gate to border control, we see 5 people sitting at a table in the shade. We slowly understand the system. One man sticks the visa in the passport, the next stamps the date. The next one controls some lists (presumably the fees), the fourth stamps the validity of the visa, and so forth. After approx half an hour, we get our passports back and need to go at a counter in the back area of the yard. Again, an official checks the passports and our faces, before we get the receipt stamp in our passports. We do not know yet what expects us on departure from Cambodia. Finally we made it.

Journey on the Mekong

The journey on the Mekong offers a similar view like before, only that the river is much wider. Numerous fishermen populate the Mekong.

Cambodia’s longest bridge, with a length of 2220 m, spans the Mekong at Neak Loeung. It was opened to traffic in April 2015.

In many places, we can see how the shipping channel is deepened again.

Shortly before Phnom Penh one has built a container port.

Some Mekong cruise ships cross our way.

Striking are also the numerous temples on the banks.

Arrival in Phnom Penh

The silhouette of Phnom Penh is already recognizable from afar. The boat travels along the promenade, so that you can see the Royal Palace well.

First and foremost we notice that Phnom Penh seems to experience a unique boom. Skyscrapers spring up everywhere. At about 2.00 pm. clock we arrive Phnom Penh.

Finally, the journey still finds a conciliatory end. Compensated by the many impressions, nature and the huge dimensions of the Mekong we forget, that the day has begun unpleasant. What remains is the memory of a mighty river, which is surpassed in size only by the looming sky.

Next >>> Water Festival Phnom Penh

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