| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 58km |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Flat |
| Blog | 11th Feb - Matt's bogus journey |
| Gallery |
Mekong Delta Phnom Penh |
The journey
Good fast ride with an easterly tailwind and a good road surface all the way. Go straight along Hung Vuong to get out of Long Xuyen. As we left town, the hard shoulder cleared of people. It was fairly interesting along the river and there was not much traffic except some scooters. Just before Chau Doc the road narrowed and became poor quality seal for a couple of km, then widened to two lanes again after the junction just before town. We rode all the way along the river on Le Loi, past the very posh Victoria hotel, to the market which is in the centre of town.Speedboat from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh
A Phnom Penh speedboat ticket from the Sinh Café in Hangchau II hotel cost $17 per person and $8 per bike for the boat leaving Chau Doc at 8.30am and arriving Phnom Penh at 2.30pm, with 1.5hrs of stops. We rode to the jetty - which is through the Thuan Loi hotel not the Con Tien ferry jetty - and got on board. First stop was Lao immigration, where we were besieged by kids selling snacks and toys. We had to get out of the boat and wait, then go back to the boat and take our luggage up for X-ray scanning. Second stop was for a Lao guard to get on board and check some passports. Third stop was Cambodian immigration where we had to get out and get our passports stamped. The guide on the boat gave out all the necessary forms and was quite helpful. Cambodian visas turned out to be $23 not $22 as the Sinh café quoted a $20 visa - from what we heard, this was a good deal! There were money changers at the Laos border and kids selling more snacks at the Cambodia border. The speed boat was good quality and comfortable, with a covered cabin, coach seats and a deck at the rear where our bikes were carried. There was a toilet on board.
The room
Vinh Phuoc$10 for double room with air-con, bathroom and terrestrial TV.
Basic but reasonable. Restaurant downstairs. Large groups on packages from HCMC to Phnom Penh stayed here so the hotel filled up.