Posted in Blog |
How to get to Chau Doc Bus The buses from HCMC to Chau Doc leave from the Mien Tay bus station; the express bus can make the run in six hours and costs around 84, 000d. The Chau Doc bus station (Ben Xe Chau Doc) is east of town towards Long Xuyen. Buses from Chau Doc leave here for Rach Gia (40,000d, four hours), Ca Mau, Can Tho, Ha Tien, Long Xuyen, My Tho, HCMC, Soc Trang and Tra Vinh. Bus from Can Tho to Chau Doc: get Futa buslines at 85,000 VND from Can Tho to Chau Doc and versus: Start Car & motorbike By road, Chau Doc is approximately 117km from Can Tho, 181km from My Tho and 245km from HCMC. The Chau Doc–Ha Tien road is 100km in length and is in miserable shape, but improvements were underway at research time. As you approach Ha Tien, the land turns into a mangrove forest that is infertile and almost uninhabited. This area is considered reasonably safe during the day, but it’s not advisable to be out here after dark due to the risk of robbery in this remote, unlit area. The drive takes about three hours, and it’s possible to visit Ba Chuc and Tup Duc en route. If you don’t plan to drive yourself, xe om drivers typically charge about US$20. Speedboat from Saigon to Chau Doc: you can charter a Blue Cruiser or Hang Chau Express to travel from Saigon to Chau Doc What to do in Chau Doc (An Giang, Vietnam) A highlight of a visit to Chau Doc is a boat trip on one of the small paddle boats that collect near the western end of the park to many floating raft houses and fish farms. A second attraction, just outside Chau Doc, is Sam Mountain – more of a hillock in fact — which has reasonable views over the surrounds. The views are pretty rather than spectacular, though when combined with a visit to the pagodas around the hill’s base, this makes a worthwhile afternoon jaunt. Chau Doc is also the closest large town to the Vietnamese/Cambodian river border crossing. If you’re heading to or from Phnom Penh by boat, you’ll pass through Chau Doc, so try to allow for an overnight stay. Cruise the Mekong River between Chau Doc and Phnom Penh takes 5 hours. Hang Chau express and Blue Cruiser are the 2 best transporters in Chau Doc Some short waterways to visit Chau Doc and the area: – 1/2 day: Vinh Te Canal, Sam Mountain, Floating farm, Cham Village – 2 and 1/2 hours: Floating Farm, Cham Village – 2 and 1/2 hours: Floating Farm, Cham Village and Con Tien Bridge – 3 and 1/2 hours: Khanh Hoa Island and Masjid Iman Mosque – 5 hours: Long Khanh Island and Tra Su forest Where to stay: Just stayed in Murray Guesthouse at...
Read More »
Posted in Blog |
All of the featured luxury cruises on Halong Bay are carefully planned out, providing the highest level of comfort and enjoyment with ever-changing scenery of ports and tour options covering all continents of the Halong Bay, Vietnam. Whether you’re looking to sail on a full luxury Halong Bay cruise to discover Halong Bay 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days or 5 days,… we’ll find you the most luxury cruises in Halong Bay, Vietnam at the best price guaranteed, but as important most suitable to your expectations. We represent top quality brands such as Au Co Cruise, Paradise Luxury Cruises,Violet Cruise, Bhaya Cruises, Jasmine Cruise …. which offer several extended itineraries at various times throughout the year that be of interest you. Spend your time on a well-deserved cruise around Halong Bay or overnight in Halong Bay, Vietnam you want to explore further. These are the world of heritage’s favorite all-inclusive in Halong Bay, Vietnam, everyday is different and as relaxing or exciting as you want to make it. How to choose the right cabin on board? Choosing a Halong Bay cruise cabin can be fun and challenging at the same time, and not just a little bit frustrating on occasion. Before booking your cabin on board, ask yourselves these questions: Do you tend to get seasick? Do you prefer to nest peaceably on your balcony rather than hangin’ with the crowd around the bar area? Conversely, is your idea of a stateroom simply a place to flop into bed at 1 a.m. — no fancy notions necessary? And do you, like me, tend to go just a little bit crazy if your bed faces aft when you know you’re moving forward? Despite the fact that some cruise lines present as many as 20 or more “categories” per ship, it’s helpful to remember that there are essentially only four types of cabins on any cruise vessel: Inside: no window, in an inside corridor Outside: window or porthole with a view to the outside Balcony: includes a verandah that allows you to step outside without going up to a public deck Suite: a larger cabin, often with separate living and sleeping areas, and a wide variety of extra amenities and perks. Here are top luxury cruises on Halong Bay: AU CO CRUISE 3 Days – 2 Night Detail Itinerary & Program from $ 590.00 PARADISE LUXURY 2 Days – 1 Night Detail Itinerary & Program from $ 239.00 VIOLET CRUISE 2 Days – 1 Night Detail Itinerary & Program from $329.00 JASMINE CRUISE 2 Days – 1 Night Detail Itinerary & Program from $224.00 GINGER CRUISE 2 Days – 1 Night Detail Itinerary & Program from $208.00 INDOCHINA SAILS 2 Days – 1 Night Detail Itinerary & Program from $230.00 VICTORY STAR 2 Days – 1 Night Detail Itinerary & Program from $175.00 VALENTINE CRUISE 2 Days – 1...
Read More »
Posted in Blog |
Tourists to Ha Long Bay are spoiled for choice; they can do anything from a few hours’ cruise on the bay to a multiple-night stay including a sleep aboard in a cabin on a tourist boat, outdoor activities in the vicinity of the bay, and accommodations in a resort on Cat Ba Island. Your choices are only limited by your budget. Low End: Hovering about the $30-$50 range (per person), you can score a day trip to Ha Long Bay that may include the following: A round trip ride via minibus or bus between Hanoi and Ha Long Bay; A four-hour tour via tourist boat ride around Ha Long Bay; Lunch aboard the tourist boat; and Detours to a fishing village and a cave on an island in Ha Long Bay. High End: Overnight or multiple night cruises can be yours starting at $100 per person. This should get you: Pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Hanoi; One night aboard a deluxe tourist boat, inclusive of meals; Outdoor activities like kayaking, cave visits, and bike rides (ask your travel agent about the specific inclusions); and The services of an English-speaking guide. If you’re staying more than 1 night, accommodations at a resort in Cat Ba Island will be included. As with everything else in life, you get what you pay for. The more cash you pay up, the meatier the package tour you get. Prices will also vary depending on the season: Ha Long Bay’s high season occurs between July and August, so expect the prices to be at their peak during this period. Ha Long Bay tours are cheapest during the low season from November to March. Here are some recommendations for budget cruises: ORIENTAL SAILS 2 Days – 1 Night Detail Itinerary & Program from $ 93.00 A-CLASS CRUISE 2 Days – 1 Night Detail Itinerary & Program from $ 99.00 PHOENIX CRUISE 2 Days – 1 Night Detail Itinerary & Program from $ 98.00 BAI TU LONG JUNK 2 Days – 1 Night Detail Itinerary & Program from $ 103.00 CLASSIC SAILS 2 Days – 1 Night Detail Itinerary & Program from $ 115.00 ANNAM JUNK 2 Days – 1 Night Detail Itinerary & Program from $ 90.o0 Booking Your Ha Long Bay Trip – Tips This is the key rule to remember: Ask about inclusions before you pay up, not after. Don’t just assume something is part of the package because you paid top ticket for the tour. An unscheduled kayaking tour, if it’s not part of the itinerary, can cost upwards of $50 per person. Ask about food and drinks. Drinks can also be quite expensive on board the tourist boat, like the equivalent of $2 for one bottle of beer. And the meals they serve as part of the trip might not be enough for your tastes. Find out what meals are...
Read More »
Posted in Blog |
The province Kampong Chhnang is located at the heart of Cambodia. Its bordering Kampong Thom to the North, Kampong Cham to the East, Kampong Speu to the South and Pursat to the West. This province is not only at the fertile and almost ever-wet heart of Cambodia, but also just a 91km ride from Phnom Penh, so it’s a quick jaunt up. Due to its location next to the Tonle Sap Lake Kampong Chhnang‘s population is predominantly in fishery and rice plantation involved. Especially the provincial capital Kampong Chhnang, which is an easygoing river port town that is worth a visit, focuses on fishery and therefore features a big fishery port. It is, easy to get to from Phnom Penh via national road number 5, passing by the former capital of Udong. Kampong Chhnang also gives you the option to take an air-con bus to get there (as it wasn’t possible in near past). There are also some nice sights to check out and the town has a fair selection of places to spend the night and a couple of decent spots to have a feed. The bullet boats to and from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are taking you through a breathtaking countryside along the Tonle Sap to the provincial town. If you are interested you also may rent a motorized boat to explore the Tonle Sap River area around the town. They are between US$ 8 per hour, or you can get one of the small non-motorized boats to take you on a more quiet tour for 4,000 riel per hour. The new river walkway is the place for a stroll and is where the locals head to for the early evening social hour. It’s the evening and weekend spot to be seen. Geography The province Kampong Chhnang is located at the heart of Cambodia. Its bordering Kampong Thom to the North, Kampong Cham to the East, Kampong Speu to the South and Pursat to the West. This province is not only at the fertile and almost ever-wet heart of Cambodia, but also just a 91km ride from Phnom Penh, so it’s a quick jaunt up. Most parts of this province are fertile alluvial soil reservoirs with plenty of fishes and endless rice plantations. There are no more forests remaining except in the Southwest of the country where the biggest coherent forest area of Southeast Asia begins, the massive and unexplored Cardamom Mountains. The provincial borderline in the Southwest resides on the hillside of the highest Mountain of Cambodia its name is Phnom Aoral with an altitude of 1813m. Climate Cambodia has sun almost year round. The average temperature is about 27 degrees Celsius; the minimum temperature is about 16 degrees. December and January are the coolest months, whereas the hottest is April. General information about the provincial climate: – Rainy season: May – October (27-35c, with...
Read More »
Posted in Blog |
Kampong Speu is the capital of Kampong Speu Province in Cambodia. Speu is the Khmer word for starfruit, but Kampong Speu is actually famous for its palm sugar and wine. This province is a natural and cultural resort, which is located at Tang Tonle Village and Ampe Phnom Village, So Por Tep Commune and Svay Kra Van Commune, Chbar Mon District in 48-Kilometer distance from Phnom Penh, then turning left for two more kilometers. The resort has natural rivers, especially the bigger Preaek Thnot River, which has many big trees growing along it and the mountain foot, a rocking bridge linking from Tang Tonle Village to Ampe Phnom Village. You may also see the old pagoda on a hill, what’s a worshiping place for Cambodian people, who go there during traditional festivals.At Ampe Phnom, tourists can enjoy swimming, walking through the rocking bridge and resting at the collages along the riverbank. Geography Kampong Speu province is located to the west of Phnom Penh. It borders Kampong Chhnang and Pursat to the North, Phnom Penh to the East, Kampot and Takeo to the South and Koh Kong to the West. The area of the province is 7017 square kilometres. The topography is variable, from a large area of lowland paddy fields in the east to lowland/upland mosaics and upland forested areas in the West. Cambodia’s highest mountain, the Phnom Aural with 1813m altitude is located in the very North of this province. Kampong Speu is classified as a rural province. Climate Cambodia has sun almost year round. The average temperature is about 27 degrees Celsius; the minimum temperature is about 16 degrees. December and January are the coolest months, whereas the hottest is April. General information about the provincial climate: – Rainy season: May – October (26-34c, with humidity up to 90%.) – Cool season: November- March (16-26c) – Hot season: March- May (25c -35c) Population The total: 762,500 person of total population of Cambodia 14,363,519 with 370,292 male and 392,208 female. In 2006 the estimated population was 762,500 thousand persons and was consisting of around 52% female. There are 370,292 male and 392,208 female. The people of Kampong Speu live in 8 districts composed of 87 communes and 1358 villages.The population density of the province is nowadays approx. 102 persons/km2 compared to an average population density for Cambodiawith 75 persons/km2. Economy Kampong Speu’s economy consists basically of rice and fruit cropping and fishery. It’s also noted by its famous palm sugar and wine. Especially the rural households depend on agriculture and its related sub-sectors. How to Get There Bus: As there are several bus companies going from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, you’ll have the opportunity to choose freely from one of these. They pass Kampong Speu, so you just have to book a ticket to the provincial capital or you go a bit further depending on where you would...
Read More »
Posted in Blog |
Kampong Thom is Cambodia’s second largest province by area. Its capital is named Kampong Thom, a picturesque town on the banks of the Stung Saen River. The Sambor temple and Prei Kuk temple are the two main temples in Kampong Thom as well as other less significant Angkorian sites. Kampong Thom was a very powerful capital in Southeast Asia during the Funan period. Later on, during the French rule, the province was home to a large group named the Stieng, but they have long been assimilated into Khmer society.Kampong Pos Thom was the original name of the present called Kampong Thom. Because originally long time ago, at the dock of the Sen River next to a big natural lake, there was a big cave with a pair of big snakes inside. The people living around this area usually saw these big snakes every Buddhist Holiday. Time after that, the snakes disappeared, and the people of that area called it Kampong Pos Thom. Then, only short words Kampong Thom. During the French colony in Cambodia, the French ruled and divided Cambodian territory into provinces, and named them according to the spoken words of the people Kampong Thom Province.The provincial capital Kampong Thom is another bustling town on the banks of the Stung Sen River. The town itself is strategically located on the National Highway No 6 between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Its more a stopover to have a break from driving long distances or to eat something on the way to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, than a very touristic place. Despite the town itself people come to explore the pre-Angkorian Chenla capital Sambor Prei Kuk, the remote temples of Preah Khan and Prasat Preah Vihear. Geography Kampong Thom is a province located at the central point of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The province has a total land area of 15,061square kilometres divided into 8 districts, 81 communes and 737 villages. The province borders in the North with Preah Vihear and Siem Reap, to the East with Kratie, to the South with Kampong Cham and to the West with Kampong Chhnang. The province is divided into two parts: – Eastern part of National Road 6: Covers 70% surface consisting of forests and plateaus, which are rich in natural resources for a good and profitable agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry. – Western part of National Road 6: Covers 30% surface consisting of plain area extending to the famous Tonle Sap Lake. This area is one of the best areas in Cambodia for rice cultivation and fishing to support the needs of the province and to additionaly export them to other areas or Countries. Two of the three core areas in Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve are located in Kampong Thom: Boeng Chhmar (14,560 hectares), and Stung Saen (6,355 hectares). Climate The country has a tropical climate warm and humid. In the...
Read More »
