Cambodia is not as dangerous as many fear. After 8 days of exploration, I found it to be a safe, friendly destination with reasonable costs. Here’s a detailed itinerary to help you experience the complete beauty of Cambodia.
JOURNEY OVERVIEW
Duration: 8 days 7 nights
Route: Koh Rong → Siem Reap → Phnom Penh → Kampot → Ha Tien → Ho Chi Minh City
Budget: Approximately $350-420 per person
Suitable for: Independent travelers, families, groups
DAY 0-1: HO CHI MINH CITY → HA TIEN → SIHANOUKVILLE → KOH RONG
Night before: Overnight bus from HCMC to Ha Tien (6-7 hours, $8-15)
Day 1 Morning:
- Arrive Ha Tien 6 AM, quick city tour
- Bus to Sihanoukville via Ha Tien-Prek Chak border gate
- Note: Entry fee 100,000 VND or $5 (VND better exchange rate)
- Transfer at Kampot, arrive Sihanoukville (~5 hours)
Afternoon:
- Buy ferry ticket at port: $25 round trip
- 2:30 PM ferry, arrive Long Set Beach in 45 minutes
- Check-in hotel, swim, explore area
Highlight: White sand beach, crystal-clear turquoise water. Many Western tourists, relaxed atmosphere.
DAY 2: EXPLORE KOH RONG ISLAND
Morning:
- Rent motorbike: $10/day (full tank)
- Visit beaches: Sunny Beach, Coconut Beach, Pagoda Beach
- Stop at Prek Ta Shok Eco (mangrove forest)
Afternoon:
- Ride to Koh Touch (busiest area)
- Lunch, explore bars and restaurants
Late Afternoon:
- Sok San Beach – island’s most beautiful beach
- Fine white sand, crystal water, fewer crowds
- Watch stunning sunset
Food costs: $2-3/dish at local spots, $5-8 at restaurants
DAY 3: KOH RONG → SIEM REAP
Morning: Final beach time, check-out
12:30 PM: Ferry back to Sihanoukville
2:15 PM: Bus to Phnom Penh (arrive 5:30 PM)
5:30-10:00 PM: Explore capital, try famous grilled beef banh mi
10:00 PM: Night bus to Siem Reap
DAY 4: ANGKOR WAT
5:30 AM: Arrive Siem Reap, store luggage at hotel
Full Day: Angkor Wat tour
Recommendations:
- Hire tuk-tuk + guide: $65 for 3-6 people
- Entry ticket: $37 (1 day)
- Start early to avoid heat and crowds
Key Sites:
- Angkor Wat (main temple)
- Angkor Thom & Bayon
- Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider Temple)
- Other temples in complex
Lunch: Guide takes you to local restaurant for authentic Khmer cuisine
Evening: Siem Reap night market – shopping, street food (remember to bargain!)
DAY 5: TONLE SAP LAKE & SIEM REAP
Morning:
- Hire tuk-tuk: $10 round trip
- Visit Tonle Sap floating village (Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake)
- Many Vietnamese live here
- Learn about Khmer Rouge history from tuk-tuk driver
Afternoon:
- Visit famous Khmer temples
- Walk around town, shopping
Evening:
- Pub Street (Siem Reap’s party zone) – lively like Bui Vien
- Enjoy beer, live music
Noon: Bus back to Phnom Penh (6 hours)
DAY 6: PHNOM PENH
Afternoon: Arrive Phnom Penh, check-in near Royal Palace
Evening (Saturday or Sunday):
- Mekong Riverfront Walking Street – special weekend event
- Hundreds of food stalls, entertainment activities
- Street theater, live music, traditional games
- Like combining Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake + Thai night market
Try: Green papaya salad, fried rice, steamed cake
DAY 7: PHNOM PENH → KAMPOT
Morning in Phnom Penh:
- Royal Palace of Cambodia
- Wat Phnom Daun Penh Pagoda
- Independence Monument
- Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument
- Orussey Market (buy souvenirs)
Noon: Bus to Kampot (3 hours, ~$6-7)
Afternoon in Kampot:
- Check-in hotel
- Explore Kampot old town
- Giant durian monument (city symbol)
- Kampot giant clock tower
- Walk across Entanou Bridge (old French iron bridge)
Evening:
- See seahorse fountain
- Riverside dinner with specialty Kampot pepper crab ($8-15)
- Discover French colonial architecture
DAY 8: KAMPOT → HA TIEN VEGAS → HA TIEN → HO CHI MINH CITY
Morning:
- Visit Kampot pepper plantations (world-famous pepper)
- Or Bokor Highland tour (40km, half-day tour)
Noon:
- Return to Kampot for lunch
- Head toward Vietnam border (30km)
Afternoon:
- Stop at Ha Tien Vegas Entertainment Resort (10km from border)
- Rest and relax after long journey
- Experience casino, Gold Dragon Beer Garden restaurant
- If staying overnight: Enjoy spa, karaoke, resort facilities
Evening/Night:
- Cross Ha Tien-Prek Chak border gate back to Vietnam
- Night bus Ha Tien → HCMC (6-7 hours)
- Or stay overnight in Ha Tien, return to HCMC next morning
USEFUL INFORMATION
Currency
- USD and Riel (1 USD = 4,000 Riel)
- Prepare small USD bills: 1, 5, 10, 20
- ATM withdrawals easy
Transportation
- Tuk-tuk: Most common, use Grab or PassApp
- Solo: $1-3/trip
- 2-3 people: very cheap when split
- Motorbike: $5-10/day
Food
- Local restaurants: $2-3/dish
- Restaurants: $5-10/dish
- Khmer food easy for Vietnamese palates
Safety
- VERY SAFE if you:
- Avoid casino areas in Sihanoukville
- Don’t walk alone late at night
- Guard belongings carefully
- Travel in groups in unfamiliar areas
Culture
- Friendly, gentle locals
- Many Vietnamese everywhere
- Dress modestly at temples
TOTAL BUDGET (8 DAYS)
Transportation: $105
- Bus HCMC – Ha Tien: $12
- Transportation in Cambodia: $63
- Koh Rong ferry: $25
- Bus Ha Tien – HCMC: $12
Accommodation (7 nights): $105
- Average $15/night
Food: $65
- ~$8/day
Sightseeing:
- Angkor Wat: $40
- Tours, rentals: $20
Shopping, misc: $40
TOTAL: $350-420 per person
TRAVEL TIPS
✅ Do:
- Book transport flexibly, don’t pre-book everything
- Bring sunscreen, personal medicine
- Learn basic Khmer phrases
- Bargain when shopping (can reduce 30-50%)
- Connect with other travelers to split costs
❌ Don’t:
- Walk alone at night in empty areas
- Believe in easy high-paying job offers
- Exchange money at unclear sources
- Skip travel insurance
CONCLUSION
Cambodia is an excellent destination with beautiful beaches, rich cultural heritage, and friendly people. This 8-day journey lets you experience everything from island paradise, world wonder Angkor Wat, vibrant capital to peaceful Kampot old town.
Ha Tien Vegas is the perfect rest stop on your way back, where you can relax and enjoy modern amenities before ending your trip.
Don’t let rumors stop you from discovering this surprising land. Pack your bags and go!
Based on real travel experience by Phuc Tai Nguyen
Compiled by: Ha Tien Vegas Travel Team
Updated: May, 2026