Transport - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 1055

Laos The leisurely Luang Say cruise is a fine way to link Huay Xai and Luang Prabang with a night in Pak
Beng. For those on a budget there are plenty of public boats running this way.
Cambodia The boat ride from Siem Reap to Battambang is spectacular, and you can also get from Siem
Reap to Phnom Penh by boat.
Cambodia to Vietnam There are also various fast, slow and luxury boats plying the Mekong between Ph-
nom Penh/Siem Reap and Chau Doc, Vietnam, for those who want to explore the Mekong Delta without
backtracking to Ho Chi Minh City.
Cruising Luxury river cruises are popular along the Mekong in Laos and between Cambodia and Vietnam.
Halong Bay is another popular spot for boat cruises. Companies specialising in upscale boat cruises include:
Compagnie Fluviale du Mekong ( www.cfmekong.com )
Heritage Line ( www.heritage-line.com )
Indochina Sails ( www.indochinasails.com )
Pandaw Cruises ( www.pandaw.com )
Bus
Bus travel has become a great way to get around with improved roads throughout the region. Most land bor-
ders are crossed via bus; these either travel straight through the two countries with a stop for border formal-
ities, or require a change of buses at the appropriate border towns.
» Thailand offers by far the most comfortable buses.
» Cambodia and Vietnam have a pretty impressive network of buses connecting major cities, although these
dry up in remote areas.
» Buses in Laos are reasonable on the busiest routes, but pretty poor elsewhere.
» Theft does occur on some long-distance buses; keep all valuables on your person, not in a stowed bag.
Car & Motorcycle
Self-drive car hire is possible in Thailand and in some areas of Laos and Cambodia.
Laos and Cambodia offer brilliant motorbiking for experienced riders, not forgetting the incredible moun-
tain roads of northern Vietnam. Motorbikes are widely available for hire. Road conditions vary within the
region:
» Thailand has an excellent road network with plenty of well-signposted, well-paved roads.
» Vietnam has decent roads, but self-drive is not possible.
» Laos and Cambodia road conditions vary, although sealed roads are now the norm.