Cambodia - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 486

GETTING TO VIETNAM
Kompong Cham to Tay Ninh
The Trapeang Plong/Xa Mat crossing (open 7am to 5pm) is convenient for those using private trans-
port to travel between northeast Cambodia or Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City.
Getting to the border From Kompong Cham take anything heading east on NH7 towards Snuol, and
get off at the roundabout in Krek (Kraek) on NH7 55km east-southeast of Kompong Cham. From
there, it's 13km south by moto (US$3) along NH72 to snoozy Trapeang Plong, marked by a candy-
striped road barrier and a few tin shacks.
At the border This border is a breeze; just have your Vietnamese visa ready.
Moving on On the Vietnamese side, motorbikes and taxis go to Tay Ninh, 45km to the south.
Snuol to Binh Long
The Trapeang Sre/Loc Ninh crossing (open 7am to 5pm) is useful for those trying to get straight to Vi-
etnam from Kratie or points north.
Getting to the border First get to the much-maligned junction town of Snuol by bus, share taxi or
minibus from Sen Monorom, Kratie or Kompong Cham. In Snuol catch a moto (US$5) for the 18km
trip southeastward along smooth NH74.
At the border As always you'll need a prearranged visa to enter Vietnam, and US$20 for a visa-on-
arrival to enter Cambodia.
Moving on On the Vietnamese side, the nearest town is Binh Long, 40km to the south. Motorbikes
wait at the border.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Around Kompong Cham
Consider hiring an outboard at the boat dock opposite the Mekong Hotel and heading up-
stream for about 30 minutes to a clutch of idyllic Mekong islands where you'll encounter
smiling children and other slices of rural life. It costs about US$40. You could even turn it
into a sunset cruise.
Phnom Pros & Phnom Srei
'Man Hill' and 'Woman Hill', the subjects of a rich variety of local legends, offer fine
views of the countryside, especially during the wet season, and a very strokeable statue of
the sacred bull Nandin (Shiva's mount). Phnom Pros is a good place for a cold drink