Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING TO VIETNAM: TAKEO TO CHAU DOC
Getting to the border
The remote and seldom-used
Phnom Den/Tinh Bien border crossing
(
7am-5pm) between Cambodia and Vietnam lies about 60km southeast of Takeo town in Cambodia
and offers connections to Chau Doc. Most travellers prefer the Mekong crossing at Kaam Samnor or
the newer Prek Chak crossing near Ha Tien to the south. Take a share taxi (10,000r), a chartered taxi
(US$25) or a
moto
(US$10) from Takeo to the border (48km).
At the border
Vietnam visas are not available at the border, so arrange one in advance through a
travel company in Kampot or Kep or via the embassy in Phnom Penh.
Moving on
Travellers are at the mercy of Vietnamese
xe om
(
moto
) drivers and taxis for the 30km
journey from the border to Chau Doc. Prepare for some tough negotiations. Expect to pay somewhere
between US$5 and US$10 by bike, more like US$20 for a taxi.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Around Takeo
Angkor Borei &
Phnom Da
The 20km open-air motorboat ride along Canal No 15, dug in the 1880s, to the impover-
ished riverine townlet of Angkor Borei is one of Cambodia's great thrill rides. Angkor
Borei is home to a small
archaeological museum
( 012 201638; admission US$1;
8am-4.30pm)
featuring locally discovered Funan- and Chenla-era artefacts. The boat then
continues for 15 minutes to
Phnom Da
(admission US$2)
, which is spectacularly isolated
Mont-St-Michel-style by annual floods, topped by a temple with foundations dating from
the 6th century (the temple itself was rebuilt in the 11th century).
Angkor Borei, which can also be reached year-round via a circuitous land route from
the north, was known as Vyadhapura when it served as the capital of 'water Chenla' in the
8th century. Angkor Borei was also an important centre during the earlier Funan period
(1st to 6th centuries), when Indian religion and culture were carried to the Mekong Delta
by traders, artisans and priests from India, as the great maritime trade route between India
and China passed by the Mekong Delta. The earliest datable Khmer inscription (AD 611)
was discovered at Angkor Borei, which is surrounded by a 5.7km moated wall that hints
at its past greatness.
