Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING TO VIETNAM: KOMPONG CHAM TO TAY NINH
Getting to the border
The
Trapeang Phlong/Xa Mat border crossing
( 7am-5pm) has become
increasingly popular for those traveling between Northeast Cambodia and Ho Chi Minh City. 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 Phlong, 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.
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. Turn it into a sunset
cruise.
Phnom Pros &
Phnom Srei
'Man Hill' and 'Woman Hill' are the subjects of local legends with many variations, one
of which describes a child taken away at infancy only to return a powerful man who falls
in love with his own mother. Disbelieving her protestations, he demanded her hand in
marriage. Desperate to avoid this disaster, the mother cunningly devised a deal: a compet-
ition between her team of women and his team of men to build the highest hill by dawn. If
the women won, she would not give her hand. As they toiled into the night, the women
built a fire with the flames reaching high into the sky. The men, mistaking this for sunrise,
lay down their tools and the impending marriage was foiled. Locals love to relay this tale,
each adding their own herbs and spices as the story unfolds. Admission is US$2 and in-
cludes entry to Wat Nokor (
Click here
)
.
Phnom Srei has fine views of the countryside during the wet season and a very stroke-
able statue of Nandin (the sacred bull that was Shiva's mount). Phnom Pros is a good
