Dave’s Travel World

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Summary

This post provides an outline of my trip from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City via the coastlines of eastern Thailand, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam.

Key highlights of the trip included visiting lesser-known tropical islands, coastal resorts, and river towns.

In keeping with my niche travel likings of:

• solo travel;

• budget travel;

• travelling overland; and

• using local trains and buses

the whole journey was undertaken using local buses and ferries and through staying in budget accommodation.

For easy reading the post is divided into a number of sections and subsections, each of which can be directly accessed from the accompanying ‘Page Contents’ tag.

What’s This All About?

Have you ever thought about exploring South East Asia but didn’t know how or where to go. This post provides one of many ideas for undertaking backpacking adventures on a shoestring.

It highlights the many attractions of travelling overland along the coast between Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City. 

A Selection of What Awaits

How Much Will It Cost?

Transport is cheap, especially if you use local buses, ferry boats and, if necessary, tricycles and motorbikes.

Accommodation is easy to find, be it in hostels, hotels or beach houses and food is readily available – All at ridiculously low prices allowing you live on a budget, perhaps as low as US$75 per day.

How Long Will It Take?

The adventure outlined in this post will take a minimum of 33 days to complete, and maybe much longer if you want to laze away your time on one of the many beaches you will visit.

The adventure starts in the buzzing metropolis of Bangkok and quickly leaves behind the city’s hustle and bustle to explore the hidden gems of south eastern Thailand, southern Cambodia and Vietnam‘s Mekong Delta region. 

Where Will You Visit?

Along the way you will visit:

• four of southeast asia’s lesser known exotic islands –Ko Samet, Ko Chang, Koh Rong and Phu Quoc;

• five diverse river towns at Khemerak Phoumin, Kampot, Ha Tien, Can Tho and My Tho and;

• two mainland coastal resorts at Pattaya,and Sihanoukville.

• before finishing your journey in Ho Chi Minh City, the city of motorbikes.

Do You Have a Map Showing the Journey?

The following maps provide more details about the journey

An Overview Map

To add more detail about the trip I have set out below two more maps showing the route taken, key places visited and the main modes of transport used.

Travel Through Thailand and Western Cambodia

Travel Through Central and Eastern Cambodia and Vietnam

How Do You Go About Doing All This?

Do You need a Travel Visa?

Most UK citizens and those of many other western countries, travelling as tourists, either don’t need a visa or can easily obtain one online or on arrival at each country’s entry points so what are you waiting for. (UK government advice regarding visa regulations for entering  Thailand,  Cambodia  and  Vietnam can be found below).

UK Government Travel Advice

Similarly, US based travellers can find out all the information needed by visiting with the US Government’s Travel Resources page at:

USA Government Travel Advice

How Can You Book Flights?

With relatively cheap air tickets from major European cities you can be at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport in around 16 hours or less. You can book your flights using the link below

Book return flights to and from Bangkok

How Can You Book Accommodation?

If you want complete freedom during your travels it is best to book accommodation as you travel, rather than commiting yourself to having to meet predetermined targets. Either way, it is easy to book accommodation on-line last minute, or days in advance. The link below can be used to do this.

Book accommodation in South East Asia

What’s the Suggested Itinerary?

Can You Review This Information in a Video?

If you want to find out more information this video provides more photographs of the places visited along the route and an animated version of the itinerary.

Here’s More Detail About What You Will See and Where You Will Visit

If you decide to set out on this adventure you will spend over a month travelling along the coast and you will stop at a wide variety of previously planned places.

However:

First and Foremost its all About the Journey, Not the Arrival

As with all adventures of this type, it is first and foremost the journey, rather than the arrival, that it the key pleasure.

Most of the journey will be spent on local buses, travelling between one planned destination and the next.

A great chance to:

• interact with local people;

• perhaps exchange stories as to why you are on the bus;

• eat local food with other travellers at road side meal stops; or even

• meet with the local farm stock being transported to market.

Sometimes you might wonder why you are doing all this:

• struggling to find out exactly where it is that the local bus departs from;

• waiting for hours for a connection in the middle of nowhere; or

• sitting 18 deep in a minivan designed to carry only twelve

then all of a sudden you look out of the window and see:

• a pristine blue sea;

• a sunset to die for; or

• an empty sandy beach that looks too good to miss; and

then you know why you are there.

The Planned Stops Along the Way

In terms of the planned stops along the way, the following summaries and photographs provide an insight into what you should expect.

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is basically a chaotic, compelling mix of golden temples, tangled markets, rooftop bars, and relentless traffic.

It is best described as a city of complete contrasts with:

• serene canals beside neon nightlife; and

• luxury malls next to street food stalls serving unforgettable dishes.

Chao Phraya River – Bangkok, Thailand

The heat, crowds, and noise can be overwhelming to a first time visitor but:

• the experience of seeing thai life in all its forms;

• the affordability of accommodation and food; and

• the non stop energy of the city

make it a very rewarding city to visit at least once in your life time.

Key tings to do in Bangkok include vising the:

Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun – Find out more

Floating Market and Train Market – Find out more

Muay Thai Boxing at the Rajadamnern Stadium – Find out more

Bangkok’s hidden Canals on a Longtail Boat – Find out more

Pattaya, Thailand

Pattaya is best described as being Bangkok’s tourist resort by the sea. It has all of Bangkok’s traffic issues while generally offering a cheaper life style.

It blends beaches, nightlife, and family attractions with a very strong under current of sleaze. Its reputation being heavily shaped by its highly visible adult entertainment scene.

The beach adjacent to the main soi’s is lively, if a little bit narrow in its depth, and buzzes with sunbeds, water sport activities and hawkers selling anything from hats to jewelry. Its waters are however not that pristine.

The nearby off shore islands, which can be reached relatively cheaply by speed boat, offer clearer water and a slightly quieter experience

Away from the adult entertainment scene the resort offers some good quality hotels at affordable prices, plenty of options for outdoor dining, from street food to luxury restaurants, and an easy going resort atmosphere.

The one thing Pattaya does not major on though is untouched nature.

Pattaya, Thailand, – An Aerial View

Ko Samet, Thailand

Ko Samet is the opposite of Pattaya. Although still accessible from Bangkok for weekend getaways it tends to attract those who want a quieter life – It is a compact island with white-sand beaches and blissfully calm turquoise seas.

In general its beach resorts offer a relaxed experience with:

• simple beach bars;

• swimmable bays;

• al-fresco dining on sea food during the evening; and

• a general absence of the large-scale developments seen on some other Thai islands in the south of the country.

In summary, Ko Samet is a great place to visit if you want to enjoy low‑stress beach time.

It’s not strong on offering dramatic scenery though or on offering a deep cultural experience

Beach Scenes – Ko Samet, Thailand

Trat, Thailand

Trat is a quiet provincial town that serves as a transport gateway to nearby islands, particularly Koh Chang.

It provides a useful stop over as part of this journey along the coast, with its:

• budget-friendly guesthouses; and

• night markets

Although the town offers few headline attractions it does provide a glimse into everyday Thai life.

Koh Chang, Thailand

Koh Chang is Thailand’s second-largest island and its terrain includes areas of rugged jungle, waterfalls and long beaches. It is wilder and much less commercial than either Phuket or Ko Samui and offers steep roads and extensive natural habitat.

Fire Show, White Sands Beach, Koh Chang, Thailand

The west coast has some popular beach resorts but thankfully most of these are low key backpacker type resorts. These offer wooden chalet type accommodation and easy going beach bar living. Beaches such as White Sands Beach offer al-fresco dining at beach side restaurants, some of which organise fire shows at the shore’s edge.

By contrast, the east side of the island remains quiet and undeveloped. This part of the island is ideal for nature lovers and those wanting a more adventurous island experience.

Koh Chang, Thailand – Typical Accommodation and Beach View

Krong Khemara Phoumin (Koh Kong City), Cambodia

The Cambodian border town of Krong Khemara Phoumin is a sleepy outpost surrounded by mangroves, rivers, and eco‑tourism areas.

The town itself is modest, with simple restaurants and a relaxed pace. Its appeal lies in its nearby natural attractions like the Cardamom Mountains and coastal wetlands.

Travellers either utilse the town’s accommodation facilities for overnight stops, as part of a coastal journey, or use it as a base to visit the attractions set out above.

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

In past times Sihanoukville was a paradise backpacker beach town, with relaxed beaches and a laid back feel.

Sihanoukville, Vietnam – Circa 2013

Sadly however, in the last 10 years or so the town has fallen foul to a Chinese funded casino‑driven development spree that has seen the creation of many tourist based development projects. Worse still, due to recent changes in Cambodian gambling laws many of these projects have now been abandoned, leaving half completed buildings and a general air of dispair.

The result of these activities is that the beaches near to the town have lost some of their previous charm. Nontheless, the offshore islands around Sihanoukville remain beautiful.

Nowadays, travellers mainly use the town as a transit point on their way to the offshore island of Koh Rong.

Koh Rong, Cambodia

The off-shore island of Koh Rong offers stunning beaches, clear water, and a laid‑back island vibe.

It’s an ideal location for swimming, diving, and relaxing. Accommodation is mainly in the form of wooden / bamboo chalets with varying levels of accompanying infrastructure, Night time activity is generally quiet except in the more popular backpacker locations,.

Overall, the island is a great choice for travellers who want natural beauty without heavy commercialisation.

Koh Rong, Cambodia – The Beach and Accommodation

Kampot, Cambodia

Kampot is a captivating riverside town known for pepper farms, colonial architecture, and a mellow atmosphere.

Kampot, Cambodia

It’s popular with travellers seeking slow days, good food, and scenic countryside, rather than big attractions. As such, it is an ideal location to spend a few days while travelling along Cambodia’s coastline.

If you are looking for things to do, the riverfront is charming, the pepper farms are inticing and a visit to the nearby Bokor Mountain can add an element of adventure.

Ha Tien, Vietnam

Ha Tien is a transit border town with a mix of Vietnamese and Khmer cultural influences. It primarily acts as a gateway between Cambodia, the remainder of Vietnam and the off-shore Vietnamise island of Pho Quoc.

The town has pagodas, markets, and coastal scenery, but limited major attractions.

Phu Quoc, Vietnam

Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island, offering long beaches, warm water, and a mix of luxury resorts and local fishing villages.

Development has accelerated in recent times, bringing more amenities but also reducing some of the island’s natural charm. It is nonetheless reasonably easy to find quieter areas if that is desired.

Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

The north of the island generally remains the quieter destination, while the south has some attractions and some nightlife.

Overall, Phu Quoc is a great destination for beach holidays, although it is not the most culturally rich destination on the journey.

Can Tho, Vietnam

Can Tho is the largest city in the Mekong Delta and is known for its nearby floating markets, river life, and friendly residents.

The city itself blends modern development with traditional waterways, while the hinterland is mainly agricultural. The city is best described as pleasant but it is not packed with major sights. The open air general market in the centre of the city is nonetheless worthy of a visit.

Street Scenes – Can Tho General Market, Vietnam

The major traveller attractions are the nearby Cai Rang floating market and the agricultural small holdings (orchards). Each can be visited on early‑morning boat trips from Can Tho.

River Scenes – Cai Rang Floating Market, Vietnam

Argricultural Orchard near to Can Tho

My Tho, Vietnam

My Tho, like Can Tho, is also a city within the Mekong Delta. Being closer to Ho Chi Minh City it generally forms a common starting point for boat based tours of the Mekong Delta area.

The town is functional rather than charming, but the surrounding waterways provide classic delta scenery.

River Scenes – My Tho, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City, like our starting point in Bangkok, is fast, energetic, and full of contrasts. The most obvious characteristic of the city is the dominance of motorcycles as the main means of transport.

The city blends:

• french colonial architecture with sleek modern skyscrapers; and

• street food with craft cocktail bars.

It’s noisy, humid, and sometimes overwhelming, yet endlessly engaging.

Museums, markets, and local neighbourhoods offer insight into Vietnam’s recent past and present.

Street Scenes – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Must see things to do in the city include visiting:

• the Cu Chi Ben Duoc Tunnels – Find out more;

• the War Remnants Museum – Find out more;

• a traditional Water Puppetry Show – Find out more; and

• local street based food stalls and enjoying the Vietnamese cuisine

So, are you all set to go !!!!!

If you are, don’t forget to add a comment to this post letting us know how you get on

Conclusions

Thanks for reading this post about travelling along the coast in South East Asia.

If you decide to go I hope you find some of the above information of use.

Based on my experience I would highly recommend that you undertake a trip of this type.

The best way forward is to set out with a loose plan and amend it as you go along. Nothing needs to be set in stone and in most cases accommodation can be booked as you travel, thus providing full flexibility to change your plans.

If you would like to find out more information about my other travel aventures, both in Asia and in Europe, the links at the end of this article are well worth exploring.

Thanks

Do You Have any Useful Resources?

Booking Accommodation

Budget hostel, private apartment or hotel accommodation can be found using this link to Booking.com, the most trusted accommodation booking service on the internet.

Explore Budget Accommodation

Booking Luggage Storage

If you haven’t got time to stay overnight in any place, but still want somewhere to store your luggage during the day to go sightseeing, Radical Storage are brilliant.

They have a network of luggage storage facilities in most towns and cities worldwide. You can reserve a space online and pay by iPay or similar just a few minutes before you need to drop your luggage off, or book in advance.

The online website will give you a quotation, issue you with a QR code to show to the local operator and provides directions to the shop / facility (together with a grid reference).

Nothing could be simpler. They also provide luggage insurance just in case something goes wrong. Hopefully you want need it – in my view, it just illustrates their trust in their local partners.

Find out more about Radical Storage

Booking Train Tickets

If you plan to go travelling in Europe, InterRail passes are a great way to save money. They are available for country specific travel or for Europe wide travel and valid for just a few days or up to three months. These passes can be obtained directly from InterRail as follows:

InterRail Travel Passes

If you buy your InterRail pass in the November Black Friday sale or the March / April Spring sale you can usually get a 25% discount on the price of all passes. Additionally, if you are under 28 you get an extra 25% discount anyway. Similarly, an extra 10% discount is also available for those who are 60 or over.

In my experience, buying a Europe wide pass provides much better value than buying country specific passes. Similarly, the longer the validity period of the pass the cheaper the passes become from a daily cost viewpoint.

If you want to book train tickets outside Europe then the following link may be useful. It can also be used to book individual train tickets within Europe if you don’t require the flexibility of an InterRail pass

Explore Train Tickets

This website provides all the details you need, train times, connections and prices, and it also allows you to book tickets there and then online. No need to navigate train operator sites, translate from a foreign language or deal with currency conversions.

Are There Any Further Reading Recommendations?

Details of My Other Long Distance Overland Adventures

Further Details on my Travels from London to the Arctic Circle

Useful Country Factsheets

Who Are Your Favourite Travel Writers?

Would You Like To Provide Feedback?

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