Backpacker Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh Connect and Stay

Embark on an incredible 14-day journey through Cambodia and Vietnam alongside fellow travelers! Beginning in Cambodia, you’ll experience some of the most unforgettable highlights of both countries while connecting with like-minded adventurers and staying in carefully selected hostels throughout the trip.
This journey perfectly blends cultural exploration, light adventure, and plenty of fun—creating the ultimate cross-country experience to suit every travel style.

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Details

Unique Experiences:	Handpicked hostels along the journey Experience authentic local bus travel throughout the journey. Take in the stunning scenery of Cambodia. Enjoy free time to explore each city at your own pace.
Trip Length:	14 Days
Participants:	Up to 16 travelers may book this trip. This trip departs with a minimum of 2 travelers. This is a shared experience.
Physical Difficulty:	1 out of 5
Inclusions:	Meals: 7 Breakfasts Accommodations: 3 nights at The Twizt Lifestyle Hostel in a Mixed Dorm, 3 nights at Onederz Phnom Penh in a Mixed Dorm, 4 nights at Onederz Koh Rong in a Mixed Dorm, 2 nights at Onederz Kampot in a Mixed Dorm, 1 night at Onederz Phnom Penh in a Mixed Dorm Transportation: Siem Reap Airport (SAI) to Siem Reap by Car or Van, Siem Reap to Siem Reap Bus Station by Car or Van, Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by Bus, Phnom Penh Bus to Phnom Penh by Car or Van, Phnom Penh to Phnom Penh Bus Station by Van, Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville by Public Bus, Sihanoukville to Koh Rong by Public Ferry, Koh Rong Pier to Koh Rong Hotel by Local Taxi, Koh Rong to Koh Rong Pier by Van, Koh Rong to Sihanoukville by Public Ferry, Sihanoukvillle to Kampot by Public Bus, Kampot Bus Station to Kampot by Van, Kampot to Kampot Bus Station by Van, Kampot to Phnom Penh by Public Bus, Phnom Penh Bus Station to Phnom Penh by Van, Phnom Penh to Phnom Penh Bus Station by Van, Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City by Public Bus
Exclusions:	Travel Insurance (Compulsory) Tips and Gratuities Compulsory and Peak Season Surcharges
Age Policy:	Adults: 18 to 99 years of age Children: Prohibited Infants: Prohibited
Child Policy:	Children under 18 may not participate.

Map

Itinerary

Day 1: Siem Reap
Meet your driver in the arrival hall of Siem Reap Airport for a transfer straight to your hotel. Check in on arrival, and the rest of the day is at leisure

Transportation: Siem Reap Airport (SAI) to Siem Reap by Car or Van
Accommodation: The Twizt Lifestyle Hostel in a Mixed Dorm

Day 2: Siem Reap
After breakfast, explore Siem Reap and its surroundings at your own pace!

More than just the gateway to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap is a lively town blending centuries-old history with a youthful energy. Beyond the legendary temples, you’ll find colorful night markets, street food stalls serving Khmer delicacies, and quiet corners by the riverside where life flows at a slower pace. It’s a place where ancient stone carvings meet buzzing cafés, and where every sunset feels like a prelude to discovery.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Twizt Lifestyle Hostel in a Mixed Dorm

Day 3: Siem Reap
After breakfast, another day to explore Siem Reap on your own!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Twizt Lifestyle Hostel in a Mixed Dorm

Day 4: Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
Good morning, after breakfast, meet your driver for a private transfer to the bus station. From there, board a public bus to Phnom Penh. The journey takes around 5 to 6 hours (approx. 320 km), passing through Cambodia’s rural landscapes and small towns along the way.

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh bus station, meet your driver for a short transfer to your hostel. Check in and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Siem Reap to Siem Reap Bus Station by Car or Van, Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by Bus, Phnom Penh Bus to Phnom Penh by Car or Van
Accommodation: Onederz Phnom Penh in a Mixed Dorm

Day 5: Phnom Penh
After breakfast, explore the buzzing capital at your own pace!

Cambodia’s capital is a city of contrasts: elegant French-colonial boulevards, golden-roofed pagodas, and a fast-paced riverfront filled with tuk-tuks and street vendors. It’s a place where history speaks loudly, from the opulent Royal Palace to the sobering reminders of the country’s past. Yet, Phnom Penh is also full of resilience and vibrancy, with trendy bars, art spaces, and a culinary scene that mirrors the country’s creativity and spirit.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Onederz Phnom Penh in a Mixed Dorm

Day 6: Phnom Penh
After breakfast, another day to explore Phnom Penh on your own!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Onederz Phnom Penh in a Mixed Dorm

Day 7: Phnom Penh to Koh Rong Island
Your journey from Phnom Penh to Koh Rong begins with a private van pick-up directly from your hostel. Our driver will bring you to the bus station, where your intercity coach to Sihanoukville awaits. Settle in for a comfortable 5 to 6 hour ride, with air-conditioning, reclining seats, and a couple of rest stops along the way.

On arrival in Sihanoukville, another private van will transfer you to the pier. Here, our staff or pier attendants will assist you with ferry boarding passes and luggage tags before you continue your adventure by sea.

The public speed ferry takes you across the Gulf of Thailand in about 45–60 minutes, depending on sea conditions and your final pier on Koh Rong. Keep your essentials with you, as larger luggage is stored in the ferry hold. As you approach the island, enjoy the views of turquoise water and white sand beaches that make Koh Rong famous.

Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel with the evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Phnom Penh to Phnom Penh Bus Station by Van, Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville by Public Bus, Sihanoukville to Koh Rong by Public Ferry, Koh Rong Pier to Koh Rong Hotel by Local Taxi
Accommodation: Onederz Koh Rong in a Mixed Dorm

Day 8: Koh Rong Island
Free day at the beach!

Accommodation: Onederz Koh Rong in a Mixed Dorm

Day 9: Koh Rong Island
Free day at the beach!

Accommodation: Onederz Koh Rong in a Mixed Dorm

Day 10: Koh Rong Island
Free day at the beach!

Accommodation: Onederz Koh Rong in a Mixed Dorm

Day 11: Koh Rong Island to Kampot
After breakfast, your return journey begins with a transfer to the pier to catch the ferry back to the mainland, a scenic 45–60-minute crossing across the Gulf of Thailand. Once you arrive at the pier, a van will be waiting to take you to the Sihanoukville bus station. From here, you’ll board a comfortable intercity bus for the ride to Kampot. The journey takes around 2–3 hours, traveling through the Cambodian countryside and small towns before reaching this laid-back riverside destination.

On arrival in Kampot, our driver will transfer you from the bus station to your hotel by private van.

Transportation: Koh Rong to Koh Rong Pier by Van, Koh Rong to Sihanoukville by Public Ferry, Sihanoukville to Kampot by Public Bus, Kampot Bus Station to Kampot by Van
Accommodation: Onederz Hostel Kampot in a Mixed Dorm

Day 12: Kampot
Another free day at leisure!

Kampot is one of Cambodia’s most charming riverside towns, known for its relaxed pace of life and scenic surroundings. Nestled along the banks of the Praek Tuek Chhu River, it offers stunning sunsets, a mix of French colonial architecture, and a vibrant café scene that has made it a favorite among travelers looking to unwind. Beyond the town, Kampot is the gateway to Bokor National Park with its misty hills and old colonial ruins, as well as caves and hidden temples scattered through the nearby countryside. The region is also world-famous for Kampot pepper, considered among the best in the world, and a visit to one of the local pepper farms gives a taste of this unique heritage.

Accommodation: Onederz Hostel Kampot in a Mixed Dorm

Day 13: Kampot to Phnom Penh
After breakfast, meet your driver for a private transfer to the bus station. From there, board a public bus for the journey to Phnom Penh. The trip takes approximately 3 to 4 hours (170 km), offering a wonderful window into Cambodia’s rural life and scenic landscapes.

Upon arrival at the Phnom Penh station, your driver will be waiting to take you directly to your hostel. After checking in, you are free to enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Transportation: Kampot to Kampot Bus Station by Van, Kampot to Phnom Penh by Public Bus, Phnom Penh Bus Station to Phnom Penh by Van
Accommodation: Onederz Hostel Phnom Penh in a Mixed Dorm

Day 14: Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City
Your journey to Vietnam begins with a private van pick-up from your hotel and a transfer to the bus station. After check-in, board a comfortable intercity bus and settle in for the drive toward the Cambodian–Vietnamese border.

The route takes you through the quiet countryside before reaching the Bavet Border Checkpoint. Here, you will complete exit formalities for Cambodia and entry procedures for Vietnam. Our team and the bus staff will guide you through the process, which typically takes around 45–60 minutes.

Once across the border, you will continue your journey by bus, watching the bustling daily life of the various regions pass by until you arrive in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Phnom Penh to Phnom Penh Bus Station by Van, Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City by Public Bus