The thought of visiting Angkor Wat came when I saw how beautiful it is when my friend visited it. Located in Siem Riep, Cambodia, Angkor Wat is the largest religious structure in the world by land area. Originally constructed as a personal mausoleum, it was converted into a Buddhist temple towards the end of 12th century and remains as it is till today. Other than Siem Riep, I decide to stop over Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, as well.
Phnom Penh is the most populous city of Cambodia. Once known as the "Pearl of Asia", it was considered one of the loveliest French-built cities in Indochina in the 1920s. The initial settlement of Phnom Penh is believed to have been established since the 5th century AD. It remained as the royal capital for 73yrs (1432-1505). It was then abandoned for 360yrs (1505-1865) by subsequent Kings due to internal fighting, and the capital was moved several times. It was not until 1866, under the reign of King Norodom I (1860-1904), that Phnom Penh became the permanent seat of government and capital of Cambodia, and where the current Royal Palace was built.
Siem Reap is the 2nd largest city of Cambodia, and has French colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old French Quarter and around the Old Market. “Siem Reap” translates to “defeat of Siam”, commonly taken as a reference to an incident in the centuries-old conflict between the Siamese and Khmer Kingdoms. Siem Reap was little more than a village when French explorers rediscovered Angkor in the 19th century. In 1901, the French School of the Far East took responsibility for clearing and restoring the temple ruins. With the acquisition of Angkor by the French in 1907 following a Franco-Siamese treaty, Siem Reap began to grow.
Ho Chi Minh, or commonly known as its previous name, Saigon, is the largest and the most populous city in Vietnam. After it was surrendered by the last Vietnamese dynasty to the French in 1862, the name Saigon was adopted and the city underwent urbanisation to become a financial centre in the region. In 1976, the government of a unified Vietnam renamed Saigon to its current name in honour of leader Ho Chi Minh. The earliest settlement in the area was a Buddhist temple, founded in the 4th century AD.
Alright, so after knowing a little history on the 3 cities, here’s the itinerary:
Arrived at Phnom Penh Airport > Check-in to Point Boutique Hotel > Breakfast at Lot 369 Cafe and Bar > Wat Phnom (Buddhist Temple) > Phsar Thmei (Central Market) > Lunch at Mok Mony > Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda > Chill at Backyard Cafe > Independence Monument > Dinner at Malis Restaurant
Killing Fields and S21 Tour > Lunch at Eleven One Kitchen > Java Creative Cafe > National Museum of Cambodia > Sisowath Quay Boardwalk + sunset > Dinner at Romdeng
Breakfast at Mere Cafe > Phnom Penh Airport > to Siem Reap > Arrive at Siem Reap Airport > Check-in to Popular Hotel & Spa > Lunch at Sister Srey Cafe > Psar Chas (Siem Reap Old Market) > Khmer Ceramics (Pottery Class) > Dinner at The Square 24 Restaurant > Phare, The Cambodian Circus
Angkor Temples Tour, Lunch at Blue Pumpkin > Khmer Ceramics, pick up pottery > Dinner at The Sugar Palm
Siem Reap Airport > to Ho Chi Minh > Tan Son Nhat Airport > Check-in to The Chill Suites - City Center > Lunch at Hu Tieu Nam Vang Nhan > Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon > Saigon Central Post Office > L’amant Cafe > Saigon Skydeck + sunset > Dinner at The Workshop Coffee
Breakfast at Banh Mi Hong Hoa > Cu Chi Tunnels Tour > Lunch at Pho So 1 Ha Noi > Chill at Cafe Tram > Cholon Cao Dai Temple > Dinner at Bun Rieu Nguyen Canh Chan
Breakfast at The Vintage Emporium (Cafe), Oromia Coffee & Lounge > Tan Dinh Church > Lunch at L’Usine Cafe, Miyama Cafe > Ben Thanh Market > Vincom Center (Mall) > Parkson Plaza (Mall) + dinner
Chill at Nap Saigon (Cafe), Breakfast at Pho Phuong 25 > War Remnants Museum > Independence Palace > Chill at Yoko Cafe > Lunch at Banh Mi Hyunh Hoa > back to hotel to get luggage > to Tan Son Nhat Airport
Comments