We chose to go through Mekong Delta and cross the Kaam Samnor/Vinh Xuong border to enter Cambodia. Of course, there is a shorter route, via a 8 hour bus ride, straight from HCMC to Phnom Penh (PP). Crossing Mekong Delta means we would need to allocate additional day as compared to taking the bus, however that would also mean we would miss the nation's "rice basket" (Mekong Delta is the largest rice producer in Vietnam).

However in fear that we might not secure the right timing from taking the bus from HCMC to Chau Doc (the nearest town to the border crossing) and booking of the boat from Chau Doc over to Cambodia. A local tour is the answer. I suppose quite a number of tourists opt to have a glimpse of the fame Mekong Delta and take the opportunity of not turning back to HCMC. And so, we signed up for a Mekong Delta-Exit to Phnom Penh tour.

We left HCMC at about 8 in the morning by bus and reached Vinh Long about 12 pm. Took this picture from the bus, the little kid was waving to me upon seeing me taking pictures of them. :)

We also saw this super high aerials shooting out from the houses along the road.


Upon reaching Vinh Long, we were transfer to a boat and visited the Cai Be Floating Market.


And there is a Catholic cathedral on the riverside.


and we were brought to a candy-rice paper-rice cracker producing place.


The pandan-coconut candy. The one in blue shirt is the tour guide, explaining on how they make the candy. The lady was cutting the candy using a plastic plate.


The lady is making the rice paper. Longan shells are burn together in the fire when making the rice paper. On her right, was the tour guide again, about to try the rice paper, dipped in soy sauce.

Thereafter we were shipped to lunch. The boat ride was quite a long one, about an hour or so. From there, upon reaching land, we were off to Chau Doc. This time, via bus.


Side note: Set mental note to self, its time to clear that income tax form again...

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