Asia - Which one for a long weekend: VTE, RGN, or PNH/Kep?

I'm trying to decide between Vientiane, Phnom Pehn or Rangoon for a short 2 or 3 day getaway later this month. With only 3 days max, that doesn't leave a lot of time to see much other than the major cities. Luang Prabang will have to wait. I'm using miles for an award tix, so the flights cost the same.

I have been to both PNH and RGN but that was 15 years ago, and I probably won't recognise these places much today (hopefully, there's no more need for the bouncers to carry around AK47s at the nightclubs in PNH).

For those who have been to two or all three of these cities recently, how would you rank them? I'm pretty happy just walking around during the day, visiting one or two major sites, seeing the locals going about their business, eating good food and sleeping in late.

If Cambodia/PNH is the place to go, does it make sense to visit Kep instead (there was a New York Times travel article hyping it in the past week)? Been to Angkor twice already so in no rush to go back to REP, at least not for a few more years.

Any other hotel/restaurant recommendations in PNH would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

There's not all that much to Kep. As a place to stay, I preferred Kampot which isn't too far away. Can't really rank these places, just completely different in size/feel/atmosphere. Rangoon is much larger and won't be as laid back. Vientiane is a small city, sleepy by SE Asia standards. Kep is basically not much beyond a village, Kampot is a small town. Both also sleepy.

Are you coming from a long distance or already in the region? I have the impression you are based in BKK, KUL or SIN.

I've been to both Yangon and Phnom Penh in the last year, and enjoyed both. It's been 10 years since I've been to Vientienne. It was so slow and sleepy I can't recommend it - but that might not represent today's realities.

I enjoyed both Yangon and Phnom Penh very much. There's lots to see and do. more in Phnom Penh in my opinion especially if you are willing to see the markers to the atrocities of the Pol Pot regime. If you are a shopper, there are great local things to be had in the Central Market in Yangoon, more so than we found in Phnom Penh this year.

Be aware that Yangoon is cash only. You need crisp dollars or euros for everything, including hotels. There are no ATMS nor any credit card terminals. Depending on where you live, that could add a layer of complexity.

Here's a current trip report on Yangon:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1323201-step-back-time-twilight-burma-visit-myanmar-mi-y-sin-rgn.html

I've been to both Yangon and Phnom Penh in the last year, and enjoyed both. It's been 10 years since I've been to Vientienne. It was so slow and sleepy I can't recommend it - but that might not represent today's realities.

While Phnom Penh is changing fast I'd say Vientiane is moving even faster. VTE has better food, is less chaotic and a significantly more enjoyable place than PNH. Just my opinion obviously. It's been a few years since I was last in RGN and wouldn't even hazard to guess what it's like since the NGOs flooded in last year.

I enjoyed both Yangon and Phnom Penh very much. There's lots to see and do. more in Phnom Penh in my opinion especially if you are willing to see the markers to the atrocities of the Pol Pot regime.

You got to see the leading members of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP)? Lucky you. ;)

Expanding upon jiejie's post:

Kep is a very small town, which might well grow in the next few years, right on the water and known for their crab. There is absolutely not much happening there but it's a good place to relax and not be bothered by anything or anyone. Kampot is known for it's green pepper, once a staple export during the French Indochina days, and supposedly (I haven't been there) still has some good colonial architechture still standing. The two towns are all of 25 km apart.

With a car/driver Kep is about 2.5 hours from PNH. By bus it's probably 4.

I was in PP a few months ago. It's an interesting enough city for 2 or 3 nights but I wouldn't want to spend much longer there. Get a tuk tuk driver to give you a tour. For $US 10 you can have him for most of the day.

The strip of bars and restaurants by the river is a fun (and safe) area but otherwise it's not a city you can wander around at night. The best bar/restaurant for people watching is the historic Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) http://www.fcccambodia.com/phnom_penh/boutique-hotel.php - especially during the cocktail hour(s) at sunset.

For a hotel, I'd recommend The Pavilion (http://www.thepavilion.asia/). The rooms aren't especially luxurious but the building is fantastic.

PP is certainly developing quickly. Now is probably a good time to go as in another 5-10 years it'll be another Bangkok in the making. What really hits you is what a young place it is. For obvious reasons, you see very few people over the age of 40 or 50.

My choice for a lazy destination out of these is Vientiane. Notice that there is very little (if any) nightlife. Easy going and safe. You can leave your AK47 home, you won't be needing it.

PNH is good too, but whole different world compared to Laos. Add beggars, drugs, bars, guns, prostitution etc. compared to VTE. Probably quite safe nowadays unless you're looking for trouble.

Perhaps it's just me, but I found RGN less enjoyable than PNH and VTE.

Not sure where you are going from or what your visa issues might be.

I spent a few days in and around Kep a few years ago. It was very quiet indeed. Not a whole lot of accommodation choices then but I assume it is better now. I did the day trip to Bokor Mountain which is nearer Kampot. It was an interesting trip but a terrible ride up and down the mountain. I assume the road they were building is done now. I would check to find out what the current state is of the old hill station ruins. Rumors at the time were that a Japanese company was going to build a new hotel on top of the mountain and they were the builders of the road.

You can spend a couple of hours riding a boat down the Kampot River.

There are a couple of old cave shrines in the area. There wasn't much to them, but accessing them via a walk through the rice paddies was pleasant enough.

You can also take a rickety boat out to Rabbit Island which is a sleepy place indeed. Grab a hammock on the beach. It's the only place I have ever seen cows on a beach. Saw lots of animals there but no rabbits. You can take a quick hike around the island if you get bored sitting still (like I do).

For a weekend I think that part of Cambodia is worth a visit. On the drive back to Phnom Penh we stopped off at Phnom Chisor which is an old (obviously) Khmer temple on top of a big hill. It's something like 530 steps up to the top. I was huffing and puffing pretty bad by the time we got to the top. Great views over the surrounding countryside which is also dotted with old ruins. I recommend it.

I'm trying to decide between Vientiane, Phnom Pehn or Rangoon for a short 2 or 3 day getaway later this month. With only 3 days max, that doesn't leave a lot of time to see much other than the major cities. Luang Prabang will have to wait. I'm using miles for an award tix, so the flights cost the same.

I have been to both PNH and RGN but that was 15 years ago, and I probably won't recognise these places much today (hopefully, there's no more need for the bouncers to carry around AK47s at the nightclubs in PNH).

For those who have been to two or all three of these cities recently, how would you rank them? I'm pretty happy just walking around during the day, visiting one or two major sites, seeing the locals going about their business, eating good food and sleeping in late.

If Cambodia/PNH is the place to go, does it make sense to visit Kep instead (there was a New York Times travel article hyping it in the past week)? Been to Angkor twice already so in no rush to go back to REP, at least not for a few more years.

Any other hotel/restaurant recommendations in PNH would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I have been to all 3 recently.

I rank them as:
1) PNH
2) VTE
3) RGN

PNH has the better restaurants, more to see, and is quite an interesting place (it has changed a LOT in 15 years as you can imagine). I really like the Raffles hotel here- stay in the main building (i.e. the same one as reception is in)- very classy, recently rennovated- the hotel also has a good swimming pool (2 actually) and a wonderful breakfast. It costs < 200 USD so phenomenal value. Many good restaurants here. Pickup the LUXE city guide for Phonm Penh- it is very accurate for places to eat.

VTE- hmm... I want to like VTE, however it is very quiet- there really is not much to do or see here (walking around the centre area will take up about 4 hours if you really see EVERYTHING). There is a great Italian restaurant in VTE- don't recall the name, however there are not very many so you should be able to find it. I have not found a hotel in VTE I like if that matters.

RGN- super interesting due to political developments. I am not sure that I would go there to relax- from a "next big development" country perspective it is very good. I have stayed at the Traders Hotel- it works quite well and is a typical Shangri-La Traders property smack in the centre of town. I have also stayed at the Strand- I would say go to the Strand for a drink and stay at the Traders on the Horizon Club level.

Lastly about Kep- Ms. Travelsig really likes Kep. We stayed at the Knai Bang Chatt "Resort" which is a great bed and breakfast with 2 restaurants (also the next door "Sailing Club" is owned and operated by the hotel). Knai Bang Chatt is very sleepy- actually we are talking about Kep being a place with a pulse of zero. Even the dogs are too laid back to chase a cat. As everyone says- the crab is great- although after 2 days you will have enough crab.
The beach is OK to look at- however definitely not very swimmable or accessible- better just to look at. If you stay at Knai Bang Chatt you will use the great swimming pool there. Note there are only 11 rooms, so you really need to book in advance. No televisions, no bath tubs- there is wifi (free) however and some very interesting architecture. It works out to cost ~ $300-$350 USD a night including dinner at one of the two restaurants- I am not sure if it is really worth this price, however given the surroundings, the ambience etc- it does seem to be worth it. The staff are very nice and sweet. I wouldn't go here without Ms. Travelsig- there is really nothing to do in KEP.

I took a car and driver from PNH to KEP- it is a drive of about 3 hours including a bit of traffic getting in and out of KEP. There is a helicopter option to the Knai Bang Chatt for $3500 (not a typo) which is supposedly the way high flyers get down to KEP- however not being a highflyer myself I don't know how often the helicopter option really gets used (although the hotel said there are regular customers FWIW).

PNH has the better restaurants, more to see, and is quite an interesting place

I've gotta take exception to this. There is no way PNH has better restaurants than VTE. Whether you're dealing with western food or local choices VTE is by far a better choice than PNH.

Both places are lacking a bevy of interesting sights, it might be a wash here.

Interesting, yes. ;)

....however not being a highflyer myself ...

Uh, my friend, anybody who goes to these sorts of cities/towns and stays at $200 per night, $300 per night places, etc. qualifies as a "highflyer" in my book. When I saw what you're splashing out in these poor little outposts of humanity, my jaw dropped. You're definitely at the upper end compared to us mere mortals with thin wallets.

Besides the crab with Kampot pepper (insanely delicious) my favorite activity in Kep was wandering around the old ruined houses, nearly all done in the mid-20th century Moderne style. And my tuk-tuk driver/"guide" (Kampot-based with family in Kep) showed me to the old Cambodian royal "palace" (actually more of a big house) facing the seaside, which was being renovated. Workmen let us in and let us wander around and chit-chat a bit. Very interesting to see the bullet holes and other reminders of the really bad time during the 1970-late 1990's period. There is an island off Kep that backpackers like to go to but it's pretty rustic situation if you want to overnight, and at the time I went, water in the strait between Kep and island was too rough for safe boat passage.

that might be Rabbit Island I mentioned above. They have some little huts on the beach where you can overnight. Very rustic.

that might be Rabbit Island I mentioned above. They have some little huts on the beach where you can overnight. Very rustic.

Yeah, that's it--Rabbit Island. Definitely not $300 a night. :D

Yeah, that's it--Rabbit Island. Definitely not $300 a night. :D

I have been to Rabbit Island. I wouldn't really recommend it- nothing to see.

Song Saa on the other hand has been getting a lot of press and attention from Four Seasons and others:

http://songsaa.com/

More like 700 than 300 however.

Rabbit Island is a place to laze away a day when you want to do so outside of Kep. There's a handful of little bungalow establishments lining the beach and each has a little restaurant attached. A decent place to go for the day but a destination for the sake of it.

The big disadvantage of Yangon is the need to get a visa in advance. Also currently there is a huge influx of tourists and interested business people so every flight and hotel is full so you will need to book well in advance.

The big disadvantage of Yangon is the need to get a visa in advance. Also currently there is a huge influx of tourists and interested business people so every flight and hotel is full so you will need to book well in advance.

Excellent points Lobster. IIRC the Visa is ~50 USD as well for most nationalities???

The big disadvantage of Yangon is the need to get a visa in advance. Also currently there is a huge influx of tourists and interested business people so every flight and hotel is full so you will need to book well in advance.

This is what I'm hearing as well. Add to the mix of tourists and business people the myriad NGOs.

Excellent points Lobster. IIRC the Visa is ~50 USD as well for most nationalities???

Depends where you get it. I believe until recently it was still $20 or $30 at hte embassy in Phnom Penh.

I think I paid $25 or 30 last year for my Myanmar visa at the embassy here in DC.

I think I paid $25 or 30 last year for my Myanmar visa at the embassy here in DC.

OK- so about the same as Cambodia and Laos for most nationalities.

VTE. Laos is AMAZING. Although I'd do Luang Prabang (LPQ) instead, it's the cultural center of Laos.

VTE. Laos is AMAZING. Although I'd do Luang Prabang (LPQ) instead, it's the cultural center of Laos.

Let me guess, you just got back from your first time in Laos.

The big disadvantage of Yangon is the need to get a visa in advance. Also currently there is a huge influx of tourists and interested business people so every flight and hotel is full so you will need to book well in advance.

Perhaps I might endorse this, just back from 3 nights there, had to change hotels on each night due to the lack of bed space, I've never experienced anything like it anywhere else in the world.

from your list I would say PP has some merit for s short hop.

Let me guess, you just got back from your first time in Laos.

Just got back, as in January. I did Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia, and I enjoyed them in that order. Can't speak about RGN, I'm not that adventurous I suppose.

I still think that Hanoi is the most interesting city in SE Asia, but it's not for everyone (those who just go without any preparation will hate it!)

I still think that Hanoi is the most interesting city in SE Asia, but it's not for everyone (those who just go without any preparation will hate it!)

All of SE Asia is great- and I like Hanoi a lot- hard really to narrow down to one city to be the most interesting in SE Asia- however Hanoi could never be described as boring.

A long weekend?? If I was coming from another big asian city (I think the OP is based in KUL?) I might look for something a little more laidback for a long weekend to relax but to each their own.

If the OP has previously toured Shwedagon in RGN, then the vote goes to VTE. Man has it changed in the last 5 years ! Good food and fun to be had now. I had no problems getting flights on Air Asia BKK-YGN in April. In fact they were really cheap. Can recommend Traders in YGN & club level is worth the extra $$. wj