Indochina(Cambodia/Vietnam) - Post No 4: Phnom Penh to Saigon

22 November 2010

November 22, 2010 marks the date that we made history. For the benefit of those who wondered why we breezed through Thailand and Cambodia, wonder no more, for I'll tell you, the main destination in this particular Indochina trip is Vietnam, where we will be spending most of our time traversing the country.

The significance of Vietnam is that you can almost never get to bring your motorcycle there. Many have tried and many have been turned back disappointed. At first I thought they don't allow anything above 175cc, now I know....they don't allow ANYTHING in regardless of cc. Now I've been assured that we have everything in order though there's always that niggling though.....what if? After years of searching and months of preparation David managed to find the right connections to get us in legally. It's not as though it can't be done, just that it's difficult.

Group photo at Cambodia-Vietnam border

We left Phnom Penh pretty early as we wanted to avoid the jam, it was a public holiday that day so its not too bad. I was still tired from yesterday's ride and had wished for another day but amazingly as soon as i sat on the bike everything felt good.

Phnom Penh skyline

1 Malaysia breakfast

We had to go through about 20km of unpaved roads that pretty much wrecked havoc on my immune system as I could feel a sore throat coming up, though the highlight of the day was definitely the ferry crossing at Neak Leoung. This is to cross the Mekong river. It's a roll on type of ferry and when i rolled up the jetty, the guy ushered me on it but it already seems full so I was halfway up when the ferry moved away. Panic stations as front wheel on ferry and rear still on the jetty, luckily managed to pull the bike back out, but it was definitely a bitch to u-turn on the jetty and go to the other side where another ferry is waiting. I have all that on video but so sorry that'll have to wait for now.

You have buses and lorries on the ferry with zero life jacket in sight

We stopped for lunch before crossing the border as the Vietnam guys were not ready to receive us yet. This side of Cambodia border crossing looks far better than the Thai-Cambodia side, with hotels and casinos lining up the streets.

That's a casino behind

Lunch stop

The customs actually was reluctant to let us through initially as they were perplexed that we are riding our bikes into Vietnam knowing full well that just does not happen. He wanted to see our Vietnam papers as he said if he let us through and we get stuck trying to get into Vietnam he would not let us back in again. Now that would have been a bit of a pickle if that happened. They relented when we assured that everything is being taken care off on the other side.

Cambodia border control

Cambodia Customs - now FB friend

It took a while to get through Vietnam border with immigration and customs checking our bikes but we finally got through. Vietnam soil baybee!! we made it! the biggest BMW bike group ever from Malaysia to have crossed the border.

Immigration building

We were shocked to see what the Saigon bikers brought to escort us into Saigon. Now I had thought that it's gonna be a bunch of kapchais, but these people are on a different level.

Honda Valkyrie - Same engine as a goldwing

1979 cafe racer

These people were all nice and smily when they greeted us, but once they escorted us into Saigon they turned into a brutal road clearing force. Practically opening up the road for us and blocking all other traffic. We didn't stop at any lights as we made our way. The only thing that hampered us was the heavy rain as we reached Saigon. I was drenched to the bone, but was just happy to have made it. Good thing I experienced Phnom Penh's traffic as that acted as a bit of practice for Saigon cause it's just as mad. There's just so many motorist on these small bike who was just bouncing off my panniers as they never look when they change lanes.

That night we road our bikes to Hard Rock Cafe as we hosted a dinner there. Got superstar parking and all i tell ya.

So for the next 9 days we are going to make our way through this country for the experience of a life time, which I will be updating....so do stay tuned.

* Fuel Consumption
1. Saigon 245.7km 167VND 9.88liters