Saigon & Phnom Penh

[Yossarian]

I'm going to be spending the next couple of weeks in these 2 cities, anybody been recently and got any recommendations?

(and no, I'm not interested in shooting a water buffalo with an AK-47..:D)

[fela fan]

Go to the FCCC by the river in PP, with the palace behind it. Be there late afternoon so you can see the sun go down. Enjoy your favourite tipple there and soak in the atmosphere and history simultaneously.

Absolutely magnificent.

You might also visit S21, the place where everyone was tortured and killed by the khymer rouge. It will shock you to the core to see close up just how low humanity can stoop. Somehow i avoided bursting right out into tears, although i don't know how coz i recall vividly wanting to.

[Yossarian]

Cheers - looks like a great city from what little I've seen so far, planning on making a beeline for the FCC soon as I'm finished work today.

[rachamim18]

I spent 3.5 months this year in PP so if you want tips let me know your price range, and general interests and I will be glad to lend soem tips. I spend alot of time in the region, I liv ein Mindanao. Have not been to Nam in a few years though.

I will offer one tip though alkready. One mentioned S21. The Killing Fileds concession which is usually conencted with a visit to the school (S was a school before the KR) is a Japanese owned concession that is profiting off of the genocide. You should folllow your coscience but realise any money spent on it is not going to locals or to help survivors. There ARE plenty of other memorielas such as the Wat,etc and will not cost a dime, nor disrespect locals.

As for the river...Well, it is ok if you are in the medium price range, but the closer you get to Naga World the seedier it gets. After dark it is pretty dicey. Also, any part of the river after dark has its inherent risks as the dance clubs on river boats attract the noveau riche Yaba Gangsters and corrupt military blokes.

Me? I am a Lake Denzien and that admittedly isd not for everyone. To each their own. LEt me know the particulars and I will give you a heads up.