Vietnam forum

Sinh Cafe -> Sinh Tourist? (or other travel agent recommendation)

smash

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 162

hey all

I'm looking at booking a overnight trip from Saigon to Phnom Penh via the Mekong.

Sinh Tourist has one at USD35 that looks ok (http://www.thesinhtourist.vn/TourDetails_User.aspx?MaTour=%20VEctTTJQUC0wMQ==&LangID=en&MaTram=TUs=).

Has the Sinh Cafe changed its name recently to Sinh Tourist? We want to arrange this before we get to Vietnam so we're not wasting our short/precious time in travel agencies so just looking for somewhere reliable to book before we go.

Cheers,
Ash

#1 Posted: 5/1/2010 - 11:01
busylizzy

under-employed
Posts: 1258
Located in:
Private message

Hi Smash,

Yes Sinh Cafe recently re-branded to Sinh Tourist. This was to move away from all the Sinh Cafe copycats. Their old website now redirects to a new one.

You may want to reconsider booking the trip ahead of time as it ties you down a bit much. We did an (unplanned) Easy Rider motorbike trip, then ended up extending it to take us through the Mekong Delta to Chau Doc. From Chau Doc, we took a boat up to Phnom Penh - which was much better than a bus, in my opinion (Cost = $21PP). The motorbike trip ended up being a highlight for us. Personally, I'm glad we didn't pre-book anything as it allows maximum flexibility to change your plans. Also - it's very easy to book through the agencies once you are here. I often make these bookings just a day or two ahead of time, and it's been very quick and easy.

Having said all of that, you might be on limited time or have your own reasons for needing to prebook. I can't get the link to work right now (crap connection!) - but that is definitely the correct website (ie for Sinh Tourist aka Sinh Cafe).

Hope this is vaguely helpful!
Lisa

#2 Posted: 5/1/2010 - 18:55

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somtam2000

admin
mahout
Posts: 5862
Located in:

Private message

Yeah Sinh Cafe has changed its name -- as they say on the new site:

"To mark the growth of a coffee house organizing travel to become a professional travel agent, we decided to change its trademark and logo from Sinh Cafe to TheSinhTourist. Please visit new Website http://www.thesinhtourist.vn"

I can't get the page you mention to load, so can't comment on the specific trip, $35 is pretty good value -- would certainly cost you more to do solo -- but it is an easy trip. For eg bus Saigon to Can Tho, overnight there, see the floating markets in the morning then midday bus to Chau Doc, overnight there and then speedboat to Phnom Penh the following morning -- but, doing it solo would cost more than $35.

#3 Posted: 5/1/2010 - 18:59

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grasshopper-
322

motodop
Posts: 25

I've heard only bad things about Sinh Travel but have no personal experience. Just ask around

#4 Posted: 6/1/2010 - 02:00
smash

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 162

thanks guys

Lizzy - with only 15 nights from touch down in Hanoi to take off from Siem Reap we're thinking it will work in our favor to organise things prior to leaving as we'll otherwise waste time shopping around for things and to be honest I'm not one for nitpicking over $5 here and there for pretty much exactly the same product.. but thanks for the input - originally we had about six/seven weeks for this part of the trip in which case we were going to leave it 'free format'.

#5 Posted: 6/1/2010 - 02:43
thesinhtour-
ist

longtail driver
Posts: 6

Posted from within Vietnam.

To Smash:

In my opinion, you can take 4 days packeage tour Sai Gon - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Sai Gon.
They got Vietnamese tour leader and two Cambodian tour guides. All speak English. Especially, Mr David, the tour guide in Siem Reap is excellent with knowledge about Angkor and service from the heart.
You can mail to him: angkorguide@yahoo.com

The price is 174USD/pax. (Plus 24USD for Cambodian visa, getting at Bavet border. 46 USD for reentry visa to VietNam. No photo is required)
Tour departs every Thursday
If you decide to go to Bangkok from Siem Reap (Thesinhtourist offers the daily bus), you can stop the tour at the 4th day. So dont have to get reentry visa to Vietnam.

If you decide to go to Phnom penh via mekong delta. I think you should take mekong delat 3 days 2 nights exit to Phnom Penh. From Phnom Penh you can join package tour.

Tom Lee

#6 Posted: 20/3/2010 - 08:45
thesinhtour-
ist

longtail driver
Posts: 6

Posted from within Vietnam.

To Smash:

You will stay in 3 star hotel
Phnom Penh: Khmeroyal hotel, opposite 4 directions river (TonLe Sap and Mekong), beside the Royal palace

Siem Reap: TheSinhTourist hotel Siem Reap, opposite National museum, about 8 km from Angkor area.

Tom Lee

#7 Posted: 20/3/2010 - 08:49
A1G2

newbie
Posts: 1

Hi Smash,, hope your trip went ok for u,,So how did u go, did u end up using Sinh Tourist,, and if so did u book online while travling around, Thanks looking forward to your reply

#8 Posted: 28/1/2011 - 15:26