Some travel days are filled with sights, stories, and sensory overload. Others focus on the journey itself—and, if you’re fortunate, a surprisingly luxurious airport lounge experience. Day 16 was the latter. The experience made us reflect on how transit days often offer some of the most memorable moments of a trip, blending the thrill of travel with the calm of a well-planned layover.
We kicked off the day with a very early morning stroll through Phnom Penh as the city slowly came to life. There’s something oddly magical about wandering a city before most people are awake: the air is cooler, the streets are quieter, and you get little glimpses of everyday life—street vendors setting up, the first motorbikes humming, and golden sunlight just starting to spill over the Mekong. The serenity of those early hours allows for a deeper connection with the place, and we even stumbled upon a small local bakery, where the fresh scent of baked goods wafted through the air, tempting us to indulge.
By lunchtime, it was time to say goodbye to Cambodia and head to the airport. This is where being a loyal frequent flyer pays off: after a quick and easy check-in, we were taken to the Plaza Premium Lounge at Phnom Penh International Airport. I’ve been to many lounges, but this one really stands out—though it cannot quite compete with the extravagant luxury of Doha’s Hamad International Airport. The atmosphere here feels more like a chic boutique hotel than a busy transportation hub, with soft lighting, plush seating, and a well-stocked bar that makes it hard to leave for your flight on time. We enjoyed an Aperol Spritz before boarding, a delightful prelude to our next adventure, and we took a moment to cherish the calm before the bustle of Saigon awaited us.
The food spread was a pleasant surprise—generous selections of Asian to Western comfort food, all fresh and tasty (not always a given in airport lounges). If you ever find yourself at PNH with a lounge pass, make time for this one. We savored everything from fragrant pho to comforting pasta dishes, each bite a reminder of the culinary diversity that defines Southeast Asia.
Our flight to Saigon was the definition of “blink and you’ll miss it”—just half an hour in the air, barely enough time to skim through the in-flight entertainment. We took a moment to reflect on our time in Cambodia and the memories we’d created before landing in a new city. On arrival, immigration was a breeze, and the vibrant energy of Saigon welcomed us. Ironically, the longest wait was for our Grab car outside the airport, where we marveled at the hustle and bustle around us, a stark contrast to the tranquil morning we had experienced in Phnom Penh.
By the time we rolled into our Saigon hotel, it was around 9 p.m.—not enough energy left to explore, but just enough to peek out at the neon-lit city from our window. If you’re being official, Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) constantly buzzes with energy, no matter the hour. Even at night, there’s a sense of organized chaos: food stalls, scooters, and the endless promise of adventure. We watched as locals gathered around street food stalls, their laughter and chatter filling the air, making us eager to dive into the nightlife and culinary experiences awaited us.
But more on that tomorrow. On Day 17, we dive into the city. With a full itinerary ahead, we are excited to explore the rich history, vibrant street life, and delectable food that Saigon has to offer. We’ll visit iconic landmarks, discover hidden gems, and perhaps even indulge in a cooking class to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine.
Stay tuned!
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