I find land border crossing quite worrying, because of scams. But  when I’ve crossed the border of Vietnam and Cambodia, it was hassle-free and easier compared to crossing the border of Thailand and Cambodia.  Perhaps because typically, the buses are direct, meaning you don’t have to carry all your bags and stuff to another vehicle.  During my last border crossing experience in Cambodia and Vietnam, the x-ray scanner at the Vietnam border wasn’t working, so there was no need for us to take out our big bags from the bus, only are valuables.

I wrote a detailed and direct process on this blog on how to successfully cross the border from Vietnam to Cambodia. I’ll be writing a separate blog for the Cambodia to Vietnam process. So, without further ado, here you go!

REQUIREMENTS

Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months before it expires and with at least 2 blank pages left.

Vietnam visa and Cambodia visa : If you are a Philippine Passport Holder, you are entitled to a visa-free entry for 21 days for Vietnam. If you plan to stay longer than 21 days, that’s the time that you need to apply for a Vietnam visa. Filipinos can enter visa-free to Cambodia for up to 30 days.

For other nationalities, you may need a visa depending on your country. Vietnam visa must be secured in advance (Vietnam E-visa is available to some nationalities), but Cambodia visa on arrival is available at the border.

Return flight or onward flight: They don’t usually ask, but better be prepared in case they do.

Hotel address: Best to book  hotel in advance. SEARCH FOR HOTEL HERE

POPULAR BORDER

 The most popular border crossing between Vietnam and Cambodia is the Moc Bai  (Vietnam)– Bavet (Cambodia) Crossing and this is what I’ll be discussing in this blog. Daily buses regularly run between Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon (Vietnam) – Phnom Penh (Cambodia). Travel time is roughly 6 hours.

• (Moc Bai) Vietnam Border Open Hours: 07:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• (Bavet) Cambodia Open Hours: 08:00 AM – 8:00 PM

TIP: If for some reason, you don’t make it to the border’s open hours, there are hotels and guesthouses near the border where you can stay overnight.

BUS TERMINALS

 Here are some reliable bus companies

[wp-svg-icons icon=”truck” wrap=”i”] The Sinh Tourist

Terminal: 246 De Tham, Pham Ngu Lao, Quan 1, Ho Chi Minh Vietnam

Fare: Starts at VND 382,000 (PHP 885)

Bus Schedule: Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) to Phnom Penh (Cambodia)

Departure     Arrival

06:30 AM    12:30 PM

08:30 PM     02:30 PM

11:30 PM     05:30 PM

03:30 PM    09:30 PM

[wp-svg-icons icon=”truck” wrap=”i”] Giant Ibis (Ho Chi Minh)

Terminal: #237, Pham Ngu Lao St. Dist. 1, HCM City, Vietnam

Fare: Starts at VND 443,574 (PHP 885)

Bus Schedule: Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) to Phnom Penh (Cambodia)

Departure     Arrival

08:30 AM     3:00 PM

[wp-svg-icons icon=”truck” wrap=”i”] Kumho Samcho

Terminal: No. 239 Pham Ngu Lao street, district 1, Ho Chi Minh

Fare: VND 315,000 (PHP 730)

Bus Schedule: Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) to Phnom Penh (Cambodia)

Departure      Arrival

06:30 AM     12:30 PM

07:10 AM     01:10 AM

08:10 AM     02:10 AM

09:30 AM     03:30 AM

10:30 AM     04:30 PM

11:30 AM     05:30 PM

01:00 PM      07:00 PM

03:00 PM      09:00 PM

Here’s a reliable van Company:

[wp-svg-icons icon=”truck” wrap=”i”]  Mekong Express

Terminal: 275F, Pham Ngu Lao St., Pham Ngu Lao W. Ho Chi Minh City

Fare: VND 373,536 (PHP 1,027)

Van Schedule: Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) to Phnom Penh (Cambodia)

Departure      Arrival

06:30 AM       01:30 AM

07:00 AM       12:30 PM

08:30 AM       02:00 PM

01:00 PM       06:30 PM

03:00 PM       10:00 PM

*Schedules may change without prior notice. Double check bus schedule through the link below.

You can buy your bus ticket at the terminal, but I highly recommend buying your van or bus tickets in advance to secure a seat especially if you don’t know the public holidays for both countries. You can book below.

VIETNAM to CAMBODIA BUS:  RESERVE HERE

 CROSSING THE BORDER FROM VIETNAM TO CAMBODIA

(Moc Bai – Bavet)

1.Go to the bus or van terminal: Depending on your preferred bus or van. See terminals below.

2.Ride your bus: Make sure you are boarding the correct bus.

3.At the Vietnam border (Moc Bai), get down the bus or van: Take your valuables and bags with you. There are cases that you can leave your bags on the bus, especially if the X-ray scan is not working and your bus is a direct bus. Ask your conductor.

 4.Clear Vietnam Immigration: Enter the Immigration building, queue and have your passport stamped. Double check your passport and make sure you have the Vietnam exit stamp. Some conductor may ask for your passport and they will queue for you. Just make sure you stand near him and wait for him to call your name and hand your passport once it’s stamped.

5.Exit the Vietnam border: Hand over your passport to the Immigration Officer to have it checked one last time.

6.Fill out the Cambodian Arrival Card: A Cambodian Arrival Card will typically be inserted on the passport upon return. Write your details on it while waiting for other passengers to clear immigration.  This will save you time at the Cambodian border.

7.Ride your bus or van: Return to your bus or van. Don’t forget your bags.

8.At the Cambodia border (Bavet), get down the bus or car: Take your valuables and bags with you for x-ray scanning.

9.Clear Cambodia Immigration: Enter the Immigration building, queue and have your passport stamped. Make sure you Cambodian Arrival Card is completely filled out. No need to pay a fee if you are a Philippine Passport Holder or your country is an ASEAN member.

10.Exit the Cambodia border: Double check your passport and make sure it’s stamped.

11.Ride your bus or van: Bring your bags with you and board your bus or van.

12.Alight in Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Most vans and buses will stop in Phnom Penh. From there, you can switch to a van or bus to Siem Reap. RESERVE BUS TICKET HERE

REMINDERS

• Seal and lock your bag/s and always watch it: Better be safe than sorry. Wicked people can be everywhere and might insert drugs or prohibited paraphernalia in your bag/s.
• Never accept any packages or anything from strangers or even newly met friends:  Only carry your bag/s. Remember, you are responsible for any belongings that you are carrying.
• Never share taxi or rented car with stranger when crossing the border:  You might get in trouble if the other passengers are carrying prohibited items or drugs and get caught. Police might assume that you are together.

BUDGET HOTELS IN PHNOM PENH

SLA Boutique Hostel

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

Le Bou Boutique Hostel

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

Rachana Hostel

 CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

One Stop Hostel Phnom Penh

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

BUDGET HOTELS IN SIEM REAP

Lub d Cambodia Siem Reap

 CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

OneDerz Hotel Siem Reap

 CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 Klampuu Villa

 CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

Naga Angkor Hotel

 CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 BUDGET HOTELS IN HO CHI MINH

 Chillbox

 CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

Mobylette Saigon Hotel

 CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

Vyda Backpacker’s Hostel 2

 CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

Khoa Minh Guesthouse

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

ALSO READ:

SIEM REAP ITINERARY (with Budget)

HO CHI MINH CITY ITINERARY (with Budget)

HANOI ITINERARY (with Budget)

HOI AN ITINERARY (with Budget

BANGKOK ITINERARY (with Budget)

BANGKOK TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG