Bus / minivan
Best balance of price, simplicity, and direct border crossing
Flight
Quick and convenient between major cities
Boat (Mekong River)
Scenic journey through the Mekong Delta
Train
No railway connection between the two countries
Quick answer: The fastest way to travel from Vietnam to Cambodia is by flight, usually taking 1–2 hours. The cheapest option is the bus via the Mộc Bài–Bavet border, taking about 6–10 hours. Private car transfers are also available from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: e.g. Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh ~250 km by land.
- ⏱️ Travel time: Flight ~1–2 hours • Bus ~6–10 hours.
- 💰 Price range: Flight ~$40-120 per person • Bus ~$20-40 per person • Taxi to Phnom Penh ~$140–460 per car.
- ✈️ Best for speed: Flights to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap
- 🚍 Best for budget: Bus via border crossing
- 🚕 Best for comfort: Private car with driver to Phnom Penh from Saigon
Last updated in August 2026
Vietnam to Cambodia Transportation Options
✈️ By Airplane
The fastest and most convenient option. Direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap usually take 1–2 hours.
🚌 By Bus / Minivan
The cheapest and most popular choice. Buses connect Ho Chi Minh City with Siem Reap and other destinations. Most journeys take 6–12 hours.
🚤 By Boat
A scenic alternative is the Chau Doc to Phnom Penh boat journey through the Mekong Delta, taking around 6–8 hours.
🏍️ By Motorbike
Crossing the border by motorbike is possible, but it is best suited to experienced travelers who are comfortable with longer-distance riding and border procedures.
Convenient Travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is about 230 km from Ho Chi Minh City and is one of the easiest Cambodian destinations to reach by road. You can travel by tourist bus, plane, boat or motorbike, depending on your budget and travel style.
From Phnom Penh, you can continue to other destinations such as Siem Reap, Battambang or Sihanoukville. Travelers arriving from the Mekong Delta can also take the scenic boat route from Chau Doc. Before traveling, check Cambodia’s weather and border requirements.
Vietnam to Cambodia: Which Transport Is Best?
| Transport | ⏱️ Time | 💰 Price | Comfort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 1–2 h | $40–120 / person | ★★★★★ | Speed & comfort |
| 🚌 Bus / Minivan | 6–12 h | $20–40 / person | ★★★☆☆ | Budget travelers |
| 🚤 Boat | 6–8 h | Varies | ★★★☆☆ | Mekong experience |
| 🏍️ Motorbike | Varies | Varies | ★★★☆☆ | Experienced travelers |
| 🚕 Private Car / Taxi | ~6 h | $140–460 | ★★★★★ | Groups & flexibility |
| 🚆 Train | Not available | — | ★☆☆☆☆ | Not possible |
Rating: ★★★★★ excellent ★★★★☆ very good ★★★☆☆ good.
Flights are the fastest and most comfortable option from Vietnam to Cambodia. Buses and minivans are more affordable and popular with budget travelers. A private car or taxi offers the most flexibility and is a good choice for groups. A boat from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh provides a scenic Mekong River experience, while there is no direct railway connection between Vietnam and Cambodia.
✅ How do you get from Vietnam to Cambodia?
-
- There are 4 options how you can travel to Cambodia from Vietnam:
1. Travel by tourist sleeper bus/minivan (Saigon to Phnom Penh, Saigon to Siem Reap…)
2. Travel by plane (direct flights to Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville)
3. Travel by boat from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh
4. Travel on motorbike (this way is for the most experienced travelers)
- There are 4 options how you can travel to Cambodia from Vietnam:
✅ Is it possible to travel from Vietnam to Cambodia by train?
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- No, it is not possible to travel by train, because there is no railway between Vietnam and Cambodia.
✅ What is the most fastest way of transport from Vietnam to Cambodia?
-
- The most fastest way of tranposrt to Cambodia from Vietnam is to travel by plane. There are direct flights between big cities, e.g. Saigon > Phnom Penh, Saigon > Siem Reap, the most frequented air lines to Cambodia.
✅ How long is the flight from Vietnam to Cambodia?
-
- Flight from Saigon to Phnom Penh takes about 1 hour, flight from Saigon to Siem Reap takes about 1.5 hour, flight from Saigon to Sihanoukville takes about 1.5 hour. There are also various flights with stopover.
✅ Are there trains in Cambodia?
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- Yes, there is a train of Royal Railway, but the railway network and train schedule is very limited. You can travel by train from Phnom Penh to Poipet (via Battambang) and from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville (via Kampot). In the future this railway network should grow. You can check Cambodia Railway Map.
✅ How do I get from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia?
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- The most popular travel route from Saigon to Cambodia is to travel by tourist bus/van to Phnom Penh via Bavet border crossing or you can take a direct flight (there is no railway). You can also travel to Chau Doc in Vietnam by bus and from Chau Doc you can travel to Phnom Penh by boat.
✅ How much is the bus from Vietnam to Cambodia?
-
- Travel by tourist bus or minivan from Saigon to Phnom Penh in Cambodia costs about $20-40/pp. Travel by bus from Saigon to Siem Reap costs about $24-33/pp by tourist bus.
✅ Is it easy to travel from Vietnam to Cambodia?
-
- Yes, it is easy to travel to Cambodia from Vietnam. You can take a tourist bus via Bavet border crossing or direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh. You can also receive visa for Cambodia at Bavet border crossing or you can buy e-visa online on www.evisa.gov.kh.
✅ Can you go to Cambodia without a visa?
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- No, you can not enter Cambodia without visa or e-visa and your passport. Tourists and business travelers may also obtain a Cambodian visa at the airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and at all major border crossings..
✅ Where you can travel from Cambodia?
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- From Cambodia you can travel by bus/minivan or plane to Thailand – Bangkok (via Poipet border crossing) or Laos – to Don Det/Si Phan Don or Pakse in southern part of Laos. Teoretically you can also travel via Thailand to Malaysia.
✅ What is the main border crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia?
-
- The main border crossing for travel to Cambodia from Vietnam is Moc Bai Bavet. This border crossing is about 60 km from Ho Chi Minh City. If you want to travel to Phnom Penh from Saigon, you will be traveling via this border crossing.
✅ How to move in Cambodia and how to explore this country?
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- There are various types of transport in Cambodia. The most popular are various buses or modern minivans, it is also possible to book a private car/taxi or you can travel by train of Roayal Railway or you can use flights.
How to book tickets and flights from Vietnam to Cambodia?
➜ You can search for and book buses, flights and other transport services between Vietnam and Cambodia online. Two popular platforms for comparing and booking travel options are 12go.asia and Baolau.
1. Book transport from Vietnam to Cambodia with 12go.asia
- 12go.asia allows you to search for and book buses, flights, private transfers and other transport services in Vietnam, Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries. You can compare schedules, prices and available options for popular routes.
2. Book transport from Vietnam to Cambodia with Baolau
- Baolau is another platform for searching and booking transport tickets online. You can find buses, trains and flights in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries, with electronic tickets available for selected routes.
🎫 Baolau
Search for and book train, bus, ferry and flight tickets online in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries.
🚌 12go.asia
Compare and book buses, flights, ferries, private transfers and other transport services in Vietnam and Cambodia.
👮 Border Crossings between Vietnam and Cambodia
There are several international border crossings between Vietnam and Cambodia used by tourists traveling by bus, minivan, taxi, or motorbike. Below are the most popular land border crossings for travelers between Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, and other destinations in Cambodia.
Moc Bai – Bavet Border
The busiest and most popular border crossing between Vietnam and Cambodia, commonly used by buses and minivans from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh.
Tinh Bien – Phnom Den Border
A quieter border crossing near Chau Doc and Takeo, suitable for travelers exploring the Mekong Delta region.
Ha Tien – Prek Chak Border
Popular border crossing for travelers heading to Kep, Kampot, or Cambodia’s southern coast from Vietnam.
Le Thanh – O Yadao Border
A less touristy border crossing in northeastern Cambodia, suitable for remote travel and nature exploration.
🛂 How to get a visa for Cambodia
Most travelers need a visa to enter Cambodia. Before traveling, check the requirements for your nationality and the type of visa needed for your stay.
💻 Apply for an E-Visa online
You can apply for an electronic visa before traveling through the official Cambodian government website.
🛬 Visa on arrival
At some airports and border crossings, you may be able to apply for a visa on arrival, depending on current entry conditions.
🇰🇭 Apply for the official Cambodia E-Visa
Check the current requirements and apply for your visa online before traveling.
📋 Before applying
- Check the requirements for your nationality.
- Check your passport validity.
📝 Before traveling
- Prepare the required documents and photograph.
- Confirm that your entry point accepts your visa type.
Popular travel routes from Vietnam to Cambodia ⬇️
Popular travel routes in Cambodia ⬇️
Popular travel routes from Cambodia to Thailand ⬇️
Popular travel routes from Cambodia to Laos ⬇️
Popular travel routes from Cambodia to Vietnam ⬇️
👉 Travel Tips from Vietnam to Cambodia
🛂 Check visa and entry requirements
Before traveling, check the visa requirements for your nationality and make sure your passport has sufficient validity. Entry conditions may vary depending on the border crossing.
⏱️ Allow extra time at the border
Overland journeys may take longer due to traffic and border procedures. Allow extra time, especially if you have onward connections.
🎫 Book popular routes in advance
International buses and flights between Ho Chi Minh City and major destinations in Cambodia may have limited availability during high season and holidays.
💵 Carry some cash
Carry some cash for small expenses during the journey and when crossing the border. It can be useful for local transport, food and unexpected costs.
❓ FAQ + Tips – Travel from Vietnam to Cambodia:
How long does it take to travel from Vietnam to Cambodia?
Flights take about 1–2 hours, while buses and minivans can take approximately 6–20 hours depending on the route.
How much does transport from Vietnam to Cambodia cost?
Bus tickets cost about $20–40/pp and flights between Vietnam and Cambodia usually cost about $70–150/pp.
What is the travel distance between Vietnam and Cambodia?
The distance depends on the route, e.g. about 230 km from Saigon to Phnom Penh.
What is the fastest way to travel from Vietnam to Cambodia?
The fastest option is a direct flight between cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, or Siem Reap.
What is the cheapest transport option to Cambodia?
The cheapest option is usually a tourist bus or minivan via land border crossings.
Is there a train from Vietnam to Cambodia?
No, there is currently no railway connection between Vietnam and Cambodia.
Can you travel by boat from Vietnam to Cambodia?
Yes, there is a popular boat route from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh.
Are there direct flights from Vietnam to Cambodia?
Yes, there are direct flights to Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville.
What are the main international airports in Cambodia?
Main airports are Phnom Penh, Siem Reap Angkor, and Sihanoukville International Airport.
Where to get a Cambodia e-visa?
You can apply online at www.evisa.gov.kh.
Where can you travel from Cambodia?
From Cambodia, you can continue to Thailand, Laos, or travel from Siem Reap to Bangkok.
Is Cambodia suitable for solo travel?
Solo travel in Cambodia is popular thanks to affordable travel and tourist infrastructure.
Is traveling in Cambodia cheap or expensive?
Cambodia is generally a budget-friendly country for transport, accommodation, and food.
