How to Get to Siem Reap from Vietnam?

A Vietnam Angkor tour is the trip of a lifetime. No matter you travel with a travel agency or just travel alone, it is better to know how to transfer from Vietnam to Siem Reap, where the majestic Angkor Wat is before you go.

Because of the long shared border, there are many ways to get from Vietnam to Siem Reap, either from the modern city of Ho Chi Minh City in the south or from Hanoi, the capital in the north.

Getting to Siem Reap from Vietnam can be fast, fun, or frugal depending on you and how you wish to make this international journey. Once you find the perfect way to travel from Vietnam to Siem Reap, your Vietnam Angkor tour could be more enjoyable as well.

Get from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Siem Reap

Located in the Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon in the past, is only 470km from Siem Reap, Cambodia. As the closest large city to Cambodia in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City has easy access to Siem Reap.

Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap by Flight

The fastest way to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap is by flight. The flight from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Siem Reap International Airport takes just 1 hour and 10 minutes, and can it costs as little as US$ 128 per person for a one-way economy flight.

Take flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap is the fastest way.

The Saigon to Siem Reap flight is offered by Cambodia Angkor Air and Vietnam Airlines, which offer six direct flights per day.

Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap by Bus

The cheapest option for traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap is by bus. Buses run regularly on this route, and you can opt to take a direct bus (Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap) that costs US$ 23 and takes 14 hours or a split trip that costs US$ 20 (Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh and then Phnom Penh to Siem Reap) and actually only takes 12 hours, though there may be a wait between buses.

Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap by Mekong Cruise

If you are looking for adventure and some relaxing leisure time, then a Mekong River cruise from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap is the ideal trip for you. Departing from Saigon Port, the Mekong Cruise to Phnom Penh takes 5-8 days and runs overland in air-conditioned buses from Phnom Penh or Krong Kampong Cham to Siem Reap. Prices do vary based on the boat and operator but can be as little as US$ 450 per person.

Get from Hanoi to Siem Reap

Hanoi, the capital city located in the north of Vietnam, is also one of the major gateways from Vietnam into Cambodia. Due to the distance, there are not as many ways to get from Hanoi to Siem Reap as there are from Ho Chi Minh City.

Hanoi to Siem Reap by Flight

Flights from Hanoi to Siem Reap also run daily, though there is only one flight per day offered by Vietnam Airlines. The Hanoi to Siem Reao flight takes 1 hour 45 minutes to reach the Gateway to Angkor, and costs around US$ 153 per person for a one-way economy flight.

Hanoi to Siem Reap by Bus

There are two bus routes from Hanoi to Siem Reap, and while both go through Vientiane in Laos, one enters Cambodia at Poipet to the east of Siem Reap, while the other enters at O’Smach to the north. The bus via Poipet takes around 40 hours and 22 minutes and can cost between 50 and 56 dollars per person. The bus through O’Smach only takes around 35 hours and 40 minutes, but costs from 59-61 dollars per person.

Hanoi to Siem Reap by Cruise

If you want to experience a Mekong Cruise while traveling from Hanoi to Siem Reap, you can only get to Ho Chi Minh City first, and then take a Mekong cruise to Siem Reap from Ho Chi Minh, because there is no cruise from Hanoi to Siem Reap directly.

Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap by cruise along Mekong River.

What travel documents do your need to travel to Siem Reap from Vietnam?

First and foremost, you need to have a valid passport and a visa to enter Cambodia from Vietnam. If you are flying or taking a bus to Siem Reap from Vietnam, you can get the visa on arrival at Siem Reap Airport or the land border.

However, it is better to apply for a Cambodia visa before entry for overland travel, to make your border crossing simpler. Also, you can apply for an E-visa for a few days before travel.

There is no requirement for a COVID vaccination certificate to enter Cambodia, but if you do not have one, you will be required to take an antigen test on entry, at your expense. Since this can extend the time crossing the border or passing through customs, it is recommended to be fully vaccinated, and for your own protection.

More Tips for Traveling to Siem Reap from Vietnam

The best time to travel from Vietnam to Siem Reap is during the dry season, from December to March, when the weather is at its best in both countries. And when taking the bus, try to get one that lands you in Siem Reap early in the morning, so that you can enjoy the full day on your arrival in Cambodia.

There is no time difference between Vietnam and Cambodia, as both countries are set at GMT +7. So you will not have to worry about jet lag or changing your watch to local time. And to make things even easier, US dollars are widely accepted in both Vietnam and Cambodia, so you do not have to carry lots of each currency while traveling in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Many people think they are going to have problems in Vietnam and Cambodia, as they think that English is not spoken there. However, with tourism being a major industry in both countries, you will be surprised at the number of people that can speak English in major tourist cities in both Vietnam and Cambodia. But in some rural areas, there are fewer English speakers. You may need to find a local English-speaking guide if you are worried about communication.

Conclusion

Traveling from Vietnam to Siem Reap is relatively easy, and you have a number of options to choose from for a Vietnam and Cambodia tour. And while flying is fast, taking the bus for the cheaper option can also be more interesting, as you get to see the countryside as you cross two international borders. But whichever way you go, you will have the time of your life in Siem Reap.