How to travel from Cambodia to Vietnam?

Lying side-by-side in Indochina, traveling from Cambodia to Vietnam can be done in several ways, from simple short flights between airports to overland road trips to crossing the border posts from one to the other. Or you could be ultimately adventurous and go by boat.

How to travel from Cambodia to Vietnam? What is the best way to get to Vietnam from Siem Reap or Phnom Penh? Here we are going to figure out the common ways to travel from Cambodia to Vietnam.

Flight: the Fastest Way to Travel from Cambodia to Vietnam

Phnom Penh to Vietnam Flights

Flights from Phnom Penh run daily to Vietnam, to the airports of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which are offered by Vietnam Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air. Flights to Ho Chi Minh City cost as little as $164.00 per person for a one-way economy flight, which takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Flights to Hanoi from Phnom Penh are a little longer, taking around 1 hour and 50 minutes to reach the northern Vietnamese city, and can cost around $200.00 per person for the one-way economy flight.

Siem Reap to Vietnam Flights

From Siem Reap in northern Cambodia, you can get daily flights to both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, though those to Hanoi are limited to one per day. The flight is offered by Vietnam Airlines and takes around 1 hour 55 minutes, and costs around $311.00 per person for a one-way economy trip.

Getting to Saigon, however, has more options, and there are several flights a day through Cambodia Angkor Air that run direct. Costing from as little as $121.00 per person for the one-way economy flight, this short hop takes just 1 hour and 20 minutes.

It's easy to travel between Vietnam and Cambodia by flight.

Can I Get a Visa-on-arrival if I take a flight from Cambodia to Vietnam?

Vietnam does not have a traditional “visa on arrival” service for travelers, and everyone traveling to Vietnam is required to apply for their visa in advance. However, Vietnam does offer an alternative way to obtain its own version of a Visa on Arrival.

Travelers can apply for their visa online by completing the application form and paying the visa fee, and the Approval Letter will be received via email after waiting for 1 to 2 days. Once received, you can present this at either of the main airports in Vietnam, and your passport will have the visa stamped into it on your arrival.

So please make sure you have already gotten the visa to Vietnam before you take a flight from Cambodia.

Bus: the Cheapest Way to Travel from Cambodia to Vietnam

Cambodia to Vietnam Bus Route and Price

With Laos sitting in between most of Cambodia and Vietnam, the only way to get across the border by bus is to travel from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City. This is a trip that generally takes around six hours, but is done using an air-conditioned bus, so there is no uncomfortable trip that involves rooftops and chickens.

The buses run every two hours throughout the day and night from the Sinh Tourist Office in Phnom Penh, and cost as little as 6-12 US dollars for the trip. Tickets can be bought from several guesthouses, hotels, travel agencies, or directly from the bus company.

How to Cross the Cambodia-Vietnam Land Border by Bus Tour

The border crossing from Cambodia to Vietnam at Bavet/Moc Bai is easy, as long as you have your passport and visa, and takes around an hour to process all the passengers through Vietnamese immigration.

Travelers can cross the Cambodia-Vietnam Land Border with valid passport and visa.

In addition, you also need to show your valid medical insurance certificate with COVID cover for Vietnam and have already downloaded the Mobile app called “PC-Covid Viet Nam” before arrival at the border.

Mekong Cruise: the Most Sightseeing Way to Travel from Cambodia to Vietnam

Probably the most scenic way to get from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City is by boat, taking a leisurely cruise down the famed Mekong River. But this is not some ferry ride, this is a relaxing three-day guided cruise that is about more than just getting from A to B. A romantic and scenic trip that usually includes wildlife tours, hiking, shopping, and pagoda-hopping, this is a luxurious cruise that can cost as little as $250.00 per person.

Of course, you will need to prepare all your documents from the border crossing, including your passport, visa, medical insurance, and downloaded app. But the immigration official will board the boat to process your documents, and you will not have to leave the luxury of the cruise as they pass you on into Vietnam.

Overland: the most Adventure Way to Travel from Cambodia to Vietnam

Traveling overland from Cambodia to Vietnam can also be done by crossing the various land borders between the two countries. There are currently only four border crossings that are open for tourists, though some are more easily accessible than others.

Cambodia to Vietnam Border Crossings

Bavet/Moc Bai is the oldest crossing point and the easiest. This is the one the bus uses, so you can easily travel by car or bike to cross the border.

Phnom Den/Tinh Bien is a rarely used crossing point due to its location several hours from the nearest towns. A private car is required for this border crossing, so it is not popular with tourists.

Set on the coastal border, Prek Chak/Xa Xia is popular for beach travelers, and local transport is readily available on both sides for tourists crossing the border.

Le Thanh/O Yadao is the most remote crossing from Cambodia to Vietnam. It is a six-hour trip from Krong Ban Lung to Pleiku, but there is plenty of local transport for travelers wanting to cross this mountain-vista border crossing.

Self-driving or Lend a Car with a Driver from Cambodia to Vietnam?

If you want to set your own pace for crossing the border from Cambodia to Vietnam, then doing it in a car can be a novel way of crossing. You have the option of either self-drive car rental or renting a car and driver for the trip across the border.

Lend a car with a driver will help you travel easily.

Self-driving is only really recommended for those that have experience driving in Asia, as it is very different from driving in western countries. Roads are sometimes little more than a dirt track, and can be rough and hard to drive. But with plenty of self-drive car hire available from major hire companies, it is an option that makes the trip more of an adventure.

Private vehicles are the more popular option, with a nice vehicle and professional driver making the trip as luxurious as traveling first class by air. And not only can you choose the vehicle, route and destination, you don’t have to worry about procedures, as the tour operator will deal with it for you.

If you are considering the option of a private overland tour from Cambodia to Vietnam, here we offer the best in luxurious private tours, where you can choose the car of your liking, and plan the trip to your own schedule, and along your own route. We can also provide you with self-drive car rentals to suit your needs for the adventure of a lifetime.

Latest Travel Restrictions for Entering Vietnam from Cambodia

Vietnam is currently open for international tourist travel, and has certain rules regarding tourists and COVID-19 regulations. First and foremost, self-isolation is no longer a requirement of travel, and as of May 2022, the requirement of prior RT-PCR testing has been suspended.

However, aside from your usual passport and visa, and there is no visa exemption for Vietnam at this time, there are some additional COVID-based requirements you will need to meet. All tourists are required to carry adequate travel and medical insurance cover with inclusive COVID-19 cover for all medical expenses. And all travelers are also required to download the “PC-Covid Viet Nam” Mobile app, which is being used for contact tracing, and must be shown and scanned on entering any Vietnamese establishments.

Conclusion

Overall, getting from Cambodia to Vietnam has not changed much following the pandemic, and the same means and methods of travel across the borders are still open and in use. Whether you fly, drive, bus, or cruise, the Cambodia Vietnam tour is going to be one that you are definitely never going to forget.