Border Crossing: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Have you crossed a border between Vietnam and Cambodia? This post is about what it is like to cross the border overland.

Prepare

I usually use Giant Ibis. Why I use Giant Ibis? I think Giant Ibis is the only one campany does not play loud local music in the bus. This is only my personal preferance tho. Additionally it is easy to book. You can book through their website or going to the office in District 1 in Saigon.  Little tip, when you book at the office with cash (you can pay with Vietman dong or US dollar), they do not charge booking fee. Also if you want to book return ticket online, you may experience card rejection from your card company. I had the same problem. They suggested me to book one ticket at time, instead of booking return. Edited: Now in 2022, ticket cost one way is 39USD, extra when you book online. Ticket cost was 18US$ one way/36US$ return, buying at the office or online 19US$ one way/ 38US$ return.

Travel experience

What is like inside of the bus? Bus seats are nice and comfotable enough for a few hours ride. Only on window side seats have a power outlet. There is Wifi on the bus, but moving bus WiFi does not have good signal.

From Saigon, meeting point is at the office on Phạm Ngũ Lão, half an hour before departure. In my experience, it usually leaves on time. Once bus starts to move, the bus attendant hands out a bottle water and little snack.

Office address: 237 Phạm Ngũ Lão, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Also the bus attendant helps you for crossing the border. He or she collects passengers’ passports, and organise Cambodian visa. This service costs 35US$ total including visa and service fee. If you already have the visa, I assume you do not need to pay 35$.

You may think 5$ fee is scam or some kind of rip off thing. However they are usually very professional. Without paying the fee, you are not guaranteed to get through the immigration (both side) with everyone else. If you do the border crossing yourself, it will take forever to go through.

Anyhow bus stops at Trạm Hải Quan Mộc Bài (Vietnamese side of the border). It only needs for stamping out. The bus attendant does everything for you. Easy peasy. Just follow everyone and wait for your name to be called.

After finish crossing the Vietnam side of the border, it is lunch time. Lunch is usually at duty free shop between Vietnam and Cambodia, and it is not too bad and not too expensive. While all passengers are having lunch, hard working bus attendant sorts out Cambodian visa. It is very nice service. If you do it yourself, it will be a long process. After lunch, the passengers jump back on the bus, and lead to the Cambodian border. The bus attendant gives back passports with Cambodian visa on. Only you have to do is waiting for stamping in to Cambodia.

When everyone gets in Cambodia, the bus goes another few hours to Phnom Penh. It has a pit stop half way through. Last destination is Giant Ibis bus terminal (I think) in Phnom Penh. I usually hop off where close to my accommodation. From there, you may want to check how to get around on my other post.

Giant Ibis bus terminal Phonom Penh: Street 90, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Cost one way Saigon to Phnom Penh with Giant Ibis

Bus ticket 18$ + visa fee 35$ = 53US$ + lunch (3$ to 5$ maybe)

How long does it take?

It depends on traffic , but it usually takes around 7 hours (Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh) on weekend. I believe it may be quicker on week days.

Vice versa Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City

From Phnom Penh to Saigon is slightly different. Many bus cammpanies offer pick up service. For Giant Ibis, there is the list of hotels and hostels on their web site. I often want to sleep, so I catch a tuk tuk to go to the terminal by myself. It’s quicker. Most of things are similar on the way from Ho Chi Minh. Just like HCMC to Phnom Penh, the bus attendant collects and checks passengers passports. I have never needed to obtain Vietnamese visa at the border. So I am not too sure in terms of Vietnam visa. I do not pay 35$ like HCMC to Phnom Penh. I usually pay Only bus ticket.

At Bavet border (Cambodia side), all passengers get off and stamp out the country. It is straight forward process. Then the bus takes to the same lunch place, meanwhile the bus attendant goes to Vietnamese side of the border to sort out visas and passports. After lunch, the attendant gives back passports, and go through Mộc Bài border. Then hop back in to the bus which takes to Saigon. By the way, all passengers are required to take all luggage to the border (only coming into Vietnam).