Taking the Bus: Classic, Convenient & Budget-Friendly
Top-Rated Bus Companies (2025 Update)
Here’s a look at the most trusted bus operators running the Ho Chi Minh to Cambodia route:
Bus Company
|
Highlights
|
HCMC Departure Point
|
Phnom Penh Arrival Office
|
Fare (One Way)
|
MEKO Limousine
|
VIP seats, AC, USB, refreshments
|
189 Dao Duy Tu, District 10, HCMC
|
343 Preah Sihanouk Blvd, Phnom Penh
+855 236 222 888 / +855 97 999 7471
|
600,000 VND (~$25)
|
Khai Nam
|
Frequent early buses, punctual, clean
|
363 Hung Vuong, District 5, HCMC
|
56 Street 286, Phnom Penh
+84 28 3838 3399 / +855 97 209 8300
|
550,000 VND (~$22)
|
Phy Phy Transport
|
Sleeper & sitting seats, good value
|
236 Ly Thuong Kiet, District 10, HCMC
|
36 St 388, Phnom Penh
+84 1900 888684 / 0792 492 626 (Cambodia)
|
500,000 VND (~$20)
|
Hoang Gia
|
Modern interiors, mid-range amenities
|
09 Dang Thai Than, District 5, HCMC
|
Phnom Penh downtown (exact office varies)
|
500,000 VND (~$20)
|
Phuong Heng
|
Budget-friendly, practical
|
291 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, HCMC
|
Phnom Penh central station (limited facilities)
|
500,000 VND (~$20)
|
Seating Options: Reclining chair, limousine seat, and sleeper cab are normally available on those operators. Decide based on your comfort preference, how many people you plan on hanging out with, and how much you’re willing to spend.
MEKO Limousine Bus (Source: klook)
Border Crossing: Moc Bai – Bavet Made Easy
By 2025, crossing the border between Vietnam and Cambodia overland will have never been easier, with bus companies that offer all-inclusive border services.
This is how it is done on a Saigon to Phnom Penh bus:
- Arrive at Moc Bai (Vietnamese border), disembark from the bus for a passport exit stamp.
- Walk 200–300 meters across the neutral zone to Bavet (Cambodian border)
- Enter Cambodia and collect your visa stamp (free for the majority of Vietnamese citizens).
- Get back on your bus – often, staff handle the paperwork and make it easy.
Assisted Border Processing: MEKO, Khai Nam, and Phy Phy usually collect your passport and handle everything in bulk, hassle-free and time-saving.
Self-Service Buses: A few budget services require you to take care of immigration yourself. You’ll fill out forms and queue alone.
Documents to Prepare:
- Original passport with a validity of at least 6 months
- Cambodian visa (if required by nationality)
- Border handling charge or photograph service: 1–2 USD
- Printed voucher or mobile booking confirmation
Flying to Phnom Penh: Fastest But Most Expensive
Flight Options from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
From Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), travelers have multiple flights per day to Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH). The leading airlines operating on this route during 2025 are:
Airline
|
Flight Duration
|
Fare Range (2025)
|
Notes
|
Vietnam Airlines
|
1h 5m
|
2,400,000 – 2,800,000 VND
|
Full-service, includes 23kg checked baggage
|
Cambodia Angkor Air
|
1h 5m
|
2,100,000 – 2,600,000 VND
|
Code-share with Vietnam Airlines
|
VietJet Air
|
1h 5m
|
2,300,000 – 2,700,000 VND
|
Budget option, fees for extras may apply
|
Thai AirAsia
|
1h 10m
|
2,500,000 – 2,900,000 VND
|
Good for onward connection via Bangkok
|
Cambodia Angkor Air (Source: sihavn)
Is Flying Worth It in 2025 for Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh Travelers?
While taking a Saigon to Phnom Penh bus may be more economical, flying remains the most time-efficient method of travel.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Criteria
|
Flying
|
Bus
|
Total Travel Time
|
4–5 hours (with airport procedures)
|
6–7 hours (border crossing included)
|
Cost
|
2,100,000 – 2,900,000 VND (~$85–$120 USD)
|
500,000 – 600,000 VND (~$20–$25 USD)
|
Comfort
|
High (seat selection, in-flight services)
|
Moderate–High depending on operator
|
Flexibility
|
Lower (fixed schedule, airport check-in)
|
Higher (multiple departures daily)
|
Ideal for:
- Business travelers who demand speed and convenience
- International connecting passengers
- Multi-destination Cambodia tourists
Downsides:
- Extra airport time (check-in, security, boarding)
- No hotel pickup/drop-off
Boat + Bus Adventure for Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh Route
The Mekong River Route for Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh Journey
It’s a two-part ride: Bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Chau Doc, followed by a speedboat ride along the Mekong River from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh
Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:
- Saigon to Chau Doc: Rise and shine early and board a nice bus (6-7 hours) from Ho Chi Minh City to Chau Doc, a quiet riverside town in An Giang province. Companies such as Futa (Phuong Trang) and Mailinh Express operate daily services
- Overnight or Rest: Some travelers spend a night at Chau Doc to explore the local markets or Sam Mountain.
- Chau Doc to Phnom Penh by Boat: The next day, leave early on a high-speed boat upriver from the Mekong Delta into Cambodian waters.
- Departure: 7:30–8:00 AM from Victoria Chau Doc Pier
- Duration: ~4.5 – 5 hours
- Border Process: Stop over at Kaam Samnor (Cambodia) and Vinh Xuong (Vietnam) border crossing points for a hassle-free river immigration procedure.
Trusted Speedboat Operators:
Operator
|
Contact & Website
|
Notes
|
Hang Chau Express
|
+84 296 3562771 – Chau Doc
|
Reliable daily departures, English-speaking staff
|
Blue Cruiser
|
Often booked via agencies in Chau Doc
|
Offers package deals including hotel pickup
|
Hang Chau Express (Source: hangchautourist)
Who Should Choose This Route for Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh?
This boat + bus combo from Ho Chi Minh to Cambodia is ideal for:
- Nature lovers: You’ll pass lush floodplains, stilt houses, and rare wildlife
- Slow travelers: Enjoy every stretch of the Mekong at a relaxed pace
- Photographers: The light on the water and riverside life is picture-perfect
Travel from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh: Return Journey Made Easy
Reverse Route Options
The most popular and affordable mode of return travel is by bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh, with over 26 return trips per day on various operators.
The below is the most trusted bus operator with return ticketing available for travel from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh and return:
Operator
|
Phnom Penh Departure Point
|
Ho Chi Minh Arrival Point
|
MEKO Limousine
|
343 Preah Sihanouk, Phnom Penh
|
189 Dao Duy Tu, District 10, HCM
|
Khai Nam
|
VP Khai Nam Phnom Penh, Toul Svay Prey
|
363 Hung Vuong, District 5, HCM
|
Phy Phy Transport
|
36 St 388, Phnom Penh
|
236 Ly Thuong Kiet, HCM
|
Hoang Gia
|
Sangkat Phsar Thmey 3, Khan Daun Penh
|
09 Dang Thai Than, District 5, HCM
|
Phuong Heng
|
279 Preah Sihanouk, Phnom Penh
|
291 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, HCM
|
Every company undergoes the same border procedure as your trip from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh, only in reverse.
Khai Nam Bus Phnom Penh–Ho Chi Minh (Source: thuexedicampuchia)
You’ll:
- Leave Phnom Penh → drive to the Bavet border (Cambodia.
- Exit Cambodia (passport stamp)
- Cross the border at Moc Bai (Vietnam) on foot
- Readmit Vietnam (no visa required for its citizens)
- Rejoin the bus and drive to Saigon
What you need:
- A passport for not least 6 months.
- e-Visa (if required for non-ASEAN)
- 1-2 USD for possible admin fees
- App confirmation or printed return ticket
Conclusion
Whether you’re traveling by bus, plane, or the faster boat route from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh, your 2025 tour is guaranteed to level you up with rich culture and memorable lifetime experiences. Impress Travel for a hassle-free cross-border travel or personalized Ho Chi Minh City tours, let us be by your side. Let us build unforgettable memories together for exploring Indochina!
FAQ
Q: Is there a train from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh?
A: No, there is no train from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh. Travelers normally take this overland route by bus (bus, flight, or boat–bus combination from Chau Doc). Buses continue to represent the cheapest and most direct option for the journey.
Q: How long is the bus ride from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh?
A: The journey between bus ride from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, can range from 6.5 to 7 hours on average, depending on road congestion and how long bus passengers wait for their paperwork to be processed at the border crossing in Moc Bai – Bavet. VIP buses and minivans may arrive a bit quicker with fewer stops.
Q: How do I go from Saigon to Phnom Penh?
A: There are 4 typical ways that you can travel from Saigon to Phnom Penh in 2025:
- Bus (Exchange buses with seat/semi sleeper, and the most popular is sleeper bus)
- Flight (quickest but most expensive)
- Bus + Fast boat combo (via Chau Doc for a scenic boat down the river)
There are advantages to each, depending on how much time, comfort, and cash you have.
Q: How to go from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh?
A: The reverse of the options above for the return trip from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City is true:
- Daily buses from Phnom Penh
- Passenger flights through Phnom Penh International Airport
- Chau Doc by speedboat + bus
- In 2025, the Bavet – Moc Bai border is uneventful, and visa obtainment for most services is “visa on arrival.”