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Best Way to Reach Phnom Penh with Ho Chi Minh City Tours
Planning a trip from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh in 2025? This famous 237-km overland journey between two cultural capitals is one of Southeast Asia’s most budget-friendly and rewarding journeys. Driving a bus Ho Chi Minh Phnom Penh, a VIP minivan, or flying, Impress Travel can offer professional guidance and booking services. With daily departures, easy border crossing at Moc Bai–Bavet, and prices beginning at just 500,000 VND, traveling through Cambodia by land has never been simpler.
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:
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.”
Ranana
You feel like organized tour, but you are in a privet tour. Impress Travel make the different.
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Ebrahim
Tour of Vietnam
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
Solly Pochee
The tour was fantastic
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating! We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC. The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T". I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all. Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team. Sulaiman Pochee
Bernard Lim
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
Derek.Schooling
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress. Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide). Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
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