Vietnam and Cambodia are both fantastic countries to visit during a trip to South East Asia. Not only are they holiday hotspots for people planning a short visit but they are also part of the well-trodden Banana Pancake Trail, a popular backpacking loop that spans most of South East Asia.
Side by side, these countries both have must-see destinations but hopping from one to the other can sometimes seem a little tricky.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about travelling from Vietnam to Cambodia.
How to travel from Vietnam to Cambodia
There are a few different routes from Vietnam to Cambodia but the most popular route is from Ho Chi Minh City in the south of Vietnam, to Phnom Penh, which is the capital city of Cambodia.
You can choose how you get there from several modes of transport. It’s always a good idea to check 12Go before booking, as it shows all of the different transport options, showing you which is suitable.
Flights between Vietnam and Cambodia can cost anything between £60-£150, with Air Asia being one of the most economical options. Flights take just under an hour.
For backpackers however, coaches can be a lot more budget-friendly, averaging at around £17 at the time of this article. The journey by coach takes around six hours in total and although it’s longer than flying, it’s definitely more interesting taking you through vast countryside on both sides of the border.
I chose Giant Ibis Transport while doing this trip, along with a few other trips around South East Asia and they were definitely a very professional company who I would recommend.
Getting a visa for Cambodia
A visa for Cambodia lasts 30 days and there are many different options when it comes to applying for one while travelling to this fascinating country. However, when doing this trip via coach, the more efficient and easy way is to pay the coach company to do it for you.
The visa costs $30 no matter how you do it and Giant Ibis Transport only charged me $40, so for the sake of $10 it’s definitely worth it.
Information about Giant Ibis coach facilities
Giant Ibis had very good facilities. Space was limited for bags above the seats and even my 28 litre wouldn’t fit so it’s best to check in luggage, even if you have a small bag.
They’ll give you a ticket to keep while stowing your bag in the hold below. The seats had plenty of legroom, more so than some of the coaches I used in New Zealand and Europe.
You get a brioche bun (fitting in with Vietnamese-French culture), some Giant Ibis branded water and a Nescafé ice latte in a can for the journey.
The journey from Vietnam to Cambodia
Leaving Ho Chi Minh City definitely takes a while as there’s so much traffic but before you know it you’re on your way. Once the coach gets moving, the conductor hands you a slip to fill out for immigration. This will be stamped and returned to you, but keep it safe as you will need it upon exiting Cambodia.
You’ll also be handed a border pass to go around your neck. This has the coach company’s emergency details on it in case there is a problem at the border.
There was a little stop on the Vietnamese side where you could get some sweet treats and cool drinks. Once you arrive at the border you need to exit Vietnam and you will need to carry your bags to do this.
Please note that it’s illegal to film or take photographs inside any of these buildings. You will then get stamped out of Vietnam and after walking back to the coach, you are driven through a kind of “purgatory” place where you’re not in Cambodia, nor Vietnam.
There is a cafe in the middle where you are dropped and left for a while. If I’m honest the cafe wasn’t the best, but the iced coffee was good, and there are a few duty free shops too.
Next, you are driven to the Cambodian border where you will get stamped and processed by immigration.
My arrival to Cambodia was a surreal one. Arriving during Cambodian new year, the streets were crowded with children and adults firing water pistols at the coach. It was definitely an intriguing sight.
On the other side of the border there is one more stop before Phnom Penh and it’s the perfect opportunity for you to pick up a local SIM card, if you haven’t already bought an eSim.
Arriving in Phnom Penh
After being dropped in Phnom Penh, you’ll need to find a suitable transfer to your hotel or accommodation. Taking a tuk-tuk is the best form of transport in Cambodia.
In Thailand and other regions tuk-tuks can be expensive as they’re a more “touristy” option, however in Cambodia they’re more common than taxis. You can either flag one down or book one via the Grab app.
Things to do in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is definitely an underrated city, there’s plenty to see and do and it definitely comes to life at night. The Royal Palace is beautiful, especially when it’s lit up in the evening, along with the Wat Phnom Daun Penh temple.
You can take a cruise along the Mekong River and enjoy the rooftop bars and restaurants, too.
Currency in Cambodia
The currency in Cambodia is a little less straightforward than other countries and it can take some time to get your head around. The official currency in Cambodia is the riel but US dollars are widely used, which is where the confusion really comes in.
Some places will also quote riel but in virtually all cases it plays second fiddle to the dollar. Fortunately, I’ve written a full guide to the currency in Cambodia to explain everything.
Beyond Phnom Penh
Cambodia has some fantastic tourism opportunities. From the luxurious islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem to the iconic ruins of the Angkor Wat Temple in Siem Reap, there’s plenty to see and do in this beautiful country.
Best time of year to visit Vietnam and Cambodia
The best time to visit Cambodia is during the cool, dry season. This runs from November to March.
In Vietnam, there’s three different climate zones (north, central, and south). For North Vietnam (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa) the best time is October to April, Central Vietnam (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An), February to August and South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta) December to April.
This is a guest post from Tim Jones from Wildness and Wellbeing, a podcast and blog with a focus on how the outdoors can help your mental health. Tim travelled South East Asia last year.
