Vietnam - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 320

GETTING TO CAMBODIA: SOUTHERN BORDERS
Chau Doc to Phnom Penh
Getting to the border One of the most enjoyable ways to enter Cambodia is via the Vinh Xuong/
Kaam Samnor border crossing located just northwest of Chau Doc along the Mekong River. Several
companies in Chau Doc sell boat journeys from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh via the Vinh Xuong border.
Hang Chau ( Chau Doc 076-356 2771, Phnom Penh 855-12-883 542;
www.hangchautourist.com.vn ; per person US$24) boats depart Chau Doc at 7.30am from a pier at 18
Ð Tran Hung Dao, arriving at 12.30pm. The more upmarket Blue Cruiser ( HCMC 08-3926 0253,
Phnom Penh 855-236-333 666; www.bluecruiser.com ) leaves the Victoria Hotel pier at 7am, costing
US$55. It takes about five hours, including the border check. Also departing from this pier at 7am are
Victoria Speedboats (US$97, five hours), exclusive to Victoria Hotel guests.
At the border If leaving Vietnam, Cambodian visas are available at the crossing, but minor overchar-
ging is common (plan on paying around US$24).
For more information about crossing this border in the other direction, Click here .
Chau Doc to Takeo
Getting to the border Eclipsed by the newer crossing of Xa Xia near Ha Tien, the Tinh Bien/Phnom
Den border crossing is less convenient for Phnom Penh-bound travellers, but may be of interest for
those who savour the challenge of obscure border crossings. Buses from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh
(US$15 to US$21, five hours) depart at 7.30am and can be booked through Mekong Tours in Chau
Doc. Roads to the border are terrible.
At the border Cambodian visas can be obtained here, although it's not uncommon to be charged
US$25, several dollars more than the official rate.
Moving on Most travellers opt for a through bus ticket from Chau Doc.
For more information about crossing this border in the other direction, Click here .
Ha Tien to Kep
Getting to the border The Xa Xia/Prek Chak border crossing connects Ha Tien with Kep and Kam-
pot on Cambodia's south coast, making a trip to Cambodia from Phu Quoc via Ha Tien, or vice versa,
that much easier. Direct minibuses leave Ha Tien for Cambodia at around 1pm, heading to Kep
(US$12, one hour, 47km), Kampot (US$15, 1½ hours, 75km), Sihanoukville (US$20, four hours,
150km) and Phnom Penh (US$18, four hours, 180km). Bookings can be made through Ha Tien Tour-
ism (which also operates through the Oasis bar), which can arrange the Cambodian visa too. It's far
better to change money in Ha Tien than at the border.
At the border Cambodian visas (US$20) are issued at the border (you'll need a passport-sized photo).
Moving on As it costs only slightly more than taking local transport and is far comfier, most travellers
opt for a through minibus ticket.