Cambodia - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 416

GETTING TO VIETNAM: SOUTHEASTERN BORDERS
Phnom Penh to Chau Doc
The most scenic way to end your travels in Cambodia is to sail the Mekong to Kaam Samnor, about
100km south-southeast of Phnom Penh, cross the border to Vinh Xuong in Vietnam, and proceed to
Chau Doc on the Tonlé Bassac River via a small channel or overland.
Various companies do trips all the way through to Chau Doc using a single boat or some combina-
tion of bus and boat; they cost US$20 to US$30, depending on the speed of the boat and the level of
service. The trip averages about four hours. Backpacker guesthouses and tour companies offer cheaper
bus/boat combo trips. All boats depart from Phnom Penh's tourist boat dock ( Click here ).
For more information about crossing this border in the other direction, Click here .
Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City
The original Bavet/Moc Bai crossing between Vietnam and Cambodia has seen steady traffic for two
decades.
Getting to the border The easiest way to get to Ho Chi Minh City is to catch an international bus
(US$8 to US$13, seven hours) from Phnom Penh. There are several companies making this trip.
At the border Long lines entering either country are not uncommon, but otherwise it's straightfor-
ward provided you purchase a Vietnamese visa in advance.
Moving on If you are not on the international bus, it's not hard to find onward transport to HCMC or
elsewhere.
For more information about crossing this border in the other direction, Click here .
Takeo to Chau Doc
The remote and seldom-used Phnom Den/Tinh Bien border crossing (open 7am to 5pm) between
Cambodia and Vietnam lies about 60km southeast of Takeo town in Cambodia and offers connections
to Chau Doc.
Getting to the border Take a share taxi (10,000r), a chartered taxi (US$25) or a moto (US$10) from
Takeo to the border (48km).
At the border Formalities are minimal here, provided you have a Vietnamese visa.
Moving on On the other side, travellers are at the mercy of Vietnamese xe om (motorbike taxi) drivers
and taxis for the 30km journey from the border to Chau Doc. Expect to pay somewhere between US$5
and US$10 by bike, more like US$20 for a taxi.
For more information about crossing this border in the other direction, Click here .