Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is famous for its ancient architecture and Apsara dance, the folk dance that fascinates travelers worldwide. Are you planning a trip to this destination after your Vietnam tours? In this travel guide, we’ll explore different ways to travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh, providing tips to make the most of your journey and enjoy the unique landscapes along the way.
How far is it from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh?
Is it very far from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh? It is only 230 km from these two destinations; therefore, to get to Phnom Penh, you have many routes and ways to choose from.
Best way to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
By speedboat
If you are a nature lover and want to explore the scenic Vietnam countryside along the great Mekong River, then crossing to Cambodia, is a unique way for your experience.
Firstly, you move to Chau Doc (An Giang) from Ho Chi Minh City, then take a speed boat to Phnom Penh at the Vinh Xuong border gate. It departs at around 07:30 am from Chau Doc and takes 5 hours to reach Phnom Penh. It returns on the same day and leaves Phnom Penh around 1:30 pm, arriving in Chau Doc in the evening. The price for a one-way ticket ranges from $27 – $70.
Some companies operate small boats with 15 to 30 seats, such as Hang Chau, Mandarin Cruise, and Blue Cruiser. All of these boats are equipped with toilets, life jackets, and a seating area for sightseeing and taking photos. We recommend the Hang Chau speed boat because it offers the best value for the price. If you’re looking for higher-standard services, you might want to consider the Blue Cruiser and Mandarin, although they are more expensive, costing double or triple the price.
By flight
From Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh by flight is the fastest way. The flight time is typically just 1 hour from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) to Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH). Vietnam Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air operate flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh.
Price is from $130, depending on the airline, flight time, and booking lead time. You can book through www.vietnamairlines.com.vn and www.ambodiaangkorair.com.
At Phnom Penh International Airport, you can get to the city center by taxi for $10 or tuk-tuk for $6.
By bus
If you are on budget and time is not very tight, you can experience the open bus. The one-way trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh costs $26-28. You can also book the two-way trip. It takes about 6 hours to travel during the day and 10 hours at night.
Some reputable bus operators in Ho Chi Minh City you can choose from are Mai Linh, Sapaco, Kumho, Mekong Express, etc. They all have representative offices in the city center, so it is very convenient to get contacted and picked up.
By car
If you are an adventurer, you can get there by car. It is possible because the route is not too long. It can be divided into 2 segments: from Ho Chi Minh City to Moc Bai (Tay Ninh) at 60 km, and from Moc Bai to Phnom Penh at 170 km.
Along the national road No. 22, you will get to Tay Ninh from Ho Chi Minh City, then Go Dau town. Next, you have to turn left from Go Dau to Ben Cau, Moc Bai. Please note that it always maintains a maximum speed of 40 km/h, you should rest and have something to eat for the next journey.
At the Moc Bai border gate, you must go through the exit procedures. Through the gate, you drive 100m more to get to the Bavet border (Cambodia). From here, you can go straight to Phnom Penh Capital. Please note that the maximum speed is only about 40–60–80 km/h. There will be signs along the road, so please pay attention and adjust your speed.
The most important thing is that driving to Phnom Penh requires customs registration and an approved driver’s license in Cambodia.
What are reliable cruise companies from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh?
If you’re looking for a relaxing way to travel to Phnom Penh from Ho Chi Minh City, you can find cruise ideas between Vietnam and Cambodia here, there are a variety of options to choose from luxury, deluxe to private cruises.
Some of the most favorite luxury Mekong cruises to Phnom Penh
- Pandaw Cruise: spacious ships, expansive design, boasting a wider promenade deck, a generously sized dining hall, and numerous public spaces, price from $1.559 per person
- Mekong Princess Cruise: international design and safety standards, elegant style, shipboard life, in elegant French colonial luxury, with discreet and fascinating shore excursions, price from $716 per person
- Heritage Line – Jahan Cruise: luxury cruise, elegance & romantic style, Indian art and architecture influenced the Khmer and Cham cultures, price from $1.074 per person
This is a great way to experience the beauty and culture of Cambodia. The journey takes you through the heart of the Mekong Delta, past floating villages, rice paddies, and lush forests. You’ll also have the opportunity to observe the daily life and activities of riverside communities along the banks of the Mekong and visit local markets, temples, and pagodas.
Things to do in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, a city rich in history, culture, and beauty, offers you many things to do:
- Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda: This iconic complex houses the royal residence and is home to ornate Khmer architecture, golden stupas, and the famous Silver Pagoda.
- Explore the National Museum: This excellent museum showcases one of the world’s finest collections of Khmer art, including sculptures, ceramics, and artifacts dating back to the pre-Angkor period.
- Visit the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek: This sobering memorial site commemorates the victims of the Khmer Rouge’s genocidal campaign in the 1970s.
- Pay respects at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: A sobering but important historical site, this former school was used as a prison and torture center by the Khmer Rouge regime.
- Wander the riverfront promenade: Take a stroll along the great Mekong and Tonle Sap River waterfronts, lined with restaurants, bars, and street vendors.
- Shop at the Central Market: discover the iconic Art Deco market and stalls filled with handicrafts, souvenirs, clothing, and local produce.
- Experience Khmer cuisine: amok, loc lac, balut, and Khmer curry, etc
Considered as a country of pagodas and temples, Cambodia has many landscapes for you to admire. Phnom Penh capital is also among them. Hopefully, the information about the distance, the directions that we provide above will be useful for you to get to Phnom Penh from Ho Chi Minh City more easily.
From Luxury Cruise Mekong Team, a brand of Indochina Voyages!
