Border Crossings: Vietnam - Cambodia

The Moc Bai-Bavet border is the traditional favourite for a cheap and quick way between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh. For those willing to take their lime, it is much nicer to meander through the Mekong Delta and travel by river between Chau Doc and Phnom Penh. One-month Cambodian visas are issued on arrival at Bavet and Kaam Samnor for US$20, but they are not currently available at Phnom Den. Overcharging is common at Kaam Samnor.

Moc Bai - Bavet
The most popular border crossing between Cambodia and Vietnam is Moc Bai . which connects Vietnam's Tay Ninh province with Cambodia's Svay Rieng province. There are several buses daily between Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City (via Moc Bai), usually departing around 8am, taking about six hours and costing as little as US$12.

Vinh Xuong-Kaam Samnor
A more pleasurable alternative to the Moc Bai crossing is the Vinh Xuong-Kaam Samnor border near Chau Doc. This offers the advantage of a leisurely look at the Mekong Delta without the bother of backtracking to Ho Chi Minh City
There are two companies that offer luxury boat cruises between Ho Chi Minh City and Stem Reap via this border: the international player Pan-Daw Cruises (www.pandaw.com) and Cambodian company Toum Tiou Cruise (www.cfmekong.com) . Pandaw is an expensive option favoured by high-end tour companies, while Toum Tiou is smaller and is well regarded for the persona! service and excellent food.

Tinh Bien-Phnom Den
This border crossing point sees little traffic, as most visitors in Chau Doc tend to use the river crossing direct to Phnom Penh. It's relatively remote but the roads are in better shape than they used to be, so this crossing may start to see a trickle of travellers or cyclists.