The travel distance between the two dynamic cities Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City seems insignificant as it is only 150 km. However, even though you might be fully equipped with transportation, money, and health, there is still one more challenge which you have to conquer before heading toward one city from another: crossing the Moc Bai – Bavet Border.

The Moc Bai – Bavet Border is one of the three international border gates of Cambodia: Moc Bai – Bavet, Poipet and Koh Kong. On the Vietnam’s side, the gate is regarded as Moc Bai Border of Tay Ninh Province. In contrast, Bavet is the counterpart across the border, which belongs to Svay Rieng Province of Cambodia. In general, this is the most popular gate for people to travel from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City.

The border gate is open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm every day. Daily buses can be access quickly and easily from either of the two cities. Except for some short stretches under construction between Cambodia’s Neak Loung and Phnom Penh, the newly-renovated road and the service are both pretty fast and affordable. One of the most common ways to travel through the border is buses. In fact, there are many companies that offer direct bus service between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh for as low as $10, without changing or transiting bus at the border. Usually, a bus ride only takes about 6 hours, so it is actually a good deal to think about if you consider economizing for your next trips. There is no central station for buses in Phnom Penh so you would have to check in advance where your bus departs. On the other hand, almost all of the bus stations and offices in Ho Chi Minh City are located in the Pham Ngu Lao area, so it is easier to depart or arrive.

However, the most important thing to remember is that the Cambodian visa on arrival is available at Moc Bai Border, but the Vietnamese Visa is NOT. Therefore, if you wish to enter Vietnam at that point, you have to arrange with the Vietnam embassy in Cambodia in advance of your arrival.

A bonus fact to give you before your trip: In Vietnam, the Moc Bai Border is not simply an international border gate. It is also parts of a bigger area called the Moc Bai Economic Zone, a 21,284 ha area including Ben Cau and Trang Bang districts of Tay Ninh province!