Cambodia land borders with Laos and Vietnam

Travel between the three countries is remarkably easy, with a variety of ways to travel, including flights, buses, cars and boats. Procedure to cross international checkpoints is simple and convenient.

Border Crossing

Vietnam and Cambodia share 5 international border crossings (generally open to all foreign travelers as long as they possess a valid passport or visa). The longest border crossing between the two countries is Ba Vet - Moc Bai. It is on the main bus route between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh, thus it is considered as the most popular and convenient border crossing. Many people travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh by bus, a trip that takes approximately six hours, including a border stop. Of these border crossings, Kaam Sammor - Vinh Xuong is a preferred crossing for independent travelers and boat services are available and fast. For the other crossing borders, including Phnom Den - Tinh Bien, Prek Chak - Xa Xia and O Yadao - Le Thanh crossing, motorbike ride is a better choice. Visas on arrival are available at most land border crossings. Cambodian visas are available at most crossing points including the Bavet - Moc Bai and Kaam Samnor - Chau Doc crossings. Vietnamese visas are not available at any crossing.

Moc Bai Border

Dom Kralor - Voeung Kham is the only legal border crossing between Cambodia and Laos. Both Cambodian and Lao visas on arrival are available. While this border used to be quite complicated, the crossing is now straightforward with most people opting to do it by direct minibus.

Cambodian border crossings are generally open from 08:00 to 20:00 with the exception of Kralor - Voeung Kham, which closes earlier.

International crossings are generally open to all foreign nationalities who are in possession of a valid passport and visa, while local crossings are open only to locals (on each side of the border) who are able to cross back and forth using some form of border pass. All border crossings must be at a legal international crossing where you can get a passport stamped / visa validated and motorcycle temporarily imported. Legal international border crossings should not be confused with local border trading places, where local residents cross the border on either their ID cards or local day passes. At local border trading passes, it is sometimes possible for foreigners to cross, but remember that you are not legally in the country and free to continue. You are in the country illegally, both personally and with your bike, leaving yourself wide open to serious trouble.

Thuy Linh

Image sources: Internet