Mekong Delta to Cambodia: adventurous border crossing on a motorcycle (2023)

Riding on the back of a bicycle being driven through the Cambodia border crossing by a 61-year-old Vietnamese tour guide is not Vietnamunique travel experience, then I do not know what is. The journey from the Mekong Delta to Cambodia will surely remain one of the coolest travel experience stories we would tell of our Southeast Asia backpacking trip. Here below is the breakdown of this trip, including our recommended stops and preferred modes of transport 😉

Our ruthless planning

Two months of travel in Vietnam were coming to an end. We had done everything we were emotionally and financially able to do in southern Vietnam and are now ready to move from the Mekong Delta to Cambodia.We had no visa, no idea where the nearest Cambodian Vietnam border crossing was or how to get there without having to return to the capital. It wasn't ruthless per se. We knew there would be no problem getting a Cambodian visa on arrival, but we were a bit nervous that we couldn't find any further information about the Vietnam to Cambodia border crossing from Can Tho. Hence this post. You're welcome! 😉

We found that theThe best way to reach Cambodia Vietnam border crossing from Can Tho is by bus to Ha Tien, Vietnam and then on to Prek Chak in Cambodia. From there it is only a short drive to the coastal towns of Kep and Kampot.

From Can Tho to Rach Gia to Ha Tien

AlthoughWikiTrbreedsuggest there is a direct busFrom Can Tho to Ha Tien, we couldn't find any (perhaps due to Tet holidays at the time of our trip). However, you can booktwo pseparate Tickets - Can Tho nach Rach Giaand then Rach Gia to Ha Tien. You can book your tickets online and then get a paper copy from a service desk at each bus stop (bus drivers will not accept a copy on your smartphone).

FUTA bus routes and how to get to Can Tho bus station

According to online reviews, FUTA Bus Lines is the best option in terms of reliability, comfort and customer service for traveling from Mekong Delta to Cambodia. Our experience traveling with them from Can Tho to Ha Tien was no different.

Schedule bus transfer from Can Tho to Ha Tien

If you pass through Rach Gia on your journey from Can Tho to Ha Tien, make sureBuffer in some "anything can happen"Time between the two buses so as not to miss your connection. Alternatively, get your ticket upon arrival at Rach Gia (yes, you risk waiting for a later bus). The following plan worked perfectly for us (booked the evening before departure):

Stopover at Rach Gia

The bus arrived at a remote bus station where we had to transfer to a shuttle bus in a hurry. We were 75% sure we were going to the wrong place as no one spoke English and people going elsewhere were in the same minibus. We just kept repeating “Ha Tien” (our final stop) while the not too reassuring drivers waved at us on the bus.What do you know, we ended up exactly where we needed to be - at the Rach Gia bus station.

Rach Gia is a coastal town in the Gulf of Thailand. If you have time on your trip from the Mekong Delta to Cambodia, set aside a few hours to explore the provincial city, its temples, and the seafront promenade. From here you can also catch a ferry to Phu Quoc and other neighboring islands.

A day in Ha Thien Vietnam

We didn't want to rush itCambodia Vietnam border crossingon the same day and opted for a day in Ha Tien. Apart from traveling slowly, we still had no idea how to get to the actual border anyway 😉 Not a very well organized pair of backpacks this time. Oh well.

When we arrived in Ha Thien we were pleasantly surprised. Ha Thien is a very charming river town with a relaxed vibe and quaint colorful houses. If, like us, you like off-the-beaten-track destinations and slow travel, you'll really enjoy this city.

Vietnam Coracle - the absolute place to go for everything Vietnam Motorrad calls a city"the Jewel of the Mekong-Deltas“. See her post for more informationInsights into things to see and do in Ha Tien. This should inspire you to extend your trip from the Mekong Delta to Cambodia.

Oasis Bar Ha Tien & Mr. Tea

The Oasis Bar in Ha Tien is an institution. Apparently, when it comes to arranging transportation to the Cambodia-Vietnam border crossing, this is the place to go. As well as a selection of cold beers, (delicious) fruit smoothies and western food, the friendly expat family who run the bar are also happy to help with any other questions a traveler might have.

Cambodia Vietnam border crossing options

Andy (the bar owner) introduced us to the following border crossing options in Cambodia and Vietnam. Of course it may not be entirely objective as it enables some of these services, but it still gives you an idea:

Herr Tee

It was a breeze and we chose to travel from Vietnam to Cambodia on a motorbike with the legendary Mr Tee. Mr. Tee is a 61-year-old Vietnamese tour guide and motorcyclist who has been helping travelers cross the Cambodian and Vietnamese borders for years. He is looking to retire next year but promised he would find a respectable replacement to continue his mission of providing Cambodia and Vietnam border crossing services and unique travel experiences.Mr. Tee is also fluent in English and willing to chat about Vietnamese history if you're willing to listen.

Ha Tien border crossing, Vietnam

Punctually at 09:30, Mr. Tee and his colleague picked us up from the Oasis Bar just as we had finished our delicious breakfast (and exchanged our last VND to USD). Let the Vietnam to Cambodia adventure begin!

The Vietnamese gentlemen took our backpacks between our legs in front of the bikes while we clumsily climbed onto our backs with our daypacks and other small items in our hands. The amount of stuff and passengers that Southeast Asian riders can transport on their vintage motorcycles never amazes us.

Checking out from Vietnam was very straightforward. There are two windows side by side - for arriving and departing tourists. The fact that not everyone was following the rules and standing in the wrong queue worried Mr. Tee, who was keen to get us through customs as quickly as possible. He hung on to the brief but awkward exchange with an Australian family ahead of us for the rest of the day, repeating over and over again that there was nothing wrong in reprimanding them. We comforted the sweet old men and promised that we would never commit such a cruelty by cutting the snake.

Lucky money at Ha Tien Vietnam border crossing

Mr. Tee suggested giving the Ha Tien Border Policeman a dollar of "lucky money," which we kindly declined. Nowe just didn't want to contributeGovernment corruption, but we also saw absolutely no point in bribing anyone. We were the next line and in no hurry anyway. However, we saw a few passes with much larger bills inside. Whatever they were for.

Although we managed to hold on to our morals this time, getting a Cambodian visa in Prek Chak was a different story.

Prek Chak, Cambodia border crossing

Along with our Vietnamese tour guides, we officially crossed Vietnam into Cambodia at Prek Chak on the backs of their bikes. I won't lie, it felt really cool.we were cool

Just a minute after leaving Vietnam, we saw characteristic Khmer architecture. Cambodia, here we come!

At customs, Mr. Tee followed us everywhere. It was reassuring to have the Cambodia Vietnam border crossing guru by our side should any of the weird stories we had read about online come to life. Although we were prepared for the encounter, (almost disappointingly) thenotorious doctor who will take your temperature and charge a dollar or two if you don't have your vaccination card, was not there.

Cambodia Visa Fee & Other Useful Information

The Cambodia visa fee for the single entry visa we applied for should have been $30. AccordinglyTourism Cambodia, this is the official price. However, already in the Oasis Bar, Ha Thien Andy warned us that we would have to pay an extra $5 if we wanted to avoid arguments and unnecessary delays. When we didn't have much choice at the Prek Chak border, Mr Tee strictly instructed us to pay $35. The chief who put a visa in my passport looked bored. It seems$35 is the standard Cambodia visa feein Prek Chak.

Although frustrated inside, we paid the Cambodia visa fee with the bribe and said nothing. Looking back, we think we should have been vocal. If we all continue to pay bogus doctors and hand out "lucky money," bribery and the tourism mafia will never cease to exist. We will always have to rely on Andys and Mr Tees to do the most basic things like get a stamp in the passport. Hopefully we'll do better next time.

To avoid anyfurtherDelays and frustrations, make sure you have a 4x6 passport photo and one filled outCambodia visa on arrival. If you are traveling Mr Tee he will give you the form the night before you leave.

Prek Chak nach Kep

I can't tell you what it is, but the moment we made our way from Prek Chak to Kep we could physically feel we were out of Vietnam. The road was different, the signs were different, even the air felt different. Cambodia reminded us much more of Laos than the Vietnam we had just left. Since wehopelessly beloved Laos, we were very excited to start our Cambodia discovery.

On the way to Kep, Mr. Tee took thescenic road and drove us past the salt plantations for which the region is famous. If there was a lingering aftertaste from the Cambodia-Vietnam border crossing at Prek Chak, it dissipated immediately as we made our way through the rocky, red-smudged roads. The whole journey was worth this moment. It was beautiful and it was fun.

We made a brief stop at the coast, looked at the map and agreed on the drop-off point before embarking on the very last leg of our journey from the Mekong Delta to Cambodia.

Can you do the Cambodia-Vietnam border crossing on your own?

Of course you can. The question is how much time and money are you willing to invest. Mr Tee's transportation and assistance services cost us $12 per person. We were told that taxis and bikes at the border in Prek Chak charge insanely inflated amounts to take you to the next town of Kep. You can probably go a little further and try to negotiate a better deal if you have the time and good negotiating skills. All in all, you can probably save a few bucks.

How to contact Mr. Tee

If you are backpacking around Southeast Asia and trying to get from the Mekong Delta to Cambodia, you must meet Mr. Tee. Mr. Tee does not have a personal website or email. However, you can reach Oasis BarHa Thien by[Email Protected]and arrange your transfer there.

Costs related to crossing the border from Vietnam to Cambodia

Are you on Pinterest? Pin that!