Border Crossing: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam to Phnom Phen, Cambodia via Mekong Express (Mocbai-Bavet Border)

One of the challenges travellers face during a multi-country trip is border crossing. Getting to the border, immigration, scams and how exactly its done, and sometimes we are left with no idea just how to do it.

Crossing the borders from Ho Chi Minh going to Phnom Phen is surprisingly sweat free.

I booked a ticket from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Phen via Mekong Express. Their office is located along the Backpacker's street (Pham Ngu Lao Street) where the van/bus usually parks across the street to pick up passengers. I booked my ticket online and when I got in their office, they gave me a printed copy of my booking. We were given a free water bottle and I was surprised that we were just 5 in the van. It took 2.5 hours to get to the borders. The driver consolidated our passports and filled up the Immigration Card for us, led us to inside (we didn't bring our bags as we will ride the same van crossing the borders) and gave our passports to the Immigration officer for departure stamps and called out our names one by one to give back our passports.

Mekong Express VIP Van ticket from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Phen

Entering Mocbai Borde

We got back to the van and headed to Cambodia Immigartion Office where we got our stamps and again back to the van.

** Holders of Philippine passport do not need visa for Cambodia up to 21 days.

Enteriong Cambodian border called Bavet

Mekong Express

Bus: 7:30, 8:30, 13:00 (US$14)

VIP Van: 6:30am, 15:00 (US$15)

Adress: #275F, Pham Ngu Lao Street, Disctric 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Duration: 6 hours & 30 mins

Website: http://catmekongexpress.com/

Other Options:

Giant Ibis  -  US$18 + $1 (Credit card processing fee if you purchase online)

Schedule: 8:30, 12:30

Duration: 6 hours & 30 mins

Address: 237 Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Website: http://giantibis.com/

Sapaco Tourist Bus - (230.000 VND)

Schedule: 6:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30

Duration: 6 hours & 30 mins

Address: 325 Pham Ngu Lao St., Dist 1, HCM City

Website: http://www.sapacotourist.vn/en/

Related Links:

Backpacking Southeast Asia Itinerary and Expenses
AirAsia ASEAN Pass
Mui Ne, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Backpacking Southeast Asia Itinerary and Expenses

U-bien Bridge in Mandalay, Myanmar

Explored Indochina for the first time and yes I've done this solo. It was a mixed feeling of fear and courage and it was such a fulfillment that I was able to explore the cities alone. It took me months of planning to finally come up with this itinerary trimming off the originally 30 day trip down to 18 days due to schedule constraints but it was all worth it, though I wish I had more time to spend.

Angkor Wat- Siem Reap, Cambodia

Lotus lake and white sand dunes in Mui Ne, Vietnam

I started the trip in Malaysia going across Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. A side trip to Myanmar, Laos, Indonesia and Singapore then went back to Malaysia before going back home. It wasn't easy. Spent lots of time on the road, tiring but a fulfilling experience.

Phnom Phen, Cambodia

Backpacking Southeast Asia Itinerary and Expenses:

ASEAN Pass Breakdown:

For detailed post on how i booked and maximized the pass, click here

Petronas Twin Tower - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Notes:
> This is not a package tour. This itinerary and expenses was based on my experience.
> My ticket from MNL to KL was bought a year before the trip and was given to me as a gift.
> Make sure you bring plug adapter to charge your gadgets as their sockets might be different from the one we have in the Philippines specially in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
> Try the street foods! Southeast Asia is the home of the world’s tastiest cuisines and they are often found in the streets.
> Research on cab or tuk tuk fares before you ride as this is one of the biggest scams in travelling Southeast Asia.
> Be mindful of your belongings all the time. There are snatchers reported specially in the streets of Cambodia where they are usually on scooters and will grab your bag or whatever is in your hand while walking or riding a tuk tuk..
> Get used to haggling specially in street markets, shops and transportation.
>You may rent a scooter if you know how to drive, this is brilliant way of combining freedom, flexibility and appreciation of the place.

Related Post:
AirAsia ASEAN Pass
Border Crossing: Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Phen via Mekong Express (Mocbai-Bavet Border)
Mui Ne Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam