Vietnam to Cambodia: How Far is Vietnam to Cambodia?

Vietnam and Cambodia are close neighbors, which makes traveling between them easy and full of options. But just how far is Vietnam from Cambodia? That depends on where you're starting and where you're headed.

To give you an idea, here are some of the most common routes: from Saigon to Phnom Penh is about 226 km, and to Siem Reap it's around 469 km. Heading from Hanoi, it’s a bit farther—about 1058 km to Phnom Penh and 1148 km to Siem Reap. Depending on your route, you can take a quick flight, enjoy a scenic cruise, choose a long-distance bus, and more.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the different travel options and distances between Vietnam and Cambodia, along with helpful tips to make your journey smooth and enjoyable.

Vietnam and Cambodia Are Neighboring Countries and Very Easy to Access

Vietnam and Cambodia share a land border of approximately 1158 km, stretching from Laos in the north to the Gulf of Thailand in the south. The two countries are neighbors, so tour from Vietnam to Cambodia is very convenient. Flights, buses and cruises frequently travel between major cities on both sides, making travel very convenient due to the variety and frequency of transportation.

Vietnam's major cities Hanoi, Da Nang, and Saigon have direct flights to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia, making it easy to combine a Vietnam tour with a Cambodia tour. By road, multiple border crossings have routes connecting to Cambodia, and some buses even offer overnight trips, saving a day of travel time. You can also cross the border by water along the Mekong River, taking a ferry or cruise.

People are crossing on foot at the Vietnam to Cambodia border crossing.

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Saigon to Phnom Penh are the Nearest Cities Between Vietnam and Cambodia: 226km

The distance from Saigon to Phnom Penh is the shortest between Vietnam and Cambodia's major cities, at about 226 kilometers, and this route is popular with tourists and locals. You can take a flight of about 1 hour, a bus and private car of about 6 hours, or a cruise of 5-6 hours.

Saigon to Phnom Penh by flight

Flying from Saigon's Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) to Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) only takes about 60 minutes. Airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, and VietJet Air have daily flights, which are very fast and convenient.

Saigon to Phnom Penh by bus

Direct buses from Saigon to Phnom Penh run frequently and usually take about 6 hours, including a 30-60 minute border crossing. Buses and cars cross the border at land crossings such as Moc Bai–Bavet (on the Vietnam-Cambodia border) from about 8:00 to 20:00 every day.

Saigon to Phnom Penh by cruise

You will first need to travel about 170 km by land to Chau Doc near Saigon, then take a Mekong River cruise to Phnom Penh, which takes about 5-6 hours to reach and covers about 170 km.

For example, the Hang Chau Tourist express cruise departs from Chau Doc at about 7:30 am and arrives in Phnom Penh at noon. This route offers breathtaking river views and floating villages (passengers often see riverside markets and local life).

Saigon to Phnom Penh by private car

You can also hire a private car or taxi, which takes a similar amount of time to the bus (about 5-6 hours), depending on the length of your layover and border processing time. This allows for flexibility to stop for food or photos.

The scenic Mekong River cruise is well worth the experience.

Saigon to Siem Reap can Cross Half of Cambodia: 469km

Saigon to Siem Reap is a longer route, covering 469 km, spanning about half the width of Cambodia. The route from Saigon to Siem Reap tour takes about 12-14 hours by night bus, 10-12 hours by cruise, and only about 1 hour and 5 minutes by plane.

Saigon to Siem Reap by flight

Flying directly from SGN to Siem Reap International Airport (REP) takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes, quickly covering the 469 km distance, making it the fastest option. Vietnam Express, Vietnam Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air serve this route daily.

Saigon to Siem Reap by bus

Buses from Saigon to Siem Reap usually pass through Phnom Penh, requiring a transfer, and the typical route is: Saigon to Phnom Penh by bus for about 6 hours, then Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by bus for about 6-7 hours, totaling about 12-13 hours, with border stops at Moc Bai and Bavet adding about 1 hour. For example, Thai Duong Bus Company operates night buses between Saigon and Siem Reap, taking about 14 hours.

Saigon to Siem Reap by cruise

After arriving in Phnom Penh on a Mekong River cruise, you can transfer to a Tonle Sap Lake cruise that goes upstream, which takes about 5-6 hours to reach Siem Reap, depending on the type of cruise and river conditions. cruises like Angkor Express operate during the high water season. This route is mainly suitable for sightseeing and takes a total of 10-12 hours by cruise.

Saigon to Siem Reap by private car

The 469 km drive is expected to take at least 12 hours, and the road conditions in some rural areas can be rough, so this route is usually only chosen by those who want full flexibility.

Night buses in Saigon are a very popular and affordable option.

Hanoi to Phnom Penh Connects the Capitals of Vietnam and Cambodia: 1058km

The journey from Hanoi to Phnom Penh is much longer, connecting the two capitals, about 1,058 kilometers as the crow flies, which makes a Hanoi tour before flying to Cambodia a practical choice. It takes about 2 hours by plane, and more than 36 hours by land.

Hanoi to Phnom Penh by flight

The direct flight takes about 2 hours, and airlines such as Vietnam Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air have daily flights from Noi Bai (Hanoi) to Phnom Penh. The 1,058 kilometers can be covered quickly by plane.

Hanoi to Phnom Penh by train

There are no international trains. You can take a Vietnamese train to the south and then take a bus to Phnom Penh. The train to Saigon takes 30 hours, and the bus to Phnom Penh takes 6 hours.

The train from north to south in Hanoi is passing through the beautiful scenery.

Hanoi to Siem Reap Have the Most Flight Schedules: 1148km

The straight-line distance between Hanoi and Siem Reap is about 1148 kilometers, so taking a flight is undoubtedly the best choice. Vietnam Express, Vietnam Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air all provide direct flights, with multiple flights every day, about 2 hours of flight time, and convenient transportation.

The modern Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport is bustling with people.

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More Insider Tips for a Smooth Vietnam and Cambodia Tour

It’s usually easy to get from Vietnam to Cambodia. Follow these tips to make your trip smoother.

Border crossings: Border crossings are usually open from 8:00–20:00. Be sure to arrive before they close and prepare your passport and all necessary documents for a smooth border crossing. Border crossings take about 30-60 minutes to process, which may delay your trip. Please factor this time into your travel time.

Currency: Cambodia mainly uses US dollars and riels, while Vietnam uses Vietnamese dong and US dollars. Carrying some local cash will make it easier to take local transportation.

Luggage: Cruise ships usually have no strict restrictions, but planes and buses do. It’s best to travel light for quick travel.

Network: Prepare local SIM cards for Vietnam and Cambodia in advance. If the network is not good in some places along the way, remember to download offline maps or translation apps in advance.

Beautiful temples and pagodas by the lake that you must visit in Hanoi.

Conclusion

How far is Vietnam from Cambodia? The question of how far is it depends on the cities you choose to depart from and arrive at, ranging from a few hundred kilometers (e.g. Saigon to Phnom Penh 226 kilometers) to more than 1,000 kilometers (Hanoi to Phnom Penh).

In short, despite the difference in distance, traveling between Vietnam and Cambodia is easy. Now that you know the distance between Vietnam and Cambodia on each route, as well as the various available modes of transportation from Vietnam to Cambodia, let's start your adventure from Vietnam to Cambodia!

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