What to expect when visiting Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam’s largest and probably busiest metropolis. Formerly called Saigon, the city pulsates with energy and organised chaos. Its streets are packed with motorcycles day in and day out, we absolutely have no idea how everyone manages not to bump into each other!
Don’t miss a visit to the War Remnants Museum and Central Post Office, one of the oldest buildings in Ho Chi Minh. Shop (and prepare to haggle) at Ben Thanh Market, and explore the nearby Cu Chi Tunnels. When its bustling streets become too much, know that you can always find solace in one of its many cosy coffee shops.
2 ways to get from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh
There are two ways to travel the distance of 230 km (143 miles) from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh: by bus (5-7 hours) and flight (2h15m). The journey takes between 2h15m - 7h and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 218,000 VND ($9) + 2,706,000 VND ($110.00) for the flight.Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Ho Chi Minh at the bottom of this page.
Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh by Flight
If you don’t want to make the 7-hour border crossing via land, you can also take a flight.
Airfares from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh are quite expensive, though. Even during off-peak season, rates are at least 4x that of the bus.
Also, when you add the waiting time for your flight, this option doesn’t really save you a lot of time compared to the bus.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: City Centre to Phom Penh Airport
You can find Phnom Penh Airport some 11 km west of the city centre. There are 3 ways you can get there: a $0.40 bus, an $11 taxi or a $9 tuktuk. Travel time is 30 minutes to 1 hour.
If you’re already short on time, we recommend taking either a taxi or a tuk-tuk. Buses make too many stops and often get stuck in traffic.
For more details, check out our guide on Phnom Penh Airport.
Step 2: Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh by Flight
Cambodia Angkor Air and Vietnam Airlines operate direct flights from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh daily. Flight time is about an hour.
Ticket prices range from 2,700,000 VND ($110.00) to 4,200,000 VND ($170.00). Book your tickets in advance to get the best rates.
TIP: Skyscanner also gives an indication if flights are more eco-friendly. Choosing a more eco-friendly flight can make a big difference!
Step 3: Ho Chi Minh Airport to City Centre by Bus
From Ho Chi Minh Airport, you can take a 45-minute bus or taxi to cross the 8 km distance to the city centre.
On a budget? Take public bus #152. A ticket only costs 6,000 VND ($0.20). The bus drops you off at the roundabout across Ben Thanh Market, from where it is only a 10-minute walk to Pham Ngu Lao.
You can also get a taxi to take you straight to your hotel’s doorstep in Ho Chi Minh. Rates start from 150,000 VND ($6.00).
To help you navigate to your hotel from Ho Chi Minh Airport, read our article on Ho Chi Minh International Airport (Tan Son Nhat).
Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh by Bus
Travelling from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh by bus isn’t too difficult. In fact, many travellers prefer this method because it’s cheaper than flying. Another advantage of taking the bus is that it produces fewer emissions and is, therefore, more eco-friendly.
You can choose from a few companies operating on this route. These include Long Phuong Cambodia, Kumho Samco and Giant Ibis.
Long Phuong offers the cheapest fares starting from 660,000 VND ($27.00). However, it gets mixed reviews. Some passengers have praised its helpful staff, while others have complained about poor customer service.
Kumho Samco and Giant Ibis are a bit more expensive, but they also get better reviews — both for their professional staff and comfortable buses. Also, Giant Ibis offers free hotel pick-up in Phnom Penh city centre.
Departure and arrival stations
Long Phuong departs from its headquarters in Phnom Penh city centre, beside the National Olympic Stadium. It arrives at Long Phuong Tours in Ho Chi Minh’s Pham Ngu Lao.
Kumho Samco leaves from its office in Phnom Penh city centre and parks at its terminal in Ho Chi Minh tourist centre.
Giant Ibis picks up passengers from any hotel in the centre of Phnom Penh. It arrives at Giant Ibis Transport, also along Pham Ngu Lao.
Bus schedules from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
Immigration Stop and Bathroom Breaks
Most of the buses from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh cross the border at the Bavet–Moc Bai Checkpoint. The immigration stop at the border isn’t very organised or modern, but the staff of the bus companies will explain to you what to do and how to obtain your entry stamp.
Depending on your nationality, you need to apply for an e-visa to enter Vietnam through the Moc Bai border. Your e-visa should specify “Moc Bai landport” as your port of entry. If you choose the wrong entry port, you will be refused entry at the Moc Bai border.
The bus normally makes one bus stop just before the Vietnamese border. This serves as your last chance to spend your remaining Cambodian Riel!
TIP: Always keep a lookout for the bus personnel or fellow travellers from your bus so you don’t get lost.
Our favourite places to stay in Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh is home to around 9 million people. To fit that many people, it has got to be a pretty big city, which can make choosing the right area a little overwhelming.
Here is a quick rundown of the best districts for you to stay in:
- District 1 is the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and is a popular choice for tourists due to its proximity to major attractions like the Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, and the War Remnants Museum.
- Pham Ngu Lao is located within District 1 and is popular amongst budget travellers due to its nightlife, street food and cheap accommodations.
- District 3 is less touristy but still relatively central and offers a more local experience. It’s known for its beautiful tree-lined streets and French colonial architecture.
- District 5 (Chinatown) offers a unique cultural experience with its bustling atmosphere, Chinese temples, and a wide variety of delicious street food.
- District 7 is more modern and upscale. There are plenty of international restaurants, shopping centres and green spaces.
Check out our favourite places to stay in these areas:
Vy Khanh Guesthouse - Budget Friendly
Vy Khanh Guesthouse may not be the fanciest place in Ho Chi Minh, but what it lacks in glitz and glamour, it makes up with its hospitality. Vy is one of the best hosts that you’ll experience in Vietnam, offering you recommendations for not just the city but the entire country.
She’ll make sure you have the best experience and that starts with the guesthouse’s location. It’s situated in the heart of the city in District 1.
- Amazing host
- Great location
- Clean and comfortable rooms
- Good value for money
Double rooms start from $15 per night.
Golden Tree Hotel and Apartment - Mid Range
Golden Tree Hotel stands out amongst the rest due to its perfect ambient lighting both inside and outside. This hotel feels face fancier than its price tag.
The rooms are spacious and modern, with most rooms offering a private kitchen and large colonial-style windows. Stay here and you’ll be located in District 7.
- Spacious and modern rooms
- Great location
- Beautiful decor
- High speed internet
Double rooms start from $31 per night.
Silverland Mây Hotel - Treating Yourself
One look at Siverland Mây Hotel’s swimming pool and you won’t be able to resist booking here. It’s surrounded by lush greenery hanging from the ceiling, hammocks and there’s a pool-side bar.
The rooms live up to this standard boasting a beautiful ultra-modern decor. You’ll never want to leave this place.
- Beautiful swimming pool
- Pool-side bar
- Stunning rooms
- Great location
Double rooms start from $80 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh
What is the distance from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh?
The distance from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh is 230 km (143 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh?
The fastest way to get from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh is by flight and takes 2h15m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh?
The cheapest way to get from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh is by flight with ticket costs starting from 218,000 VND ($9) + 2,706,000 VND ($110.00).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Routes from Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh Airport (Tan Son Nhat) to Ho Chi Minh City Centre
Most popular routes in Vietnam
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Could you please clarify what you mean by “letter of approval” needed to enter Vietnam at Moc Bai?
I have an evisa with Moc Bai as the specified port of entry. Is this sufficient?
Hello Richard, apologies for the confusion. The “letter of approval” is required in order to obtain a visa on arrival at the airport. Since you’re travelling by land through Moc Bai border, your e-visa specifying this port as your port of entry is sufficient. We now clarified this in the route. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!
Hola. Sabes si los ciudadanos españoles necesitan una aprobación de visa para pasar por la frontera terrestre entre Phnom Penh a Ho Chi Minh cruzando por Bavet/Moc Bai.?
Hola Yolanda, si ingresas a Vietnam como ciudadano español, estás “exento de visa por hasta 15 días en Vietnam si tu fecha de llegada es al menos 30 días a partir de la fecha de salida de tu última estadía en Vietnam con exención de visa. ” Si tiene la intención de permanecer más de 15 días en Vietnam, debe solicitar una visa.
Puede consultar VisaIndex para más detalles. ¡Espero que esto ayude!
Thanks, a very good and informative insight to all buses travelling to Saigon and consequent flights and fares.
Hi Heather! Thanks for leaving a comment! Happy to hear this info was useful to you!