How to Get from Koh Rong to Ho Chi Minh City
Contents
Leaving behind the turquoise waters and white sands of Koh Rong for the energy of Ho Chi Minh City is a transition from island serenity to urban intensity. The route takes you across the Gulf of Thailand to the mainland and then east across the border into Vietnam.
This is not a single ticket. It is a chain of three legs: a boat to Sihanoukville, a bus to Phnom Penh, and a bus to Ho Chi Minh City. Because of the bus times below, plan on a night in Phnom Penh. You can check availability for the legs through GoAsia.cc.
Step 1: Koh Rong to Sihanoukville by Ferry
A ferry or speedboat from Sihanoukville Pier to Koh Rong takes about 45 minutes.[1] The return fare is about $25 on Island Speed Ferry.[1] Book the morning boat so that you reach the mainland well before your bus.
Step 2: Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh by Bus
Giant Ibis runs the 240 km trip along the Express Highway in about 4 hours.[2] Its Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh departures are at 13:30 and 19:00.[3] The ticket office is on Phe Street next to the Autonomous Port.[2]
Step 3: Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City by Bus
The next day, Giant Ibis runs a daytime bus from its terminal on Street 106 in Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City. It covers about 240 km in around 6 hours,[4] with departures at 04:45, 08:00 and 09:45.[3] The route runs through Kandal, Prey Veng and Svay Rieng into Tay Ninh province in Vietnam.[4] At the border, passengers get off to receive the Cambodian exit stamp, and the attendant collects the passports to process them with Vietnamese immigration.[4]
Comparing Your Options
| Leg | Operator | Departures | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koh Rong to Sihanoukville | Island Speed Ferry | Check the operator | About 45min[1] |
| Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh | Giant Ibis | 13:30, 19:00[3] | About 4h[2] |
| Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City | Giant Ibis | 04:45, 08:00, 09:45[3] | About 6h[4] |
Tips for Traveling from Koh Rong to Ho Chi Minh City
- Visa Readiness: Vietnam does not offer a visa on arrival for every nationality. Giant Ibis says passengers must arrange their visa in advance or cannot board, and that an e-visa must be printed before boarding; printing is free at its terminals. Several European and Asian countries have a 14-day visa waiver.[4] The Vietnam e-visa costs 25 USD for a single entry, and Moc Bai is among the border gates open to e-visa holders.[5]
- Early Starts: Take the first boat from the island so you reach Sihanoukville in time for the 13:30 bus.[3]
- Currency: Cambodia uses US dollars and riel. Have some Vietnamese dong ready when you arrive in Ho Chi Minh City for a taxi or a meal.
- Cash on the Island: There are no ATMs on Koh Rong, so bring enough US dollars.[1]
Timetable
| Bus Koh Rong - Ho Chi Minh City $ 60.51–98.43 11h 10m – 11h 30m | |
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| Ferry Koh Rong - Ho Chi Minh City $ 58.12–60.57 13h – 1days 1h | |
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| Van Koh Rong - Ho Chi Minh City $ 47.57–66.51 10h 45m – 14h | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Koh Rong to Ho Chi Minh, including current prices and schedules.
The cheapest approach is to book each leg separately: the ferry to Sihanoukville, the Giant Ibis bus to Phnom Penh and the bus to Ho Chi Minh City. Check each operator's current fares; the island ferry return fare is about $25 on Island Speed Ferry.
The fastest chain is the morning ferry to Sihanoukville and the Giant Ibis bus to Phnom Penh, followed by the earliest bus to Ho Chi Minh City the next morning. The ferry and the buses are separate legs with separate operators.
The legs take about 45 minutes by ferry, about 4 hours by bus to Phnom Penh and about 6 hours by bus to Ho Chi Minh City. With the overnight stop in Phnom Penh, count on about a day and a half in total.
Yes, if you need an e-visa. Giant Ibis says the e-visa must be printed before boarding and that printing is free at its terminals.
No. The ferry and the buses are sold by separate operators, so book each leg and leave a buffer for the connections.
Passengers get off the bus to receive the Cambodian exit stamp. The attendant then collects the passports and processes them with Vietnamese immigration.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Island Speed Ferry: Koh Rong. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] Giant Ibis Transport: Bus from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] Giant Ibis Transport: Bus Schedule. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [4] Giant Ibis Transport: Bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [5] Vietnam National Electronic Visa system (Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security): Instruction - Vietnam National Electronic Visa system. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.