How to Get from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City
Contents
The journey from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City is one of the best-known overland routes in Southeast Asia. The road leads through the flat, green Mekong Delta region and crosses a single land border into Vietnam. Buses, vans and private transfers all run on the route, and the trip takes about 6 hours.[1]
Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City by Bus
Giant Ibis runs a daytime bus on this route. It covers about 240 km in 6 hours, leaves from the Giant Ibis terminal on Street 106 in Phnom Penh and arrives at the Giant Ibis ticket office on Pham Ngu Lao Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.[1] Its published schedule lists departures at 04:45, 08:00 and 09:45.[2] The bus passes through Kandal, Prey Veng and Svay Rieng before crossing into Vietnam's Tay Ninh province.[1] Baggage up to 20 kg is included, and free Wi-Fi and power outlets are on board.[1]
Booking platforms list buses at about $24 and 6 hours, with seater departures at 05:00, 09:30 and 13:30 and sleeper departures at 06:30 and 15:30 (October 2026).[3]
Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City by Van
Booking platforms list VIP vans at about $29 for a 6-hour journey, with departures between 06:00 and 16:00 (October 2026).[3] Because vans are smaller than coaches, boarding and getting off at the border can be quicker.
Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City by Private Transfer
Private transfers are listed at about 4 hours 50 minutes to 6 hours. Prices are about $139 to $522 per vehicle, from a 3-seat sedan up to an 18-seat VIP bus (October 2026).[3] A private vehicle can collect you at your hotel and take you straight to your address in Ho Chi Minh City.
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (USD) | Duration | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | About $24[3] | 6h[1] | Standard to high |
| VIP van | About $29[3] | 6h[3] | High |
| Private transfer (per vehicle) | $139 to $522[3] | 4h 50m to 6h[3] | Luxury |
Tips for Traveling from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City
- Visa: Vietnam does not offer a visa on arrival to every nationality, and Giant Ibis says passengers must arrange their visa before boarding or they cannot travel. Several European and Asian countries have a 14-day visa waiver, so check your nationality. Passengers with an e-visa must print it before boarding; Giant Ibis offers free printing at its terminals.[1]
- The border: At the border everyone gets off the bus to receive an exit stamp from Cambodia, and the bus attendant collects the passports to process them with Vietnamese immigration.[1]
- Booking: The route is busy around Tet and Khmer New Year, so book a few days ahead in those periods.
Timetable
| Bus Phnom Penh - Ho Chi Minh City $ 19.24–34.61 5h 45m – 8h 30m | |
|
|
| Taxi Phnom Penh - Ho Chi Minh City $ 137.37–515.57 4h 50m – 6h | |
|
|
| Van Phnom Penh - Ho Chi Minh City $ 28.49 6h | |
|
| Bus Phnom Penh - ZzNOTUSEHo Chi Minh $ 23.33 6h | |
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh, including current prices and schedules.
The bus is the cheapest option, listed at about $24 on booking platforms in October 2026. A VIP van costs about $29, and private transfers cost about $139 to $522 per vehicle.
A private transfer is the fastest, listed at about 4 hours 50 minutes at best. Buses and VIP vans take about 6 hours.
The bus and van take about 6 hours including the border crossing. Private transfers are listed at 4 hours 50 minutes to 6 hours.
Giant Ibis requires passengers with a Vietnamese e-visa to print it before boarding the bus. Its terminals offer free printing.
The departures listed by Giant Ibis (04:45, 08:00 and 09:45) and by booking platforms (05:00 to 16:00) are all in the morning or afternoon, so no night bus is listed on this route.
On Giant Ibis a baggage allowance of 20 kg is included. Other operators set their own limits, so check with the operator if you carry oversized items.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Giant Ibis Transport: Bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] Giant Ibis Transport: Bus Schedule. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] 12Go: Phnom Penh - Ho Chi Minh City timetable. 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.