How to Get from Sihanoukville to Ho Chi Minh City
Contents
Leaving the turquoise waters and salty breeze of Sihanoukville for the organized chaos of Ho Chi Minh City is a transition between two completely different worlds. The journey takes you across the Moc Bai border, from the laid-back Gulf of Thailand coast toward the busy south of Vietnam. You can check bus availability for the legs on GoAsia.cc.
Sihanoukville to Ho Chi Minh City by Bus
The road route goes through Phnom Penh. Giant Ibis runs the 240 km from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh along the Express Highway in about 4 hours,[1] with departures from Sihanoukville at 13:30 and 19:00.[2] The Sihanoukville ticket office is on Phe Street next to the Autonomous Port.[1]
From Phnom Penh, Giant Ibis runs a daytime bus to Ho Chi Minh City that covers about 240 km in around 6 hours.[3] Departures are at 04:45, 08:00 and 09:45 from its terminal on Street 106.[2] Because the last bus from Sihanoukville reaches Phnom Penh in the evening, most travellers spend a night in Phnom Penh and take a morning bus onward.
The Border at Moc Bai
The Giant Ibis bus runs through Kandal, Prey Veng and Svay Rieng into Tay Ninh province in Vietnam.[3] At the border, passengers get off to receive the Cambodian exit stamp, and the attendant collects the passports to process them with Vietnamese immigration.[3] Keep your valuables with you throughout.
Comparing Your Options
| Leg | Operator | Departures | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh | Giant Ibis | 13:30, 19:00[2] | About 4h[1] |
| Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City | Giant Ibis | 04:45, 08:00, 09:45[2] | About 6h[3] |
Tips for Traveling from Sihanoukville to Ho Chi Minh City
- Visa Requirements: 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.[3] The Vietnam e-visa costs 25 USD for a single entry, and Moc Bai is among the border gates open to e-visa holders.[4]
- Border Protocol: Keep your passport and valuables on you, and listen for instructions from the bus attendant at the border.
- Currency: Carry some US dollars or riel for snacks in Cambodia. Once you cross into Vietnam, you will need Vietnamese dong.
- Booking: The route is popular around holidays such as Tet and Khmer New Year. Book a few days ahead to get your preferred departure.
Timetable
| Flight Sihanoukville - Ho Chi Minh City $ 143.12 55m | |
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| Bus Sihanoukville - Ho Chi Minh City $ 32.66–61.59 9h – 17h 30m | |
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| Taxi Sihanoukville - Ho Chi Minh City $ 229.56–807.14 9h | |
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| Van Sihanoukville - Ho Chi Minh City $ 31.49–49.04 9h – 15h | |
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| Bus Sihanoukville - ZzNOTUSEHo Chi Minh $ 37.45 15h | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Sihanoukville to Ho Chi Minh, including current prices and schedules.
The bus via Phnom Penh is the usual budget route. Check Giant Ibis's current fares for each leg when you book.
The fastest road route is the Giant Ibis bus to Phnom Penh, followed by the earliest daytime bus to Ho Chi Minh City. Because of the bus times, most travellers break the journey in Phnom Penh.
The bus to Phnom Penh takes about 4 hours and the bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City about 6 hours. With the connection or an overnight stop, count on at least a full day.
Most travellers need a visa for Vietnam. Giant Ibis says passengers must arrange it in advance and print an e-visa before boarding, and several European and Asian countries have a 14-day visa waiver. Check the rules for your passport.
The Giant Ibis bus runs through Kandal, Prey Veng and Svay Rieng into Tay Ninh province in Vietnam, which is the Moc Bai crossing.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Giant Ibis Transport: Bus from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] Giant Ibis Transport: Bus Schedule. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] Giant Ibis Transport: Bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [4] 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.