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VIETNAM → CAMBODIA · BUS ROUTE GUIDE

Ho Chi Minh City
↳ Phnom Penhby bus.

Bus services from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh are listed on 12Go, where you can compare operators, departure times and prices for your date. The road distance is about 249 km. By car that is roughly 3 h 30 min without stops; buses usually take longer once pickups and rest breaks are included.

249 km by road~3 h 30 min by carBorder crossing
Book your Ho Chi Minh City → Phnom Penh bus
Ho Chi Minh CityPhnom Penh
Map is illustrative: straight lines show connections, not the road taken. Outlines: Natural Earth.

THE SHORT VERSION

Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh at a glance.

From
Ho Chi Minh City Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
To
Phnom Penh ភ្នំពេញ
Road distance
About 249 km
Straight line
221 km
Car time, no stops
~3 h 30 min buses take longer
Border
Vietnam → Cambodia. Passport and visa needed

THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Right place. Right bus. Better start.

1

Leaving Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the hub for the south. Northbound and Mekong Delta buses use different terminals, and tourist buses, including services to Cambodia, often start from company offices in the Pham Ngu Lao backpacker area of District 1.

  • Mien Dong Bus Station · Bến xe Miền Đông
    Eastern terminals for routes to the north and the coast. There is an older station in Binh Thanh and the larger New Mien Dong (Bến xe Miền Đông mới) further out.
  • Mien Tay Bus Station · Bến xe Miền Tây
    South-west of the centre. The main terminal for the Mekong Delta, such as Can Tho, Chau Doc and Ha Tien.
  • Pham Ngu Lao area (District 1) · Phạm Ngũ Lão
    Offices of many tourist and cross-border bus companies, near the main backpacker district.
2

Arriving in Phnom Penh

Arrival points vary by company. Ask for the drop-off address before booking.

  • Company offices
    Cross-border buses leave from operator offices rather than one central terminal.
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh. Photo: KY Geologist, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
3

Keep the essentials offline

Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.

↗
Good to know in Phnom Penh
  • Check current visa and e-visa rules for both Cambodia and Vietnam before travelling overland.

KEEP GOING

From Phnom Penh, the road continues.

All buses from and to Phnom Penh

Other ways to reach Phnom Penh

More buses from Ho Chi Minh City

USEFUL FOR THIS TRIP

Sort the small things before you go.

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GOOD QUESTIONS

Before you take your seat.

How far is Ho Chi Minh City from Phnom Penh by road?+

About 249 km by road (221 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.

How long does the bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh take?+

We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 3 h 30 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.

Where does the bus leave from in Ho Chi Minh City?+

It depends on the operator. Main options in Ho Chi Minh City include Mien Dong Bus Station, Mien Tay Bus Station, Pham Ngu Lao area (District 1), and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.

Is there a bus back from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City?+

Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City guide.

Where does the bus from Ho Chi Minh City arrive in Phnom Penh?+

It depends on the operator. In Phnom Penh, services use Company offices. Arrival points vary by company. Ask for the drop-off address before booking.

How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Phnom Penh?+

Arrival points vary by company. Ask for the drop-off address before booking.

What kind of bus runs from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh?+

It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.

Can I book the Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh bus online?+

Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.

Where can I go next from Phnom Penh by bus?+

Direct buses from Phnom Penh include Kampong Cham, Kampot, Chau Doc, Ha Tien, Kep and more. See all connections on our Phnom Penh bus page.

Do I need a visa to take the bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh?+

This journey crosses from Vietnam into Cambodia. Check the current entry and visa rules for your nationality before you travel, and keep your passport with you on the bus.

FOLLOW THE INFORMATION

Clear sources. Better decisions.

Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.

12Go: Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: Ho Chi Minh City (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Phnom Penh (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →