Mountains one day, island beaches the next. This independent 4D3N route to Kampot and Koh Rong Samloem starts at the Ha Tien border gate — making Ha Tien Vegas the natural launchpad for the whole trip.
Kampot is one of Cambodia’s most underrated towns — French colonial streets, riverside sunsets, and Bokor Mountain rising just behind it. Pair it with Koh Rong Samloem, and you get one of the best beach-and-mountain combos within a short ride of the Vietnam border. Here’s how to do it independently, in four days.
Before You Go
- Download an offline map app (Maps.me works well and is free) and save your Cambodia route in advance
- Book your Ho Chi Minh City – Ha Tien bus, Bokor day tour, and Sihanoukville – Koh Rong Samloem ferry ahead of time, especially during holidays
- Pack light — a backpack beats a suitcase for boat transfers. Bring reef-safe sunscreen (SPF50+), a hat, mosquito repellent, and a light sarong for beach days or temple visits
- Grab a Cambodia SIM card at the border for easy communication with drivers and boat operators
- Keep your passport and a small amount of cash on hand for border processing on both sides
The Route, Day by Day
Night 0 — Ho Chi Minh City to Ha Tien Take a late overnight sleeper bus (around 10-11:59 PM) from HCMC. This is also a great time to book a room at Ha Tien Vegas for the night before your border crossing back to Vietnam, so you arrive rested rather than rushing straight off an overnight bus.
Day 1 — Bokor Mountain & Kampot Cross the border early (around 7 AM), then join a Bokor day tour: the Yeay Mao statue, the abandoned French church and palace with sweeping views toward Phu Quoc and Kep, Popokvil Waterfall, and lunch near the famous Five Boats Pagoda. By mid-afternoon, check into a riverside guesthouse in Kampot and rent a kayak to paddle the river at sunset. In the evening, head to Kampot’s night market — the riverside restaurants near Ta Eou are known for excellent Kampot pepper crab.
Day 2 — On to Koh Rong Samloem After breakfast, take a shuttle from Kampot to Sihanoukville, then a short ferry ride to Koh Rong Samloem. Check into your beach resort, have lunch, and spend the afternoon swimming at Saracen Bay — the stretch between Sweet Dream and Paradise resorts is especially clear. A short 30-minute trek leads to Lazy Beach, great for snorkeling. In the evening, grab cocktails at a beachside bar, then head out for a late-night swim to spot glowing plankton in the water.
Day 3 — Island Time, Then Back to Ha Tien Catch the sunrise, then spend the morning as you like — trekking to Huba Huba Beach, kayaking, or simply relaxing at Saracen Bay. Take an early afternoon ferry back to Sihanoukville, then a shuttle bus back toward the border. By early evening, you’ll be back in Ha Tien — a great time to unwind with fresh seafood at the local market, or head straight to Ha Tien Vegas for a comfortable night before your bus back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 4 — Home Morning bus arrives back in Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.
Estimated Budget (per person)
| Item | Cost (VND) |
|---|---|
| HCMC – Ha Tien bus (round trip) | 360,000 x2 |
| Ha Tien – Kampot bus | 190,000 |
| Kampot – Sihanoukville bus | 210,000 |
| Sihanoukville – Ha Tien bus | 225,000 |
| Koh Rong Samloem ferry (round trip) | 517,000 |
| Meals (3 days) | 815,000 |
| Accommodation, Koh Rong Samloem (1 night) | 466,000 |
| Accommodation, Kampot (1 night) | 230,000 |
| Travel insurance | 169,000 |
| Border crossing fee (one way) | 110,000 |
| Total | ~3,650,000 |
Figures are a general guide only and will vary by season and travel style.
A Few Practical Tips
- During holidays, book your HCMC-Ha Tien bus as early as possible — seats sell out fast
- Ferries and buses in Cambodia can run late, especially during peak season — build in buffer time
- Listen for boat crew announcements at Koh Rong Samloem — there are multiple piers (Saracen Bay has three separate docks), so it’s easy to get off at the wrong one
- Standard check-in is 2 PM; check-out is typically 10 AM-12 PM depending on the island
Start and End Your Trip at Ha Tien Vegas
This entire route begins and ends at the same border crossing that Ha Tien Vegas sits just 10km from. Instead of an overnight bus straight into an early border crossing, spend the night before at Ha Tien Vegas and cross fresh in the morning — and on the way back, it’s the perfect place to rest before your bus home. Comfortable rooms, dining, and entertainment, all just minutes from where your Cambodia adventure begins.
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