With its advantageous geographical location, not far from the Cambodian border, Ha Tien in Kien Giang province becomes an ideal starting point for those who want to explore this mysterious land of temples. If you are planning to experience the unique culture of Cambodia from Ha Tien, Kien Giang, refer to the following detailed suggestions and travel experiences! Especially for those who already have travel plans to Phu Quoc, Rach Gia, Ha Tien, or those in the Western region and Mekong Delta who want to travel abroad to Cambodia, you can also refer to this article.
- Immigration Procedures
To be able to travel smoothly between Vietnam and Cambodia, it is necessary to prepare personal documents such as a passport valid for more than 6 months. Cambodia is a friendly country where ASEAN Citizen can travel without having to apply for a Cambodian visa. If you are not a ASEAN citizen, please check regulation related to this requirement. Beside, you still need to present a dossier including the following documents:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Copy of ID card
- Hotel booking confirmation (payment not necessarily required)
- Travel itinerary in Cambodia in English
The exit procedures are a little simpler. You will need to present your passport (VISA if needed) and customs declaration to Cambodian Customs for inspection. They will stamp your passport to confirm your exit.
You can pass through the Xa Xia Border Gate, Ha Tien (Vietnam) – Prek Chak (Cambodia) only 10km from Ha Tien city/Phu Quoc high-speed boat pier.
A suggestion is the Ha Tien Vegas hotel right next to the Prek Chak border gate – Cambodia, where you can visit, rest and stay with many attractive entertainment programs.
2. Transportation
From Ha Tien, you have many transportation options to get to Kampot or Phnom Penh, depending on your preferences and budget:
- By bus: This is the most economical option with fares around $14/person for Ha Tien – Kampot and $19-20/person for Ha Tien – Phnom Penh provided by travel companies in Ha Tien, Kien Giang. You can also ask the staff at Ha Tien Vegas to help you book a bus from Prek Chak to Kampot or Phnom Penh as locals do. The price may be cheaper than the service from Ha Tien!
- Hire a Tuktuk: Tuktuk is a familiar type of vehicle in Cambodia. Right at the Ha Tien Vegas courtyard, you can book a Tuktuk to travel to Kampot (not available for Phnom Penh). Prices range from 20-25$. Note that Tuktuks can only carry up to 3 people with a little luggage. Consider this if traveling in larger groups.
- Hire a private car: If you want to explore freely without being constrained by time, hiring a private car like a 4-seater or 16-seater is an ideal choice. Costs range from 25$-30$ to Kampot depending on the type of vehicle and number of people and 60$ to Phnom Penh. This is quite an expensive option but offers a lot of comfort and flexibility. In Prek Chak, it is difficult to rent a motorcycle as tourism services are not common there.
3. Accommodation
Right at the border gate, the Ha Tien Vegas hotel is an excellent choice for you to visit and rest. The 4-star hotel service combines entertainment services such as table games, slot machines, relaxation services like spa, sauna or the Golden Dragon Beer Garden.
Room options range from simple Standard, Deluxe rooms to Suite or Honeymoon Suite rooms.
Guests can take in the stunning views of the Cambodian coastline or the peaceful countryside scenery under the sunset. All scenery blends harmoniously with modern amenities to provide a complete tropical paradise experience.
After resting at Ha Tien Vegas, you can easily choose accommodation in both Kampot and Phnom Penh cities.
- In Kampot, popular choices are beachfront resorts or small charming guesthouses in the old quarter with room rates from 700,000 – 5,500,000 VND/night. Notable mentions include Cahvatamok Resort, Rikitik Lodge, BonAnga Eco Resort,…
- In Phnom Penh, you can choose to stay at 2-5 star hotels in the city center area with prices ranging from 500,000 – 10,000,000 VND/night depending on standards. Some famous hotels are Rosewood, Sokha, Himawari… Additionally, budget guesthouses with rates of only 300,000 – 1.000,000 VND/night are also diverse and easy to find.
To ensure service quality and reasonable prices, compare and read reviews before booking accommodation on reputable sites like Booking.com, Agoda,…
4. Local Cuisine
- Amok (fish curry): A signature dish cooked with coconut milk, lime leaves and Khmer spices.
- Nom banh chok (Cambodian savory pancake): Rice pancake made from rice flour, mushrooms and shrimp, served with fresh vegetables and fish sauce for dipping.
- Phnom Penh street food: Banana cake, hot crispy crepes, red bean with pomegranate dessert soup…
- Enjoy fresh tropical fruits.
5. Tourist Attractions
Kampot
- Beaches: Kep Beach, Sihanoukville (pristine scenery, clear blue waters).
- Bokor Hill Station: French colonial town on a hill with cool climate.
- Phnom Chhnok Bronze Village: Temples and bronze Buddha statues.
Phnom Penh
- Royal Palace: Traditional Khmer architecture, ancient monuments amid modern buildings.
- Wat Preah Keo (Silver Pagoda): Tallest silver Buddha statue in Cambodia.
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: Cambodia’s dark history.
Ha Tien Vegas will have more detailed articles about these attractions for you to refer to. Stay tuned!
Notes
- Change money: Exchange for Cambodian Riel for convenience.
- SIM card: Buy a 4G SIM card to access the internet.
- Dress respectfully when visiting temples.
- Bargain when shopping at markets.
- Learn some basic Khmer phrases for communication.
Additional tips:
Travel Time: The dry season (November to April) is the best time to visit Cambodia.
Language: Khmer is the main language of Cambodia. However, English is also quite commonly used in tourist areas. Especially at the border area, you can use Vietnamese with some Vietnamese-Cambodian mixed shops and businesses.
Currency: Cambodian Riel (KHR) is the official currency of Cambodia. The US dollar is also very common here. You can exchange Vietnamese dong for Riel or US dollars at the CASH counters at Ha Tien Vegas.
Hope you have a fun and memorable trip to Cambodia!
Hotline: (+84) 941 . 341. 545 (VN) / +855 (0) 81 23 20 03 (Khmer) / +855(0) 699 53615 (中文)