Everything you need to cross between Vietnam and Cambodia at Ha Tien – Prek Chak: visas, transport, step-by-step border procedures, and why Ha Tien Vegas is the most convenient place to rest before or after your crossing.
There is a certain poetry in borderlands. The Prek Chak crossing sits between Kien Giang province in Vietnam and the Kampot region of Cambodia. It is not a crowded truck corridor. It is a calm, local crossing that links the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc with the colonial charm of Kep and Kampot. This guide walks you through every stage of the journey, from visas to the walk across the bridge, and shows you where to stay on either side.
BORDER CROSSING ESSENTIALS
- Vietnamese side: Ha Tien International Border Gate (formerly known as Xa Xia), Ha Tien City, Kien Giang Province ( Ha Tien – An Giang)
- Cambodian side: Prek Chak International Border Gate, Lork Village, Kampot Province
- Opening hours: Generally 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Processing for international travelers may end earlier in the evening, so confirm current hours with your transport operator or hotel before you set out.
- Crossing type: International, open to foreign passport holders with valid documents
- On foot: Yes. The two immigration halls are linked by a short walk.
WHERE TO STAY: HA TIEN VEGAS, RIGHT AT THE BORDER
Ha Tien Vegas Entertainment Resort sits on Road 33 in Prek Chak, Kampot, next to the Ha Tien – Prek Chak border. It is one of the most convenient places to stay for travelers using this crossing, whether you are coming from Vietnam or heading back toward Vietnam from Phnom Penh or Kampot.
Staying at Ha Tien Vegas before entering Cambodia from Vietnam:
If you arrive in Ha Tien late, or you want to cross the border calmly the next morning, Ha Tien Vegas gives you a comfortable night on the Cambodian side. You can complete your crossing in daylight, check in, and rest before continuing to Kampot, Kep or Phnom Penh.
Staying at Ha Tien Vegas before returning to Vietnam via Prek Chak:
Travelers from Phnom Penh or Kampot who plan to cross into Vietnam can use the resort as a final stop. Spend the night at Ha Tien Vegas, then set out for the border with time to spare. This is also a good way to avoid the rush of a long day’s travel from the capital.
Resort facilities include:
- Hotel rooms: Standard, Deluxe, Suite and Honeymoon
- Gold Dragon Beer Garden
- Karaoke rooms
- Spa services
- 24-hour casino
- Kid zone
- Conference rooms
Contact Ha Tien Vegas before you travel:
- Cambodia: +855 81 23 20 03
- Vietnam: +84 988 473 295
- Website: www.hatienvegas.com
Ask the front desk about room availability and transfers to the border before your trip.
VISA REQUIREMENTS: THE MOST IMPORTANT SECTION
Your paperwork decides whether your crossing is smooth. Prepare before you leave.
Entering Vietnam from Cambodia
- E-visa: Citizens of more than 80 countries can apply for a Vietnam e-visa, with single or multiple entry up to 90 days. The fee is currently around USD 25 and processing usually takes about three working days. Choose Ha Tien International Border Gate as your entry point, and print a copy, since land border officers often prefer paper.
- Visa on arrival (VOA): Available at Ha Tien. Expect to fill in a form, provide a passport photo, and pay the fee in cash.
- Visa exemption: Citizens of several ASEAN countries and some other nations can enter visa-free for a set period. Check the latest list on the official immigration website before you travel.
Entering Cambodia from Vietnam
- E-visa: Check with the border or your transport provider before you travel, as e-visa acceptance at Prek Chak can change.
- Visa on arrival (VOA): Available at Prek Chak. You will need a completed form, one passport photo and cash (the official fee is typically USD 30). Allow 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the queue.
- Passport validity: Cambodia requires at least six months of validity beyond your entry date.
HOW TO GET TO THE BORDER
From Ho Chi Minh City
The route covers about 300 to 320 km via National Highway 1A and the coastal road through Rach Gia.
- Sleeper bus or VIP limousine: The most popular choice. Operators such as Phuong Trang (FUTA Buslines), Tuan Nga and Kumho Samco run regular services to Ha Tien, usually in the early morning or late evening. The trip takes around 7 to 8 hours. Buses drop passengers at Ha Tien bus station, and a short taxi or Grab ride takes you to the border.
- Private car: Ideal for families, small groups or anyone who wants flexible departure times. The drive takes about 6 to 7 hours and can drop you close to the Vietnamese immigration hall. Stops for coconut water or a bowl of hu tieu along the way are part of the fun.
- Motorbike: A popular option for experienced riders. Crossing the border on a Vietnamese-plated motorbike requires paperwork, including written permission from the rental company and proper temporary import documents. Many riders leave their bike in Ha Tien, walk across, and rent a bike on the Cambodian side.
From Phu Quoc Island
Express ferries and hydrofoils connect Phu Quoc with Ha Tien in about 1 hour and 30 minutes, with several departures each day. Once you arrive, a taxi or Grab to the border takes around 15 minutes. The whole journey from a Phu Quoc resort to the border is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours, which makes it one of the most scenic multi-country routes in Southeast Asia.
From Kampot or Kep (Cambodian side)
- From Kep: About 15 km to Prek Chak
- From Kampot town: About 35 km to Prek Chak
- Tuk-tuk: About USD 10 to 15, taking 30 to 45 minutes
- Taxi with air conditioning: Around USD 20
Ha Tien Vegas is next the border, so no need arranging a driver through the resort, just steps for walk is really easy to reach it from either side.
CROSSING THE BORDER: STEP BY STEP
Step 1: Exit Vietnam. Go to the departures hall and show your passport to the immigration officer. If you have an e-visa, keep the printed copy with your passport. The officer will check your documents and stamp you out, which usually takes only a few minutes. Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form if required.
Step 2: Walk across the bridge. After leaving the Vietnamese hall, follow the paved path across a short bridge. The walk is under 200 metres. A line and sign mark the frontier, and on a clear day you may see the Cardamom Mountains in the distance.
Step 3: Enter Cambodia. Go to the Prek Chak immigration hall. E-visa holders use the designated lane and show the printed e-visa. Visa on arrival applicants go to the VOA counter, complete the form, submit a photo and pay the fee. Fingerprints and a photograph are usually taken. This step typically takes 5 to 15 minutes, but allow more time at busy periods.
Step 4: Customs and exit. Collect your stamped passport, check the entry date, and pass your bags through the scanner. You are now in Cambodia. Just outside the gate you will find tuk-tuk drivers, money changers and SIM card vendors. Ha Tien Vegas can arrange a ride from the border.
THINGS TO DO ON EACH SIDE
In Ha Tien, Vietnam
Ha Tien deserves more than a quick transit stop. This coastal town sits between limestone hills and the Gulf of Thailand.
- Mac Cuu Temple: Walk along the waterfront early in the morning. The temple honors the founder of Ha Tien.
- Thach Dong Cave: A limestone grotto with a Buddhist shrine, a short motorbike ride from town.
- Ha Tien night market: Try bun ken, a fragrant fish-and-coconut noodle soup that is a local specialty.
- Seafood on Duong Lam Son street: Crabs, snails and grilled squid, often caught the same day.
- Mui Nai Beach: A quiet stretch of sand, perfect for a sunset before you cross.
In Kep and Kampot, Cambodia
- Kep Crab Market: Wooden stalls over the water serve crab stir-fried with Kampot green pepper. This is a must for food lovers.
- Kampot town: A relaxed riverside town with French colonial buildings now housing cafes, galleries and guesthouses. Rent a bicycle and ride along the Praek Tuek Chhu River.
- Bokor National Park: A hill station with a ruined French church and an abandoned casino, set in mist above the forest. It is about an hour’s drive from the border.
PRO TRAVELER TIPS
- Cross early. Crossing in the afternoon leaves time for queues and gives you daylight to reach Kampot, Kep or Ha Tien Vegas.
- Print everything. Border Wi-Fi can be unreliable. Carry printed copies of your e-visa, hotel reservation and any other key documents.
- Carry small US dollar bills. US dollars are widely used in Cambodia. Use fresh, crisp notes for visa fees, tuk-tuks and meals. Torn or marked notes are often refused.
- Watch for visa fee surcharges. If you pay for a Cambodian visa on arrival, politely ask for the official price and have exact change ready.
- Check health rules. Entry requirements can change at short notice, so check the latest advice from the Cambodian Ministry of Health or your embassy a few days before you cross.
- Dress for the heat. The delta and coast are hot and humid year-round. Wear light, breathable clothing and bring a hat and water for the walk across the bridge.
- Charge up. Carry a power bank and save offline maps and your hotel address. A Cambodian SIM card is inexpensive and can be bought just outside the immigration hall.
- Keep your departure card safe. Vietnam still uses paper departure cards for some nationalities. Keep it in your passport.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Ha Tien – Prek Chak crossing is a relaxed way to move between Vietnam and Cambodia. With the right paperwork, an early start and a comfortable base at Ha Tien Vegas, you can make the crossing smoothly and enjoy the flavors of both sides of the border.
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