Xa Xia, Vietnam/Prek Chak, Cambodia (Ha Tien crossing)
Cambodian visas available on arrival at the border. Vietnamese visas NOT available at the border. (You must get your Vietnam visa in advance.) There are conflicting reports about whether Cambodian E-visas are accepted.
Open 07:00-18:00
The Ha Tien border crossing is now a international border crossing open to foreign travelers. After years of anticipation (since the opening of the Koh Kong crossing in 1998), the opening of the Ha Tien crossing represents the removal of the last road block on the coastal travelers trail from Koh Chang Thailand, though the beach towns of Cambodia and on to southern Vietnam and Phu Quoc Island. Overland travelers can now beach hop across Indochina without ever having to leave the coastal roads.
The Prek Chak/Xaxia (‘Ha Tien’) checkpoint is the nearest, most easily accessed border crossing from Kampot/Kep. The crossing lies near the Vietnamese towns of Ha Tien and Rach Gia which are the jump off points to the Phu Quoc Island.
The road from Kampot to the border crossing is, for the most part, in fair condition, taking about 1h15m-2 hours to traverse, though longer in the wet season. Take Route 33 east from Kampot to the intersection of Route 31 at Kampong Trach town. Turn south on Route 31. All but the last few kilometers to the border is sealed. There is also a shorter cut off road from Route 33 before Kampong Trach town. It is slightly shorter but the road is rough hardpack dirt, which deteriorates significantly in the wet season.
A tuk-tuk to the border costs about $15-$20; a car taxi is $20-$25 for a private taxi and $5/pax for a shared taxi; and a motorcycle taxi to the border costs about $7-$8. Some motorcycle taxis from Kampot are also able to cross the border with you and take you as far as Ha Tien for an additional $2-$3. For those coming from Vietnam, motodups usually wait at the border crossing to take travelers to Kep or Kampot.
The Phnom Den/Tinh Bien border crossing near Chau Doc Vietnam is an alternative border crossing with Vietnam accessible from Kampot. It is not a regular taxi route but taxis to the crossing can be hired for about $30-$40 for the whole car. 2-3 hours. Contact your guesthouse to arrange a taxi.
HA TIEN TO SHIHANOUK VILLE: THE MOST POPULAR ROUTE
This is our interesting route and also recommend to all travelers. From Ho Chi Minh city you can take Mai Linh Express bus to Rach Gia then Ha Tien (cost ~ 160.000vnd). If you have time, can overnight in Can Tho or Chau Doc
From the border we pass Kep & Kampot the Shihanouk Ville, long bout 160km. From Shihanouk Ville take bus to Phnompenh cost 9usd
