Sihanoukville to Chau Doc: 2025 Driving Guide

The drive from Sihanoukville to Chau Doc covers roughly 250 kilometers, crossing the Cambodia-Vietnam border at the Xa Xia/Prek Chak checkpoint. The route, once a bumpy provincial road, has transformed since the completion of Cambodia's National Road 4 and Vietnam's National Road 91, making it a viable two-country journey.

You'll pass through Cambodia's Kampot province, famous for its pepper farms, then enter Vietnam's An Giang province, a land of rice paddies and rivers.

Start on National Road 4 heading south from Sihanoukville, a smooth two-lane highway. After passing through Kampot town, continue on National Road 33 towards the border. Post-border, Vietnam's National Road 91 leads through Ha Tien and along the border to Chau Doc.

• Border crossing is open 7 am – 10 pm local times; carry both currencies.
• There is a $30 fee for a Cambodian e-visa; Vietnamese visa on arrival requires pre-approval.
• Fuel prices: about $1.10/L in Cambodia, $1.15/L in Vietnam; fill up in Sihanoukville to avoid border markups.
• Total tolls in Vietnam: about 100,000 VND (a few dollars).

If you plan to explore beyond the main route, this how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities guide helps you locate lesser-known attractions.

On the Cambodian side, the road is in good shape, but be cautious of wandering livestock. In Vietnam, the road narrows near town centers, with motorbikes weaving unexpectedly.

Overall, the route is safe for experienced drivers, but road quality varies: in Cambodia, potholes appear after the rainy season, and in Vietnam, sections lack streetlights at night. If possible, drive during daylight hours.

• For fatigue, plan breaks every 2 hours; the border crossing itself takes 1-2 hours with formalities.
• Recommended rest stops: the town of Kampong Trach in Cambodia, and the Vinh Xuong river crossing on the Vietnamese side.
• Pet-friendly? Check with each hotel before arrival; some in Ha Tien allow pets, but rural homestays may not have secure enclosures.

Hidden off-route spots: the salt fields of Kampot are a photogenic stop just west of the main road. The Tra Su bird sanctuary, a flooded forest with boat tours, is a short detour south of Chau Doc.

As for is it worth driving Sihanoukville to Chau Doc, the journey offers a true Mekong Delta experience but with border formality. For things to do between Sihanoukville and Chau Doc, highlight this route: the drive is best considered a gateway to further exploration, not a destination itself.

The landscapes shift from Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains foothills to the flat Mekong Delta in Vietnam. For a detour to the coast, the area between Sihanoukville and Kampot offers quiet beaches, while the region around Ha Tien boasts limestone karsts reminiscent of Halong Bay.

UNESCO World Heritage Site in the vicinity: the ancient temple complex of Angkor is a half-day drive from Sihanoukville, but you might prefer the Phnom Chisor temple at the 165-kilometer mark, a well-preserved Khmer temple.

Local commerce thrives along the border: Cambodian markets sell fresh seafood and Kampot pepper, while Vietnamese markets in Ha Tien offer tropical fruits and palm sugar. The road passes through several orchard villages where you can stop to buy local snacks.

As a family traveler, know that the route has basic rest stops with toilets but no dedicated play areas. Long drives with kids can be challenging; consider breaking the trip with an overnight in Kep or Ha Tien.