Southeast Asia's most varied ferry landscape is found in southern Vietnam and Cambodia: fast catamarans to Phu Quoc, wooden river boats through the Mekong Delta, the memorable overnight crossing from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh, and slow boats to barely-touched Cambodian islands. This guide covers the practical details for each route.
Phu Quoc fast ferries: the main gateway
Phu Quoc is Vietnam's largest island, sitting in the Gulf of Thailand just south of the Cambodian coast. Ferries from the mainland run from Rach Gia and Ha Tien on the Vietnamese coast, operated primarily by Superdong and Phu Quoc Express (also branded as Tàu Cao Tốc Phú Quốc).
- Rach Gia to Phu Quoc: Around 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes on the fast catamaran. Superdong runs multiple daily departures. This is the longest sea crossing to the island from the mainland.
- Ha Tien to Phu Quoc: Around 45–60 minutes, depending on the vessel. Multiple operators serve this shorter route. Ha Tien is also close to the Cambodian border crossing at Xa Xia/Prek Chak, making it a natural junction for Cambodia-to-Phu Quoc routes.
Both routes operate high-speed catamarans with air-conditioned enclosed cabins and outdoor deck space. Seas can be rough during the monsoon season (roughly May–October), and services may be cancelled or delayed when weather is poor — always build a buffer day if you have a connecting flight. Book through operator websites (superdong.com.vn for Superdong), ticket counters at the ports, or through accommodation and tour agencies on Phu Quoc.
Monsoon season: The Gulf of Thailand can be rough from May through October, particularly August and September. Cancellations are not uncommon during this period, especially on the longer Rach Gia route. Phu Quoc's high season runs November–April, when crossings are generally smooth. Check conditions and have a flexible plan if travelling in the wet season.
Booking the Phu Quoc ferries
Superdong and Phu Quoc Express both have online booking systems. You can also buy tickets at the port terminal, but for popular departures in the high season (December–March) and Vietnamese public holidays, advance booking is sensible. Printed tickets or mobile booking confirmation are accepted for boarding. Note that ferry terminals in Rach Gia and Ha Tien are outside the town centres — allow time to get there, and confirm which terminal your operator uses.
Mekong Delta river boats
The Mekong Delta is one of Vietnam's most rewarding slow-travel destinations — a maze of rivers, canals, floating markets and rice paddies spread across the provinces of Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Can Tho and Ben Tre, among others. Transport here includes:
- Local passenger ferries: Short crossings on wooden boats (phà) connect villages across river branches where there are no bridges. These are not tourist services — they are the everyday transport of delta life — but visitors can use them freely for a small fare.
- Day-trip boat tours: Most travellers explore the delta by joining a tour from Can Tho or My Tho, which typically includes a small wooden motorboat (xuồng) through narrow canals, a visit to a floating market, and lunch at a riverside village. Operators are found throughout Can Tho; some are tourism-quality, others are basic.
- Speedboat and slow boat between Can Tho and Chau Doc: A popular route for travellers heading toward Cambodia. Can Tho and Chau Doc are around 90 km apart by road; river services are an atmospheric alternative. Journey time varies by vessel type — slow public boats take the better part of a day, while private speedboats can do it in 2–3 hours.
The Chau Doc to Phnom Penh river crossing
One of Southeast Asia's classic border crossings by water: from Chau Doc in southern Vietnam, a boat follows the Mekong north across the border and downstream to Phnom Penh in Cambodia. The total journey takes around 4.5–6 hours depending on the operator, water levels and border formalities.
The main operators offering this service include Hang Chau and Victoria Speedboat. Both include the border crossing in a single ticket. You cross the Vietnam–Cambodia border at Vinh Xuong/Kaam Samnor on the river; the crossing requires both a Vietnamese exit stamp and a Cambodian entry stamp, so ensure your visa situation is in order before you board.
A Cambodian e-visa can be applied for in advance online (evisa.gov.kh); Vietnamese citizens and some nationalities may qualify for a visa on arrival. Do not assume the border crossing is visa-free for your nationality — check before you travel. The crossing is a striking experience regardless: you leave the Vietnamese delta on a narrow wooden-hulled boat and emerge into Cambodian countryside as the river broadens and the scenery changes.
The journey can also be done in reverse — Phnom Penh to Chau Doc — but services are less frequent in that direction and you will need a Vietnamese visa or e-visa arranged in advance.
Visas for the Chau Doc–Phnom Penh crossing: Most Western nationalities can obtain a Cambodian e-visa easily online before travel. Vietnam requires a visa or e-visa for most nationalities entering from Cambodia — apply at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn before you go. Never rely on being able to arrange this at the border. For entry rules and requirements, always confirm with official government sources before travel.
Cambodian island boats: Koh Rong and beyond
Cambodia's coastline around Sihanoukville includes a cluster of islands, the most visited of which are Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem. Ferry services connect Sihanoukville port to both islands, operated primarily by Speed Ferry Cambodia and Buva Sea Cambodia.
- Sihanoukville to Koh Rong: Around 40–50 minutes on a fast ferry. Multiple daily departures in the high season.
- Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Sanloem: Around 35–45 minutes. Koh Rong Sanloem is smaller and quieter than Koh Rong, popular for snorkelling and quieter bays.
A ferry also runs directly between Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem, taking around 20 minutes, and a slower wooden boat serves several stops including the village of M'Pai Bay on the north coast of Koh Rong — a rougher ride but the only way to reach the more remote beaches.
Tickets are sold at the Sihanoukville ferry terminal (Ochheuteal Pier) and online through operators and booking platforms. In the high season (November–April), book ahead for the most convenient departures. The last ferries back to the mainland typically run in the mid-afternoon; stranding yourself on the island overnight is easy if you miss the cutoff.
For independent travellers: a few booking tips
Across these routes, a few consistent rules help:
- Buy the earliest departure you can manage — sea and river conditions are generally better in the morning.
- On any route through the Mekong border crossing, confirm visa requirements well in advance; both Vietnam and Cambodia require documentation that cannot always be arranged on the day.
- For Phu Quoc in the high season, book your outbound and return ferry simultaneously — the return is sometimes forgotten until it is nearly full.
- On Cambodian island routes, check whether your accommodation is reachable from the main pier. Koh Rong has multiple piers; make sure you disembark at the right one for your resort or guesthouse.
For a broader guide to understanding and booking ferry journeys in Southeast Asia, see our overview of how ferry booking works.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc?
Around 45–60 minutes on the fast catamaran services operated by Superdong and Phu Quoc Express. The shorter Ha Tien route is quicker than the Rach Gia crossing, which takes around 2 hours 15 minutes.
How long does the Chau Doc to Phnom Penh boat take?
Around 4.5–6 hours including the border crossing on the Mekong. Services depart in the morning; book in advance through operators such as Hang Chau or Victoria Speedboat and ensure your visas for both countries are arranged ahead of travel.
Do I need a visa to cross from Vietnam to Cambodia by boat?
Yes. Most nationalities require a visa for both Vietnam and Cambodia, regardless of how they cross the border. A Cambodian e-visa is available online; Vietnam also offers an e-visa system. Confirm current requirements with official government sources or your country's embassy before travel.
Which is the best island to visit off Cambodia's coast?
Koh Rong is the most developed, with a lively beach scene and a range of accommodation. Koh Rong Sanloem is smaller and calmer, popular for snorkelling and quieter beaches. Both are reachable by fast ferry from Sihanoukville in under an hour.
Sources and further reading:
- Phu Quoc ferry bookings: Superdong (superdong.com.vn), Phu Quoc Express.
- Chau Doc–Phnom Penh services: Hang Chau, Victoria Speedboat.
- Cambodia island ferries: Speed Ferry Cambodia, Buva Sea Cambodia.
- Cambodian e-visa: evisa.gov.kh.
- Vietnam e-visa: evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn.