Ha Tien is the nearest (and newest opened international) border crossing from Kampot and Kep. Foreign visitors can get a Cambodian visa on arrival at Ha Tien (requirement: $25 and passport photos), but Vietnamese visas are not available. Tourists arriving in Ha Tien from Cambodia should already have this when they arrive at the border.
Make sure you’ve got some passport photos and 25USD cash for your Cambodian visa. If you’re coming into Vietnam, you’ll need a visa in advance of arriving at this border.
From Kampot, it is around 2 hours to travel to Ha Tien, either by a private car or a public transportation like a tuktuk. During the rainy season, it usually takes longer even though the road is not that bad.
As of 2010, the average rate of a tuktuk ride to the border is $15-20 while a taxicab is around $25. There are shared taxis available as well for $5 per person, while a moto taxi is around $8. Negotiate with the driver if they can take you past the border and into Ha Tien. The moto taxi additionally charges around $2-3 for this.
Tourists from Vietnam can expect to find motodups at the Cambodian border which can take them to Kampot, though it must be said that the drivers can be really pushy and aggressive in getting passengers. Just remember NOT to pay in advance, whether for the fare or for the fuel, otherwise you run the risk of doubling your expenses.
Formerly a province of Cambodia, Ha Tien had been turned over to Vietnam in 1708 for protection from the Thais. The Khmer Rouge, however, raided the town several times, killing thousands of civilians, and sowing mines and booby traps in the area. Tens of thousands of people had left Ha Tien during that time.
Nowadays, the town of Ha Tien is just small and sleepy. There aren’t a lot of visitors who take the time to check the place out. When they do, they’ll find that Ha Tien has its own charm, having huge limestone formations, caves, pagodas, and temples. Pepper plantations can be seen on the hillsides as well, and the island of Phu Quoc can easily be seen on a sunny day. There are also several colonial buildings lying in ruins that give Ha Tien its old-world feel.
The other international border crossings to Vietnam which issue Cambodian visas are Bavet (Cambodia)/Moc Bai (Vietnam) to and from Phnom Penh), Kaam Samnor/ Ving Xuong (Chau Doc Crossing) to and from Phnom Penh, Phnom Den/Tinh Bien to and from Phnom Penh or to/from Kampot and Kep, and Trapeang Phlong/Xa Mat, O’Yadaw/Le Tanh.
