Guide · 6 min read
Moc Bai Border Gate Opening Hours (2026) and the Best Times for a Visa Run
When Moc Bai is open, when to arrive so the day runs smoothly, and what to bring for a same-day visa run from Ho Chi Minh City.
Planning a Moc Bai visa run from Ho Chi Minh City? Knowing the Moc Bai border gate opening hours is only half of it. When you arrive, when you leave the city and having the right documents for your nationality decide whether the day goes smoothly or turns into hours of waiting.
- Opening hours
- Daily, about 06:00 to 22:00
- Distance from HCMC
- About 70 km from the city centre
- Drive time
- About 2 to 3 hours each way
- Cambodian side
- Bavet checkpoint, Svay Rieng
Moc Bai border gate opening hours
Moc Bai International Border Gate is open every day, from about 06:00 to 22:00. Hours can change around public holidays such as Tet, and sources do not always agree on exact times, so check before you travel if your plan depends on the last hour.
The gate being open is not the same as the day being easy. A visa run involves the Vietnam exit counter, the Cambodian entry counter at Bavet, waiting for your new Vietnam e-visa and the Vietnam entry counter. Plan to arrive well before closing so a slow queue or a late e-visa approval does not leave you stuck on the Cambodian side.
The best times to arrive
Two arrival windows work well and match the schedules we run:
- Early trip, arriving 07:30–08:00: the counters have just started and queues are usually shorter. You are back in Ho Chi Minh City by mid-afternoon.
- Afternoon trip, arriving around 14:00: our most popular option, because it needs no early start. You are back in the evening.
Avoid arriving late in the afternoon. If your new Vietnam e-visa takes longer than expected, you need time before the gate closes.
When to leave Ho Chi Minh City
| Trip | Leave HCMC | Arrive at Moc Bai | Back in HCMC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afternoon trip Most popular | 11:30 | around 14:00 | around 20:00 |
| Early trip Quieter counters | 05:00–05:30 | 07:30–08:00 | around 15:30 |
Typical times, not guaranteed. Border queues and e-visa approval times vary.
What happens at the border
- STEP 1
Exit Vietnam
Get your Vietnam exit stamp at Moc Bai, then walk across to the Cambodian checkpoint at Bavet.
- STEP 2
Enter Cambodia
Show your Cambodian visa, e-visa or exemption, then wait while your new Vietnam e-visa is approved.
- STEP 3
Re-enter Vietnam
With the approved e-visa, return to the Vietnam counter for a new entry stamp, then drive back.
Documents to bring
- Original passport, valid for at least six months, with blank pages for stamps.
- Your new Vietnam e-visa, applied for in advance on the official portal or through us, with Moc Bai as the entry gate. Check that every detail matches your passport.
- A Cambodian visa, unless you are exempt. Check the Cambodia visa exemption list. If you need a visa, get an e-visa before the trip or a visa on arrival at Bavet, paid in cash.
- Cambodia e-Arrival: Cambodia asks all travellers, including visa holders, to complete the online e-Arrival form within 7 days before arrival.
If you hold a US passport, see our Moc Bai border run guide for US citizens.
Want the timing handled for you? We pick you up at 11:30 or 05:00, track your e-visa while you wait at the border and bring you back the same day. Message us on WhatsApp or see the full Moc Bai itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Moc Bai border gate opening hours?
Moc Bai International Border Gate is open daily from about 06:00 to 22:00. Hours can change around public holidays, so check before you travel.
What time should I leave Ho Chi Minh City for a Moc Bai visa run?
Leave at 11:30 to arrive around 14:00, or at 05:00–05:30 to arrive around 07:30–08:00. Avoid arriving late in the afternoon.
How long does a Moc Bai visa run take?
Usually a full day: about 10 hours door to door, including 2 to 3 hours of driving each way and time at both checkpoints.
Can I do a Moc Bai visa run without a Cambodian visa?
Only if your nationality is visa-exempt for Cambodia. Everyone else needs a Cambodian e-visa or a visa on arrival at Bavet.