Guide · 6 min read
Moc Bai Border Run for US Citizens: Itinerary and Visa Requirements (2026)
What a US passport holder needs for a same-day Moc Bai visa run from Ho Chi Minh City, step by step.
If you hold a US passport and need a Moc Bai border run from Ho Chi Minh City, the trip is simple once your paperwork is right. Unlike some nationalities, Americans need a Cambodian visa as well as a new Vietnam e-visa. Sort both out before the day and you can be back in the city by evening.
- Cambodian visa
- Required for US passports
- Cambodian visa options
- E-visa before the trip, or visa on arrival at Bavet
- Vietnam visa
- New 90-day e-visa, single or multiple entry
- Also required
- Cambodia e-Arrival form, within 7 days before arrival
Do US citizens need a visa for Cambodia?
Yes. The United States is not on Cambodia’s visa exemption list for ordinary passports, so you need a visa even for the short time you spend at Bavet. See the full Cambodia visa exemption list.
Your two Cambodian visa options
| Cambodia e-visa | Visa on arrival at Bavet | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Online, evisa.gov.kh, or through us | Visa counter at Bavet |
| Fee | USD 30 visa fee plus a service fee | About USD 35, paid in cash |
| Timing | Approved within 3 business days | On the day, at the counter |
| Best for | A faster, more predictable border day | Last-minute trips |
If we arrange your Cambodian e-visa, send us your documents at least 4 to 5 working days before the trip. The tourist e-visa is single entry, valid for 3 months, with a stay of up to 1 month.
Your new Vietnam e-visa
US citizens can apply for a Vietnam e-visa of up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, on the official portal evisa.gov.vn. Choose Moc Bai as the entry gate and make sure every detail matches your passport exactly. A typo can mean being refused at the counter.
Short on time? Our express e-visa service can get it approved in as little as a few hours.
Best times 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.
More detail on timing in our guide to Moc Bai border gate opening hours.
Checklist for US passport holders
- US passport, valid for at least six months, with at least two blank pages.
- Vietnam e-visa approval, with Moc Bai as the entry gate.
- Cambodian e-visa, printed, or US dollars in cash for the visa on arrival.
- Cambodia e-Arrival completed online at arrival.gov.kh within 7 days before arrival.
- Your phone, charged, so you can send us your exit and entry stamps.
US passport, first visa run? We handle both e-visas, pick you up in Ho Chi Minh City and track everything while you wait at the border. Message us on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa to enter Cambodia at Bavet?
Yes. US passport holders need a Cambodian e-visa arranged before the trip or a visa on arrival at Bavet.
How much is the Cambodian visa for Americans?
The tourist e-visa costs USD 30 plus a service fee. The visa on arrival at Bavet costs about USD 35, paid in cash.
Can US citizens get a 90-day Vietnam e-visa?
Yes. US citizens can apply for a Vietnam e-visa of up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, on evisa.gov.vn.
Do I need the Cambodia e-Arrival form for a visa run?
Yes. Cambodia asks all travellers, including visa holders, to complete the online e-Arrival form within 7 days before arrival.