Svay Rieng juts into southern Vietnam, bordered on three sides by the Vietnamese provinces of Long An and Tây Ninh. Its name means “mango’s range”. The provincial town is on the Vaico River, and Bavet, the largest town, is Cambodia’s main land crossing to Vietnam on the road to Ho Chi Minh City.
Conditions now
Svay Rieng
26°C
Overcast · feels like 33°C
- Humidity 96%
- Wind 3 km/h
- Air: Moderate (AQI 62)
- TodayShowers33° / 25°92% rain
- TueThunderstorms32° / 25°97% rain
- WedShowers31° / 25°85% rain
- ThuDrizzle32° / 25°86% rain
- FriShowers32° / 24°89% rain
Updated hourly. Forecast and air quality by Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0). Conditions can change quickly in the wet season.
Why go to Svay Rieng?
Most travellers pass through on the way between Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City. If you stop, you will find a relaxed provincial town and flat, green rice country that shows rural Cambodia at its most everyday.
What to experience
The coconut dance
Svay Rieng is known as the birthplace of the coconut dance, a folk dance performed with coconut shells. If you have a chance to see it at a festival or cultural show, it is a joyful introduction to Khmer folk traditions. Read more in our guide to Cambodian arts and living heritage.
Town and river
The riverside and the market are good for a slow walk and a local meal.
How long should you stay?
A stop for lunch or one night is enough for most visitors.
Getting to Svay Rieng
Svay Rieng town is roughly 110 to 120 km from Phnom Penh by road, on the route towards Ho Chi Minh City. Bavet, the largest town, sits at the Bavet–Moc Bai crossing into Vietnam; Moc Bai is in Tay Ninh province.
How to get there
- Compare operators and book BookMeBus · redBus Cambodia · 12Go · Baolau. These platforms list the operators on each route.
- From Phnom Penh (about 110–120 km) By road on National Road 1, the route towards Ho Chi Minh City. Buses and minivans use it; compare them on the platforms above.
- Border crossing to Vietnam Bavet–Moc Bai is the crossing into Vietnam. Check the official e-Visa portal for current border rules before you travel.
Book through the operator, your hotel, or one of the platforms above. Cambodia Handbook is independent and not sponsored. Schedules change, so check the operator’s official website or office before you travel. Last checked 19 October 2026. See also transport booking and getting around Cambodia.
Planning notes
- Getting there: buses between Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City pass through the province.
- Crossing to Vietnam: check current visa and entry rules before you travel. See our visa and entry guide.
- Fees and opening arrangements: confirm current details locally rather than relying on an old price or timetable online.
Svay Rieng FAQ
How far is Svay Rieng from Phnom Penh?
Roughly 110 to 120 km by road, depending on the route and where you measure.
Where is the Cambodia–Vietnam border crossing?
At Bavet in Svay Rieng, linking to Moc Bai in Tay Ninh province, on the road to Ho Chi Minh City. Check current visa and entry rules before you travel.
What is the Parrot’s Beak?
The name given to the part of Svay Rieng that juts into Vietnam, which was a base area during the Vietnam War. Today it is farmland and border country.
How long should you stay?
A lunch stop or one night is enough for most visitors.
Nearby provinces
Continue into a neighbouring province. See all 25 on our provinces of Cambodia page.
Sources: geography, Bavet and the coconut dance from Svay Rieng province (Wikipedia). Distances from travel sources. Last checked 4 October 2026.
Featured image: A monument in Svay Rieng town, by Fumihiko Ueno, licensed under CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.