The northern border between Vietnam and Cambodia, the one that joins the cities of Pleiku and Banlung – Ratanakiri, has been recently open in 2008.

This border is not very known between the travellers community yet as it’s not easy and there is no direct bus.
Altough it’s feasible and, obviously, not impossible.

First thing you have to do is to arrive to Pleiku, still 60 km from the border. From there you have two options:

– the cheapest and more difficult is to take a local bus that brings you to Duc Co, at 20 km from the border. This is a small yellow bus, and it departs from the central market at 8 am, altough you can wait for it in the bus station, just look for the sign where it stops. Ticket: 16.000 VND. Around 1+ hour journey.
Once you arrive to the very end of the bus route, you must look for someone who picks you up to Le Thanh, mostly a motorbike or private minivan. Price is unknown, so bargain as much as possible.

– the second option is to take directly a private minivan or motorbike to Le Thanh from Pleiku market. Actually, you will be asked if you want to be driven there by some young motorbikers. Sometimes, the same minivans that are in Pleiku are the ones waiting for you in Duc Co as they know already your itinerary (what indeed happened to us).

Once you make the burocratic process and you are officially in Cambodia, you have to look for someone who drives you to Banlung, same process than from Duc Co to Le Thanh.
Here you will be charged around 10$ per person, or less if you are very good bargaining.

Some Cambodian police officers speak good English and, probably getting a commission, will offer you a ride or will know someone who can.

Remember to bring US Dollars with you to pay the Cambodian Visa: 20 USD.

Enjoy the trip.