Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap is the fast way to reach the temples of Angkor — about an hour and a quarter in the air versus a long day by road. Two carriers fly it non-stop into the modern Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI), which opened in 2023 well outside town to protect the temples. This guide covers who flies the route, a fair fare in dong, and how to reach Siem Reap on arrival.
Route: Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) → Siem Reap–Angkor (SAI)
Distance: approximately 410 km (255 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 1h 15m
Direct flights: Yes — Vietnam Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air (now branded Air Cambodia) fly non-stop. Vietjet Air serves the route with a connection rather than a true non-stop.
Fares from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap (VND)
Siem Reap fares track the Angkor tourist calendar. The cool, dry high season (November to February) and the Christmas–New Year peak are the priciest; the green season from May to September — hotter and wetter, but with lush temples and thin crowds — is the cheapest. The figures below are typical economy return fares in Vietnamese dong; with fewer carriers than the Phnom Penh route, prices sit a touch higher.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | very high |
| February | — | high |
| March | — | medium-high |
| April | — | medium-high (Khmer New Year) |
| May | — | low-medium |
| June | — | low |
| July | — | medium (summer) |
| August | — | medium |
| September | — | low |
| October | — | low-medium |
| November | — | high |
| December | — | very high |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, this short hop costs more than it is usually described: the cheapest non-stop return is 7.233.000 ₫ and the non-stop median 7.402.000 ₫. So a direct return around 7.400.000 ₫ is the going rate, and under about 7.300.000 ₫ is a genuinely good one. The only cheaper fares are connections at about 6.170.000 ₫ — roughly a million dong saved for turning a 75-minute flight into a connection, which is rarely worth it. There is nothing in the two or three millions.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 1h 15m):
- Vietnam Airlines — the flag carrier, full-service with a checked bag and a snack included; usually the most comfortable choice.
- Cambodia Angkor Air (Air Cambodia) — Cambodia’s national carrier, the most frequent non-stop operator on the route.
One-stop (sometimes cheaper):
- Vietjet Air — the low-cost option, but via a connection (usually through Phnom Penh or the airline’s Vietnam hubs) rather than a direct flight; can undercut the non-stops if you don’t mind the extra time.
For a trip built around Angkor, the two non-stops are the obvious pick — barely over an hour, gate to gate. Take a Vietjet connection only if the fare saving is real and you have the time to spare.
When to book & how to save
- Book 1–2 months ahead for the best fares; the non-stop seats are limited, so they fill and firm up earlier than on busier routes.
- Avoid the peaks: the November–February dry season, Christmas–New Year and the mid-April Khmer New Year are the busiest and most expensive at Angkor.
- Fly the green season (May–September) for the lowest fares and the fewest crowds at the temples; rain comes in short bursts, not all day.
- Compare all-in: a Vietjet basic fare plus a checked bag and a longer connection can end up close to a non-stop Vietnam Airlines ticket that already includes the bag.
- Sort your Cambodian visa (e-visa or visa-on-arrival) before you fly, and budget for the longer airport transfer — the new airport is well outside town.
Arriving in Siem Reap
You land at Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI), opened in October 2023 to replace the old in-town airport. It sits about 40 km east of Siem Reap and the Angkor temples — a 50-minute to 1.5-hour drive — built deliberately far out to shield the monuments. A metered or app taxi to town runs roughly 780.000–950.000 ₫; shared vans and airport shuttles are cheaper if you’re travelling light. Many hotels include a free or low-cost pickup, so it’s worth asking when you book — over that distance a pre-arranged car is often the easiest option.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap?
The non-stop flight takes about 1 hour 15 minutes over roughly 410 km. It’s much faster than the road journey, which takes most of a day by bus with a border crossing, so flying is the sensible choice if your trip is built around the Angkor temples.
Are there direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap?
Yes. Vietnam Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air (Air Cambodia) both fly non-stop into Siem Reap–Angkor (SAI). Vietjet Air also serves the route but with a connection rather than a true non-stop, so check the routing before you book if a direct flight matters to you.
How much does it cost to fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap?
A typical non-stop economy return runs about 7.230.000–10.300.000 ₫ depending on the season, median 7.402.000 ₫. The cheapest fares of any kind are connections at about 6.170.000 ₫. The November–February dry season and the December peak sit at the top of the range.
What is the cheapest month to fly to Siem Reap?
June and September are usually the cheapest, in the low green season. In the dates we could price, non-stop returns started at 7.233.000 ₫ and the cheapest connection at 6.168.000 ₫. Avoid the November–February high season, the December peak and the mid-April Khmer New Year, which are the busiest and priciest times at Angkor.
Which airlines fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap?
Non-stop: Vietnam Airlines (behind most of the direct fares) and Cambodia Angkor Air (Air Cambodia), together running 7.233.000–10.303.000 ₫. Vietjet Air serves the route with a connection at about 6.168.000 ₫ — genuinely cheaper, but it saves roughly a million dong on a flight that takes only 75 minutes non-stop. For an Angkor trip, the two non-stops are the natural pick.
Which airport do I fly into in Siem Reap?
You arrive at Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI), which opened in October 2023 about 40 km east of the town and temples. It replaced the old in-town airport, so budget for a 50-minute to 1.5-hour transfer and arrange a car or hotel pickup in advance.
How far in advance should I book?
Aim for 1 to 2 months ahead. There are only a couple of non-stop operators and limited seats, so the direct flights fill and firm up earlier than on busier routes — book peak-season and Christmas dates even sooner.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Usually, yes. Midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) tend to be a little cheaper than weekend flights, and pairing two weekday legs can save a few hundred thousand dong on a return. With limited non-stop frequencies, flexibility on the day also improves your chance of the best fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Prices are indicative economy returns and change with demand — always check the live fare before booking.
