A friend of mine still lives in Viet Nam. He's thinking of traveling during the upcoming Tet holiday by riding his motorbike to Ha Tien and crossing into Cambodia with it from there.

Does anyone have any up-to-date info or experience about doing this? I'm sure all his paperwork, license, etc. are legitimate, but he's looking for a "definitive answer" about the rules/regulations/policies of doing it, and can't seem to find it despite having lived in the region for decades and being all internet-savvy.

Thanks in advance for any insights

Used to cross the KH/VN border many times over the years with my VN plated Scooter, mostly at Ha Tien. There was never any mention or question asked about the motorbike. Until December 23 when stamping out of Cambodia the officer said "you have motorbike? Go over there to the customs window". So I presented the blue card to the customs lady who took a look and said OK.
When I returned mid January from VN at the same Ha Tien border, when stamping in at Cambodia Immigration, again I was sent to the customs window. This time the blue card was not enough, she asked about proof of rental or a sales contract. I said I bought the bike second hand about 5 years ago and have nothing in writing. That was a good enough answer and the very nice customs lady let me go.
I wonder how it will go next time.
Just another example of how the bureaucracy allover the world are ever tightening the screws..

BongKingKong wrote: ↑Wed Jan 31, 2024 7:56 am If you want to be 100% legal ask for : "temporary import papers" for the bike. That way you are legal for 1 month.

Thanks for your response.

Do you get these papers when crossing at the border or at some office in advance?

Kuyavic wrote: ↑Wed Jan 31, 2024 11:14 am
Used to cross the KH/VN border many times over the years with my VN plated Scooter, mostly at Ha Tien. There was never any mention or question asked about the motorbike. Until December 23 when stamping out of Cambodia the officer said "you have motorbike? Go over there to the customs window". So I presented the blue card to the customs lady who took a look and said OK.
When I returned mid January from VN at the same Ha Tien border, when stamping in at Cambodia Immigration, again I was sent to the customs window. This time the blue card was not enough, she asked about proof of rental or a sales contract. I said I bought the bike second hand about 5 years ago and have nothing in writing. That was a good enough answer and the very nice customs lady let me go.

So, my friend's experience was basically, the same as yours. He and another guy were crossing at Ha Tien. They parked and were at the stamp out of Vietnam window, when they were told to go back to customs to deal with the bikes. They to show the blue card and a bill of sale, which they both had, thanks to the info you provided above. Then, they got stamped out and had to walk the bikes for some section of the way out, then their passports were checked for the exit stamp several times before they reached the border/no-man's-land. I guess the same or nothing happened on the Cambodian side, as he didn't even mention it. They returned to Vietnam after a few days in Kampot via Ha Tien without incident.

It may be worth noting that they both have TRCs (Temporary Residence Card).