Buying bike in Vietnam, can I sell/gift it in Cambodia? Issues crossing the border after that?

Cephei · Post by **Cephei** » Tue May 07, 2019 11:18 pm

Dear Expats!

I am planning a trip from Saigon to Bangkok and was hoping I could do it by motorbike. My plan was to buy a used bike in Saigon ($300-500) and crossing to Cambodia, then go to Phnom Penh, Kampot, Sihanoukville and cross at southern Koh Kong border towards Tart and Koh Chang. Ultimately finishing in Bangkok.

Now I’ve been doing my research and it saw contradicting reports on border crossings.

First and foremost, it seems unlikely I’ll be able to cross the Cambodian/Thai border with my Vietnamese bike, even with the blue card. And even if I do, I’ll be expected to leave the country with the bike, right? Or face heavy fining.

I’m fine leaving my bike in Cambodia and doing the rest of the trip by buses but I’m still hoping I can cross the Vietnam/Cambodia border without too much of a hassle?

Is this possible?

Will they also stamp my passport to make sure I need to bring back to bike to Vietnam?

What if I plan to give the bike as a gift to someone in Cambodia before leaving the country? Will this be an issue when I cross the border to Thailand? Will they ask me “where’s the bike?” at the border?

Hope you can help a little!

Cheers!

Gator · Post by **Gator** » Wed May 08, 2019 1:13 am

Lots of backpackers driving Honda Wins across the border from Vietnam into Cambodia and then selling them before they leave to someone headed to Vietnam. You'll be fine. Good luck on your trip.

phuketrichard · Post by **phuketrichard** » Wed May 08, 2019 9:08 am

Cephei wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2019 11:18 pm Dear Expats!

I am planning a trip from Saigon to Bangkok and was hoping I could do it by motorbike. My plan was to buy a used bike in Saigon ($300-500) and crossing to Cambodia, then go to Phnom Penh, Kampot, Sihanoukville and cross at southern Koh Kong border towards Tart and Koh Chang. Ultimately finishing in Bangkok.

Now I’ve been doing my research and it saw contradicting reports on border crossings.

First and foremost, it seems unlikely I’ll be able to cross the Cambodian/Thai border with my Vietnamese bike, even with the blue card. And even if I do, I’ll be expected to leave the country with the bike, right? Or face heavy fining.

I’m fine leaving my bike in Cambodia and doing the rest of the trip by buses but I’m still hoping I can cross the Vietnam/Cambodia border without too much of a hassle?

Is this possible?

Will they also stamp my passport to make sure I need to bring back to bike to Vietnam?

What if I plan to give the bike as a gift to someone in Cambodia before leaving the country? Will this be an issue when I cross the border to Thailand? Will they ask me “where’s the bike?” at the border?

Hope you can help a little!

Cheers!

possible;
they do NOT stamp ur passport that you brought a bike in, ( unlike the 80's) only stamp which border you entered at

BUT the bike MUST be in ur name, and you must have the ownership book in ur name to get into Thailand
In Thailand, sell it , give it away or dump it on the side of the road. nobody cares.
Koh Kong is an easy entry point for Thailand...

why stop in Bangkok> use the bike an tour the country, great roads up north for a bike.

Cephei · Post by **Cephei** » Wed May 08, 2019 3:11 pm

phuketrichard wrote: ↑Wed May 08, 2019 9:08 am
Cephei wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2019 11:18 pm Dear Expats!

I am planning a trip from Saigon to Bangkok and was hoping I could do it by motorbike. My plan was to buy a used bike in Saigon ($300-500) and crossing to Cambodia, then go to Phnom Penh, Kampot, Sihanoukville and cross at southern Koh Kong border towards Tart and Koh Chang. Ultimately finishing in Bangkok.

Now I’ve been doing my research and it saw contradicting reports on border crossings.

First and foremost, it seems unlikely I’ll be able to cross the Cambodian/Thai border with my Vietnamese bike, even with the blue card. And even if I do, I’ll be expected to leave the country with the bike, right? Or face heavy fining.

I’m fine leaving my bike in Cambodia and doing the rest of the trip by buses but I’m still hoping I can cross the Vietnam/Cambodia border without too much of a hassle?

Is this possible?

Will they also stamp my passport to make sure I need to bring back to bike to Vietnam?

What if I plan to give the bike as a gift to someone in Cambodia before leaving the country? Will this be an issue when I cross the border to Thailand? Will they ask me “where’s the bike?” at the border?

Hope you can help a little!

Cheers!
possible;
they do NOT stamp ur passport that you brought a bike in, ( unlike the 80's) only stamp which border you entered at

BUT the bike MUST be in ur name, and you must have the ownership book in ur name to get into Thailand
In Thailand, sell it , give it away or dump it on the side of the road. nobody cares.
Koh Kong is an easy entry point for Thailand...

why stop in Bangkok> use the bike an tour the country, great roads up north for a bike.

Thanks for the tips! It's indeed good news for Cambodia. I'm pretty sure I in the very least will have the blue card of the bike but I don't think it means it will be in my name correct? I'm not sure it's possible seeing as the bikes get sold multiple times in the black market to all kind of travelers. Let's see.

As for the Thai crossing, I'm a bit more worried. Seems like they're more on the fence letting bikes into the country, they ask for a whole lot more paperwork and make sure I leave the country with the bike after 30 days.

My plan is to spend about 2 weeks on and around Koh Chang and take a flight home to Switzerland after that. There's no way I'll be able to leave the country with the bike and I'm not sure it's worth the risk trying to pass the bike into the country.

To be honest, the Vietnam/Cambodia leg of my journey is where I really wish to be on two wheels.

But if you guys are confident there's no issue crossing to Thailand with it and droppig it/giving it away in BKK, then I might consider it.

Thanks again for all the help!