Cambodia Works Alongside Vietnam in Accelerating Cross-Border Tourism, Trade and Investment Through Newly Upgraded Khanh Binh–Chrey Thom Gateway

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Cambodia and Vietnam facilitate tourism, trade, and investment through the upgraded border gateway. Cambodia and Vietnam have opened a new chapter in their regional tourism cooperation after the upgraded Khanh Binh – Chrey Thom International Border Crossing was opened on 3 October 2026. The new international border gate connects An Giang province in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta with Kandal province in Cambodia. Apart from providing another international access point to the neighboring country, it is expected to contribute to increased tourism, transportation, trade, and investment. The upgraded border crossing is also anticipated to become an important gateway to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, and Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, which are both major tourist destinations.

Khanh Binh–Chrey Thom International Border Gateway Opens New Opportunities for Regional Tourism

The Khanh Binh–Chrey Thom International Border Crossing was officially inaugurated on 3 October 2026, marking a significant development in Cambodia–Vietnam relations.

The inauguration was jointly organised by the authorities of An Giang province and Cambodia’s Kandal province. The upgraded crossing was formally placed into operation as an international border facility.

Through this development, another gateway has been established for international connectivity between the two countries.

The crossing is expected to support tourism, passenger movement, commercial transport and economic cooperation. Improved access could also encourage the development of new travel packages connecting destinations across southern Vietnam and Cambodia.

Existing Khanh Binh Border Crossing Upgraded to International Status in 2026

Although the latest development has attracted attention, the Khanh Binh crossing has been used for cross-border activities for more than two decades.

Its development began in 2002, when it was established as a supplementary border gate. In 2005, it was upgraded to a main border crossing.

A further milestone was achieved on 7 August 2026, when Vietnam’s government approved its elevation to international status under Resolution No. 219/NQ-CP.

The formal inauguration followed in October.

The upgrade is expected to strengthen border infrastructure and improve the crossing’s role in international travel, trade and regional economic development.

Cambodia and Vietnam Emerge as Key Beneficiaries of Improved Border Connectivity

The upgraded crossing directly connects two Southeast Asian countries, with tourism and transport opportunities expected to be strengthened on both sides.

The principal countries and destinations associated with the development include:

– Cambodia: Improved international border connectivity is expected to support tourism in Kandal province and strengthen access towards Phnom Penh. Greater opportunities for travel-related services and investment could also emerge.

– Vietnam: The new international gateway is expected to improve access to An Giang province and support tourism across the Mekong Delta. Stronger transport links could encourage regional travel and commercial activity.

Both countries could benefit from improved connections between major urban centres, provincial tourism destinations and border communities.

The development also supports wider efforts to strengthen Southeast Asian tourism connectivity.

Strategic Location Near Phnom Penh Strengthens the Gateway’s Tourism Potential

One of the crossing’s most important advantages is its geographical location.

The Khanh Binh border gate is situated approximately 75 kilometres from Phnom Penh, making it a strategically positioned connection between Cambodia’s capital region and southern Vietnam.

This proximity could encourage the introduction of additional cross-border tourism products.

For international visitors, opportunities may be created to combine Cambodian cultural attractions with the landscapes and communities of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta.

Tourism operators could also benefit from greater flexibility when planning regional itineraries.

However, specific passenger services and visa eligibility must be confirmed before travel arrangements are finalised.

Mekong Delta Tourism Could Benefit from Improved Access to Cambodia

Vietnam’s Mekong Delta is widely recognised for its waterways, agricultural landscapes, traditional communities and distinctive river-based experiences.

Through the upgraded crossing, opportunities could be created to connect these attractions more closely with Cambodia’s tourism destinations.

Cross-border itineraries may eventually include cultural sightseeing, river experiences, local heritage attractions and community-based tourism.

Additional visitor movement could benefit accommodation businesses, transport providers, travel agencies and regional tourism enterprises.

The improvement is particularly relevant to travellers interested in visiting multiple Southeast Asian destinations during one holiday.

Nevertheless, the expected tourism benefits remain prospective, as the immediate increase in visitor arrivals following the October inauguration has not yet been established.

More Than 194,000 Border Movements Highlight the Crossing’s Existing Importance

The economic significance of Khanh Binh was already evident before its international upgrade.

According to official provincial information, more than 194,000 entry and exit movements were recorded through the crossing during the first nine months of 2026.

During the same period, approximately US$617.42 million in import-export turnover was registered.

These figures demonstrate the crossing’s established importance for regional movement and trade.

However, the recorded movements should not be interpreted as international tourist arrivals alone, as different categories of border users are included.

The upgrade is expected to provide a stronger foundation for future expansion in transport, commercial services and cross-border economic activities.

US$1.2 Billion Trade Ambition Highlights the Gateway’s Investment Potential

An ambitious economic development objective has been associated with the upgraded international crossing.

Authorities in An Giang have identified a target of approximately US$1.2 billion in import-export turnover by 2030 through Khanh Binh–Chrey Thom.

Investment opportunities are expected to emerge in logistics, transport infrastructure, border services and commercial facilities.

Seven active investment projects had already been recorded in the border gate area, covering approximately 13 hectares, with registered investment exceeding VND 470 billion.

Greater economic activity could indirectly benefit tourism through improved infrastructure, transport connections and service availability.

The trade target remains a future objective rather than an achieved economic result.

Four International Border Gates Strengthen Vietnam’s An Giang Province

Following the latest upgrade, An Giang province has four recognised international border gates connecting Vietnam with Cambodia.

These include Khanh Binh, Vinh Xuong, Tinh Bien and Ha Tien.

The presence of multiple international crossings offers greater geographical flexibility for transport planning and cross-border movement.

Khanh Binh–Chrey Thom also represents the second international crossing directly linking An Giang and Cambodia’s Kandal province, alongside Vinh Xuong–Kaam Samnor.

The expanded border network could help distribute commercial activity and support connectivity between different parts of the Mekong Delta and neighbouring Cambodian provinces.

For tourism businesses, the broader network presents opportunities for more diversified regional travel arrangements.

Muen Chey–Tan Nam Border Opening Adds Momentum to Bilateral Tourism Cooperation

The latest development follows another important border initiative between Cambodia and Vietnam.

On 8 December 2025, the Muen Chey–Tan Nam International Border Crossing was inaugurated, connecting Prey Veng province in Cambodia with Tay Ninh province in Vietnam.

The earlier opening was intended to strengthen bilateral trade, tourism, infrastructure development and regional cooperation.

Together, the two developments demonstrate continued efforts to improve land connectivity between the neighbouring countries.

Additional opportunities may be created for passenger transport, tourism investment and movement between border communities.

The openings also reflect a broader strategy of strengthening economic relations through modernised international gateways.

Digital Border Management and Transport Infrastructure Could Support Future Travel Growth

Beyond the inauguration, attention has been directed towards improving the efficiency of border operations.

Plans identified by Vietnamese authorities include digital customs procedures, modernised border management, improved logistics and stronger transport infrastructure.

Connections with the wider Chau Doc–Can Tho–Soc Trang transport corridor are also considered important for long-term regional development.

These improvements could make border operations more efficient and encourage further investment.

For tourism, better infrastructure could eventually support easier movement between destinations and reduce transport-related difficulties.

However, no officially verified reduction in passenger processing times has yet been attributed to the October 2026 upgrade.

International Travellers Must Check Visa Requirements Before Planning Cross-Border Journeys

Although the newly upgraded crossing has received international status, travellers should not assume that all electronic visas are accepted.

Vietnam and Cambodia maintain separate immigration regulations governing entry through designated border facilities.

While Tan Nam has been included among Vietnam’s approved electronic visa entry points, acceptance of electronic visas at Khanh Binh–Chrey Thom has not been independently established from the official information available.

Visitors are therefore advised to verify permitted entry points, passport eligibility, visa requirements and border operating arrangements before departure.

Confirmation of international bus services and passenger facilities is also recommended.

These precautions are particularly important for travellers planning independent overland journeys between the two countries.

Cambodia–Vietnam Border Expansion Signals a Promising Future for Southeast Asian Tourism

The opening of the upgraded Khanh Binh–Chrey Thom International Border Crossing represents a significant step in strengthening connectivity between Cambodia and Vietnam.

Supported by existing cross-border movement, substantial commercial activity and ambitious development objectives, the gateway has considerable potential to encourage future tourism and investment.

The earlier Muen Chey–Tan Nam inauguration further demonstrates the importance being placed on bilateral transport connections.

As infrastructure improvements progress, additional opportunities could emerge for multi-country tourism, regional economic cooperation and international travel.

For Southeast Asia’s tourism industry, the continuing expansion of international land border connections offers another foundation for developing more accessible and better-connected travel experiences.