Do I need to pay for a 'health check' at the border?

No. Sometimes border officials will ask for a small fee for a 'temperature check' or 'health form.' This is a bribe. Politely decline and wait for your passport; they will eventually process it without the fee.

Can I take a private taxi instead of a bus?

Yes, but it is significantly more expensive and you lose the benefit of the bus company's assistance in navigating the border crossing.

Traveling Overland from Vietnam to Cambodia

The most reliable way to cross the border overland is the bus route from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh via the Bavet/Moc Bai checkpoint. This journey takes approximately 6 to 7 hours, including the time spent clearing customs and immigration.

Book your bus ticket in advance. Go to the Pham Ngu Lao area in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City. Book with reputable companies like Giant Ibis or Mekong Express. Avoid smaller, cheaper bus lines that may stop frequently to solicit unofficial fees from passengers at the border.
Prepare your documentation. Ensure your passport has at least 6 months of validity and one blank page. Have your e-visa for Cambodia printed (if you didn't get one online, have $35 USD in crisp, new bills for the visa-on-arrival) and two passport-sized photos.
Clear Vietnam Exit. The bus will drop you at the Vietnamese border post (Moc Bai). You will walk through the gate with your luggage. Present your passport to the exit officer and get your stamp.
Process Cambodia Entry. Walk to the Cambodian side (Bavet). If you don't have an e-visa, visit the Visa-on-Arrival window first. Once stamped in, wait for your bus to pull around to the passenger collection area.

Do I need to pay for a 'health check' at the border?: No. Sometimes border officials will ask for a small fee for a 'temperature check' or 'health form.' This is a bribe. Politely decline and wait for your passport; they will eventually process it without the fee.
Can I take a private taxi instead of a bus?: Yes, but it is significantly more expensive and you lose the benefit of the bus company's assistance in navigating the border crossing.