The river starts in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and flows southerly, crossing the border into Vietnam near Châu Đốc.

The Bassac River is an important transportation corridor between Cambodia and Vietnam, with barges and other craft plying the waters.

USS Satyr (ARL-23), a recommissioned repair ship originally built for the United States Navy during World War II, served on the Bassac River during the Vietnam War.

Approximately 8.5 kilometers to Prey Basak lies a ruined ancient temple called Prasat Prey Basak Temple, which was destroyed during the Vietnam War due to heavy bombing from the United States military.

Prasat Prey Basak Temple was built by the Funan Kingdom during the 2nd and 3rd centuries.