Handbook from A-Z when traveling to Cambodia

Cambodia, officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is an independent sovereign state located on the Indochinese peninsula in Southeast Asia. Cambodia is bordered by the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest, Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast and Vietnam to the east.
Threeland will join you to learn a few interesting things when traveling to Cambodia!

Cambodia Tourism Overview

The Kingdom of Cambodia is a popular tourist destination of Southeast Asia, attracting tourists from all over the world. Ancient relics such as Angkor Wat or Angkor Thom monuments, amazing natural scenes, etc. Tonle Sap Lake and Mekong River, along with beautiful beaches and islands such as Sihanoukville, Koh Rong, Koh Thmei.

Holidays to Cambodia is a great experience for Buddhist followers, who love to explore the ruins of the past as well as tourists who are fascinated by the unspoiled beauty of nature.

Transportation when traveling to Cambodia

Airplane

Direct flights from Vietnam to Cambodia are operated by Vietnam Airlines in collaboration with Cambodia Angkor Air, with return ticket prices as follows:

Hanoi - Phnom Penh route: from 7,000,000 VND to 12,000,000 VND
Route Hanoi - Siem Reap: from 9,000,000 VND to 12,000,000 VND
Route Saigon / Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh: from 5,500,000 VND to 9,500,000 VND/ticket
Route Saigon / Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap: from 8,000,000 VND to 10,000,000 VND/ticket

Passenger bus / Open bus

Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh: one way from 200,000 VND to 300,000 VND, round trip from 400,000 VND to 600,000 VND, travel time is about 6 hours (10 hours at night).
Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap: one way from 400,000 VND to 500,000 VND, round trip from 800,000 VND to 900,000 VND, travel time is about 11 hours (night travel is 15 hours).

If you are on your holidays to Laos, you can take a flight from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap.

Famous car companies carrying passengers to Cambodia have round-trip routes from Saigon / Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap cities: Mai Linh, Sapaco, Kumho, TheSinhTourist, Mekong Express. Most of these firms have offices in the West Pham Ngu Lao/Bui Vien neighborhood in the heart of Saigon.

Contact

Mai Linh Express: Phone: 08.38297979 – 38477888
Sapaco: Tel: 08.39 203 623
TheSinhTourist: Phone: 08.38389597
Kumho: Phone: 08.6291 5389
Mekong Express: Phone: 063 963 662 – 012 31 58 58

Moving within Cambodia

Coach and bus trips are still affordable options to move between major cities when traveling to Cambodia. For example, going from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap costs about 140,000 to 200,000 VND. You can ask right at the bus station of Vietnamese car companies in Phnom Penh.

To travel in the city, you have many options: walking, renting bicycles, motorbikes (about 120,000 VND / car / day), taxi or tuk tuk. Although renting a car can help you explore more during your trip to Cambodia, a taxi or a tuk tuk is still a safer option because traffic in big cities like Phnom Penh is quite crowded and dangerous.

Sightseeing: Monuments, beaches, attractions of Cambodia tourism

The northern region 

Banlung: Banlung town is the capital of Ratanakiri province in eastern Cambodia. This is an unspoiled land with a large forest area and is also home to Cambodia's ethnic minorities. Therefore, coming to Banlung you will have a quite different experience from the popular attractions of Cambodia tourism. 

Some of the popular destinations in Banlung are Yeak Laom volcanic lake, Wat Rahtanharahm temple, Chaong waterfall (you can go behind this waterfall because the stone steps have been eroded) and Virachey National Park. In addition, Banlung is also home to many rubber factories and gem mines. You can ask the hotel staff about gem mining tours.

Central area 

Phnom Penh: is the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia, is one of the most important destinations of Cambodia tourism.

Coming to Phnom Penh, it is impossible to ignore famous landmarks and monuments:

Royal Palace of Cambodia with two relics of Silver Pagoda and Temple of the Emerald Buddha is one of the most popular attractions of Cambodia tourism.

Wat Phnom
National Museum of Cambodia

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) Prison
Choeung Ek Killing Field where the Khmer Rouge regime executed a lot of innocent people.

Wat Botum Temple where Pol Pot lived as a boy.

Independence and Liberation Memorial Temple

The Olympic Stadium, where the Asian Games was supposed to take place in the 60s, was canceled due to the political situation at the time.

The famous evening entertainment area in Phnom Penh is the Sisowath Quay riverside area, with many bars, cafes, and shops, like the Western Quarter in Saigon. For Cambodian tourists who like designer clothes, the Russian Market is a must-see destination in their Cambodia trip. Phnom Penh is home to many factories producing clothes for big brands such as Levis, CK, Ralph Lauren ..., samples are often smuggled out in this market at very attractive prices.

Siem Reap

Siem Reap is a famous tourist destination in Cambodia, with a key location near Tonle Sap Lake, the city on the Battambang river and most importantly, the complex of monuments and ruins of Angkor.

In addition to serving as a transit city for other prominent Cambodian tourist destinations, Siem Reap also has notable attractions in the inner city:

Angkor National Museum: exhibits exhibits showing the history of Angkor with modern technology. The most impressive is the 1000 Buddha room.

Wat Bo Temple: blends French architecture and Thai-influenced Buddhist details.

Wat Preah Prom Rath: 500 year old temple with reclining Buddha

Angkor Silk Farm: Not far from the city center but located in a fairly open countryside area, here you can witness the Cambodian silk-making process.

One of the busiest areas in the city is the Old Market area with restaurants and eateries of all prices. If you want to go to lively bars, visit Pub Street, which is considered the Western neighborhood of Siem Reap and Cambodia's tourism, similar to Khao San in Bangkok or Bui Vien in Saigon.

Some other Cambodian tourist attractions can be reached from Siem Reap: the Banteay Chhmar relic complex in the neighboring Banteay Meanchey province, the Banteay Srei Butterfly Center located near Banteay Srei temple on the periphery of the Angkor complex and Phnom Hill Bok (20km northeast of Siem Reap) with majestic ruins, Koh Ker pyramid temple complex (120km from Siem Reap) and Sambor Prei Kuk ancient capital complex near Kampong Thom city. These are all valuable relics that contribute to the development of Cambodia's tourism industry.

Angkor relic complex 

Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom

Angkor consists of two main temples, Angkor Wat (De Thien temple) and Angkor Thom (De Thich temple), only 6 km north of Siem Reap.

This complex of particularly important monuments of Cambodia tourism can be divided into 5 main areas:

Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom: Angkor Vat is the temple with the most monumental architecture in the entire complex, while Angkor Thom is the old capital territory. Angkor Thom owns outstanding temples and architecture such as the Bayon face temple, Baphuon temple, Phnom Bakheng temple at the top of the hill (you can ride an elephant here), Elephant Terrace, Terrace of the Leper King (Elephant Terrace). King's yard with leprosy) and 5 large gates leading to Angkor Thom. These are the most typical images of Cambodia tourism.

Little Circuit

This area has the most famous temple, the "old" Ta Prohm, where the works of nature combine with the works of man. The stone architecture of the temple is entwined with branches and roots of ancient trees, creating a magnificent sight, attracting tourists to Cambodia.

Big Circuit

This area also has a structure similar to Ta Prohm's Preah Khan temple: stone walls interspersed with old tree stumps. In addition, in the Big Circuit, there is also an ideal place to watch the sunset, which is Pre Rup Temple.

Roluos group

The ruins in this area belong to the ancient city of Hariharalaya, older than Angkor, in which Bakong temple with pyramid architecture is the most prominent.

Peripheral temples

This area is quite far from the center of the ruins, but has the most unique and different works. Banteay Srei Temple is mainly attracted by its architectural details. The ruins of Kbal Spean, also known as the 1000 linga site (the linga is the worshiping symbol of the Indus valley civilization), with rocky outcrops lying below the stream water in a square area among the trees. 

Beng Mealea Temple is a ruins close to nature, with plants proliferating on ancient architecture, creating a fresh but murky, ancient atmosphere. Phnom Krom Temple is located on a hill, overlooking the Tonle Sap Lake, an interesting experience when traveling to Cambodia.

Tonle Sap

The largest lake in Southeast Asia, connected to the Mekong River through the Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh. During the rainy season, the water of the Mekong River flows so strongly that it pushes the Tonle Sap River upstream, significantly increasing the amount of water in the lake.

You can take the ferry on this lake by 2 routes: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap or Siem Reap - Battambang. In addition, in the cities of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang and some other lakeside cities, visitors can rent a boat to explore floating villages on the lake, a very poetic experience for Cambodian tourists.

Battambang

Located along the Sangkae River, Battambang is a peaceful small city with buildings with French architectural style. Some interesting attractions in Battambang: Kamping Puoy lotus lake, Wat Ek Phnom temple with 28m high Buddha image, Prasat Banan temple, Prasat Snung temple and Nory bamboo train.

Although not as ancient and mysterious as other destinations of Cambodia tourism, Battambang still has its own charm.

South area and out of the south cover 

Kampot

This is a small city located in southern Cambodia, next to the banks of the Kampong Bay River and not far from the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodian tourists come here to enjoy the peaceful scenery of the riverside countryside. Outstanding attractions: Bokor mountain with abandoned houses of French architecture, caves in Phnom Chhnork, famous ancient bridge over Kampong bay river and old Kampot train station.

Sihanoukville

This is a coastal town that owns the most famous beaches of Cambodia tourism, in which Otres / Ochheuteal beach is the cleanest and most beautiful. In addition, from Sihanoukville, you can visit some beautiful islands off the coast of Cambodia such as Koh Russei (bamboo island) and Koh Rong - paradise island, which can also be considered the island with the most beautiful beach among all the islands of Cambodia.

Cambodia's islands

Cambodia tourism boasts many islands in the south in the Gulf of Thailand area with ravishing landscapes:
Koh Kong: green island with most of the area covered by mangroves.

Koh Rong Samloem: located near Koh Rong island, with beautiful pristine beaches
Koh Ta Kiev: located off Sihanoukville
Koh Totang: an island with clear blue water beaches, ideal for snorkeling activities

Some beautiful photo locations in Cambodia 

Cambodia Royal Palace

As one of the attractions that tourists cannot miss when coming to Phnom Penh, the palace was built after King Norodom moved the capital from Oudong to Phnom Penh. The Royal Palace of Cambodia is a complex of buildings, the residence of the King and the royal family. Visitors coming here not only take pictures with the architecture inside, but also do not forget to take pictures with the nine pigeons in front of the palace.

Complex of temples and monuments of Angkor

No language and emotion can describe the beauty and wonder of Angkor, unless you come to the place and see it all with your own eyes. Architects from the 8th century and talented craftsmen here have created a great architectural complex with 600 works scattered in a dense forest area 45 km². However, the most photographed destinations are still Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat, Bayon temple and Ta Prohm.

Koh Rong

Koh Rong Island is located in the Gulf of Thailand, about 20km from the coastal city of Sihanoukville. Only about 2 hours by boat on the sea in the calm bay.

In stark contrast to the vibrant Sihanoukville, Koh Rong Island is truly a wild and mellow "paradise" that makes you fall in love as soon as you set foot on it, where you will be completely relaxed in the midst of crystal clear sea water.

Kep

Discovered and exploited by the French about a century ago, Kep is known for possessing hidden beauty from its rare stillness. The beauty of Kep mainly consists of green beaches, old French villas, hammock cafes and small, rustic bungalows.

Lake Tonle Sap

Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and the most important in Cambodia. The lake spreads out and changes amazingly every season. From November to May is the dry season in Cambodia, Tonle Sap is mostly dry while in the rainy season, the lake becomes much larger, with many floating villages inhabited there.

Sitting on a sightseeing boat on Tonle Sap Lake will be an opportunity for visitors to take beautiful photos, and better understand the life of the people.

Cuisine, snacks, specialties of Cambodia tourism

1. Bai sach chrouk – pork rice

Bai sach chrouk, or simply pork rice, is one of the simplest dishes in the country. Thinly sliced ​​pork is grilled over charcoal. Sometimes, people marinate pork with coconut milk or garlic, giving bai sach chrouk different flavors in different regions. Accompanied by grilled pork is broken rice, cucumber and radish, ginger and a bowl of broth with fresh onions and non-fragrant dried onions.

2. Fish sauce

This dish uses slok ngor, a local herb, to give it a bitter taste. The fish is drizzled with coconut milk, kroeung, a Khmer curry powder made from lemon grass, saffron, garlic, onions and ginger. In restaurants, fish sauce is steamed in a bowl made of banana leaves to keep the dish hot before serving to customers.

3. Khmer Rouge Curry

Not as spicy as Thai curry, Khmer Rouge curry is dominated by coconut milk, without chili powder. The meats used are beef, fish, chicken with eggplant, cowpeas, potatoes, fresh coconut water, lemon grass and kroeung. Khmer red curry served with bread. When traveling to Cambodia, you must eat this dish once.

4. Lap Khmer – Khmer beef salad with lime

Lap Khmer usually has more beef than salad. Some natives prefer beef that is almost raw. However, most restaurants grill the beef before making the salad. Khmer beef salad with lemon and lime consists of thin slices of beef that are either bare or made rare with lemon juice. Mixed with lemon grass, onion, garlic, fish sauce, basil, mint, cowpea and fresh pepper, beef is sweet, salty enough and adds a little spicy chili.

5. Nom banh chok – Khmer noodles

Nom banh chok can simply be called Khmer noodles. The dish consists of rice noodles, green curry with fish, lemon grass, turmeric and lemon. Fresh mint leaves, cowpeas, banana powder, cucumber and some other green vegetables are also served with nom banh chok.

6. Kdam chaa – fried crab

Fried crab is a specialty of Kep town, Cambodia. The famous crab market here is known for fried crab with Kampot green pepper. You can only enjoy fresh Kampot pepper when traveling to Cambodia, and the best with fried crab.

7. Red ants with beef, basil

Red ants are stir-fried in a frying pan with ginger, lemon grass, garlic, basil, turmeric and thinly sliced ​​beef. The flavor of this dish is stronger when adding more chili. Red ants can be served with rice.

8. Ang dtray meuk – grilled squid

In the waters of Cambodia, like Sihanoukville and Kep, there are many seafood vendors selling grilled squid with golden eggs. Squid is soaked in lemon juice or fish sauce, then skewered on bamboo sticks before being grilled. Squid is served with soy sauce with Kampot pepper, garlic, chili, lemon and sugar.

9. Cha houy teuk – jelly tea

Cha houy teuk has an extremely rich flavor, from red beans, taro, pumpkin and jackfruit. All indispensable coconut milk.

10. Fried fish

Fried fish on a fire plate is only served in restaurants or during festivals. Fried fish with curry coconut milk sauce, yellow kroeung and chili, placed on a large, fish-shaped plate. Vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage are cooked with curry. This fried fish is served with rice or noodles. Cambodians call it trei bung kanh chhet.

Some places to eat in Phnom Penh

Night market (Phsa Reatrey) and Kanda market located right in the new West Street area (Sisowath Quay area) have dishes prepared in the right Cambodian style.

Veng Nguon Restaurant at Sankat Phsar Kandal 1 is also located in the heart of the New West Quarter (Sisowath Quay area), specializing in serving Nam Vang Noodles.
Kiwi Bakery and Restaurant is located at the corner of Sisowath Boulevard Street with Street 130, Phnom Penh.
Street food stalls opposite the Naga World hotel (near the diamond bridge area). A special feature is that visitors will be able to sit on mats to enjoy rustic dishes such as duck balls, fried fish balls, beer, soft drinks…

Khmer House restaurant in Old Market Old Market area, where you can find hundreds of traditional Cambodian dishes.
Dragon Soup restaurant is located in the middle of Old Market, serving Khmer dishes and European dishes, but popular are Vietnamese dishes such as pho, snakehead fish sour soup, braised meat... The place is visited by many Vietnamese tourists.

Khmer Kitchen restaurant has dishes Tom Yum, Tom Kha, curry, grilled ribs (grilled rib bone)… quite attractive.
Temple Restaurant in the Western Quarter (Pub Street) specializes in Khmer cuisine

Threeland hopes that the above information about Cambodia will help you have a more general view of tourism here. We hope that you will have an interesting plan before you go to book flights to discover Cambodia tourism and cuisine.