Explore the Wonders of Cambodia

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/4/2026

Book your stay at Siem Reap Hotels, Sihanouk Ville Hotels, Phnom Penh Hotels to embark on a journey to the mysterious land with the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat temples, a must-visit for travel enthusiasts.

Immerse yourself in the grandeur and ancient charm of Cambodia, a country known for its majestic temples and serene landscapes, a destination everyone should experience at least once. Here are some insider tips for your Cambodian adventure.

Best Time to Visit

Cambodia experiences a climate similar to Vietnam, making it accessible year-round. However, the weather can be hotter, so it's advisable to avoid the peak sun months familiar to Vietnam.

Preparation Tips

Consider purchasing and consulting the Lonely Planet guide to Cambodia (available in Pham Ngu Lao area, District 1, price: 25 – 30 USD, make sure to get the latest edition). This guidebook provides comprehensive information for your Cambodia trip, including accommodations, restaurants, attractions, and ticket prices.

Transportation

There are numerous bus companies operating routes from Saigon to Cambodia. Companies such as Mai Linh, Sapaco, Mekong Express, or some Cambodian bus companies (along Pham Ngu Lao street) sell tickets to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh.

If you plan to visit both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, to save costs and travel time, it's advisable to book tickets for two separate journeys: Saigon – Siem Reap (price: 14 USD), Siem Reap – Phnom Penh (price: 7 USD). You can complete this itinerary in 3 days and 2 nights, but it will be quite tiring as most of your travel time will be spent... on the road. Therefore, Mytour recommends allocating at least 4 days and 3 nights for this route for a more leisurely and enjoyable trip.

Alternatively, for a change of scenery, you can travel by boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. The journey takes about 5 hours, and tickets cost between 22 and 25 USD.

If you're interested in beach time in Sihanoukville, you can add it to your itinerary in the following order: Saigon – Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh – Siem Reap – Saigon. The journey from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh takes about 5 hours, with tickets priced at 10–15 USD. This itinerary should also be extended to at least 4 days and 3 nights.

In Cambodian cities, you can explore by tuk-tuk. Alternatively, for self-exploration, you can rent a bicycle or a motorbike taxi. However, the most common public transportation in Cambodia is the tuk-tuk, affordable at around 1 USD for 3 – 4 km. It's advisable to have a map of Cambodia as tuk-tuk drivers may not be familiar with the roads like motorbike taxi drivers in Vietnam.

Currency

The official currency of Cambodia is the Riel (KHR). Currently, 1000 VND equals 195.15 KHR; 1 USD equals 1,127 KHR. USD is widely accepted in Cambodia, but it's convenient to have small denominations (especially 1 USD bills) for spending. Additionally, you can exchange for Cambodian currency or use VND from Vietnam (though spending in VND might incur disadvantages). Avoid exchanging USD to Riel as it can lead to significant losses. If traveling to Cambodia by land, it's recommended to exchange money at the border as you can exchange back any leftover currency when returning. Money changers will come onto buses to exchange for you.

Mobile Networks in Cambodia

You can make calls to Vietnam by: calling from hotels, buying public phone cards, or using pre-existing numbers for international calling (Roaming). Another option is to purchase a local SIM card in Cambodia, such as Metphone, for mobile phone use: a SIM card costs around 80,000 VND, providing approximately 40 minutes of call time. To call Vietnam, use the toll-free number 168849xxxxxxx.

Hotels, Guesthouses

In Cambodia, the most common accommodations are Guest Houses and Hotels. If you're into backpacking and exploration, opt for a Guest House to save costs. It's advisable to research and book in advance, rather than arriving and booking on the spot, as you may end up paying a higher room rate. You can check out various Cambodian hotels here.

Packing Essentials

Due to the hot climate in Cambodia, it's recommended to pack lightweight clothing. However, when visiting temples or the Royal Palace, dress modestly and respectfully. Remember to wear a sleeved shirt (short sleeves are acceptable), with a collar, and knee-length pants!

Some essential items for your trip:

+ Flat shoes for walking long distances.

+ Jacket, hat, umbrella, sunscreen.

+ Personal items and toiletries.

+ Basic medications, especially for stomach pain.

Attractions to Explore

+ When visiting the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, you can explore magnificent palaces, solemn golden and silver temples, lively night markets, and bustling large markets...

+ Don't forget to visit Independence Monument for photo opportunities or stop by the temple not exclusively for virgins, Wat Phnom Penh. Check out the list of Phnom Penh hotels.

+ Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom in Siem Reap are two destinations you shouldn't miss when visiting Cambodia. Despite being damaged by war and time, their grandeur, magnificence, and ancient charm always leave a strong impression on visitors.

The wonders of Angkor will enchant you with the famous Bayon temple, adorned with hundreds of different faces on dozens of Buddha statues. The Ta Prohm temple with its ancient trees towering over the temple was once a famous filming location for Tomb Raider.

The elephant terrace or 12 towers resembling the shapes of the 12 animals in the zodiac. Check out the list of Siem Reap hotels.

+ Explore Tonlé Sap Lake on a boat tour or stroll through the night in the Western Quarter (similar to the Western Quarter in Saigon) by tuk-tuk for exciting experiences. Tonlé Sap Lake is only about a 30-minute drive from the center of Siem Reap.

+ Sihanouk Ville Beach will surely captivate you with its pristine, peaceful beauty. Occheuteal Beach and Serendipity Beach are two places bustling with guesthouses, hotels, and a Western Quarter, so it's quite lively. However, the downside of this area is the lack of entertainment options, and the roads can be quite dangerous at night. Check out the list of Sihanouk Ville hotels.

Cambodian Specialties

In addition to grilled dishes made from beef, chicken, fish..., if you're brave enough, you can try out insect dishes. Cambodian insect specialties have long been famous everywhere, with types like crickets, tarantulas, spiders, and pohook...