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As the host nation for SEA Games 32, Cambodia becomes a prime destination for many travelers in May.
Throughout its history, Cambodia has been renowned for unique temples and pagodas with distinctive Khmer architecture. Besides the iconic Angkor Wat temple, Cambodia has many other fascinating destinations waiting to be explored.
Throughout its history, Cambodia has been celebrated for unique temples and pagodas with distinctive Khmer architecture.
What are the transportation options to reach Cambodia?
Being a neighboring country to Vietnam, travelers can move either by road or by air. If opting for road travel, consider reputable bus companies like Kumho, Sapaco, and Danh Danh; ticket prices range from 340,000 to 1.2 million VND per trip. All these companies depart from the center of Ho Chi Minh City, facilitating the convenience of travelers.
First and foremost in the capital city of Phnom Penh, the Royal Palace of Cambodia is undoubtedly a must-visit.
For air travel, Vietnam Airlines is currently the only domestic airline operating direct flights to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia. Round-trip ticket prices vary from 3 to 6 million VND. Additionally, Pacific Airlines, while having routes to Phnom Penh, only departs from Phu Quoc, with a limited number of flights. Other international carriers worth considering include Cambodia Angkor Air and Thai Airways.
Explore the wonders of Cambodia?
This year, SEA Games 32 is taking place in five different provinces of Cambodia. Of course, the sports venues are open to the public. Travelers can cheer for their teams and simultaneously indulge in tourism at captivating locations in these five provinces.
First and foremost in the capital city of Phnom Penh, the Royal Palace of Cambodia is a must-visit. Constructed in 1866 by Thai and French architects, it is a complex with various structures, each serving a distinct purpose.
When visiting the Royal Palace, tourists will marvel at the Silver Pagoda with priceless jade Buddha statues and many other valuable treasures. Additionally, there is the Khemarin Palace, where coronation ceremonies take place, and the Chanchhaya Stage for traditional dance performances. Proper and modest attire is required when exploring the Royal Palace, with an entrance fee of around 6 USD, equivalent to approximately 140,000 VND. Bringing cameras and video recorders incurs an additional fee of 2-5 USD (47,000-117,000 VND).
In Siem Reap province, travelers must not miss the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat temple, the iconic landmark of Cambodia. Known as the largest religious monument in the world, covering an expansive 162 hectares, this architectural marvel was originally built in the Indian Hindu style and has since transformed into a Buddhist shrine.
The Angkor Wat temple is a splendid fusion of Khmer architecture and intricate secondary towers, long narrow corridors. The site comprises 5 towers, with a central tower surrounded by 4 outer towers, forming a square. All the towers are constructed from large stacked stone blocks adorned with meticulously crafted sculptures.
The Angkor Wat temple is a magnificent blend of Khmer architecture and additional towers; long, narrow hallways. This location consists of 5 towers with a central tower and 4 outer towers, creating a square layout. All the towers are constructed from large stacked stone blocks intricately carved with precision.
The entrance fees for Angkor Wat are tiered. A 1-day pass costs 37 USD (equivalent to 868,000 VND), a 3-day pass usable within 1 week costs 62 USD (equivalent to 1.4 million VND), and a 7-day pass usable within a month costs 72 USD (equivalent to 1.7 million VND). The best time to visit Angkor Wat is around 6 am when the sun is just rising.
Sihanoukville, another Cambodian province hosting SEA Games 32, is renowned for its expansive beaches, dazzling coral reefs, and dozens of surrounding small and large islands. Notably, Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are the two most captivating islands attracting a multitude of tourists.
When visiting these two islands, travelers will embark on a 1-2 hour boat journey. Currently, there are 5 modern boats available for reference: Speed Ferry Cambodia (SFC), Island Speed Boat Cambodia (ISBC), Angkor Speed Ferry (ASF), Buva Sea (BS), and GTVC. Round-trip ticket prices range around 25 USD (equivalent to 587,000 VND).
Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem stand out as the two most alluring islands for many tourists.
On Koh Rong Island, visitors can enjoy beachcombing, snorkeling, and coral watching. Additionally, individuals can sign up for snorkeling tours in the Koh Touch tourist area, with an average ticket price of around 10 USD (equivalent to 235,000 VND). Snorkeling tours usually commence at 1:00 PM and conclude at 7:00 PM daily.
Koh Rong Samloem Island, less famous than Koh Rong, still boasts renowned resorts like The Beach Resort, Huba Huba, and Moonlight Resort.
What to eat in Cambodia?
Cambodian cuisine is a harmonious blend of Indian and Chinese flavors. Here, travelers cannot miss the traditional dish known as Steamed Amok Fish. The main ingredients include catfish or snakehead fish, cleaned and steamed with coconut milk, palm sugar, ginger, lemongrass, fish sauce, and banana leaf.
Cambodian cuisine harmoniously blends the flavors of Indian and Chinese gastronomy.
A equally famous dish in Cambodia is the Khmer red curry. This dish is cooked with mung beans, purple eggplant, and potatoes instead of white radish and carrots like in Vietnam. To achieve the distinctive red color, Cambodians also add kroeung chili paste, making it suitable only for those who enjoy spicy food.
Travelers can also savor the Nom banh chok curry vermicelli at many eateries and restaurants. For this dish, fish is cleaned with wild lime, cilantro. After boiling the fish, the meat is extracted, ground, and cooked with prohok sauce, lemongrass, turmeric, and coconut milk. Hence, the broth has a sweet taste from the fish along with the richness of coconut milk.
In Cambodia, there are many delicious dishes made from insects, including the Red Tree Ants stir-fried with beef.
In Cambodia, there are many delectable dishes made from insects, including the Red Tree Ants stir-fried with beef. Thinly sliced fresh beef is stir-fried with red ants, along with ginger, lemongrass, chili, and cilantro. Cambodia also boasts many renowned dishes such as sausage, custard apple, dried tamarind, and Kampot durian suitable as gifts.
🌟 Unveiling: Foreigners 'ecstatic' over the gifts from the Mekong River, just a glance is enough to 'stir emotions'
Posted by: Tâm Tiêu Thị
Keywords: When visiting Cambodia during SEA Games 32, travelers should not overlook these 'heartfelt' experiences
