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Experience the Charm of Phnom Penh
Discover Phnom Penh: The Gem of Asia
Unveiling the Wonders of Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh: A Welcoming and Hospitable Destination. Image by @Shutterstock
What Makes Phnom Penh So Captivating?
When you travel to Phnom Penh, you'll experience a captivating blend of old and new. The warmth and hospitality of the locals remain unchanged. Here's an interesting fact: A large portion of the population in Phnom Penh can speak Vietnamese. When you visit Phnom Penh, you'll feel right at home.
2. Best Time to Visit Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh lies in a tropical monsoon climate zone, characterized by distinct dry and rainy seasons. The dry season in Phnom Penh spans from December to May, consisting of two sub-seasons: the cool sub-season from December to February, and the hot sub-season from March to May. The dry season weather is generally dry, making it convenient for travel. The best time to visit is during the cool sub-season, perfect for exploring without worrying about intense heat.
Traveling to Phnom Penh
3. Getting to Phnom Penh
Traveling to Phnom Penh by air remains the fastest and most convenient method. Airlines such as Cambodia Angkor Air, Vietnam Airlines, Qatar Airways, Thai AirAsia, etc., offer direct flights to the city. The flight duration is approximately one hour, landing at Phnom Penh International Airport. For affordable airfares to Phnom Penh, you can consider the following options:
Traveling by high-quality bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh, with approximately 6 hours of travel time, is also a good option. There are many bus companies serving these routes, such as Sapaco, Mailinh Express, Mekong Express Limousine Bus, Kumho Samco Buslines. Ticket prices range from 200,000 to 500,000 dong depending on the quality of service.
High-quality high-speed boats to Phnom Penh. Image by @vietnammoi
Once you've set foot in the capital city of Phnom Penh, you can rent bicycles, motorbikes, legendary tuk-tuks, or taxis, grab… Whatever mode of transportation you choose, don't forget to negotiate the price to avoid being overcharged!
4. Accommodation When Visiting Phnom Penh
Tourist attractions in Phnom Penh City are only 1 – 2km apart. To conveniently explore multiple places, you can book accommodation in areas such as:
Book hotels in advance on Mytour to grab deals. Image by @Mytour
Traveling to Phnom Penh
Book Affordable Hotel Rooms in Phnom Penh
5. Famous Attractions in Phnom Penh
Wat Phnom Temple
Exploring Phnom Penh
This is a symbol of Phnom Penh. Image by @angkorfocus.com
Royal Palace of Cambodia
The royal palace serves as the residence and workplace of the Cambodian monarch. The palace complex is divided into two areas. The Silver Pagoda is where the king hosts longevity celebrations or Buddhist ceremonies. This temple is also known as the Golden Temple or the Silver Temple because it houses a Buddha statue adorned with over 2,000 diamonds and its floor is paved with 5,329 silver tiles. The other area is the palace compound – the residence and workplace of the monarch.
Toul Sleng Genocide Museum
The Toul Sleng Genocide Museum is a place that recounts the brutal Khmer Rouge war in history. It features exhibits that serve as evidence of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge regime and the Toul Sleng prison. This prison is where over 20,000 innocent Khmer people were imprisoned and brutally tortured. When visiting the museum, tourists must wear long pants, sleeved shirts, or carry scarves to cover their arms and knees.
Tourists visiting the museum. Image by @anvietnam.net
Choeung Ek Killing Fields Memorial
The Killing Fields are where innocent Khmer people were brought to be executed after being imprisoned and brutally tortured at the Toul Sleng prison. According to statistics, there are over 20,000 Khmer individuals buried in a mass grave here. The Choeng Ek Memorial is a place that preserves the painful past of the Khmer people in history.
Visitors here can't help but feel suffocated and horrified. Image by @Shutterstock
National Museum of Cambodia
Exploring Phnom Penh
Inside the National Museum of Cambodia. Image by @divui.com
6. Unforgettable Delicacies in Phnom Penh
Cambodian cuisine offers a variety of dishes, from soups, savory dishes served with rice to snacks, but the food here caters to particular tastes. However, you should still try some unique dishes, dubbed as 'national treasures,' here. Here are some suggestions for you:
Insect dishes
Insect dishes are considered the 'national treasure' of Cambodia. Wherever you go, you'll encounter insect markets. Dishes made from various insects such as beetles, ants, worms, spiders, crickets... are available everywhere. And of course, Phnom Penh is no exception. Insect dishes are ranked among the top 10 most delicious dishes in the temple-filled country.
A dish that challenges your bravery. Image by @dulichcambodia
Cambodian Nom Banh Chok
Traveling to Phnom Penh
Curry Fish Noodle Soup. Image by @Shutterstock
Num Kachay
Num Kachay is a popular street snack and greatly loved in Phnom Penh. Vietnamese tourists describe this dish as similar to Vietnamese mini pancakes (bánh căn), but made from different flour. The main ingredients for this dish are glutinous rice flour and spring onions. The pancakes are steamed or fried and served with a dipping sauce made of fish sauce and chili sugar.
A simple yet beloved street food dish among tourists. Image by @Shutterstock
Num Sang Khya l’peou
Num Sang Khya l’peou is a dessert made from pumpkin. To prepare this dish, the pumpkin seeds and pulp are removed. Then it's filled with a mixture of beaten egg whites, coconut milk, and palm sugar. Finally, the pumpkin is steamed until cooked. When served, it's cut into pieces. This dessert is both beautiful and delicious. The soft, smooth cake melts on the tongue, accompanied by the sweet taste of palm sugar and the lingering aroma of coconut milk.
A dish that is both delicious and visually appealing. Image by @Shutterstock
Exploring Phnom Penh
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