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Traveling to Phnom Penh is an unforgettable experience for avid adventurers. The capital city of Phnom Penh (also known as Phnôm Pênh, Nam Vang, Nam Vinh, or Kim Biên) boasts a plethora of architectural marvels and cultural beauty deeply influenced by Buddhism. Keep reading to discover handy DIY travel tips for exploring Phnom Penh!
Where is Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh is the largest and most populous city, serving as the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Once dubbed the “Paris of the East,” Phnom Penh is situated at the confluence of the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac rivers, adjacent to the Mekong Delta. It is considered the cradle of Buddhism and a place steeped in Cambodia's vivid historical legacy.
An interesting fact is that a significant portion of Phnom Penh residents can speak Vietnamese, so don't be surprised to hear a Cambodian fluently using Vietnamese slang more eloquently than you!
When is the Best Time to Visit Phnom Penh?
Cambodia experiences two distinct seasons, similar to Vietnam, namely the rainy season and the dry season. However, the ideal time to visit tourist attractions in Phnom Penh is during the dry and cool weather, from November to May.
In addition, you can visit Phnom Penh, Cambodia, during special festivals and experience the rich Khmer cultural essence:
- April 13 – 15: Chol Chnam Thmay Festival – Traditional New Year;
- April 13 – 15 annually: Bom Chaul Chnam Water Festival;
- November 24 - 26 annually: Boat Racing Festival.
How to Get to Phnom Penh?
Currently, there are direct flights from major cities in Vietnam such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh. The flight time is about 1 hour, and the round-trip ticket price ranges from 2-3 million VND. For convenient transfer from Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) to the city center, consider booking a private car with a driver on Klook to take you directly to your hotel.
However, many Vietnamese tourists choose to travel by road for their Phnom Penh exploration journey. If you depart from Ho Chi Minh City, you can take a bus at a more budget-friendly price compared to flying. There are several reputable bus companies offering shuttle services to hotels in Phnom Penh, taking about 6 hours with prices starting from 500,000 VND.
Guide to Getting Around in Phnom Penh
Common means of transportation in the capital city of Phnom Penh include bicycles, motorbikes, cars, and the legendary tuk-tuks. If you want to immerse yourself in nature and explore the lives of local people, you can rent a motorbike in Cambodia. Or if you're traveling with a group, the best suggestion for you is to rent a private car with a driver. Local drivers will take you to tourist attractions conveniently and quickly.
Where to Stay When Traveling to Phnom Penh Independently?
To have the most fulfilling experiences when traveling to Phnom Penh, choose suitable accommodation areas to enjoy amenities and convenience when visiting tourist destinations here. Klook will suggest some ideal areas for sightseeing, transportation, and a rich nightlife or convenient for culinary exploration.
- Riverside or Sisowath Quay Area: With its proximity to famous attractions such as the Royal Palace, Wat Ounalom Pagoda, and the National Museum of Phnom Penh, this area is an excellent choice. You can also find traditional markets like Phsar Chas and Phsar Kandal here. This area also has many accommodation options, dining venues, and entertainment.
- Central Area: This is the city center with hotels ranging from budget to upscale. You'll have easy access to restaurants, bars, and central markets with various goods and food stalls.
- Olympic Stadium Area: If you want to save on accommodation costs, this area is a good choice. You can easily visit Olympic Market, Orussey Market, and the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum from here. Room prices here are usually cheaper than in the central area.
Must-Visit Attractions When Traveling to Phnom Penh Independently
1. Wat Phnom Temple - Madame Penh Temple
Wat Phnom, also known as Madame Penh Temple, is a famous sacred temple that attracts both local and international Buddhists for pilgrimage. It's an unmissable tourist destination in Cambodia. The temple houses the remains of King Boliwat and the bones of King Ponhea Yat, placed in a white tower. With a height of 27 meters, it's the highest point in the capital, offering panoramic views of Phnom Penh city from its top. Madame Penh, revered behind the temple, is highly sacred, and most pilgrims come here to worship and pray. Wat Phnom is also the origin of the name of the present-day capital, Phnom Penh.
2. Royal Palace of Cambodia
The Royal Palace serves as the residence and workplace of the King of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The palace is divided into two areas: the Silver Pagoda (also known as the Golden Temple/Silver Temple) and the remaining area, which is the king's living and working quarters. The Silver Pagoda is where the king holds birthday celebrations or Buddhist ceremonies, so there is no resident monk. The temple is named the Silver Temple because its floor is paved with 5,329 silver tiles and has a Buddha statue adorned with over 2,000 diamonds. Additionally, there are many small statues made of gold, silver, and bronze with exquisite craftsmanship.
- Foreigner ticket price: $6
- Operating hours: 8:00 - 11:00; 14:00 - 17:00
Note: The Royal Palace is closed in the morning on Buddhist holidays.
3. Toul Sleng Genocide Museum
The Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21) vividly portrays the brutal Khmer Rouge regime in history. Within the museum area, one side displays the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge, while the other side showcases the infamous Toul Sleng Prison. This is where the Khmer Rouge detained, tortured, and executed over 20,000 innocent Khmer people. Every mark here serves as a reminder of Cambodia's dark and tragic past.
- Foreigner ticket price: $3.
- Operating hours: 8:00 – 17:00.
Preserved artifacts provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the Khmer people's dark era
Dress code: Visitors should wear long pants, sleeved shirts, or bring scarves to cover their knees (failure to comply with these dress regulations may require you to purchase long pants and shirts from outside staff, or you may be refused entry)
4. Killing Fields (Choeng Ek Memorial)
Besides Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, the Killing Fields is a must-visit destination when traveling to Phnom Penh. After being imprisoned and brutally tortured at the Toul Sleng Prison, Khmer people were taken here for execution. History records over 20,000 Khmer people buried here in a mass grave. Today, this area not only serves as a tourist site but also preserves the dark and painful past of the Khmer people.
Some remains have yet to be identified by their relatives to this day
- Foreigner ticket price: $3$
- Radio Tour (Vietnamese): $3
- Operating hours: 8:00 - 17:00
You can combine visits to the Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields with a half-day tour from Klook. The tour includes hotel pickup and provides all necessary information for you.
5. National Museum of Cambodia
If you want to delve into the history of the Khmer people, this is the place for you. The museum houses Khmer archaeological artifacts from the pre-Angkor period to the glorious era of Angkor Wat. With over half a million exhibits ranging from religion to art, it has a long history, spanning from the 4th to the 13th century.
To delve deeper into Cambodia's cultural and historical heritage, join a tour exploring the heritage sites in Phnom Penh with experienced guides who will provide comprehensive information about each location for you.
- Ticket price for foreigners: $3$.
- Operating hours: 8:00 – 17:00
6. Independence Monument
This monument symbolizes friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia, located at the intersection of the two largest roads in Phnom Penh, Sihanouk and Norodom. The monument is modeled after the architecture of Angkor Wat temple and other famous Cambodian structures. It's also a square area attracting many visitors for sightseeing and photos in the city.
7. Sisowath Quay Western District
Situated along the Mekong River and near the Royal Palace, after visiting the palace, you can come here for a stroll. In the evening, the bustling night market area offers various stalls selling clothes, souvenirs, and street food.
When you travel to Phnom Penh on your own, don't miss the chance to admire the sunset here. The square area also has a very friendly pigeon flock, watching the sunset amidst the scene of pigeons flapping their wings, isn't it lovely, #teamKlook?
8. Toul Tom Poung Market (Russian Market)
As one of the most famous markets for tourists in Phnom Penh, the Russian Market is an unmissable destination. The market attracts many vendors and Russian visitors, hence the familiar name 'Russian Market.' Here, you can find a variety of items, from fashion, cosmetics, to traditional handicrafts such as Buddha statues and antique silverware. If you visit the Russian Market, don't miss the chance to enjoy the best coffee in Cambodia at the 'The best iced coffee in Phnom Penh' shop!
9. Central Market
The Central Market, also known as the New Market, features unique pyramid-like architecture. It is a gathering place for many Vietnamese people in Cambodia and is also the most visited destination for Vietnamese tourists. With a variety of items, from gemstones, electronics, souvenirs, clothes to food... the Central Market is one of the places where you can comfortably negotiate in Vietnamese and pay in Vietnamese currency.
10. Wat Ounalom Temple
Wat Ounalom Temple is one of the most famous and important Buddhist landmarks in Cambodia. Considered the central headquarters of Cambodian Buddhism, this temple is not only a significant religious destination but also an attractive tourist spot in Phnom Penh. With its unique architectural style, Wat Ounalom exudes a sense of purity and serenity, attracting a large number of visitors eager to learn about Cambodia's culture and religion.
Eat Clean, Enjoy Every Delicious Dish in Phnom Penh
1. Insect Delicacies
Similar to balut eggs in Vietnam, insect dishes are considered a delicacy in Cambodia. Ranked among the top 10 most delicious dishes in the temple country, so when you're here, don't miss the chance to try these delicacies. With ingredients ranging from ants, worms, scorpions, spiders, crickets, etc., locals prepare them in various ways such as frying, stir-frying, steaming,...
Not everyone is brave enough to try these dishes, but who knows, maybe after trying them once, you'll become addicted to them.
2. Khmer Red Curry
This dish is typically enjoyed by Cambodians during special occasions such as weddings, family gatherings, and religious holidays like Pchum Ben. Khmer red curry is less spicy than Thai curry. Fresh coconut milk is the main ingredient, giving the dish a rich flavor. Other ingredients in the curry vary according to taste preferences, such as beef, chicken, fish, eggplant, green beans, and potatoes. Travelers can easily savor this dish at local markets or restaurants when visiting Phnom Penh independently.
3. Nom Banh Chok
Nom Banh Chok, also known as rice noodle curry, is present in all three meals of Cambodians. In Cambodia, noodles are sold by vendors lined up in alleys throughout the streets. The curry sauce of Nom Banh Chok noodles is made from the main ingredient, traditional fish sauce, combined with creamy coconut milk. Accompanying vegetables include bean sprouts, corn, cucumber, papaya, lotus stems, lettuce, and basil.
4. Num Plae Ai Cambodia
Num Plae Ai, also known as Cambodian rice cakes, similar to floating cakes in Vietnam. Colorful rice cake balls are soaked in palm sugar caramel and coconut fiber. They are served with fresh, creamy coconut shreds.
5. Cha Houy Teuk
This dessert comes at a fairly cheap price, sold at street stalls and near schools in Phnom Penh. Cha houy teuk is a jelly dessert made from seaweed with vibrant colors, added with sagu flour, mung beans, and coconut cream. It could be said that this is the childhood dessert of Cambodians because of its affordable price, easily accessible ingredients, and simple preparation process.
6. Num Sang Khya L’peou
Num Sang Khya L’peou is made from pumpkin. The seeds of the pumpkin are removed and filled with a mixture of egg whites, palm sugar, and coconut milk. Then, the pumpkin is steamed for about 30 minutes. When someone buys it, the seller will cut it into bite-sized pieces. You'll surely be impressed by the vibrant color and the creamy, fluffy texture of egg, pumpkin, and coconut milk inside.
7. Fish Amok
Fish amok, a distinctive and famous dish of Phnom Penh, is a must-try. This dish is prepared with prohok paste, coconut milk, and palm sugar, creating a unique and enticing flavor.
Fish amok is often made from fish such as catfish or snakehead fish, particularly fragrant and delicious. The mixture of eggs, sugar, and fermented fish paste is evenly spread on the fish fillet, then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until cooked. Along with that, the local spices and slok Ngor leaves create a rich and interesting flavor for this dish.
8. Phnom Penh Style Rice Noodle Soup
How could one overlook the renowned Phnom Penh style rice noodle soup on the culinary map of Phnom Penh? Cambodian rice noodles boast their own distinctive aroma, with a flavorful broth infused with sweetness from dried squid, along with shrimp, squid, minced pork, and rice noodles...
Phnom Penh's signature dishes wouldn't be complete without the famous Phnom Penh style rice noodle soup. Cambodian rice noodles boast their own distinctive aroma, with a flavorful broth infused with sweetness from dried squid, along with shrimp, squid, minced pork, and rice noodles... What makes the Phnom Penh style rice noodle soup so appealing is the meticulously prepared and seasoned pork offal. You can enjoy the Phnom Penh style rice noodle soup with fresh vegetables and the special sauce of Cambodia.
9. Bai Sach Chrouk - Pork and Rice
If you're still unsure about what to try when traveling to Phnom Penh, then pork and rice will be the 'safe' and ideal choice. Bai sach chrouk is a simple yet flavorful local dish. The pork is thinly sliced and marinated with garlic, coconut milk, then grilled over charcoal for even seasoning penetration...
When enjoying Bai sach chrouk, you can pair it with broth made from bones and ginger-soaked red radish, along with refreshing cucumber. You can find this dish on any street in Cambodia in the morning, ensuring it kickstarts an energetic morning for your culinary exploration of Phnom Penh.
10. Steamed Ngeav Chamboy Clams with Lemongrass
Among the myriad of street food stalls in Phnom Penh, there's a familiar dish that tourists adore, the Steamed Ngeav Chamboy Clams with Lemongrass - a divine street food delicacy. As night falls and the city lights up, you'll find the Steamed Ngeav Chamboy Clams irresistible to every traveler. It's a fantastic snack to enjoy when exploring Phnom Penh, and the chill of a beer perfectly complements the enticing flavors of this dish.
With this solo travel guide to Phnom Penh, you're surely prepared to explore this mysterious capital of Cambodia! If you're still hesitating, check out some travel tips for Cambodia and experiences like Exploring Koh Rong Samloem, Solo Traveling Siem Reap...
Let's assemble the team for this summer trip to Phnom Penh!
