What is it about Phnom Penh that makes it so attractive to tourists from all over the world? The city has architectural works that are imbued with Khmer culture. The city has magnificent shopping areas that satisfy shopaholics. The city also has a rich culinary culture of the indigenous people.
Traveling to Phnom Penh , you will feel that in this city there is a fascinating blend of old and modern. Only the friendly, hospitable people have remained the same. Let me tell you another interesting thing! Most people in Phnom Penh can speak Vietnamese. Traveling to Phnom Penh, you will have a familiar feeling "like at home".
Best time to travel to Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is located in a tropical monsoon climate zone, with two distinct seasons: dry season and rainy season. Phnom Penh's dry season lasts from December to May. During the dry season, there are two sub-seasons: the cool sub-season from December to February and the hot sub-season from March to May. The weather in the dry season is generally dry, convenient for traveling. The best time to travel is during the cool sub-season, so you can freely travel here and there without worrying about the harsh sunlight.
The rainy season lasts from June to November. This is when the total rainfall accounts for 80% of the year, and July and August are also prone to flooding. This is not the right time for you to travel to any place in Cambodia. In addition, you can also "wait" to travel to Phnom Penh during the right festivals to experience the rich Khmer culture:
How to get to Phnom Penh
Traveling to Phnom Penh by plane is still the fastest and most convenient way. Airlines: Cambodia Angkor Air; Vietnam Airlines; Qatar Airways; Thai AirAsia… all have direct flights to this city. Flight time is only about one hour and landing at Phnom Penh International Airport.
Buying a high-quality bus ticket from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh with a travel time of about 6 hours is not a bad choice. 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 VND depending on the quality of service.
During the flood season, tourists from Ho Chi Minh City when traveling to Phnom Penh can also experience the boat. The only waterway route is from Ho Chi Minh City to Chau Doc (An Giang). Then take a boat to Cambodia at Vinh Xuong border gate. Some companies are operating the Chau Doc - Phnom Penh route with ticket prices ranging from 17 - 35$ such as: Blue Cruiser; Hang Chau; Phuong Trang...
Once you set foot in the capital city of Phnom Penh, visitors can rent bicycles, motorbikes, legendary tuk tuks or taxis, grabs... No matter which means of transport you rent, don't forget to bargain to avoid being "overcharged"!
Accommodation when traveling to Phnom Penh
Tourist attractions in Phnom Penh City are only 1 – 2km apart. For convenience in visiting many places, you can book rooms in areas such as:
Famous attractions in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is a vibrant city with a unique combination of rich history and dynamic modernity. From ancient architecture, majestic temples, to bustling neighborhoods and unique cultural sites, Phnom Penh always offers visitors unforgettable experiences. Let's explore the most interesting and outstanding destinations of this city.
Wat Phnom
Wat Phnom is a famous and sacred temple in Phnom Penh. This is where the body of King Boliwat and the remains of King Ponhea Yat are kept. Not only attracting a large number of pilgrims, this temple is also the first destination of many tourists in Phnom Penh . Being the highest place in the capital, standing at Wat Phnom, you can take in a panoramic view of the city.
Royal Palace of Cambodia
The Royal Palace is the residence and workplace of the King of Cambodia. The Royal Palace complex is divided into two areas. The Emerald Buddha Temple area is where the King holds birthday celebrations and Buddhist ceremonies. This temple is also known as the Golden Temple or Silver Temple because it has a Buddha statue studded with more than 2,000 diamonds and the floor is paved with 5,329 silver tiles. The remaining area is the palace area - the residence and workplace of the King.
Sisowath Quay Western District
Phnom Penh is a wonderful blend of traditional Asian beauty and modern Western features. One of the ideal places to experience this blend is the Western quarter of Sisowath Quay, near the Royal Palace and Royal Square.
When night falls, Sisowath Quay becomes more vibrant and bustling than ever with colorful night markets and diverse stalls. This is a great opportunity for you to enjoy the bustling atmosphere and explore street food. If you have time, visit this area in the afternoon to take photos with the brilliant sunset.
Choeung Ek Memorial Killing Fields
The Killing Fields is where innocent Khmer people were taken to be executed after being arrested and brutally tortured at Toul Saleng Prison. According to statistics, there are about 20,000 Khmer people buried in a mass grave here. Choeng Ek Memorial is the place that preserves the painful past of the Khmer people in history.
Phnom Penh Central Market
The Central Market is a great destination for tourists looking to buy souvenirs or enjoy local cuisine when visiting Phnom Penh. It is not only the largest market in the capital but also one of the largest markets in Cambodia.
The Central Market stands out with its unique architectural design in the form of a dome and four spacious aisles, creating a grand and impressive space. With a wide variety of goods, this place is like a large shopping mall, allowing you to freely choose and shop.
National Museum of Cambodia
When traveling to Phnom Penh, you can visit this museum to learn about the history of the Khmer people. The museum currently houses Khmer archaeological artifacts from the time of the Chenla Kingdom (pre-Angkor) to the glorious Angkor Wat period. In total, there are more than half a million specimens from religion to art collected since the 3rd century.
Suggest some delicious dishes in Phnom Penh
Cambodian cuisine is diverse, from soups, savory dishes with rice to snacks, but many dishes here are quite picky. However, you should still try the strange dishes, known as the "national soul" of this place. Here are some suggestions for you:
Insect dishes
Insect dishes are considered the “national dish” of Cambodia. Wherever you go, you will see insect markets. Dishes made from insects such as scorpions, ants, worms, scorpions, spiders, crickets, etc. are everywhere. And of course, Phnom Penh is no exception. Insect dishes are ranked in the top 10 most delicious dishes in the country of pagodas.
Cambodian Banh Chok
Nom banh chok is also known as fish curry noodle soup. This dish is so popular in Cambodia that it has the English name Khmer Noodle. When traveling to Phnom Penh, you can enjoy this dish for breakfast. Cambodian women carry it around the streets or sit on the roadside to sell. Nom banh chok is served with fresh mint leaves, bean sprouts, banana flowers, cucumbers and raw vegetables like noodle dishes in Vietnam.
Num Kachay
Num Kachay is a popular and much-loved snack in Phnom Penh. Vietnamese tourists commented that this dish is quite similar to banh can in our country but is made from a different type of flour. The main ingredients to make this dish are sticky rice flour and chives. The cake is steamed or fried and then eaten with fish sauce mixed with sugar and chili.
Song of the day
Num Sang Khya l'peou is a dessert made from pumpkin. To prepare this dish, people remove the pulp and seeds of the pumpkin. Then fill it with a mixture of egg whites beaten with coconut milk and palm sugar. Finally, the pumpkin is steamed. When eaten, it is cut into pieces. This dessert is both beautiful and delicious. The soft cake melts on the tip of the tongue with the sweet taste of palm sugar and the lingering aroma of coconut milk.
