Phnom Penh Travel – Best Things To Do and Travel Guide

1. Overview

Phnom Penh, also known as Nam Vang or Nam Vinh, is the largest city, the most populous, and the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Phnom Penh is the political, cultural, and commercial center of Cambodia, located in the south-central part of the country at the confluence of Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong River. This is considered the cradle of Buddhist beliefs as well as a place to record a clear historical mark of the Cambodian people.

Phnom Penh is one of the two most famous tourist cities in Cambodia. This city has many architectural works influenced by French architecture and many unique works of Khmer architecture.

Not only attracting tourists with bustling economic activities, Phnom Penh travel is also an attractive destination for tourists to visit and explore, to admire the beautiful architecture, temples, and splendid palaces, spacious, enjoy the unique culinary culture.

2. The ideal time to travel to Cambodia

Cambodia’s climate is similar to that of southern Vietnam, with two rainy and dry seasons. The rainy season lasts from May to October, and from November to March, the weather is dry and sunny.

Therefore, the ideal time to travel to Cambodia is from November to February of the year, suitable for sightseeing, when the temperature sometimes drops below 20°C. The hottest temperature is from May to October, ranging from 22°C to as high as 38°C, especially in April and May.

Especially from mid-November on, visitors can experience water festivals, boat races, etc. If you want to experience the traditional Tet of Khmer Cambodia, then plan your trip for April.

3. Means of transportation in Phnom Penh Travel

3.1. Moving from Vietnam to Phnom Penh

From Vietnam, you can buy air tickets to Phnom Penh directly operated by airlines such as Cambodia Angkor Air, Vietnam Airlines, etc. Airfare is only about 85.03 USD to 127.55 USD, and flight time is about 1 hour.

To save more, you can choose to take a high-quality bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh. The travel time is only about 6 hours, and the ticket price ranges from 8.5 USD to 21.26 USD. The bus operators you can choose from are Sapaco, Mekong Express Limousine Bus, Kumho Samco Buslines, etc.

3.2. Moving in the city of Phnom Penh

You can travel between tourist destinations by vehicles such as tuk tuk, taxis, motorbike taxis, etc. Tuk-tuks are a popular means of transport in Cambodia, with trips costing from 2 to 7 USD in the city. Or you can rent a motorcycle for 5 USD per day or 30 USD per week.

4. Staying when traveling to Phnom Penh

Here are a few addresses of hotels and homestays with good service you can choose from when traveling to Phnom Penh:

5. Visit popular attractions in Phnom Penh

5.1. Cambodia Royal Palace

One of the places that you must definitely visit is the Royal Palace of Cambodia. This is where the king of Cambodia lives and works. This special work consists of two areas: the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Palace Area, the living and working place of the king.

Currently, the royal palace has become a tourist attraction in Phnom Penh that is extremely attractive to tourists because of its splendid beauty. In particular, typically, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, also known as the Silver Pagoda, is lined with thousands of silver tiles, and the Buddha statue is studded with more than 2,000 precious diamond stones.

• Address: Samdach Sothearos Boulevard, Daun Penh, Phnom Penh city, Cambodia.
• Open: 08:00 a.m – 11:00 a.m; 14:00 p.m – 17:00 p.m
• Ticket price: 6.25 USD/ticket, 2USD/camera and 5 USD/camcorder. Hop on hop off tickets can be purchased for travel with reference prices of 15 USD/adult, 10 USD/child (4-11 years old).

5.2. Wat Phnom Pagoda

Wat Phnom is also known as the famous and sacred Ba Penh Pagoda. In particular, the temple is also the place to keep the body of King BoliWat and the remains of King Ponhea Yat. Therefore, this place has become a special and meaningful place for people.

Moreover, at this Phnom Penh tourist destination, you can see the whole landscape of the city. And an important thing is that when you come to Ba Penh Pagoda, you can pray for the good things of your loved ones.

• Address: Located between the intersection of Road 96 with Norodom Avenue, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Open: 07:00 a.m – 18:00 p.m
• Ticket price: 1 USD/1 person

5.3. Wat Ounalom Pagoda

In the list of the most famous and important Buddhist works in Cambodia, Wat Ounalom must be mentioned. Pagoda is both a Buddhist headquarters in Cambodia and a tourist attraction in Phnom Penh that attracts a large number of tourists thanks to its beauty and unique architectural style. So, don’t forget to add this place to your visit list right away.

• Address: Ly Yoak Lay Street, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

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5.4. National Museum of Cambodia

Like any country, the national museum is the place that clearly shows the history of that country. This is considered an extremely valuable and interesting Phnom Penh tourist destination when it comes to storing artifacts, Khmer archeology from pre-Angkor to the glorious Angkor Wat. You will be able to see firsthand artifacts dating from the 4th to the 13th centuries.

• Address: Preah Ang Eng Street (13), Phnom Penh Capital, Cambodia
• Tel: (+85) 523 217 643
• Open: 8:00 a.m – 17:00 p.m
• Ticket price: 3 USD/ticket

5.5. Independence Monument

Modeled on the central tower of Angkor Wat, the Independence Monument was built in 1958 to commemorate the country’s independence from France in 1953. Like a lotus flower in the center of Phnom Penh, this monument is a work of memory, remembering the great gratitude of the elite who sacrificed and devoted themselves to the cause of regaining independence and sovereignty for the country. Whether you walk or drive in the heart of Phnom Penh, it is easy to quickly recognize the Supreme Independence Monument. This eye-catching building is an important highlight in the heart of the city.

• Address: Phnom Penh Capital Center, Cambodia

5.6. Sisowath Quay

As mentioned, Phnom Penh is a city with traditional Asian beauty combined with Western modernity. Therefore, you can go to the West Sisowath Quay neighborhood near the Palace and Royal Square to explore.

The most interesting thing is that in the evening, this Phnom Penh tourist destination will turn into an extremely bustling and vibrant night market with countless stalls for you to experience. Or you can come here to check in at sunset, which is wonderful.

5.7. Phnom Penh Central Market

Phnom Penh Central Market, or in Cambodian known as Phsar Thmey, meaning “New Market,” is one of the main landmarks in the capital Phnom Penh. This place is suitable for most visitors, whether you are a shopping enthusiast and want to buy yourself Cambodian goods or you are interested in the outstanding architecture of the city.

This is the largest market not only in Phnom Penh but also in the Kingdom of Cambodia. The market is designed in the style of a dome with four wide aisles, creating an extremely majestic space. This can be considered a shopping center because all the items appear here for you to choose from.

• Address: Calmette Street, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
• Open: 07:00 a.m  – 18:00 p.m

6. Try local foods in Phnom Penh

Coming to Phnom Penh, you will have the best experience with the extremely interesting cuisine here. Food and drink in Phnom Penh are very diverse, from noodle soup and rice dishes to grilled hot pot dishes, fried dishes with insects, etc.

You can visit some addresses, such as Khmer Surin restaurant, Phsar Reatrey night market, Khmer Food Village restaurant, Western Quarter, Phsar Thmei night market, etc., to try famous dishes in Phnom Penh.

Coming to Phnom Penh, you should definitely try some famous dishes such as Num Pang sandwiches, Nom Banh Chok noodles, Num Plae Ai, Bai Sach Chrouk, Mi Char fried noodles, Nam Vang noodle soup,etc. Each dish has its own flavor and character in traditional Cambodian cuisine.

7. Note when traveling to Phnom Penh, Cambodia

When you come to Phnom Penh, you can easily buy a phone SIM at any phone shop. 

The Riel is the currency of Cambodia, but the US dollar is also widely used.

When visiting temples, palaces, and museums, it is necessary to wear discreet and appropriate clothing. 

When entering the temple, you should not sit cross-legged but should keep your legs to the side.

In terms of communication, you can greet by clasping your hands and bowing; this is the Sompiah greeting. 

Do not point directly at someone or touch a person’s head or hair because Cambodians consider the head to be a sacred part. 

Women absolutely do not touch male monks because this is considered taboo.

8. Conclusion

Above is the information about Phnom Penh tourism that Metta Voyage shared. I hope you will have a great trip. For more details about the trip schedule, you can contact us right away.

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