Country Highlight
Official Name: Kingdom of Cambodia
Official Name: Kingdom of Cambodia
Population: 14.8 million
Capital City: Phnom Penh, population 2 million
People: Khmers (96%), minorities include Vietnamese, Chinese, many hill tribes, Chams
Language: Khmer
Currency: Riel
Time Zone: GMT +7 Hours
International Dialing Code: +855
Cambodia is a fascinating country, surrounded by Thailand, Laos and Vietnam it is in the heart of South East Asia. With a tragic history, this country is finally stepping into the light and being seen for its true beauty. It is bless with stunning scenery, is home to the breathtaking Temples of Angkor, Tonle Sap Lake, the waters of the Mekong Delta and remnants of its French colonial past. As well as all this beauty it also bears the scars of a war that will be forever etched in its memory.
CURRENCY
The currency is the Cambodian Riel (KHR). 1 new Riel equals 100 Sen. Notes comes in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000. (USD 1 = 4,000 KHR) Coins are no longer used. The USD is widely used in Cambodia. It actually serves as a second currency that is more readily accepted. Bring small denomination and clean notes with you. Traveler's Checks are widely accepted in Cambodia. There is a commission of about 2% to change T/C into USD, less for T/C into KHR and sometimes nothing for USD into KHR. Credit cards are only excepted in major hotels and restaurants.
The currency is the Cambodian Riel (KHR). 1 new Riel equals 100 Sen. Notes comes in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000. (USD 1 = 4,000 KHR) Coins are no longer used. The USD is widely used in Cambodia. It actually serves as a second currency that is more readily accepted. Bring small denomination and clean notes with you. Traveler's Checks are widely accepted in Cambodia. There is a commission of about 2% to change T/C into USD, less for T/C into KHR and sometimes nothing for USD into KHR. Credit cards are only excepted in major hotels and restaurants.
PASSPORT & VISA
A visa is available at the Pochentong International Airport (Phnom Penh) or Siem Reap International Airport for USD 20. It is valid for one month. Have a passport photo ready. If you enter the country by land (e.g. from Vietnam), make sure you already have a visa. You will not get one at the border. Both tourist and business visa can be extended at the Immigration Office, 200. Str. No 5, Tel 724794, Mon-Fri 7:30-10:00 and 14:00-16:00.
1 week USD 20
1 month USD 30
3 month USD 60
6 months USD 100 (multiple entry)
1 year USD 150 (multiple entry)
Extensions to a visa are issued in Cambodia by the Ministry of National Security.
Over stay penalty $3/day
A visa is available at the Pochentong International Airport (Phnom Penh) or Siem Reap International Airport for USD 20. It is valid for one month. Have a passport photo ready. If you enter the country by land (e.g. from Vietnam), make sure you already have a visa. You will not get one at the border. Both tourist and business visa can be extended at the Immigration Office, 200. Str. No 5, Tel 724794, Mon-Fri 7:30-10:00 and 14:00-16:00.
1 week USD 20
1 month USD 30
3 month USD 60
6 months USD 100 (multiple entry)
1 year USD 150 (multiple entry)
Extensions to a visa are issued in Cambodia by the Ministry of National Security.
Over stay penalty $3/day
CLIMATE & TEMPERATURES
Maximum daily temperatures range from the high 20°Cs in January to more than 40°C in April. Daily minimum temperatures are usually no less than 15°.
Cuisine, Special Dietary Requests and Drinking Water
Cambodian cuisine is similar to that of Thailand and Laos. There are also local dishes to try. The overall consensus is that Khmer cooking is similar to Thai cooking but with fewer spices. Like all other Buddhist countries, vegetarian food is readily available in most restaurants.
If you are a vegetarian, vegan, allergic to any foods or adhere to a special diet, please advise us prior to your trip so we can comply with your dietary requirements.
It is not advisable to drink tap water in any South East Asian countries. Bottled water is recommended but do check the expiry date before opening it. Ice is widely used in Cambodia and it is produced with treated water.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
DATE | HOLIDAY |
Jan. 1 | New Year's Day |
Jan. 7 | Victory Day |
Mar. 8 | Women's Day |
Apr. 13 - 15 | Cambodia New Year |
May 1 | Labor Day |
May 17 | Visaka Bhucha Day |
May 21 | Bonn Chroat Preah Nongkoal |
Jun. 1 | International Children's Day |
Jun. 18 | The Queen's Birthday |
Sep. 24 | Constitution Day & Re-Accession Day |
Sep. 27 - 29 | Bonn Phchum Ben |
Oct. 23 | Paris Peace Agreement |
Oct 30 - Nov. 1 | King Norodom Sihanouk's Birthday |
Nov. 9 | Independence Day from France in 1953 |
Dec. 10 | Human Rights Day |
WEIGHTS & MEASURES
The metric system is in use here. Weights are in kilograms, distances in kilometers. Gasoline is measured in litres.
ELECTRICITY
Local mains voltage is 220V, 50 Hz. Bring a converter for any 110V equipment. BUSINESS HOURS
Banks are open Monday to Friday from 08:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and possibly open on Saturday morning.Government offices are open on week days only from 07:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.
Most business are open from 08:00 a.m. to 09:00 p.m.
HEALTH
No actual vaccinations are officially required. However visitors are advised to check with their doctor or a travel immunization clinic regarding the advisability of inoculation against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and B. It is advisable to drink only bottled or boiled water.Clothing and Suggested Packing List
- Personal clothing items, toiletries, medication
- Personal clothing items, toiletries, medication
- Sunscreen
- Insect Repellent
- Light weight clothing (Summer months)
- Long sleeved shirts and pants (November to February evenings)
- Depending on the season, your activities and the region you will be visiting e.g. mountainous areas, it may be advisable for you to bring a jacket with you
- Camera
- Adaptor – 220V, 50Hz; 2 pin plugs
- Water bottle and helmet (for cycling trips only)
The Khmer are a tolerant population and may choose not to point improper behaviour to its foreign guests, but you should dress and act with the utmost respect when visiting Wats (pagodas) or other religious sites (including the temples of Angkor). This is of the highest importance to Cambodians; proper etiquette in pagodas is mostly a matter of common sense. Unlike Thailand, a woman may accept something from a monk, but she should be careful not to touch him.
A few other Temple visiting tips:
- Do not wear shorts or tank tops, have your shoulders covered
- Remove your hat when entering the ground of the Wats
- Remove your shoes before going into the vihara (Sanctuary)
- If you sit down in front of the dais (the platform on which the Buddhas are placed), sit with your feet to the side rather than in the lotus position
- Never point your finger or the sole of your feet towards a person or a figure of the Buddha
Cultural Differences
Experiencing cultural differences is one of the joys of travelling, and it is important that these differences are encouraged and respected. Things in Asia are done differently to the rest of the world and we ask you to please accept the differences and respect the cultural rules of the areas we travel to.
Saving Face and Manners
- Getting angry and showing it by shouting or becoming abusive is extremely impolite and a poor reflection on you. In addition, it is unlikely to achieve much.
General Points of Etiquette
- As in Thailand, it is improper to pat children on the head
- If you would like someone to come over to you, motion with your whole hand held palm down - signaling with your index finer and your palm pointed skyward may be interpreted as being sexually suggestive
- When using a toothpick, it is considered polite to hold it in one hand and to cover your open mouth with the other
- When handing things to other people, use both of your hands or your right hand only, never your left hand (reserved for toilet ablutions!)
- Public displays of affection are considered to be quite offensive in Cambodia – defiantly no kissing! It is also extremely rare to see couples holding hands. On the contrary it is quite common to see friends of the same sex holding hands
- It is polite to remove your shoes before entering a house – look for shoes at the front door as a clue
Donations and Gift-Giving
Although there is a great amount of poverty in certain areas of Cambodia, please read the following points about donations and gift-giving.
Although there is a great amount of poverty in certain areas of Cambodia, please read the following points about donations and gift-giving.
- Do not give to begging children as it reinforces for these children that begging is an acceptable to make a living. However in many places, it is considered acceptable to give to the elderly or disabled as there is no social security or other way these people can earn money.
- Giving money and goods away to random individuals can result in the local communities acting like beggars. It accentuates an unequal relationship between locals and visitors, with tourists being seen as purely ‘money givers’. We do not want to encourage the development of a society that equates every human action as potential money making scheme – for example paying to take photographs.
- Do not give sweets to children in villages that we visit. Local people do not have access to dentists, nor can they afford them and again there is the issue of turning children into beggars. Pens, toothbrushes, clothing or other ‘worthwhile’ items are best distributed via a local charity, school teacher or community leader.
- Avoid feeling that you necessarily have to give ‘material’ things. The best giving can be sometimes be shared interactions: a smile, a joke, a sing-song, dance or playing a game. Giving something of your friendship, time and interest to interact with locals can be the best gift of all.
