Cambodia

Citizens of the following countries may enter Cambodia without a visa for tourism provided their stay does not exceed the following number of days: Citizens of all other countries need a visa. The website of the Cambodian embassy in Washington, D.C. has the latest details.

The Cambodian riel, denoted by the symbol "៛" (ISO code: KHR), and the United States dollar (USD) are both official currencies. The riel is used for regular transactions and payments. For large purchases however, locals will often prefer U.S. dollars.

The domestic aviation scene in Cambodia has improved. Three airports operate scheduled passenger flights: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville. The main operator is Cambodia Angkor Air, a joint venture between the government and Vietnam Airlines, which flies between Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, and airports in China, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The official language of Cambodia is Khmer (ភាសាខ្មែរ phiəsaa khmae), which unlike most languages in the region is not tonal, but makes up for it with a large assortment of consonant and vowel clusters. It is an Austroasiatic language that is related to Vietnamese, but the two languages are not mutually intelligible. Vietnamese was more influenced by Chinese, while Khmer was more influenced by Sanskrit.

Theft

Cambodia is a reasonably safe country, with the usual exception for large cities late at night, particularly Phnom Penh, and with unobserved luggage or wallets. Bag and phone snatching along the road or when riding on a bicycles and motorbike is a problem in Phnom Penh. Never stand at the side of the road/traffic reading stuff on your phone — that's an invitation for thieves. Or sometimes people or drivers might follow you unnoticed and snatch your phone or belongings when it's the right time — so, it doesn't hurt to look behind or around you from time to time to observe if someone…

Cambodia lacks reliable medical facilities, doctors, clinics, hospitals and medication, especially in rural areas. The only hospitals run to Western standards in Cambodia are the Royal Phnom Penh Hospital in Phnom Penh, and the Royal Angkor International Hospital in Siem Reap, but because they are both private hospitals, you will be paying a steep premium for their services. Any serious problem should be dealt with in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City or Singapore, which boast first rate services (at least to those who can afford them). Repatriation is also more easily arranged from either of those ci…

Cambodia uses the GSM mobile system and cellcard is the largest operator, then Smart then Metfone. Pre-paid SIM cards are widely available (from US$1). In Siem Reap you can buy them in airport outside near the entrance, prices seem to be relatively similar with different operators and in 2025 prices start from around 5USD for 30GB package (valid for 2 weeks), 8USD for 60GB for a month and up to ~20USD for 200GB for a month. You are required to show your passport at a carrier store to get a SIM.

Cambodia is a country at a crossroads. While the more heavily touristed places like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are well adjusted to tourist behaviour, people in places such as Stung Treng or Banlung are less so. Always ask permission before you take somebody's picture, as many in the more remote areas do not like to be photographed, and some in the urban areas will ask for payment.

Cambodia has a number of public holidays, some traditional ones which change based on the lunar calendar and other memorial holidays that are fixed. In addition, Chinese New Year is fairly widely celebrated. Bus fares increase and lodging gets booked up around this time as both local residents and visitors from nearby countries move around. Make all your bookings at least a couple of days in advance around this time.