Angkor Times Latest Questions

Kun Kanha
Kun KanhaExperienced
Asked: February 11, 2021In:

Cambodia is one of Southeast Asia’s famous countries with beautiful landscapes and beautiful peoples. Although Cambodia is the least developed country, it can be slightly more expensive to visit than its more developed, economically successful neighbors. To have a comfortable ...Read more

Cambodia is one of Southeast Asia’s famous countries with beautiful landscapes and beautiful peoples. Although Cambodia is the least developed country, it can be slightly more expensive to visit than its more developed, economically successful neighbors. To have a comfortable trip, and exploring new experiences by several weeks of spending your precious time there, you need to set a reasonable budget to see the best of everything that you will spend during your journey.

There are some important staffs you should know before making a decision:

  1. In Cambodia, the cost of traveling is cover by visas, transportation, accommodation, food, and nightlife.
  2. The official currency is the Riel (KHM) that is only available inside Cambodia. The US dollars are widely available and accepted, ATMs and credit cards are also recommended.

Accommodation in Cambodia

While Cambodia has such these option of accommodation such as hotels, guesthouses, hostels, resorts.  Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have a great selection of small and comfortable boutique hotels offering beautiful rooms for 30$ to 50$ per night or upload to 100$ for luxury hotels.

Related: What is the best way to travel around Cambodia?

  • For a cheap: we recommend budgeting at least 40$ for each day you plan to spend. This is enough for you to stay in a simple guesthouse, eat a mix of local and international food, and traveling along by bus.
  • For a medium: we recommend budgeting at least 75$ for each day. It is generally enough to travel around by plane and get a higher standard of accommodation and food.
  • For a five-star: we suggested preparing the budgeting at least 150$ per day if you plan on staying in a luxury hotel and have a perfect high food and drink.

Food in Cambodia

Cambodia’s food is generally tasty and affordable with a good combination of both Khmer and international food. These are some popular dishes include Amok, a coconut-based fish curry…which you can spend on in such low cash. Therefore, the street food stand and restaurants are most commonly due to the growing popularity of tourist destination, you’ll find a good selection of western restaurants with reasonable prices, hygienic and safe place. Actually, Khmer food is available from 1$ per dish and 3$ to 10$ for some western dish such as pasta, burger, pizza. Cambodia is also significantly cheaper than its neighboring countries for imported food and drinks like wine, cheese.

Related: The 7 Best Day Tours in Siem Reap

Travelling around Cambodia

To make your journey more convenient and unforgettable, there are three ways to travel around -by plane, by bus, and by train.

  • Traveling by plane is the most easiest and costly way, while there are three different international airports located in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville. To fly one way from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, you need to pay 80$ or more through Cambodia Bayon Airlines.
  • Traveling by bus: In each year, Cambodian’s road network is getting much better and easier to reach your destination that required two options (Large intercity bus and small intercity bus). The cheapest way to travel around from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap while you spend only 6$ for the small intercity bus.

Otherwise, if you really have a plan to visit Cambodia, make sure you have travel insurance because Cambodia is a developing country where road accidents and injuries are common. However, here you’ll find a place filled with the friendliest peoples, rich history, beautiful coastlines and lively nightlife by exploring the temples, taking in the deserted, white sand beaches, the growing and magnify scene, and wonderful culture.

Is Cambodia expensive for traveling

Is Cambodia expensive for traveling

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Vanvutha Leang
Vanvutha LeangExperienced
Asked: February 10, 2021In:

The Kingdom of Cambodia remains in consideration by many major economic drives as well as start-up business owners whether to start a business in Cambodia or neighboring countries. Among ASEAN nation-states, Cambodia is one of the newest ASEAN members, but ...Read more

The Kingdom of Cambodia remains in consideration by many major economic drives as well as start-up business owners whether to start a business in Cambodia or neighboring countries. Among ASEAN nation-states, Cambodia is one of the newest ASEAN members, but in the past years, the economic sector has grown unexpectedly, including tourism, agriculture, and garments industrial. Along with that, there are many positive reasons for business owners to invest or start a business in Cambodia. The following indications will provide clear information for investors positive clues to contemplate over the decisions to run a business in Cambodia.

Why should I set up my business in Cambodia over neighboring countries?

Why should I set up my business in Cambodia over neighboring countries?

1. Cambodia is a market opportunity

In a developing country, like Cambodia, provide business owner a lot of opportunities to conduct and start-up business. As we can see, many products in Cambodia are imported from neighboring countries, especially Vietnam and Thailand. It is crucial to study business ideas from bordering countries and start-ups in Cambodia because the demand will be high for local consumers in the sense that the price will be lower than foreign products.

Related: 7 Reasons to Invest in Cambodia Property

2. Low Labor Cost

Cambodia’s labor cost is less than its neighboring countries and with this advantage, the business, which starts-up in Cambodia will have the opportunity to recruit plenty of people to work with a low labor cost in order to earn more profit and revenue.

3. The Growth of Economy

According to World Bank, economic growth in Cambodia remains strong because it reaches 7.1 percent in 2019. However, the Cambodian economy projected to negative growth of -2 percent, the worst decrease in the recent history of Cambodia. In this case, we still trust the growth on the post-pandemic since not only Cambodia, but the world economy has been struggled and led to declining as well.

Cambodia GDP Growth Forecasts

Cambodia GDP Growth Forecasts

4. Government Stimulus

In March 2019, the Cambodian government announced a program of economic reform which introduced the strategy of several key money-saving initiatives for private business, including reducing shipping costs, port service fees, and electricity, and along with that a reform of railway operation management as well.

5. Dollar Economy

The dollar in Cambodia flows quite smoothly, and there is almost 80 to 82 percent of the business is using the dollar to facilitate the process of their economy. In this factor, it will be easier for foreigners to avoid currency conversion.

 6. Youthful Workforces

There is a high number of youths in Cambodia who seeking the proper workplace. Having said that youth is a potential factor in the certain economy, including industrial, manufacturer, and relevant field. However, educational youth also graduate with unemployment status remains a bit high as well. Hence, the company can recruit more youth to work even easier.

Even though Cambodia is still on the list of developing countries, however, the potential of economic growth still goes on from badness to better. These are potential factors that worth considering starting up a business in Cambodia. In case we look at Cambodia as a whole, we will avoid starting, but if we break factors into pieces, the advantages are more than disadvantages.

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Kheang Sreyphin
Kheang SreyphinExperienced
Asked: February 9, 2021

In Cambodia, there are two ways of greeting someone, which are formal and informal way. If you want to greet someone, you might say “Chum Reap Sur” with Sampeah gesture by placing your both hands together in front of your ...Read more

In Cambodia, there are two ways of greeting someone, which are formal and informal way. If you want to greet someone, you might say “Chum Reap Sur” with Sampeah gesture by placing your both hands together in front of your face, and slightly bow your head, and it’s a very formal way, which is generally used to show warmly welcome and respect to other people. You can just greet someone by bowing your head down to show respect and politeness without having a word, but it’s an informal way of greeting.

There are five situation of greeting in a formal way that you should know to avoid any confusion.

Formal ways of greeting called “Sampeah” for travelers before visiting Cambodia:

  1. Lift up your both hands together at chest level and bow your head. Normally, this Sampeah is used to greet someone of the same age.
  2. Put your both hands together, and they should be pressed together below your mouth level, to greet your boss or people who are in higher status or older than you.
  3. Put your both hands together and in exact the same level of your nose, to show respect to your parents, and to greet your older relatives and teachers.
  4. As you already know, Cambodian people are kind of believed in spirits, and most of them are Buddhist, so they are showing great respect for monks and the king. Greeting monks and the kings differ from greeting people who are older than you or at the same age as you. Just know that, by greeting monks and the king, you should put your both hands together and placing them at eyebrow level, also don’t forget to slightly bow your head down.
  5. Last but not least, the highest position of Sampeah is when you are at sacred places like in the temples or when you pray for God to protect you, your family, and the whole country. Cambodian people place their both palms together at forehead level when they pray for god or when they are at the sacred places.

As one of Cambodian people, I know that many people are still confused with the hands gestures when greeting someone that you meet for the first time or people who are older than you. Many people in an attempt to be so polite have shown too much confusion by giving the greet of monk level to normal people. These actions are considered to be embarrassed, but still people should be cleared of Sampeah gestures. Please be well-considered before starting your Sampeah gestures to greet someone.

Sampeah is not only used to greet people, but It’s simply used to say thank you or apologize. Doing Sampeah is to show respect and politeness, without doing Sampeah is like a way of expressing an impolite and informal greeting to people in Cambodia.

Informal greeting in Cambodia for traveler should be aware of before visiting this kingdom of wonder.

1. Shaking hand

Shaking hand is not a formal way of greeting in Cambodia. It’s just like a foreigner greeting style, but we Cambodian don’t mind this gestures. This gesture is acceptable, and we really appreciate their respect and politeness. We will be highly appreciated more if foreigners greet us by doing Sampeah gestures because it indicates their understanding of the country’s customs.

Related: Do’s and Don’ts in Cambodia?

2. Nod and smile

Nod and smile are also one of an informal way of greeting, but you can do this greeting in some special cases. For street vendors, children, and strangers, they sometimes don’t need you to do Sampeah gestures, you can just smile and nod a little to express your greeting, respect, and politeness to them.

3. Saying hello (Sur Sdey)

By saying hello or Sur Sdey in Khmer is also an informal way of greeting. You can also say hello or Sur sdey with a little smile to show your greeting if you don’t have any ideas of doing Sampeah gestures towards Cambodian people.

Cambodia is a country that has the amazing culture and many historical places. Cambodian people are friendly, and kind towards everyone, and we will warmly welcome all of travelers and respect them as brothers and sisters.

Cambodian traditional dancers

Cambodian traditional dancers

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Kheang Sreyphin
Kheang SreyphinExperienced
Asked: February 8, 2021

When people visit other countries, they want to know the best things that they can buy as gifts to show that they have traveled to that countries. Cambodia is best known as a country that produced the handmade souvenirs, which ...Read more

When people visit other countries, they want to know the best things that they can buy as gifts to show that they have traveled to that countries. Cambodia is best known as a country that produced the handmade souvenirs, which are designed and created by locals. There are many unique artisans and handmade gifts in Cambodia that tourists can see their masterpiece and passion through their work. Here are the 6 best things to buy in Cambodia, the Kingdom of Wonder.

1. Khmer scarf (known as Krama)

Krama is a traditional Cambodian garment with many different uses such as to cover the face, for decorative, as a hammock, as a bandanna to around the neck to prevent sunburn, to cover the hair and head, to wipe sweat, to wrap clothes, and many more in different usages. You’ll spot the karma everywhere you go because it’s the symbol of Cambodia and used by all kind of people. Tourists can find Krama throughout the country with varying prices. Krama has many different colors, which you can choose your own favorite one. It’s one of the meaningful thing as because it is handmade, wove by hands. Don’t forget to buy Krama when visiting Cambodia.

2. Palm sugar

When it comes to sugar, both tourists, national and international, they tend to prefer palm sugar because it is made from the palm juice, and stir it well until it becomes brown. If you want a palm juice, you have to catch the palm fruit by climbing to the palm tree until you reach to the skinny trunk to get the fruits, and the trunk of a palm tree can span for about 30 meters. The palm sugar tastes similar to normal sugar, but it is sweeter and more delicious, and it also has the brown color. Many people use palm sugar in cooking, making dessert, and there is no expiration of palm sugar, which means you can use it anytime, and you can keep it for a long time.

3. Reed Basket

Reed basket is a handicraft, and It’s an important view of rehabilitation for the victims of landmines. The reed basket is being made from the reeds, and people have to cultivate and harvest it by themselves. Mostly, Cambodian people use this to carry things, including putting the dry fish, fruit, or vegetable in this basket.

4. Organic Soap

In Cambodia, people tend to use natural ingredients to produce scented products like soaps. The soaps that is made by Cambodian have the unique smell and scent. Lemongrass, lemons, pepper, and coconut oil are mostly being used as the ingredients in mixing soaps. Using natural soap is good for skin, makes the skin tighter and brighter. Organic soap is very suitable to be a gifts, which provide the unique smell, and unforgettable scents.

5. Sculpture arts

In Cambodia, many locals have made many splendid duplicates of sculptured works with affordable prices. They tend to sculpture the art like the illustrious Angkor Wat, Apsaras, so on and so forth to become mini statues. Those artworks are conveyed from the Khmer Spirit that become into artistic works. They remind us the hidden glamor of Cambodia where is best known as the amazing historical country.

6. Rice wine

Rice wine is the traditional alcoholic beverage in Cambodia, and it’s typically being used to make the sausages. The process of making rice wine is not complicated if you’re familiar with it because it’s easy to follow, and make this at home. Cambodian rice wine is made from the sticky rice that has been converted to the unique tasting drink. Making rice wine need to have two main ingredients, which are sticky rice, and yeast powder, and know the basic processes along the way. First step, soak the rice for about 1 hour, then rinse it and boil it a steamer. Check the rice if it is well-cooked, then spread the rice on the cooking sheet. Step two, crush the yeast ball to become the yeast powder, and then combine the yeast powder on the rice on the cooking sheet. The next step, place both of them on the container, and wait for it to ferment for a month. Finally, strain the rice mixture and enjoy the wine. When traveling to Cambodia, don’t forget to grab a bottle of rice wine, which provides you the unique taste.

best thing to buy in Cambodia

Best thing to buy in Cambodia

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best thing to buy in Cambodia
Kun Kanha
Kun KanhaExperienced
Asked: February 8, 2021In:

What is the best way to travel around Cambodia? Wondering about getting around Cambodia? Cambodia feels like a bit of a hidden gem in Southeast Asia. While it’s still a pretty popular tourist destination, with spectacular temples, beautiful islands and beaches, ...Read more

What is the best way to travel around Cambodia?

Wondering about getting around Cambodia? Cambodia feels like a bit of a hidden gem in Southeast Asia. While it’s still a pretty popular tourist destination, with spectacular temples, beautiful islands and beaches, and a rich cultural heritage, Cambodia’s a place you won’t want to miss.

While the bustle of the big cities might be the country’s main attractions, my favorite places in Cambodia are actually the smaller towns and villages. The most popular form of transport for most travelers, connecting all major towns and cities have many ways and safely. Travelers feel comfortable and truth to driver, especially it isn’t the highest price. Everyone can afford and easy to communication, they can guide you around the city or villages directly.

1. Bicycle

Cambodia is a great country for experienced cyclists to explore. A mountain bike is the recommended set of wheels thanks to the notorious state of the roads. Most roads have a flat unpaved trail along the side, which is useful for cyclists, especially in Siem Reap cycling is the most popular traveling for tourism drive along Angkor Temple with warm and cold weather. Top bikes, safety equipment and authentic spare parts are now readily available in Phnom Penh at very reasonable prices.

2. Car and Motorcycle

Car and motorcycle rental are comparatively cheap in Cambodia and many visitors rent a car or bike for greater flexibility to visit out-of-the-way places and to stop when they choose. Almost all car rental in Cambodia includes a driver, although self-drive rentals are also available in Phnom Penh.

3. Train

Mothballed for years, Cambodia’s rail system has been rehabilitated in recent years and limited passenger services resumed in 2016 through national carrier Royal Railway. Currently the only service links Phnom Penh with Sihanoukville via Kampot, with departures on weekend mornings. Plans call for plugging the Cambodian line into the Trans-Asian Railway network, which will link Singapore and China, but connecting Phnom Penh with Ho Chi Minh City via a Mekong bridge will take a few years yet. The 385km northwestern line, which links Phnom Penh with Pursat and Battambang and was built before WWII, is next in line to open. Train is the best atmosphere for relaxing on your holiday.

4. Bus

These days most of the major roads are sealed, so the bus journeys are relatively short, with a trip between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap taking less than six hours.

There are also international routes going from Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, and Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, and from Phnom Penh to Bangkok, to the Laos border via Strung Treng, and to the Thai border via Poipet. Most buses are air-conditioned, often to an extreme, so bring a sweater as well. Some buses do have bathrooms on board. Mostly the price is acceptable for tourism and Cambodia residents.

What is the best way to travel around Cambodia

What is the best way to travel around Cambodia

Cambodia is the best place for exploring, cultural, temple, beach, Island and mountain. Every tourisms shouldn’t miss this popular place!

 

 

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