ABOUT CAMBODIA
The Kingdom of Cambodia, formerly Kampuchea, is a Southeast Asian nation that borders Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and the Gulf of Thailand. The capital city is Phnom Penh.
Geography
Cambodia’s geographic coordinates are 13 00 N, 105 00 E.
Cambodia’s terrain consists mainly of low plains, with mountains to the southwest and north. Two dominant physical features of Cambodia are the Mekong river, which runs from north to south of the country, and the Tonlé Sap Lake.
Natural resources include oil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential.
Population
Cambodia’s population is approximately 14 million. Ninety per cent of residents are Khmer; the rest are Cham (Khmer Muslim), Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, Phnorng, Kuoy, Stieng, Tamil, etc. Population density is 78/ km2.
Climate
Climate
Like most of Southeast Asia, Cambodia’s climate is hot and warm almost all year round. The climate is dominated by the annual monsoon cycle of rainy and dry seasons. The rainy season lasts from May to October, and the dry season from November to April. December to January are the coolest months, while the hottest period is in April. The average temperature is around 27-28ºC.
National Flag
The flag of Cambodia symbolizes the country’s slogan: Nation, Religion, King. The two large blue stripes represent royalty and the center red stripe represents the nation. The image of the white temple stands for the nation’s religion.
National Flower
The romduol, a small yellowish-white flower, is the national flower of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Since ancient times, Cambodian women have often been compared to the Romduol flower because of its attractive fragrance; a unique scent that is prominent in the late afternoon and can travel over long distances with the wind. With its sturdy stems that measure up to 30cm, the Romduol plant can grow to a height of 12 meters. These plants are being planted to enhance public parks.ACCESS TO CAMBODIA
BY AIR
Cambodia can be accessed through the Phnom Penh International Airport and the Siem Reap International Airport; both of which provide full services for passengers on international flights operated by many international airlines. Many international airlines are listed below:- International Airlines
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- Cambodia Angkor Air (K6):
Phnom Penh-Ho Chi Minh- Phnom Penh, Siem Reap-Ho Chi Minh-Siem Reap, Phnom Penh-Siem Reap-Phnom Penh - Air Asia (AK):
Kuala Lumpur-Phnom Penh-Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok-Phnom Penh-Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur-Siem Reap-Kuala Lumpur - Asiana Airlines (OZ):
Incheon-Phnom Penh-Incheon, Incheon-Siem Reap-Incheon - Bangkok Airways (PG):
Bangkok-Phnom Penh- Bangkok, Bangkok-Siem Reap-Bangkok - China Airlines (CI):
Taipei-Phnom Penh-Taipei - China Eastern Airlines “China Yunnan Airlines + China Northwest Airlines” (MU):
Kunming-Siem Reap-Kunming, Yunnan-Siem Reap-Yunnan - China Southern Airlines (CZ):
Beijing-Phnom Penh- Beijing, Guangzhou-Phnom Penh-Guangzhou - Dragon Air (KA):
Hong Kong-Phnom Penh-Hong Kong - EVA Air (BR):
Taipei-Phnom Penh-Taipei - Far Eastern Air Transport (EF):
TPE-PNH-TPE (for a cargo flight) - JetStar Asia (3K):
Singapore-Phnom Penh-Singapore, Singapore-Siem Reap-Singapore - Korean Air (KE):
Seoul-Phnom Penh-Seoul, Seoul-Siem Reap-Seoul - Lao Aviation (QV):
Vientiane-Siem Reap-Vientiane - Malaysia Airlines (MH):
Kuala Lumpur-Phnom Penh- Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur-Siem Reap-Kuala Lumpur - Shanghai Airlines (FM):
Shanghai-Phnom Penh- Shanghai - Siem Reap Airways International (FT):
Bangkok-Siem Reap-Bangkok - Silk Air (MI):
Singapore-Phnom Penh-Singapore, Singapore-Siem Reap-Singapore - Thai Air Asia (FD):
Bangkok-Phnom Penh-Bangkok - Thai Airways International (TG):
Bangkok-Phnom Penh- Bangkok - Vietnam Airlines (VN):
Hanoi-Phnom Penh-Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh-Phnom Penh-Ho Chi Minh, Vientiane-Phnom Penh-Vientiane, Hanoi-Siem Reap-Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh- Siem Reap-Ho Chi Minh
- Cambodia Angkor Air (K6):
- Airport Tax: For both domestic & International flight, airport taxes are already included in ticket's prices
BY LAND
Tourists can enjoy traveling to Cambodia by land from neighboring Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.
- Access from Vietnam (through nine international border checkpoints)
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- Bavet (Cambodian side) and Mok Bai (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Bavet international border checkpoint is located in Svay Rieng Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Mok Bai international border checkpoint is located in Tay Ninh Province.
Tourists can reach Cambodia from Vietnam through the gates. Visas on arrival and e-visas are available there. They can get access to Phnom Penh by National Road No 1. The distance between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh City is 230 kilometers. There are taxis at the border between two countries. The taxi fare to Phnom Penh City is approximately US$ 10 per person. On their journey, visitors can enjoy the beautiful landscape of the eastern Mekong area. - Kaam Samnor (Cambodian side) and Yin Soeung (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Kaam Samnor international border checkpoint is located between Kandal and Prey Veng Provinces, and on the Vietnamese side, the Yin Soeung international border checkpoint is located in Ang Giang Province. From Vietnam, tourists can get access to Cambodia through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.
- Phnom Den (Cambodian side) and Tin Bienh (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Phnom Den international border checkpoint is located in Takeo Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Tin Bienh international border checkpoint is located in Ang Giang Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia from Vietnam through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.
- Trapaing Phlong (Cambodian side) and Xamat (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Trapaing Phlong international border checkpoint is located in Kampong Cham Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Xamat international border checkpoint is located in Tay Ninh Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia from Vietnam through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.
- Trapaing Srè (Cambodian side) and Bonue (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Trapaing Srè international border checkpoint is located in Kratie Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Bonue international border checkpoint is located in Binh Phuoc Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia from Vietnam through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.
- Oyadav (Cambodian side) and Lethanh (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Oyadav international border checkpoint is located in Rattanak Kiri Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Lethanh international border checkpoint is located in Gia Lai Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia from Vietnam through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.
- Banteay Chakrei (Cambodian side) and Dinh Ba (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Banteay Chakrei international border checkpoint is located in Prey Vèng Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Dinh Ba international border checkpoint is located in Dong Thap Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia from Vietnam through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.
- Preak Chak (Cambodian side) and Ha Tieng (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Preak Chak international border checkpoint is located in Kampot Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Ha Tieng international border checkpoint is located in Kien Giang Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia from Vietnam through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.
- Samrong (Cambodian side) and Mi Quy Tei (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Samrong international border checkpoint is located in Svay Rieng Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Mi Quy Tei international border checkpoint is located in Long An Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia from Vietnam through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.
- Bavet (Cambodian side) and Mok Bai (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Bavet international border checkpoint is located in Svay Rieng Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Mok Bai international border checkpoint is located in Tay Ninh Province.
- Access from Laos
On the Cambodian side, the Trapaing Kreal international border checkpoint is located in Stung Trèng Province, and on the Lao side, the Norg Nokbiane international border checkpoint is located in Champasak Province. Cambodia can be accessed from Laos through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there. - Access from Thailand (through six international border checkpoints)
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- Poipet (Cambodian side) and Ban Klong Leuk (Thai side) On the Cambodian side, the Poipet international border checkpoint is located in Banteay Meanchey Province, and on the Thai side, the Ban Klong Leuk international border checkpoint is located in Sakeo Province.
Through the gates, tourists can reach Siem Reap, Cambodia from Thailand to visit the Angkor complex. Visas on arrival and e-visas are available there. Its fee is US$ 20 for each tourist and is US$ 25 for each businessman. It takes about 5 hours from the border to the Siem Reap town by National Road No 6 by taxi. A taxi driver charges US$ 15 for each passenger. - Cham Yeam (Cambodian side) and Hat Lek (Thai side)Visitors can reach Cambodia from Trat Province, Thailand through the Cham Yeam international border checkpoint located in Koh Kong Province. From Koh Kong Province, they can continue traveling to Preah Sihanouk Province. It takes around 4 hours to reach Preah Sihanouk Province by speedboat. A one-way taxi fare between Koh Kong Province and Preah Sihanouk Province is US$15 and from there, tourists can proceed to the capital of Phnom Penh by National Road No 4. The distance between Preah Sihanouk Province and Phnom Penh Capital is 230 kilometers. It takes 3 hours and a half by taxi or by bus. The taxi fare is around US$ 10 per capita, and the bus fare is between US$ 3-4. Visas on arrival and e-visas are available at the border gates, and entry visas into Cambodia can also be granted at the Royal Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok or in other cities of Thailand.
- O'smach (Cambodian side) and Chong Chorm (Thai side) On the Cambodian side, the Osmach international border checkpoint is located in Oddar Meanchey Province, and on the Thai side, the Chong Chorm international border checkpoint is located in Sorin Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.
- Choam (Cambodian side) and Sangam (Thai side) On the Cambodian side, the Choam international border checkpoint is located in Oddar Meanchey Province, and on the Thai side, the Sangam international border checkpoint is located in Sysaket Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.
- Prom (Cambodian side) and Ban Pakard (Thai side) On the Cambodian side, the Prom international border checkpoint is located in Pailin Province, and on the Thai side, the Ban Pakard international border checkpoint is located in Chanthaburi Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.
- Dong (Cambodian side) and Ban Lem (Thai side) On the Cambodian side, the Dong international border checkpoint is located in Battambang Province, and on the Thai side, the Ban Lem international border checkpoint is located in Chanthaburi Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.
- Poipet (Cambodian side) and Ban Klong Leuk (Thai side) On the Cambodian side, the Poipet international border checkpoint is located in Banteay Meanchey Province, and on the Thai side, the Ban Klong Leuk international border checkpoint is located in Sakeo Province.
BY WATER
Cambodia can be reached by boat from neighboring countries and the world. The Sihanouk International Seaport and the Phnom Penh International Port are two main gateways to Cambodia. Visas upon arrival are available at the Phnom Penh International Port, but they are not available at the Sihanouk International Seaport.
The Sihanouk International Seaport receives international cruise ships that accommodate hundreds of visitors.
It is possible to reach Phnom Penh Capital by ship along the Mékong River from Vietnam. Phnom Penh is connected by fast local boats to the Upper Mekong River close to Laos or it is linked along the Tonlé Sap to Siem Reap-Angkor. By this means, visitors can enjoy the Mekong’s view and discover the new growth area of Cambodia full of natural resources, cultural heritage, and life styles of the Cambodian people.
VISA
All nationalities need to apply for a travel visa, except for nationals from the following countries: Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. A visa on arrival, valid for a thirty-day stay, is specifically granted at Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap International Airport, and International Border Checkpoints. Visas are also granted at Royal Cambodian Embassy or Consulate abroad. The visa fee for a tourist is US$20, and the visa fee for a businessman is US$25. Visas can be extended at the Immigration Department in Phnom Penh City. A free visa (K) is expressly granted to the Cambodian living overseas.The Royal Government of Cambodia has recently approved e-visas. All you have to do is complete the online application form available at the official website (evisa.mfaic.gov.kh), pay by credit card online, and include uploading a recent passport-size photo in JPEG/ PNG format. The visa will be approved within three business days, allowing you to breeze by that lengthy line and get a jump-start on your holiday.
The e-visa, valid for a thirty-day stay, is available only for a typical tourist visa for a single entry. It is currently not available for nationals from Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Arab Saudi, Algeria, Sudan, and Sri Lanka. For a business visa, please apply at your nearest embassy or on arrival at all major check points. Tourists getting such a visa online can enter and exit Cambodia through Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap International Airport, Bavet International Border Checkpoint in Svay Rieng, Cham Yeam International Border Checkpoint in Koh Kong, and Poipet International Border Checkpoint in Banteay Meanchey.
GETTING AROUND
Tourists can travel to all parts of Cambodia by bus, taxi, motorbike, boat and aeroplane. Within the capital of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap Province and Preah Sihanouk Province, they can conveniently sight-see by Reumork.
Boats are very popular means of transportation along the Tonlé Sap, Bassac, and Mekong rivers. These boats remove the hassle of meandering along the highways yet offer some spectacular scenery along the way.
Cambodia Angkor Air, the National Flag Carrier operates to and from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap daily.In the capital of Phnom Penh and the province of Siem Reap, a Cyclo including a driver can be hired at a reasonable price.
