Located at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac, and Tonle Sap Rivers, Phnom Penh was reputedly founded by a wealthy widow named Daun Penh, who discovered Buddha statues hidden in a hollowed out log that washed up to her doorstep during a flood of the Mekong. Throughout the centuries, Phnom Penh served as the capital of various Cambodian realms, from the ancient Khmer Empire to the French colonial administration, and finally the modern-day government of Cambodia.
Today, Phnom Penh is a chaotic, lively maze of tumbling streets, tuk-tuks, bicycles, and motorcycles. A blur of activity from morning until well after sunset, Phnom Penh’s streets are dotted with a mix of colonial French buildings and traditional Cambodian architecture; with its legendary nightlife and bustling avenues, Phnom Penh has something for everyone. Highlights include the temple of Wat Phnom, where Daun Penh was said to have founded the city, and Tuol Sleng, the sobering, former prison where opponents of the Khmer Rouge were executed.
Region
Indochina
language
Khmer
capital
Phnom Penh
population
2,211,444
area
679 km²
currency
Cambodian Riel
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FIND YOUR
Inspiration
Destination Indochina DMC (Vienam) is a local based full range travel company in Vietnam. We have been delivering rare opportunities to engage with beautiful Vietnam, its culture and people. Our dedicated team of destination specialists have their finger on the pulse of what is new and trending in the country and our personalized custom designed journeys inspire world travellers of all walks of life. Connect with our team of travel specialists in culture, food, art, religion and history and get the best advice on where to eat, shop and unwind with your family members and colleagues.
Inspiration
Destination Indochina DMC (Vienam) is a local based full range travel company in Vietnam. We have been delivering rare opportunities to engage with beautiful Vietnam, its culture and people. Our dedicated team of destination specialists have their finger on the pulse of what is new and trending in the country and our personalized custom designed journeys inspire world travellers of all walks of life. Connect with our team of travel specialists in culture, food, art, religion and history and get the best advice on where to eat, shop and unwind with your family members and colleagues.
HIDDEN PHNOM PENH EXPLORER ON THREE WHEELS
Explore the past of Phnom Penh with an insider on a three wheels. See the hidden corners and lesser known areas that hardly find on your own. Immerse in the local culture and its dark history site through untold stories by a member of ancient Khmer Rough.
DISCOVER THE SECRET OF KHMER COOKING
Delve into the art of Khmer cooking with a local master Chef escort to the local wet market. Got explained the way how Khmer people cooking by choosing the fresh ingredients and spices and how to apply in their cooking. Cook your lunch with 5 traditional Cambodian dishes and end the class with Q&A activities.
SEE THE COUNTRYSIDE OF PHNOM PENH BY BIKE
Make the most of your time in Phnom Penh with an exciting bike ride escape from bustling & hustling city to a tranquil island. Explore the local life of Silk island villagers, stop by a local home for a snacks and riding through banana plantations and enlightened with a short course of silk making.
TASTE OF KHMER NATIONAL ART
Join a circus show performed by Cambodia national Phare team with exciting and heart jump feelings. Dine by the FCC colonial mansions, adjacent to life-giving rivers in this bright, energetic land, provide respite and retreat, a dynamic home base for countless news correspondents, artists, writers, diplomats, humanitarians and the infinitely curious adventurers, who continue to journey from around the world, swapping and sharing stories on-site, on roads less traveled and on pages yet written.
When to go
Cambodia has 2 seasons and a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. The northeast monsoon season runs from December through April, when it brings sunny and dry weather, especially in the early months of January and February. The rains come when the winds shift into the southwest monsoon from May to November. During this period, you can expect the most precipitation in Cambodia throughout the months of September and October. Cambodia heats up steadily from February to April, with temperatures peaking as high as 40°C in April. Temperatures remain high in May and June, and the southwest monsoon brings in more humidity and some very sticky days! From July through October there will certainly be some rainfall, but it usually comes in short showers. Unless you’re in remote areas with bad roads, travelling is perfectly comfortable during these months. It’s also nice to see the rice paddies and tropical foliage at their most green and lush.The best months to visit Cambodia are December and January, with dry weather and lower humidity levels – of course, this is also the busiest time of year when you can expect some crowds and higher prices.
Destination Indochina DMC has been delivering rare opportunities to engage with beautiful Cambodia and her people. Our dedicated team of travel professionals have their finger on the pulse of what is new and trending in the region and our transformational journeys inspire travellers of all walks of life. Connect with specialists in culture, food, art, religion and history and get the best advice on where to eat, shop and unwind.
OUR PREFERRED
Accommodation
Victoria Can Tho Resort
Surrounded by gardens full of vivid flowers, including many indigenous species, the Victoria Can Tho sits right on the banks of the Hau river and is the only luxury resort in the lush heart of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. The colonial-style building has a breezy, open-air lobby and is arranged around a central courtyard with a…
Six Senses Con Dao
Six Senses Con Dao, set along a kilometer span of white sand beach, is comprised of 50 oceanside villas, each with its own private infinity pool and view of the South China Sea. Each ecologically designed villa blends harmoniously with the hotel’s natural surroundings. Villas range from one-bedroom, single-level villas to lofty duplexes with four…
Four Seasons The Nam Hai Hoian
Idyllic location on Vietnam’s culturally rich central coast with unspoiled views of the South China Sea and the Cham Islands, The Nam Hai offers a portal to three extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage sites and a breezy respite on the country’s most celebrated beach. Reconnect with your loved ones – whether you take to the East…
Accommodation
Victoria Can Tho Resort
Surrounded by gardens full of vivid flowers, including many indigenous species, the Victoria Can Tho sits right on the banks of the Hau river and is the only luxury resort in the lush heart of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. The colonial-style building has a breezy, open-air lobby and is arranged around a central courtyard with a…
Six Senses Con Dao
Six Senses Con Dao, set along a kilometer span of white sand beach, is comprised of 50 oceanside villas, each with its own private infinity pool and view of the South China Sea. Each ecologically designed villa blends harmoniously with the hotel’s natural surroundings. Villas range from one-bedroom, single-level villas to lofty duplexes with four…
Four Seasons The Nam Hai Hoian
Idyllic location on Vietnam’s culturally rich central coast with unspoiled views of the South China Sea and the Cham Islands, The Nam Hai offers a portal to three extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage sites and a breezy respite on the country’s most celebrated beach. Reconnect with your loved ones – whether you take to the East…
FEATURED
Phnom Penh Journeys
Phnom Penh Journeys
- 8
- 1
- Long Tan, Vung Tau
Discover Long Tan Battlefield, Nui Dat Base & Vung Tau
Escape the bustling city noises with the honking sound, travel to the peaceful & quiet rural areas of Ba Ria. Sightsee the old battlefield relics from 1960s and learn history lessons while visiting the Nui Dat base (SAS Hill), Luscombe airfield, Horse-shoe Fire Base, Long Tan Memorial Cross & Long Phuoc tunnels. Experience the countryside…
- Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi City Tour By Jeep
Experience the irresistible allure of Hanoi on this journey. Delve into the surprises of sophisticated French-colonial cities and quaint heritage towns, tasting true Vietnam at every turn. Venture through small streets with its own style. And encounter the people, culture and cuisine that together make this country so vibrant.
- Hanoi, Vietnam
Discover Duong Lam Ancient Village & Countryside
Discover the ancient village of Duong Lam, its people, culture and tradtitions on a quick escape by private jeep to the rural peaceful countryside of Hanoi. Sightsee 400 year old laterite brick ancient houses with unique architecture. Visit the communal house, a worshipping place of the tutelary god – founder of the village, also considered…
- 6
- 1
- Saigon Port
Private Cooking Class with Pedicab Ride
Experience the art of Vietnamese cooking with a local renown Chef’s escort to a local wet market. Learn the ingredients & local spices, vegetables applied in a healthy cooking style from basis to advanced level. Sightsee the city landmarks, daily life of Saigon people on a local pedicab ride from the hotel to market and…
- 2
- 1
- Saigon Port
Saigon Through The Lens Of A Local
Experience the Saigon local culture, lifestyle, culinary art and learn history lessons. Visit “must see” historic colonial landmarks and ride on local pedicab “xich lo” in China town. Refresh at the famous Roof Top garden “The Five O’Clock Follies” in town with view over iconic tower and walking street. Lunch at a famous contemporary Vietnamese…
- 10
- 1
- Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon Street Eats & Pub Crawl
Deep in the culture of Vietnamese’s culinary with destination specialists’ hand-picked restaurants. Learn the art of local street eats and immerse in the local culture. Enjoy the night from ground to sky, and end by the underground bar.
- 3 hours, from US$95pp
Saigon Alleys Through The Eyes Of A Local (Scooter Tour)
Zip through the narrow alleys of Saigon on the back of a vintage scooter and gain a greater understanding of why locals love this mode of transportation. In essence, scooters allow them to easily zig-zag through areas that cars simply can’t negotiate.
