When mentioning Cambodian tourism, besides Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, tourists immediately think of Siem Reap. While Phnom Penh is modern and vibrant, and Sihanoukville is a paradise of fresh beaches and islands, Siem Reap possesses a mysterious beauty with historical ruins and architecture steeped in history. “Keep these Siem Reap travel tips in mind” for the most fulfilling exploration trip!
Introducing Siem Reap – “the land of monuments”
Siem Reap is a province located in northwestern Cambodia, 314 km from the capital Phnom Penh. In the past, Siem Reap was the capital of the Angkorian Empire. Therefore, to this day, it still preserves almost intact its massive historical architectural structures.
Traveling to Siem Reap means exploring the “land of monuments,” as more than half of the province’s area is covered with temples and cultural heritage sites of the Cambodian people. Here, visitors can not only admire world-famous wonders but also enjoy various forms of music and art, immerse themselves in traditional festivals, and experience unique cuisine deeply rooted in Khmer culture.
Convenient transportation by road, water, and air is a major driving force behind the development of tourism in Siem Reap. Cambodia is also a neighboring country to Vietnam, so it’s not surprising that millions of Vietnamese people visit the country every year. Siem Reap truly lives up to its reputation as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the “land of temples.”
When is the best time to visit Siem Reap?
Siem Reap has a tropical climate with both humid and dry periods. The city is generally hot year-round, with average temperatures not falling below 30 degrees Celsius. The rainy season in Siem Reap begins in April and ends in November. July and August are particularly prone to heavy rains and flooding, making them unsuitable times to visit. The dry season lasts from November to April, making it the ideal time to travel to Siem Reap.
If you want to immerse yourself in the traditional Khmer festival atmosphere, you can travel during important festivals such as:
- The Chol Chnam Thmay festival – the traditional Cambodian New Year – takes place from April 13th to 15th every year. Traveling during this time, visitors can participate in the dazzling lantern-releasing ceremony throughout the city and the Bom Chaul Chnam water festival.
- The Pchum Ben festival (Festival of Ancestor Spirits) takes place in September.
- The Angkor festival is held in November and December. This is also the most influential event in Southeast Asia, so it would be a shame to miss it.
- The Angkor Wat half-marathon takes place in December.
What to prepare when traveling to Siem Reap
Because it is part of ASEAN, you don’t need a visa to travel to Cambodia for more than 30 days. However, visa exemption requires a passport valid for at least 6 months. Besides your flight tickets and passport, you should exchange your money for USD before traveling to Siem Reap. Note that you shouldn’t exchange large denominations or 2 USD bills, as Cambodians don’t use them.
The weather here is quite hot, so the best choice is light, thin clothing along with a sunshade or umbrella. You should pack flat shoes or sandals for easy walking. Essential medications include stomach ache medicine and cold/flu medicine. You should also bring a power bank and sunscreen!
Getting Around Siem Reap
Currently, there are many direct flights to Siem Reap by Vietnam Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Qatar Airways, and Malaysia Airlines, with ticket prices ranging from 2.5 to 3 million VND. The flight time is only about 1 hour, giving you more time to experience and explore the attractive destinations in Siem Reap. Here are some suggestions for those who want to buy cheap flights to Siem Reap to save time and money:
- Flights from Hanoi to Siem Reap
- Flights from Saigon to Siem Reap
- Flights from Hai Phong to Siem Reap
In addition, there are also bus companies from Saigon to Cambodia such as Kumho, Sorya, Sapaco, and Long Phuong. Among them, Sorya and Sapaco are two companies with direct routes from Saigon to Siem Reap. The price per trip is only about 700,000 – 1,000,000 VND, but the journey will take about 11 – 12 hours.
The third way to travel from Vietnam to Siem Reap is by sea. You’ll have to take a bus from Vietnam to Phnom Penh, and then a ferry from there to Siem Reap. This method is less common and only suitable during the high season from August to March. The total travel time will take about 6 hours. During your trip to Siem Reap, you can get around by taxi, motorbike taxi, bicycle, or tuk-tuk. Most tourists choose to travel by tuk-tuk because it’s cheap, cool, and safe.
Accommodation options when traveling to Siem Reap
Siem Reap has no shortage of resorts, hotels, guesthouses, homestays, and dormitories along its routes. Based on the experience of many travelers, you can choose from:
- Stay near Pub Street, Angkor Night Market, and French Square if you want to walk to the city’s attractions.
- Stay near the riverside if you want to be close to the city but still have a quiet atmosphere and are looking for budget hotels and guesthouses.
- Stay in the suburbs of Siem Reap if you need a quiet space but not too far from the city.
The Angkor night market area and highway are often the ideal choice for budget travelers and backpackers. The eastern riverside area is for travelers who prefer tranquility and have a more substantial budget. Meanwhile, the Charles de Gaulle boulevard area, with its concentration of resorts and luxury hotels, is suitable for travelers with ample financial resources.
Must-See Attractions When Traveling to Siem Reap
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat seems to be the first destination for most tourists visiting Siem Reap. This temple is the world’s largest cultural monument with incredibly impressive architecture. Although built in the 12th century, Angkor Wat still retains its 3,000 carved images and the seven-headed cobra Naga statue – a symbol of Hinduism. One of the best experiences here is watching the sunrise or sunset over Angkor Wat from a hot air balloon.
Phare Circus
This is Cambodia’s famous circus, offering visitors a truly unique entertainment experience. Performances combining dance, comedy, music, and elaborate acrobatics will tell you the story of Cambodia in a special way. An exciting circus show is sure to be a memorable experience during your trip to Siem Reap.
Tonle Sap Lake and Kampong Phluk Floating Village
Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and was recognized as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 1997. It is also home to the largest concentration of freshwater fish in the Mekong River basin and provides a significant fish supply to Cambodia. Here, you can immerse yourself in the peaceful natural scenery and explore the life of Kampong Phluk floating village – where Vietnamese and Cham communities live together.
War Museum
The War Museum is the largest museum in Cambodia – a place that helps you visualize the Khmer Rouge civil war of 1975 and the Vietnam War of 1979. The museum houses millions of unexploded landmines found after the war, along with many historically valuable artifacts such as: T-54 tanks; MiG-19 jet fighters; and Mil Mi-8 helicopters. Some of these war machines were used in World War II.
Besides the places mentioned above, you can visit the Angkor Archaeological Site; participate in the Flight of the Gibbon adventure tour; or make a pilgrimage to Phnom Kulen, the most sacred mountain in Cambodia… If you have time, there are plenty of interesting destinations for you to explore.
Culinary Experience in Siem Reap
Nighttime Food Tour by Vespa
Join the Nighttime Food Tour by Vespa, where local drivers will take you on a culinary adventure through Siem Reap. The drivers will take you from bustling streets to night markets, showcasing the unique culinary culture of the local people. You’ll also have the chance to shop and participate in fun local games. This tour is a must-try when traveling to Siem Reap.
Skun Insect Market
Throughout Cambodia, you can find dishes made from insects. And Siem Reap is no exception. The most commonly eaten insects include crickets, grasshoppers, spiders, water beetles, scorpions, toads, frogs, silkworm pupae… displayed side by side. The fragrant smell of fried insects makes it hard for even the most “shy” tourists to resist.
Cambodian Palm Sugar Rice Cake
Vietnamese rice cakes also exist. However, Cambodian palm sugar rice cakes are made from ripe, thick-fleshed palm fruit and 100% pure palm sugar, resulting in an irresistible natural aroma and flavor. The sweet, slightly tart taste and beautiful golden color make your mouth water just by looking at it. This popular street food can be found on every street in Siem Reap.
With its many attractive sights, unique and novel tourist services, and rich cuisine, Siem Reap is a name that always appears in Cambodia tour itineraries. Nothing beats discovering, experiencing, and verifying these fascinating things for yourself, right?
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If you have the chance to visit Siem Reap, consider staying at Ha Tien Vegas right next to the Ha Tien – Kampong Trach border crossing and continuing your exploration of Ha Tien or Kampot the following day.
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