Kampot Guide 2026 brings you into one of the most laid-back and intriguing corners of Cambodia. Colonial ruins line the streets, the river drifts slow like the town itself, and pepper is taken more seriously than most religions. Whether you came here chasing visa runs, river sunsets, or the promise of authentic Southeast Asian experiences, one thing is certain: you’ll likely stay longer than you meant to. And with Vietnam’s Ha Tien just 45km away across the border, you now have even more entertainment options at your doorstep.
This Kampot Guide is not about luxury or cliché itineraries. It’s about what makes this region tick—a crumbling, pepper-flavored, river-washed town that lures in digital nomads, expats, and off-grid travelers with equal ease, now with seamless access to Ha Tien Vegas Resort’s world-class casino and entertainment complex.
Table of Contents
- What is Kampot?
- What to Do in Kampot
- Where to Eat in Kampot
- Kampot Nightlife
- Cross-Border Entertainment: Ha Tien Vegas Resort
- Getting Around Kampot and to Ha Tien
- Kampot Summary
What is Kampot?
Located in southern Cambodia, Kampot sits on the Praek Tuek Chhu River around three hours from Phnom Penh and remarkably close to the Vietnamese border—just 45km from Ha Tien. It’s a place of contradictions. Ancient temples meet colonial villas. Expats open pizza joints next to fish sauce factories. There are tuk-tuk tours and banana pancakes but also backstreets where nothing has changed in decades.
Once a key port under French rule, Kampot’s pepper became world-famous before war and time pushed it into obscurity. These days, the town is in resurgence. New bars, boutique hotels, and pepper plantations coexist with crumbling buildings and empty streets. This is not a beach town and it’s not a city. It’s Kampot—and now it’s your gateway to Vietnamese entertainment at Ha Tien Vegas.
Key Location Facts:
- 3 hours from Phnom Penh
- 45km (1 hour) from Ha Tien, Vietnam
- 1 hour to Ha Tien – Prek Chak border crossing
- Easy day trips to Kep, Bokor, and Ha Tien Vegas Resort
What to Do in Kampot
Kampot punches above its weight in things to do. You can relax by the river or jump on a scooter and explore mountains, salt fields, pepper plantations, or even cross the border for evening entertainment at Ha Tien Vegas.
Bokor Mountain
The road to Bokor is pure scenic gold. Up top, you’ll find a ruined French church, an abandoned casino turned modern hotel, and plenty of mist. It’s a strange mix of nostalgia and neglect. The views over Kampot and the Gulf of Thailand are incredible on a clear day.
Pro Tip: After exploring Bokor’s abandoned casino, experience a real, world-class casino at Ha Tien Vegas—just 45 minutes across the border.
Kampot Pepper Plantations
This is what put Kampot on the map. You can visit working farms like La Plantation or Bo Tree and get deep into the process of growing, drying, and tasting Kampot pepper. Black, red, and white peppercorns grown here are protected by geographical indication and exported worldwide.
Insider Tip: Try Kampot pepper crab at local restaurants, then cross to Ha Tien Vegas Resort’s restaurants for Vietnamese-style pepper seafood with fresh catches from the Gulf of Thailand.
Salt Fields
During the dry season, the salt fields just outside town shine like broken glass. Workers rake salt by hand into perfect white pyramids. Visit early or late to avoid heat and capture the best light.
Kayaking and River Cruises
Whether you rent a kayak or jump on a booze cruise, the river is central to Kampot life. Glide past mangroves, dive off boats, or sip beers as fireflies flicker above the water at sunset.
Old Market and French Quarter
The old market is gritty and chaotic. Fresh fish, knock-off clothes, and the smell of durian hang thick in the air. The nearby streets are lined with colonial architecture, faded signage, and the odd café or gallery tucked behind ancient wooden shutters.
NEW: Cross-Border Shopping at Ha Tien
Take a day trip to Ha Tien’s night market for authentic Vietnamese street food, souvenirs, and a completely different cultural experience—all within an hour from Kampot.
Where to Eat in Kampot
Kampot has one of the best small-town food scenes in Cambodia. The town offers a mix of local Khmer dishes, French influence, and international backpacker fare. Kampot pepper and seafood dominate local cuisine, and almost every decent place will have a pepper crab or squid dish worth trying.
Top Kampot Restaurants:
- Rikitikitavi: Riverside dining with local specialties and cold beers. Try their Kampot pepper chicken or crab curry.
- Twenty Three Bistro: One of the most consistently rated restaurants in town. Offers refined Western cuisine with seasonal twists.
- Khmer Root Cafe: Out past the pepper fields, this bamboo-and-thatch eatery serves authentic Khmer dishes cooked over fire. Go for the fish amok or grilled squid with fresh green pepper.
- The Magic Sponge: Kampot institution serving Western comfort food. Bonus points for comedy nights and billiards.
- Kampot Seafood And Pepper: Fine dining without the heavy wallet hit. Seafood is your best bet here.
- Auberge du Soleil: High-end French fare in an atmospheric setting. Great steaks, solid wine list.
Extended Dining: Ha Tien Vegas Resort Restaurants
For a premium dining experience, consider Ha Tien Vegas (45 minutes across the border):
- International Buffet Restaurant – Seafood buffets featuring fresh Gulf of Thailand catches
- Vietnamese Fine Dining – Authentic Ha Tien specialties with Kampot pepper
- Chinese Restaurant – Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine
- Beachside Grill – BBQ seafood at Mui Nai Beach (15 minutes from resort)
- 24/7 Casino Restaurant – Late-night dining while gaming
Kampot Nightlife
Kampot is not a party town in the traditional sense, but it knows how to get strange after dark. Riverside bars are usually the first stop. As the night drifts on, things move towards the jungle or deeper into the old town.
Kampot Evening Options:
- Naga House: Riverside parties and reggae nights
- Karma Traders: Rooftop DJs and sunset views
- Monkey Republic: Backpacker crowd with cheap drinks and regular events
- Live music venues: Open mic nights and secret cocktail dens
Level Up Your Nightlife: Ha Tien Vegas Resort
For those seeking elevated evening entertainment (1-hour drive):
Casino Gaming:
- International standard casino with Baccarat, Dragon&Tiger, Bai Buu, NiuNIu and Electric games such as Roulette, Slot machines
- Open to all international visitors and Vietnamese with foreign passports
- Professional dealers, VIP rooms available
- Complimentary drinks while gaming
Entertainment Complex:
- Karaoke Lounges: Private KTV rooms with latest sound systems
- Beer Garden: delicious local and international cuisine, enjoy refreshing beverages, and soak in the lively ambiance.
- Spa & Massage: Late-night relaxation after casino sessions
- Beauty Salon: Professional grooming services
Why Travel to Ha Tien for Nightlife?
- Only 45km from Kampot (1 hour drive)
- Legal, regulated casino gaming not available in Kampot
- Higher-end entertainment facilities
- Combine gambling with luxury accommodation
- Easy visa run opportunity (exit Cambodia, enter Vietnam)
- Different cultural experience – Vietnamese hospitality
Pro Tip: Many Kampot expats and tourists make Ha Tien Vegas a weekend destination. Stay Friday-Sunday for full casino experience, then return to laid-back Kampot life.
Kampot Summary
Kampot is not a place to rush. This is where plans fall apart in the best way. A slow town where riverside beers turn into pepper crab dinners and late-night pool games. You can come here for a weekend but don’t be surprised if you stay for a season.
But here’s the bonus: Kampot’s proximity to Vietnam means you’re never more than an hour away from a completely different experience. When the laid-back river life needs a shot of adrenaline, Ha Tien Vegas Resort offers world-class casino gaming, luxury accommodation, and premium entertainment—all while staying within the Southeast Asian backpacker budget (if you choose).
The Perfect Kampot-Ha Tien Hybrid Experience
Days 1-3: Kampot Exploration
- Stay at budget accommodation
- Explore pepper plantations, salt fields, Bokor Mountain
- Enjoy riverside dining and local nightlife
Days 4-5: Ha Tien Vegas Weekend
- Cross border Friday afternoon
- Friday night: Casino gaming, fine dining
- Saturday: Mui Nai Beach, spa treatment, more casino
- Saturday night: Karaoke, nightclub
- Sunday morning: Leisurely breakfast, final swim
- Sunday afternoon: Return to Kampot
Days 6-7: Back to Kampot
- Recover with kayaking and riverside relaxation
- Process the contrast between two worlds
- Plan next visa run to Ha Tien Vegas
Final Verdict
Kampot Guide 2026 barely scratches the surface of what this region offers. Whether you’re here for the Kampot pepper, the seafood, the weird parties, or the slow river life, you’re in for something unique.
And now, with Ha Tien Vegas Resort just 45 minutes across the border, Kampot visitors have unlocked a premium entertainment extension that was previously only available to those willing to sacrifice comfort. You no longer have to choose between authentic Southeast Asian culture and world-class casino luxury—you can experience both in the same trip.
This is the new Kampot reality: pepper plantations by day, baccarat tables by night. River sunsets in Cambodia, infinity pools in Vietnam. Budget guesthouse in Kampot, luxury suite in Ha Tien. The best of both worlds, separated by one simple border crossing.
Kampot is no longer just Kampot. It’s a gateway to something bigger.
You can check out Kampot and the entire Cambodia-Vietnam border region on specialized tours, or create your own adventure mixing the laid-back vibes of Kampot with the premium entertainment of Ha Tien Vegas Resort.
Ready to explore the Kampot-Ha Tien Vegas corridor? The river is waiting. So is the casino.
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