Cambodia is a kingdom located in the southern part of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia, with a population of approximately 17 million. Famous for the world-renowned Angkor Wat, Cambodia carries both the glory of the Khmer Empire and a tragic modern history.
🍽️ Food
Cambodian food (Khmer cuisine) is less spicy than Thai or Vietnamese food, characterized by its generous use of herbs and fresh ingredients.
Top 10 Dishes
Dish
Khmer
Description
Fish Amok
Amok
Coconut curry steamed fish in banana leaves, the national dish
Lok Lak
Lok Lak
Stir-fried beef with pepper sauce and lime
Kuy Teav
Kuy Teav
Cambodian rice noodle soup, breakfast staple
Bai Sach Chrouk
Bai Sach Chrouk
Grilled pork over rice, popular morning meal
Nom Banh Chok
Nom Banh Chok
Khmer curry noodles, called "Khmer noodles"
Prahok
Prahok
Fermented fish paste, essential Cambodian condiment
Beef Skewers
Sach Ko Ang
Cambodian-style grilled beef skewers
Samlor Korko
Samlor Korko
Traditional vegetable stew with prahok
Khmer Red Curry
Samlor Kari
Milder Cambodian version of red curry
Coconut Cakes
Nom Krok
Coconut milk pancakes, popular snack
Food Streets and Markets
Siem Reap Old Market (Psar Chas): Local food experience near Angkor
Phnom Penh Central Market (Psar Thmey): Art Deco market building
Phnom Penh Russian Market: Local food and souvenirs
Siem Reap Pub Street: Tourist food and nightlife area
Food Etiquette
Offer food to elders first before eating
Eat with a spoon and push food onto it with a fork
Prahok has a strong aroma but is central to Cambodian cuisine
Leaving some food is acceptable, but try not to waste rice
🏛️ Tourism
Top 10 Attractions
Rank
Attraction
Location
Highlights
1
Angkor Wat
Siem Reap
UNESCO World Heritage, world's largest religious monument
2
Angkor Thom (Bayon)
Siem Reap
Over 200 smiling stone faces
3
Ta Prohm
Siem Reap
Temple engulfed by trees (Tomb Raider filming location)
4
Royal Palace
Phnom Penh
Active royal residence, Silver Pagoda
5
Killing Fields (Choeung Ek)
Phnom Penh
Khmer Rouge genocide memorial
6
Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21)
Phnom Penh
Khmer Rouge detention center, tragic history
7
Tonle Sap Lake
Siem Reap
Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, floating villages
8
Sihanoukville
Southern Coast
Beach resort, island tours
9
Banteay Srei
Siem Reap
"Citadel of Women," exquisite carvings
10
Kampong Cham
Eastern Region
Mekong River city, bamboo bridge
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (4 sites)
Angkor, Temple of Preah Vihear, Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk, and Koh Ker.
Best Time to Visit
Dry Season (November–April): Best time to travel
Rainy Season (May–October): Tonle Sap water levels high, ideal for floating villages
Angkor Sunrise: Year-round, dry season recommended
🎭 Culture and People
National Character and Customs
Cambodians (Khmer people) are gentle and quick to smile. Buddhist values are deeply rooted in daily life, and respect for elders is paramount.
Religion
Theravada Buddhism (approximately 97%)
Islam (approximately 2%, mainly Cham people)
Christianity (small minority)
Major Festivals
Festival
Time
Description
Khmer New Year
April 13–15
Traditional Cambodian New Year
Pchum Ben
10th lunar month
15-day festival honoring ancestors
Water Festival (Bon Om Touk)
November
Boat races celebrating Tonle Sap reversal
King's Birthday
October–November
Commemoration of King Sihanouk
Basic Khmer Phrases
English
Khmer
Pronunciation
Hello
សួស្តី
Sua-sdey
Thank you
អរគុណ
Or-kun
How much?
ថ្លៃប៉ុន្មាន?
Tlai bon-man?
Delicious
ឆ្ងាញ់
Chh-nganh
Help me
ជួយផង
Chuoy pong
Yes/No
បាទ/ចាស / ទេ
Bat/Chas / Teh
📜 History
Historical Timeline
Period
Event
1st century
Funan Kingdom established
802–1431
Khmer Empire, Angkor era (Southeast Asia's greatest power)
1431
Angkor falls to Ayutthaya
1863
French protectorate established
1953
Independence from France (King Sihanouk)
1970
Lon Nol coup, Khmer Republic
1975–1979
Khmer Rouge rule, approximately 1.7 million killed
Khmer Empire (802–1431): Southeast Asia's largest empire, built Angkor Wat.
French Colonial Period (1863–1953): Part of French Indochina.
Khmer Rouge (1975–1979): Pol Pot's communist regime killed approximately 25% of the population.
Civil War and Peace: 1991 Paris Peace Accords ended decades of conflict.
Modern Cambodia: Generational transition after Hun Sen's long rule (1985–2023).
🏆 Notable People
Person
Field
Achievement
Jayavarman VII
Royalty
Greatest Khmer king, built Angkor Thom
Suryavarman II
Royalty
Builder of Angkor Wat
Norodom Sihanouk
Politics
Father of independence, king and political leader
Rithy Panh
Film
Khmer Rouge documentary director, Oscar nominee
Hun Sen
Politics
Prime Minister for 38 years, led post-war reconstruction
💰 Economy
Key Economic Indicators (2025)
Indicator
Value
GDP
Approximately 32 billion USD
GDP per capita
Approximately 1,900 USD
GDP Growth Rate
Approximately 6.0%
Major Exports
Garments, footwear, rice, rubber
Minimum Wage
Approximately 200 USD/month (garment industry)
Unemployment Rate
Approximately 0.5%
Major Industries
Garments/Footwear: Approximately 70% of exports, mainly to EU and US
Tourism: Approximately 18% of GDP, centered on Angkor Wat
Construction/Real Estate: Rapid growth driven by Chinese investment
Agriculture: Rice, rubber, cassava exports
Cost of Living (Phnom Penh)
Item
Cost
Local restaurant meal
1–3 USD
Mid-range restaurant for two
15–25 USD
Cup of coffee
1–2 USD
Studio apartment (city center)
250–500 USD/month
Tuk-tuk fare
1–3 USD
💻 IT Ecosystem
Overview
Cambodia's IT industry is still in early stages but growing rapidly. A young population and high smartphone penetration (approximately 80%) are driving digital growth.
Major IT Companies/Services
Company
Focus
Wing (by ANZ)
Mobile money, Cambodia's largest
ABA Bank
Digital banking
Smart Axiata
Telecoms, mobile data
Cellcard
Telecommunications
BookMeBus
Online bus booking
Popular Tech Stack
Languages: JavaScript, PHP, Python, Java
Frameworks: React, Laravel, Vue.js
Mobile: Flutter, React Native
Cloud: AWS, Google Cloud
Key Apps and Services
ABA Mobile: Cambodia's popular banking app
Wing: Mobile money service
Grab: Ride-hailing (Phnom Penh)
PassApp: Local Cambodian ride-hailing
Facebook: National social media and business platform
Startup Ecosystem
Impact Hub and SmallWorld Cambodia in Phnom Penh are key startup communities. The introduction of KHQR (Cambodia's QR payment standard) is driving fintech growth, and startups leveraging the dollarized economy are gaining attention.
✈️ Business Travel Guide
Visa Information (Korean Passport)
e-Visa or Visa on Arrival: 30 days, approximately 30 USD
Business Visa (E): Separate application, 35 USD
Basic Information
Item
Details
Capital
Phnom Penh
Currency
Riel (KHR), but USD widely used in practice
Time Difference
2 hours behind Korea (UTC+7)
Voltage
230V, 50Hz, Type A/C/G plugs
Emergency
Police 117, Fire 118, Ambulance 119
Language
Khmer (English widely understood, especially in tourist areas)
Business Etiquette
Greet with a "Sampeah" (palms together bow), height varies by status
Never touch someone's head
Personal relationships matter in business
Cash (USD) is the most common payment method
Cambodia uses a dual currency system (USD and Riel)
