Essentials
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/C/G (Type C/two-pin round is most common).
- City
- Kampong Cham, Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia
- Population
- Approximately 120,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 25-45 Mbps; fiber available in main hotels and riverside guesthouses.
- Currency & Banking
- Dual currency system: 1 USD ≈ 4,100 KHR. ATMs dispense USD. ABA Bank is the primary local bank.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; 1.5L bottled water costs approx. $0.50 (2,000 KHR).
- SIM Card
- Smart Axiata or Cellcard; approx. $5 for 20GB monthly data plan.
- Banking for Expats
- ABA Bank (best app), Canadia Bank, and ACLEDA. ABA is preferred for KHQR scanner payments.
- Accommodation
- Riverside guesthouses and high-end hotels like Reasmey Cheanich Hotel.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, KHQR (ABA Bank) is accepted at most modern shops and cafes; cash is still needed for markets.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is limited; better to negotiate monthly rates at LBN Heritage Hotel ($400-$600/month).
- Budget Accommodation
- Monorom 2 VIP Guesthouse; approx. $12-$18 per night for AC rooms.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- The Riverside (Preah Sihanouk Blvd) between the French Lookout Tower and the local market.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Streets 1 & 2 near the riverside for proximity to cafes and stable fiber internet.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking; Reasmey Cheanich Hotel lobby ($2 coffee) offers the most professional environment.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Destiny Coffee House; social enterprise with excellent Wi-Fi, AC, and large tables. Coffee: $2.50.
- Networking Events
- Very limited; check 'Expats in Kampong Cham' Facebook group for informal meetups.
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night drinks at Moon River Guesthouse & Restaurant on the riverside.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- PassApp (Rickshaws) and Grab; average city trip $1.00 - $2.50.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Mekong Crossing Guesthouse; bicycles $2/day, scooters $6-$8/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Man Han River Beach (Seasonal sandbar); actual ocean beaches (Sihanoukville) are 6-7 hours away.
- Top Regional Airline
- Cambodia Angkor Air (flying out of Phnom Penh, 2.5 hours away).
- Top International Airline
- AirAsia, Emirates, and Qatar Airways via Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH).
- Highway Access
- National Road 7 (NR7) connects directly to Phnom Penh and the Vietnam border.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No train; Sorya Bus Station or Capitol Bus Station near the Central Market.
- Public Transport Passes
- None; Pay-per-ride via PassApp is the standard.
- Regional Travel
- Minivan (Vireak Buntham) to Phnom Penh ($8-10, 2.5 hours) or Kratie ($7, 3 hours).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Kampong Cham Provincial Hospital; for emergencies, recommend Medamphi Clinic or evacuation to Phnom Penh.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- No formal studios; many nomads practice on the riverside park at sunrise.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- LBN Fitness Center; modern equipment, AC, and pool access for approx. $3/day.
- Laundry Services
- Local shops along the riverside; $1 per kg, usually 24-hour turnaround.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- NHAM24 (very reliable in Kampong Cham) and Foodpanda.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fried Spider (Skuon is nearby) or Lort Cha (Short fat noodles); $1.50 at the market.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Smile Restaurant; a training restaurant for disadvantaged youth with good veggie curries ($4).
- Best Dessert Spots
- The Chocolate Shop (Riverside) for artisanal sweets and French-style pastries.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Psar Thom (Central Market) for fresh fruit, clothes, and local household items.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Wownow or Alibaba/Taobao agents based in Phnom Penh.
- Grocery Delivery
- NHAM24 Fresh; selection from local supermarkets like Lucky Express.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Riverside strip; Mekong Crossing is the main hub for evening drinks.
- Local Brewery
- Kingdom Breweries (Canned); Cambodia Beer and Angkor Beer are the local staples ($0.75/can).
- Wine Bars
- LBN Heritage Hotel bar; offers a decent wine list for the area ($5/glass).
- Street Food Stalls
- Night Market at the Riverside Park; try Grilled Pork Skewers (50 cents per stick).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Lazy Fish (Mexican and Western) or Mekong Crossing (Burgers and Pasta).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Bamboo Bridge (rebuilt annually) connecting to Koh Paen Island.
- Museums & Art Venues
- French Lookout Tower (Old colonial watchtower on the river).
- Historical Sites
- Wat Nokor Bachey; an 11th-century Angkorian temple with a modern wat built inside.
- Religious Sites
- Wat Hanchey; hilltop temple 20km north with stunning Mekong views.
- Annual Events
- Bon Om Touk (Water Festival) in November; major boat racing on the Mekong.
- Cultural Districts
- Koh Paen Island; accessible by bridge/ferry, traditional Cham and Khmer stilted houses.
- Theater Venues
- None; occasional traveling circus or open-air cinema at the riverside.
- Local Markets
- Psar Thom; best for morning immersive cultural experiences.
- Music Scene
- Local Khmer wedding bands (seasonal) or live acoustic music at Mekong Crossing.
- Street Art
- Limited; look for colonial-era architectural details in the old French Quarter.
- Cooking Classes
- Inquire at Smile Restaurant; they occasionally offer traditional Khmer cooking workshops.
- Art Galleries
- None; local handicraft stalls are located near the Bamboo Bridge entrance.
- Historic Buildings
- Colonial-era Governor's Mansion and old French administrative offices near the river.
- Local Heritage
- The Cham Muslim community heritage; visit the mosques on the outskirts of the city.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Koh Paen Island; ideal for cycling through pomelo plantations and rice paddies.
- National Parks Nearby
- No national parks in immediate vicinity; closest is Phnom Kulen (4 hours away).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Riverside Promenade; a 2km paved walking path popular for sunset strolls.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Kizuna Bridge; the first bridge over the Mekong in Cambodia, great for sunset photos.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mekong River banks north of the city; white herons and kingfishers are common.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Sandy banks of Koh Paen during the dry season (December–May).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- J&T Express or Virak Buntham Logistics; reliable for domestic shipping.
- Tech Repair Services
- Smart Phone shops around Psar Thom market for screen and battery replacements.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local community halls often have tables; ask at the LBN Fitness Center.
- Language Classes
- ACE (Australian Centre for Education) – nearby for English, but great for networking with teachers.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Kampong Cham Public Library; quiet but lacks modern amenities/AC.
- Community Centers
- Cambodian Children’s Fund or local NGOs; often looking for volunteers.
- Gaming Lounges
- Local internet cafes near the high school (Phum 3); mostly used for mobile gaming.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None; casinos are restricted primarily to border towns and Phnom Penh.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $800 per m² ($32,000 for 40 m²; usually 'Hard Title' land with structure).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $450 per m² ($18,000 for 40 m²).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $750 per m² ($45,000 for 60 m²).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $400 per m² ($24,000 for 60 m²).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $700 per m² ($56,000 for 80 m²).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $350 per m² ($28,000 for 80 m²).
- Corporate Tax
- Standard rate is 20% in Cambodia.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 14% for non-residents.
- Tax System
- Residency-based; residents taxed on worldwide income, non-residents on Cambodian source income.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 20% for monthly income over 12,500,000 KHR (approx. $3,000).
- VAT
- 10% standard rate.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules currently in Cambodia.
- Property Tax
- 0.1% annually for property valued over 100,000,000 KHR (~$24,500).
- Property Transaction Tax
- 4% Transfer Tax on the property value.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa yet; most use 'Ordinary (E class)' visa which is easy to extend for work.