travel book on cambodia

25 Best Books on Cambodia

by Julie | Dec 15, 2023 | Books , Cambodia

Spending the past month reading over 20 books on Cambodia, I feel like I’ve just been on an emotional rollercoaster. Throughout history, Cambodia and its people have experienced so much greatness but also so much sorrow –from the grandeur and brilliance of the Angkor Empire to the unimaginable horrors of the Khmer Rouge.

At times I wondered if I was crazy to read about so much heartbreak and suffering in 2020. But then I realized that it’s better to know than to not know about what can happen when a country is taken over by a delusional, cruel, and incompetent group of people following an extreme ideology. Cambodia wasn’t the first to experience this kind of nightmare and unfortunately, it probably won’t be the last.

This list of 25 books is based on several months in 2014 and 2020 scouring the internet for the best fiction and nonfiction books on Cambodia .

I’m always looking to expand my reading lists, so if you think I’ve left anything off this list that should be on it, please let me know in the comment section below. Let me also know if you’ve read any of these books. Both my readers and I would love to know.

If you’re looking for info on traveling to this beautiful country, check out my travel posts on Cambodia .

For more book challenges from around the world, visit my Book Challenge List.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate and a Bookshop.org Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Please see this website’s  Disclosure  for more info.

In This Post, You’ll Find…

Jump to the category of Cambodia books that interest you the most:

• Memoirs of Life Under the Khmer Rouge & More
• Books on the History of Cambodia
• Books on Angkor Wat
• Travel Guides for Cambodia

Novels Set in Cambodia

Books on life under the khmer rouge – memoirs.

Start your Cambodia reading challenge with one of these heartbreaking and unforgettable memoirs written by victims of the Cambodian genocide . A communist dictatorship under the secretive Pol Pot took over the country in 1975 and turned it into a slave state. It forced everyone from the cities into labor camps where those from 6 to 60 worked from sunrise to sunset without pay for 3 years 10 months and 22 days. Because of their inept policies and cruelty, 1.7 million people (20% of the population) died from starvation, disease, execution, and torture.

1. Survival in the Killing Fields

By haing s ngor (1989, 2012), my rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

“I have been many things in life: A trader walking barefoot on paths through the jungle. A medical doctor, driving to his clinic in a shiny Mercedes. In the past few years, to the surprise of many people, and above all myself, I have been a Hollywood actor. But nothing has shaped my life as much as surviving the Pol Pot regime. I am a survivor of the Cambodian holocaust. That’s who I am.”

So many memoirs have been written about the Cambodian Genocide that it’s hard to decide where to start. I think you can’t go wrong beginning with Survival in the Killing Fields . It’s well-written (Ngor had a co-writer who is a professional writer), moving, graphic, and informative.

The author, Haing S Ngor, was the actor who played Dith Pran in the movie, The Killing Fields . Ngor was a doctor working in a military hospital in Phnom Penh when the Khmer Rouge entered the city and forced everyone to evacuate. Like most Cambodians, he ended up in a slave labor camp where he experienced disease, starvation, torture, and loss.

Ngor’s story is probably the most chilling of all the ones I’ve read on the genocide.

An added bonus is reading about how he got picked to play the part of Dith Pran and what happened to him during the filming of The Killing Fields .

Read my expanded review of Survival in the Killing Fields to find out why I think it’s the best book on the Cambodian genocide.

2. First They Killed My Father

By loung ung, 2000 & 2017.

“This is what the war has done to me. Now I want to destroy because of it. There is such hate and rage inside me now. The Angkar has taught me to hate so deeply that I now know I have the power to destroy and kill.”

If the title of this memoir on the Cambodian genocide sounds familiar, there’s a good reason. It was made into a movie directed by Angelina Jolie. The movie was good; the book is even better.

The writer, Loung Ung, was five years old when the Khmer Rouge entered Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975 and evacuated everyone from the city. She and her large family of six siblings ended up in a slave labor camp in northwestern Cambodia. Her father, a high-ranking military police officer, knew that if the Khmer Rouge found out about his background, it would be the end for him and his family. You know from the title that he was eventually murdered. But that doesn’t lessen the suspense of the book because you don’t know when or how it was going to happen.

This is a raw, painful, and brilliant book . I guarantee you’ll be in tears by the end of this memoir.

Loung Ung does a good job of pulling it off of writing from the voice of a child.

The bonus of reading First They Killed My Father is that there are two excellent sequels you can read as well.

I read both the print version and listened to the audio version . Both are quite good. The audio version is nice in that you actually get to learn how to properly pronounce everyone’s name.

Read my full review of First They Killed My Father .

3. Lucky Child: A Daughter of Cambodia Reunites with the Sister She Left Behind

By loung ung, 2010.

“I know that in my new home, there is no war, hunger, or soldiers to be afraid of. Yet in the quiet recesses of my mind, the Khmer Rouge lurks and hovers in dark alleys, waiting for me at the bend of every corner. No matter how far I run, I cannot escape the dread that they have followed me to.”

The riveting and moving book, Lucky Child , is the sequel to First They Killed My Father. It’s the only one I could find that goes in-depth on what happened to the survivors AFTER the Khmer Rouge lost power in 1979.

Loung Ung tells us two unforgettable stories. The first is her own story. She’s the lucky child in that she’s chosen to accompany her brother to America. The memoir is about her trying to not only assimilate into American culture but also deal with the memories of the genocide.

She also tells the story of the sister who is left behind in Cambodia. We learn what it was like to be in the country from 1980 to 1990 . It wasn’t easy as a civil war between the Khmer Rouge and their opposition (a combination of Vietnamese and former Khmer Rouge turned anti-Khmer Rouge forces) went on for 20 long years.

You can read my full review of Lucky Child here .

4. Lulu in the Sky: A Daughter of Cambodia Finds Love, Healing, and Double Happiness

By loung ung, 2012, my rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

“I had begun the manuscript in anger, an act of revenge against Pol Pot and his soldiers, and ended up writing not a historical book on Cambodia but a memoir of my life and family.”

Lulu in the Sky is the third book in Loung Ung’s trilogy about her experience going through the Cambodian genocide and its aftermath. The book is much happier than the previous two but it’s also not as riveting .

Loung Ung goes into great depth about how she met, fell in love, and eventually married her husband . She also describes how she got involved in the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. These 2 experiences led her to a campaign to raise awareness of the atrocities that occurred under the Khmer Rouge . The most interesting part is learning how she used her activism and writing to help heal herself from her traumatic past.

You can read my full review of Lulu in the Sky here.

RELATED POSTS ON CAMBODIA: Cambodia Itinerary: 2 – 3 Weeks Spent Hopping from Temples to Islands

5. When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge

By chanrithy him, 2001.

“The cost of war is a lifelong legacy borne by children”

Another heartbreaking and riveting memoi r I read on the Cambodian genocide is When Broken Glass Floats (meaning when the world is unbalanced), written by Chanrithy Him.

Him was four years old when the Khmer Rouge sent everyone including her large family of twelve to the countryside and eventually to slave labor camps throughout Cambodia.

Him recounts the story of her experience of family separation, illness, starvation, and loss. Not all of her family survived. But through the loyalty and love among the remaining family members, they help each other to survive and leave Cambodia. Him eventually makes it to the United States.

I read When Broken Glass Floats in 2014 and at that time, I gave it five stars on Goodreads. Because it was a library book, I didn’t have a chance to refresh my memory enough before writing this review to tell you whether I would recommend it over other books on the genocide.

6. River of Time: A Memoir of Vietnam and Cambodia

By jon swain.

“He [Dith Pran] had taught us what friendship meant and when his luck ran out, we had nothing to give him except money and food. Our abandonment of him confirmed in me the belief that we journalists were in the end just privileged passengers in transit through Cambodia’s landscape of hell. We were eyewitnesses to a great human tragedy none of us could comprehend. We had betrayed our Cambodian friends. We had been unable to save those who had saved us. We were protected simply because our skins were white. I felt ashamed.”

River of Time is British journalist, Jon Swain’s beautiful memoir of his time living in and reporting on Southeast Asia during the Indochina Wars. He was in Cambodia in 1970 before being kicked out for reporting on something the government didn’t like. He left for Vietnam and stayed there until 1975 before returning to Cambodia to report on the downfall of Phnom Penh. He was actually with Dith Pran on the day Phnom Penh fell and was portrayed in the movie The Killing Fields.

If you’re holding off reading this book because of its hefty price tag, don’t. It’s so damn good! It is truly, truly great writing. Every word is like poetry.

Swain also knows how to capture a sense of place like no other author I’ve ever read. Unlike so many other western writers, Swain never looks down upon Cambodia or Vietnam.

If you are someone who loves Southeast Asia or who romanticizes the region ( Vietnam , Cambodia, Laos), then do not hesitate. Splurge a little and get this book!

More Books From Around the World:

• 25 Books on China
• 15 Books on Guatemala
• 15 Books on Indonesia
• 27 Books on Japan
• 15 Books on Korea
• 10 Books on Malaysia
• 13 Books on Myanmar
• 10 Books on Russia and Vladimir Putin
• 10 Books on Singapore
• 20 Books on Sri Lanka
• 25 Books on Thailand
• 25 Books on Vietnam
• 16 Books on the Ancient Maya

7. The Gate

By francois bizot, 2000, my rating: have not read yet.

The Gate is a memoir by French ethnologist Francois Bizot describing his experience as a prisoner of the Khmer Rouge . Interestingly, his imprisonment took place in 1971, four years before the Khmer Rouge came to power in Cambodia. But what was more interesting was that his captor was none other than the infamous Deuch, the notorious warden of Tuol Sleng prison , where 17,000 people were tortured and executed from 1975 – 1979.

During the fall of Phnom Penh , Bizot became the intermediary between those trapped in the French embassy and the Khmer Rouge.

I became interested in this book after reading Jon Swain’s River of Time , which describes the friendship between Swain and Bizot and touches upon Bizot’s experience as a prisoner of the Khmer Rouge and an intermediary during the fall of Phnom Penh.

RELATED POST: Phnom Penh Itinerary: The Perfect Itinerary for History Lovers

Books on Cambodia – History

After reading one or two memoirs by the victims of the Cambodian genocide, read one of the books that delve into the history of the Khmer Rouge to find out more about the people who created the genocide.

If you’re interested in the entire history of Cambodia, I’ve listed a few books that will give you a wider context to the Khmer Rouge atrocities. Cambodia’s history has not all been a nightmare. Under the Angkor Kingdom (802 – 1431), the Khmer people built some of the most magnificent buildings the world has ever seen. It’s interesting and informative to see how a country goes from such brilliance to such brutality.

8. A History of Cambodia

By david chandler, 2007.

“The first sixty years of the nineteenth century form the darkest portion of Cambodia’s dark ages before the Armageddon of the 1970s. Invaded and occupied again and again by Thai and Vietnamese forces, the kingdom also endured crises and demographic dislocations. For a time in the 1840s, it ceased to exist as a recognizable state. Just as Jayavarman VII’s ideology can be compared in some ways to the ideology of Democratic Kampuchea, the first half of the nineteenth century bears some resemblance to the 1970s in terms of foreign intervention, chaos, and the sufferings of the Cambodian people.”

My favorite book on Cambodia’s history is David P. Chandler’s A History of Cambodia . The book is ideal for those who are serious about exploring Cambodia’s history more deeply .

It’s not for someone who wants a quick overview of the country or who is exploring its history for the first time. It’s more dense and academic than some of the other books that cover the whole 2000 years of Cambodian history.

The book examines four main themes : how Cambodia’s geography has affected its history, the relationships of modern Cambodia to its past, the role of patronage and hierarchy in the people’s thinking, its politics, and its society, and the lack of change in rural Cambodia.

Chandler doesn’t just present a list of events. He also analyzes the reasons why they occurred and the impact they had on subsequent events. However, because documented sources from Cambodia’s past are so few, there’s still a lot that we don’t understand about Cambodia.

9. Cambodia’s Curse: The Modern History of a Troubled Land

By joel brinkley, 2012, my rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

“Be careful because Cambodia is the most dangerous place you will ever visit. You will fall in love with it, and eventually it will break your heart.”

Curious about what life is like in Cambodia in the twenty-first century? Then you might want to read  Cambodia Curse by journalist, Joel Brinkley.

Brinkley spent two years (2008 – 1010) researching and two summers visiting Cambodia to write this book.

His overriding theme is that Cambodia is hopelessly corrupt and backward . Why Cambodians can’t get their act together baffles him.

The examples of corruption and graft are endless and repetitive. I get it! He didn’t need to pound his readers over the head with this fact.

Brinkley seems to only see the negative and to only be able to see things from this narrow Western mindset . Yes, compared to the United States, Japan, or Australia, Cambodia is poorer. Yet I know Cambodians who are resilient and have flourished and done well. Why couldn’t Birkley have told more of these stories?

I did find the parts on the PTSD— post-traumatic stress syndrome —that Cambodians have been suffering from ever since the genocide ended in January 1979 to be rather interesting.

Now that it’s nearly 2021, I’d say it’s out-of-date. Hun Sen is still in power and he’s cozier with China than ever before. But Cambodia is doing better doing economically (at least before COVID hit).

10. A Short History of Cambodia: From Empire to Survival

By john tully, 2006, my rating: not read yet.

If you want a simple overview of the history of Cambodia that won’t cost you an arm or a leg, then you might want to read  A Short History of Cambodia (288 pages). The book covers 2000 years of Cambodian history from its very beginnings to the early 2000s.

I haven’t read it and I probably won’t since I’ve read other books that delve into the subject matter more deeply. However, I wanted to include this book here for those who really want to learn about the history of Cambodia. It’s more affordable and easier to find in bookstores than Chandler’s book.

A Short History of Cambodia is part of a series of books on the history of Southeast Asia that include books on Bali, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

11. Voice from S-21: Terror and History in Pol Pot’s Secret Prison

By david chandler, 2000.

“Many other prisoners at S-21 were asked to explain why they had been arrested and therefore why they were guilty. Like Joseph K in Kafka’s novel The Trial, they had not been accused because they were guilty; they were guilty because they had been accused. The questions were intended to throw the prisoners off balance, but the interrogators themselves were often genuinely curious and sincere. They believed that the prisoners were guilty, but they had no idea what offenses they were supposed to uncover.”

I saw illegal copies of Voice from S-21 all over Phnom Penh when I was in Cambodia. I didn’t get it. I don’t believe in reading illegally produced books, but I wish I had at least read them before my visit to the country . It would have made my tour of Tuol Sleng prison much more meaningful. Instead, I read it in 2020.

Written by David Chandler, this riveting and detailed book focuses solely on the Khmer Rouge secret interrogation and torture center called Tuol Sleng prison . It is now a museum. This prison is where the Khmer Rouge sent their suspected spies and traitors to be interrogated, tortured, and then executed. Over 17,000 people went through this prison. Only eleven made it out alive.

You’ll learn about the people in charge of the prison, its victims who went through the prison, the various methods used to get the prisoners to confess, and the rationale behind their methods of madness.

12. When the War Was Over: Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge Revolution

By elizabeth becker, 1998.

“There were countless other “Tuol Slengs” bloodying the country. There were prisons, execution sites, and pits. Work and murder, work and murder were the two certainties of Democratic Kampuchea…Fear was the primary instrument to keep the population under control.”

When the War Was Over is another must-read book on Cambodia that I regret not reading earlier. It’s also on the pricier side, but I’d say it’s more than worth it.

The book focuses on the modern history of Cambodia from the French colonial period to the post-colonial governments of Prince Norodom Sihanouk and Lon Nol before making it to the period of the Khmer Rouge.

This is the perfect companion to any memoir on this list . The memoir allows you to see what happened to one person or family while When the War Was Over gives you why the genocide happened, how it happened, and who created it.

Elizabeth Becker was a journalist in Cambodia from 1973 to 1975. Now here’s what makes her extra special: She was also one of the only 3 western journalists allowed to enter Cambodia between 1975 and 1979 and one of the few to meet Pol Pot . Her book describes that trip in detail. The crazy thing is that one of the people on her trip was murdered while in Cambodia!

Read my full review of When the War Was Over.

13. Pol Pot: An Anatomy of a Nightmare

By philip short, 2006.

“‘Pol Pot,’ Ieng Sary recalled, ‘even when he was very angry, you could never tell. His face…his face was always smooth. He never used bad language. You could not tell from his face what he was feeling. Many people misunderstood that—he would smile his unruffled smile, and then they would be taken away and executed.’”

When the War Was Over is good, but if you want the most up-to-date and the best-researched book on the Khmer Rouge, then you must read Philip Short’s Pol Pot: An Anatomy of a Nightmare .

Although Pol Pot is the title of the book, it’s about much more than just him. It’s about EVERYONE who created the nightmare of the Cambodian experiment of turning a country into a slave state. This everyone includes the other high-ranking Khmer Rouge officials and Norodom Sihanouk as well as the outside powers of China, Vietnam, Thailand, and the United States . Short ignores the French colonial period. Don’t expect any anecdotes about the victims of the Khmer Rouge. Short pretty much ignores their story, which is fine since you can get it in other books.

What is so impressive about the book is that Short based it mostly on primary sources such as interviews of Khmer Rouge officials, Pol Pot’s bodyguard and cook along with reading state records of China, Vietnam, France, and the United States.

MORE IDEAS FOR THE ARMCHAIR TRAVELER: The 25 Best Books on Vietnam: From Food to Fiction

Books on Cambodia – Angkor Wat and the History of the Angkor Kingdom

If you’ve been fascinated by ancient ruins and have fantasized about being another Indiana Jones , then I highly recommend reading one of these great books on the history and archaeology of Angkor .

The Angkor Kingdom/Khmer Empire ruled over Southeast Asia from 802 to 1431 . At its height of power, it ruled over an area stretching from the Mekong Delta in Vietnam to present-day Myanmar (Burma). It built magnificent temples throughout Southeast Asia. Most people are familiar with Angkor Wat, but there are even more unforgettable temples that you must visit.

This list of books includes both the most accessible in terms of availability and price . It’s not easy finding books on Angkor Wat and it’s not easy knowing which ones to buy and which ones to skip. They also tend to be quite pricey.

14. Angkor: Cambodia’s Wondrous Khmer Temples

By dawn rooney, 2011.

“The temples startle with their splendour perfection, but beyond the emotions they evoke lie complex microcosms of a universe steeped in cosmology.”

Angkor: Cambodia’s Wondrous Khmer Temples is very popular with tourists visiting Cambodia . I carried this beautifully illustrated and informative guidebook/reference book around with me as I toured the Angkor temples .

The first one-third of this well-organized book covers the history and religion of the Khmer peopl e and the general architectural features of the temples and the last two-thirds is a guide to each individual temple . There are bits of advice on the best features of each temple and the best time to see the temples as well as an overly detailed description of the layout of each temple. I only wish there had been more on the history of each temple.

The writing was not the most scintillating I’ve ever read. At times, the description of each temple’s layout overwhelmed me so much that I stopped reading them. It’s still a must-buy reference and guidebook for those visiting Cambodia . However, I would also add Michael Coe’s book (see below) to help you understand the temples better.

15. The Khmer Empire: The History and Legacy of One of Southeast Asia’s Most Influential Empires

By charles river edition, 2018.

“Angkor Wat, in particular, has become a cultural icon of Cambodia, and the tourism generated by Angkor itself provides 28.3% of the country’s gross domestic product (Turner 2016), making it one of the nation’s largest industries.”

If you want a short and simple book on the history of the Angkor Empire AND you have a Kindle Unlimited Subscription, The Khmer Empire is an easy and quick read. Even if you don’t have a subscription now, you can usually sign up for a free one-month trial.

You can probably easily finish reading the book in a day. The book covers the history of Angkor chronologically . You come away understanding who the most important kings were and what the important events were.

However, like Rooney’s book, the history is a bit dry . You get more facts and dates than anything else. The history of Angkor doesn’t really come alive as you can find with my next three books.

16. Angkor: An Introduction

By george coedes, 1963.

“One fact is outstanding. Except for some old bridges, every Khmer monument was a religious building. The gods alone had the right to live in houses of stone or brick, the only materials other than bronze that could resist the climate and the passage of time. The sovereigns themselves lived in pavilions of wood.”

If you can find this marvelous but hard-to-find gem of a book , you are very lucky! It was written in 1963, so I’m not sure whether what is said in here is still accurate. Nevertheless, Angkor: An Introduction by one of the greatest archaeologists of Angkor, George Coedes, has some of the most interesting information on the temples and the history of Angkor that I’ve been able to find.

It’s a short book (106 pages of text before the glossary and reference list), but it covers individual subjects in great detail. There are whole chapters dedicated to the Bayon, Angkor Wat, King Jayavarman II, and King Jayvarman VII . Another chapter just discusses the symbolic features of the temples. Unlike all the other books I’ve read on Angkor, it’s organized topically (Architectural symbolism, The Mysteries of Bayon) rather than chronologically. 

George Coedes also wrote a well-respected book that you might be interested in called The Indianized States of Southeast Asia ( Amazon | Bookshop.org ).

RELATED POSTS ON THE ANGKOR TEMPLES: An Angkor Wat Itinerary That’ll Delight History Lovers

17. Angkor and the Khmer Civilization

By michael coe, 2015 & 2018.

“Had the ancient Greeks and Romans known of Angkor, they surely would have counted that great city as the eighth wonder of the world.”

Although I enjoyed Georges Coedes’ book on Angkor immensely, some of the info might be outdated and it’s hard to find. Therefore, I recommend investing in Michael Coe’s Angkor and the Khmer Civilization book. It is the best one I read on the history of Angkor.  

There are two editions. I read the first edition (2005). There is also the second edition (2018). I wish I had splurged on the second edition because that one includes the most up-to-date archaeological research on the Angkor temples. If anyone knows how different the two editions are, please leave the information in the comment section below.

What I love about the book is that although it’s an academic book, it’s very accessible to the average reader . There are loads of photos, maps, and diagrams, adding a lot to one’s depth of understanding of the text.

The book is organized chronologically and covers different periods of the Khmer Civilization. However, there are more than just lists of names and battles. There’s one whole chapter devoted to the culture and society of Angkor that I particularly adored.

18. A Record of Cambodia: Its Land and Its People

By zhou daguan; translated by peter harris, 2007, my rating: not read.

Historians and archaeologists have few resources on which to base their understanding of the Angkor Empire. They have temple inscriptions and bas reliefs and Chinese government reports. The only first-hand account of Angkor is a report by Zhou Daguan , an envoy sent to Angkor from China in 1296-1297. Unfortunately, much of the report has been lost over the centuries and what is left is 40 pages of text.

You can read the latest translation of Zhou’s report in A Record of Angkor . In the text, he describes the people, their dress, sexual activity, architecture, slaves, animals, the king, and the everyday life of the ordinary people. The actual report is short. There are 40 chapters and each chapter is on average one page.

I haven’t read A Record of Angkor . I hesitated for the longest time due to its price tag (US$20). I was just about to splurge and add it to my shopping cart on Amazon when I suddenly came across another version of Zhou Daguan’s work that was much cheaper: Chanda Chhay’s The Royal Cambodian Chronicle.

19. The Cambodian Royal Chronicle: Including Chou Ta-Kuan’s Report on the Customs of Cambodia

By chanda chhay, 2009.

“In this country, there are some pretty women (transvestites?) walking around the marketplace. They form a group of about 10 people and frequently try to seduce the Chinese in exchange for valuables. It is a bad behavior!”

Before I pressed the “Buy” button on Amazon for the very expensive above translation of Zhou Daguan’s A Record of Cambodia, I found The Cambodian Royal Chronicle by Chanda Chhay which included his own translation of Zhou Daguan’s account of his visit to Cambodia in the thirteenth century. The best part was that as a Kindle Unlimited Subscriber, it was free.

The book contains more than just a translation of Zhou’s account of his time in Cambodia. It begins with a chronological history of the Cambodian monarchs, including the ones after the fall of the Angkor Kingdom. You get to read how many times the Thais invaded Cambodia (a lot!). The second part describes the Cambodian people, society, culture, and civilization.

The final part is Zhou’s fascinating observations of Cambodia . Zhou tells you how people dressed, wore their hair, ate, bathed, constructed their homes, cultivated rice, and sold things. There is also a description of the flora and fauna of Cambodia. There is even a description of a fascinating and hard-to-believe practice of how young girls lost their virginity.

Books on Cambodia – Travel Guides

Here’s a list of my favorite travel guides for Cambodia!

20. Lonely Planet Cambodia 13

By nick ray and others, 2023, my rating: haven’t used the new edition yet.

Lonely Planet is my go-to guidebook for traveling in Southeast Asia. The Cambodia book is decent. What I like about it is that it covers the whole country including both the most popular destinations and more off-the-beaten-track ones .

Lonely Planet updated the format of its books and the Cambodia guide uses that new format. Lots of loyal readers are up in arms over this slick new design. I’m still undecided. It seems more user-friendly and less cluttered . Easier to read. And the new one has tons of photos.

However, it also appears that the newer designed books lack detail. Few hotel and eating options and a lack of prices. Plus the guide has a few errors –no mention of the new airport in Siem Reap but a mention of an airport in Koh Rong that’s not even open.

Perhaps Lonely Planet is now writing their books for travel inspiration rather than for travel planning . Physical books can’t keep up with blogs that can update information more easily.

One more thing is that there seems to be no ebook version of this book . Sad.

MORE IDEAS FOR THE ARMCHAIR TRAVELER: 15 Must-Read Books on North and South Korea

I couldn’t find many novels on Cambodia that are in English or have been translated into English. I’ve included in this list, both books that I’ve read and a few books that I haven’t but I’ve got in my library or just are too expensive to buy.

21. Temple of a Thousand Faces

John shors, 2013.

“The Temple of Angkor Wat had been designed to house the Hindu Gods but looked as if it had been built by them.”

This disappointing historical fiction novel is set during the reign of one of the greatest Angkor Kings, Jayavarman VII, the king responsible for the construction of Bayon, Ta Prom, and many of the temples you can visit around Angkor Wat.

The backdrop of the book starts with the moment the Cambodian’s biggest enemy, the Chams (they lived in central Vietnam), successfully invaded and took control of the Angkor Empire in 1177 until Jayavarman VII defeated them in 1178. In reality, it took Jayavarman four years to defeat the Chams.

The story centers around a number of different characters: Jayavarman VII and his favorite wife, Ajadevi; a fisherman and his family, a young beautiful woman who becomes a prisoner of the Chams, and the Cham King Indravarman and his followers, the assassin Po Rame and his general Asal.

It is fun reading about people walking in and out of the famous temples like Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei, Kbal Spean, and Phnom Bakheng and fishing and living on Tonle Sap. But beyond that, I found it disappointing. The characters are one-dimensional —either all good or all bad. The dialogue is repetitive, unnatural sounding, and annoyingly sappy . Each chapter repeated the same dialogue between the same characters repeating their love and devotion to each other. It got to the point that I just skimmed the book whenever someone spoke.

22. A Woman of Angkor

By john burgess, 2013.

If you’re looking for a good page-turner set during the Angkor Empire , I highly recommend A Woman of Angkor . It’s the better of the two historic fiction novels on this list.

I’ve actually read the book twice. The first time was while in Cambodia in 2014 and according to my 3 out of 5 Good Reads score, I must not have been all that impressed. However, because I couldn’t remember much about the story or why I wasn’t enamored by the book, I read it again in 2020 in order to give you a more accurate opinion of it. This second time was also after I’d read all the other books on this list. I can tell you that having more in-depth knowledge of the Angkor Kingdom helped me appreciate this clever, well-plotted, and engrossing novel more. 4 out of 5 stars .

The book centers around a brilliantly talented businesswoman named Sray, who is married to Nol, the person in charge of the parasols that block the sun from the king. Both Sray and Nol have a deep dark secret that if revealed would endanger them and their family. To make matters worse, the king falls madly in love with Sray.

The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that I didn’t like the main character . Sray may be talented and smart, but she’s also hypocritically pious and self-righteous.

Half of the story takes place during the construction of Angkor Wat . You’ll appreciate the story more if you read some background on the temple beforehand. One of the biggest mysteries of Angkor Wat is why the temple faces West and is dedicated to the God Vishnu while all other temples face East and honor the God Shiva.  The novel introduces a clever and hilarious reason for its differences.

23. The Map of Lost Memories

By kim fay, 2012.

“Too many people surrender to a place of safety. That place where all they do is long to sleep so they can dream about living.”

I had high hopes for The Map of Lost Memories as it contained elements of everything I love in a book: a smart, ambitious, and adventurous female character, an exotic location, and loads of archaeology. But I was rather disappointed.

It’s the year 1925 and Irene Blum has just been denied her dream job as the director of the Fields Museum in Seattle . Bitter but ambitious, Irene is determined to make her former employer regret their decision .  She receives a book from her mentor describing instructions on how to find hidden manuscripts revealing the secret of why the Angkor Kingdom collapsed . Irene takes off to Cambodia to find the buried treasure and bring it back to America, securing her fame and success in the archaeological world.

The book was slow going until it began to pick up at the halfway mark when Irene finally arrives in Cambodia. I love being able to make emotional connections with the main character, but I just couldn’t with Irene. I didn’t get a clear sense of who she was by the end of the book, and the change she went through didn’t feel authentic . The romance between Irene and another character (no spoilers) also wasn’t well-developed enough so the love they expressed to each other didn’t come off as very believable .

24. In the Shadow of the Banyan Tree

By vadney ratner, 2012.

“There will remain only so many of us as rest in the shadow of a banyan.”

Vadney Ratner’s heartbreaking and well-written book , In the Shadow of the Banyan Tree , tells the story of seven-year-old Raami, the daughter of a prince known as the Tiger Prince. It’s April 1975 and the Khmer Rouge are marching into Phnom Penh and evacuating all of the citizens to the countryside. Raami’s royal family joins the millions of other Cambodians on their way to slave labor camps across Cambodia where they work and die for some insane ideology of the Khmer Rouge.

The book is based on the true story of her family’s real experience under the Khmer Rouge. Ratner really is the child of a Cambodian prince, a relative of Norodom Sihanouk. In the author’s notes at the back of the book, Ratner writes about her decision to write a novel rather than a memoir, “In writing I have chosen the medium of fiction, of reinventing and imagining where memory alone is inadequate.” Except for her father’s name, she changed the names of people and places, changed time and incidents and omitted characters to simplify the story.

This is a wonderful book. Good writing. Fascinating characters. The father is especially so.

25. The Rent Collector

By camron wright, 2012, my rating: 5 out of 5 stars – brilliant.

After I finish, some of you may whisper that it is not true. You may say that my words are made up that my story is nothing but a myth—and you may be right. But as a wise and great teacher once explained so patiently, all good stories—stories that touch our soul, stories that change your nature, stories that cause you to become a better person from their telling—these stories always contain truth.

If you’re looking for a book about Cambodia that is NOT about the Khmer Rouge or Angkor Wat, I’ve found one for you: The Rent Collector .

And luckily, it is a pure GEM! Ooh! I adored this book so much. I loved all the characters—Sang Li, Ki, Sopeap Sin, Lucky.

It’s a feel-good kind of story about the power of literature —how it can transform you, save you, and make you a better person. What more can a bookworm want in a book!

Sang Li is poor. She lives with her family in a house made of cardboard in the largest garbage dump in Phnom Penh . Every month the nasty, irritable, alcoholic rent collector, Sopeap Sin, comes around to collect rent from the residents of the dump. One day Sang Li sees a different side of Sopeap. This experience brings these two women together and changes Sang Li’s life forever.

This book surprised me . I wasn’t expecting to love a book so much by a non-Cambodian about Cambodia. Can someone not from a culture tell a truly authentic story about another culture? If you’re a good enough storyteller and you know the culture and respect it enough, you can.

Why did I love this book so much?

First of all, technically, it’s a great story—you’ve got good pacing, characters, plot, setting, etc.

Second, for readers who read to learn about a culture and a place, the book is perfect for that. This book reveals a side of a country that is rarely found in books—the poor who earn a living picking through people’s garbage. Life is tough and dangerous for these people—garbage burns, dump trucks run people over, and the police don’t care about you.

Finally, I’m a sucker for books about books. I love to read, but sometimes I need to be reminded that I’m not wasting my time reading novels and that novels have a purpose in this world. They teach you truths about human nature and life. Without them, the world would be worse off.

My biggest regret is that I borrowed the book from the library. I wish I had bought my own copy because it’s a book I’d like to read again.

Final Thoughts

My final thoughts: You probably won’t read every book on this list, so here is my list of the top 6 to 7 books you should read. (1) Any one of the memoirs written by the victims of the Khmer Rouge ( Survival in the Killing Fields OR First They Killed My Father AND Lucky Child ), (2) A History of Cambodia by Philip Chandler (3) When the War Was Over OR Pol Pot: An Anatomy of a Nightmare ; (4) Angkor and the Khmer Civilization (5) River of Time and (6) The Rent Collector .

Get FREE trials of my favorite Amazon products:

• Kindle Unlimited – I have a subscription to Kindle Unlimited just for all the free Lonely Planet guidebooks. You get FREE books and magazines including Lonely Planet books with a 1-month FREE trial .
• Audible – Audible is amazing for those who need something to listen to while going for long walks. You get 2 FREE book s with a FREE one-month trial .
• Amazon Prime 30-Day FREE Trial – I was an Amazon Prime Member for years (I’m traveling full-time now so it’s not so useful). I loved its free shipping and its Amazon Prime movies and TV shows ( Mrs. Maisel, Bosch , and Expanse ).
• Prime Student 6-month FREE Trial – If you have a university email account, you can get an even better deal with a FREE 6-month trial of Amazon Prime.

Are you on Pinterest?

Hey! How about saving one of these pins to Pinterest to read for later?

And feel free to follow me on Pinterest, where you’ll find lots of travel articles for everywhere around the world.

More Books from Around the World

• 30 Books on Singapore
• 25 Nonfiction Books on China
• 35 Fiction Books on Japan
• 28 Books on Vietnam
• 25 Books on Cambodia
• 16 Books on the Ancient Maya’
• 13 Books on Russia and Vladimir Putin
• 35 Books on Ukraine
• 25 Books on Ecuador
• 25 Books on Panama

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Submit Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

What are you looking for?

About the bamboo traveler.

Welcome to The Bamboo Traveler, a travel blog dedicated to helping those travelers who want to dig deeply into the history, heritage, and culture of a place. Whether it’s through the pages of your passport or the pages of a book, I’ll help you travel the world and uncover the history, culture, food, architecture, and natural beauty of some of the world’s most fascinating places.

Follow the Bamboo Traveler!

Traveling to Japan soon?

Get all my great travel tips as well as this FREE Japan travel and itinerary guide sent to your email right away!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Recent posts.

• Japan Itinerary: The Perfect 3 Weeks in Japan
• En Vía Oaxaca Tour Review: Is It Worth It?
• Valladolid Travel Guide: The Sultana of the East
• 24 BEST Things to Do in Merida for Culture, Food & History Nerds
• 30 Books on Colombia That’ll Give You Serious Wanderlust

Books for Armchair Travelers

• Books on Cambodia
• Books on China
• Books on Ecuador
• Books on Guatemala
• Books on Hong Kong
• Books on Indonesia
• Books on Korea
• Book on Japan – Fiction
• Books on Myanmar
• Books on Malaysia
• Books on Panama
• Books on Russia
• Books on Singapore
• Books on Sri Lanka
• Books on Thailand
• Books in Ukraine
• Books on Vietnam
• Books on the Ancient Maya
• Books by Murakami 
• Books on Pandemics

Get Your FREE Japan Itinerary Guide Here!

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive the latest travel tips for Asia and get a free 4-page PDF version of my 3-Week Japan Itinerary.

Pin It on Pinterest

• Travel & Holiday
• Specialty Travel

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Follow the author

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Lonely Planet Cambodia: Perfect for exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled (Travel Guide) Paperback – 1 Dec. 2021

There is a newer edition of this item:.

Lonely Planet's Cambodia is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Explore Khmer history at the National Museum of Cambodia, marvel at the Cambodian Circus, and explore majestic temples in Angkor; all with your trusted travel companion. Begin your journey now!

Inside Lonely Planet's Cambodia Travel Guide:

Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreak

NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel

Improved planning tools for family travellers - where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kids

What's New feature taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas our writers have uncovered

NEW Accommodation feature gathers all the information you need to plan your accommodation

Colour maps and images throughout

Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests

Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices

Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss

Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics

Over 55 maps  

Covers Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Temples of Angkor, South Coast, Northwestern Cambodia, Eastern Cambodia and more

The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Cambodia, our most comprehensive guide to Cambodia, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled. 

Looking for just the highlights? Check out Pocket Siem Reap & the Temples of Angkor, a handy-sized guide focused on the can't-miss sights for a quick trip.

About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day.

'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – New York Times

'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – Fairfax Media (Australia)

• Print length 384 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Lonely Planet
• Publication date 1 Dec. 2021
• Dimensions 12.95 x 2.22 x 19.56 cm
• ISBN-10 1787016706
• ISBN-13 978-1787016705
• See all details

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Product description

From the back cover, about the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lonely Planet; 12th edition (1 Dec. 2021)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1787016706
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1787016705
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.95 x 2.22 x 19.56 cm
• 2,211 in Travel Reference & Tips
• 6,689 in Specialty Travel
• 35,945 in Home & Garden (Books)

About the author

Lonely planet.

With over 150 million guidebooks in print, Lonely Planet is a trusted source for any traveler. Since our inception in 1973, we've inspired generations of travelers to discover amazing places and enabled curious travelers to get off the beaten paths to appreciate different cultures and become agents of positive change.

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from United Kingdom

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• UK Modern Slavery Statement
• Sustainability
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell on Amazon Business
• Sell on Amazon Handmade
• Sell on Amazon Launchpad
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect and build your brand
• Associates Programme
• Fulfilment by Amazon
• Seller Fulfilled Prime
• Advertise Your Products
• Independently Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Make Money with Us
• Instalments by Barclays
• Amazon Platinum Mastercard
• Amazon Classic Mastercard
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Payment Methods Help
• Shop with Points
• Top Up Your Account
• Top Up Your Account in Store
• COVID-19 and Amazon
• Track Packages or View Orders
• Delivery Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Amazon Mobile App
• Customer Service
• Accessibility
• Conditions of Use & Sale
• Privacy Notice
• Cookies Notice
• Interest-Based Ads Notice

7 Great Books to Read Before Visiting Cambodia

By: Author Dagney Mckinney

Posted on Last updated: 8th April 2024

Visiting Cambodia, like many Southeast Asian countries involves storytelling traditions dating back centuries. However, much of it was rarely written down, passed instead through oral tradition. Most of the literary works written down in Khmer were owned and controlled by the Royal families, or the Buddhist monks.

Despite these long literary traditions, the Khmer literature available in English is almost exclusively about the Khmer Rouge. For those unaware, the Khmer Rouge was the name given to the Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK).

Although the name originated in the 1950s as a general term for the Cambodia left, it was popularised in 1975 by the genocidal Pol Pot regime. Pol Pot was a cruel and vile dictator who ruled Cambodia between 1975 to 1979. He and the Khmer Rouge party are responsible for upwards of 1 million deaths (the exact number is unknown).

Millions of Cambodians were rounded up, imprisoned and tortured. Many were brought to the “killing fields,” a phrase coined by Cambodian journalist Dith Pran for the 20,00 sites across Cambodia where people were executed.

Pol Pot initially targeted members of the royal family, those in government positions and anyone well educated, including French speakers (although he and many of his high ranking officials spoke French). However, these were not the only people killed during his reign of terror. When I moved to Cambodia in 2015, I sought to read as many books as possible on the country, and am always on the lookout for more.

Essential Books to Read Before Visiting Cambodia

There are many excellent books about the Khmer Rouge atrocities (some of which are listed below), and I could easily just write a list about the best books on the subject. Instead, I have included books about a range of topics to give a better overall picture of Cambodia. But I won’t lie, the Khmer Rouge’s legacy is hard to avoid.

When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge by Chanrithy Him

The most famous memoir of the Khmer Rouge genocide is  First They Killed My Father  by Loung Ung, and it’s a fine book, but I want to highlight another fantastic account of a childhood lost and family destroyed by the Khmer Rouge.

Him’s writing is poetic and raw. Amidst the horror and tragedy, she also shares stories of Khmer Rouge members who show her moments of kindness.

I personally prefer Him’s book to Loung’s, but they are both worth reading. If you are also interested in reading a fictional account about a young girl growing up under the Khmer Rouge, I highly recommend  In the Shadow of the Banyan  by Vaddey Ratner, which is potentially my favourite of the three

Read More : Books to Read Before Travelling Southeast Asia

Survival in the Killing Fields by Haing Ngor

Haing Ngor became famous for his portrayal as Dith Pran in the 1984 film  The Killing Fields .It is partially because of the incredible support he received for his role that he was encouraged to write his own story down. In  Survival in the Killing Fields  Haing, who was a doctor, paints a terrifying picture of life under the Khmer Rouge for someone with education.

Haing is unflinchingly honest, even when it is incredibly painful. In one of the book’s most heartbreaking scenes, he recounts his internal struggle as he is forced to watch his wife bleed out during childbirth in a crowded room. As a doctor — a gynaecologist and obstetrician, no less — Haing knew exactly how to save her and the baby, but also knew doing so would result in all three of them being murdered.

The Lost Executioner: A Journey to the Heart of the Killing Fields by Nic Dunlop

In 1999, Kang Kek Iew (or Comrade Duch) was apprehended for his role in the Khmer Rouge. He was the head of the S-21 Tuol Sleng prison, notorious for its horrific torture. Of the nearly 20,000 people interred within, there are only twelve known survivors (seven adults and five children).

Duch was convicted for crimes against humanity in 2010 after several years of trial. For many years he was the only member of the Khmer Rouge to be tried – let alone convicted. He is also the only one to ever apologise for what he did. Nic Dunlop was haunted by a photo he saw of Duch and needed to know why.  The Lost Executioner  attempts to answer that question by not only delving into Duch’s past and examining his motivations, but questioning why and how the world could turn a blind eye. Following the fall of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, almost no members of the party were apprehended or tried, despite pressure from many Cambodians and human rights groups.

There are many reasons for this, including rampant corruption at state level and the fact that many still in power have ties to the former Khmer Rouge party.

Although there have been a handful of convictions, including the two remaining living senior officials in 2018, the tribunals have been fraught delays and interference.

River of Time by Jon Swain

This feels a bit like a cheat because it’s not entirely about Cambodia.  River of Time  is Swain’s memoir of his time as a journalist war correspondent in Indochina (especially modern day Vietnam). However, the book does cover the rise of the Khmer Rouge and the evacuation of Phnom Penh, as Swain was there when it happened.

River of Time is an excellent book and provides insight into the escalating tensions throughout the entire region leading up to the Khmer war.

This is one of the rare instances where an outsider — due to his ability to travel more freely around the region — is able to provide a better understanding of what is happening in Cambodia and why. Jon Swain is played by Julian Sands in the film  The Killing Fields .

Read More:  Exploring Cambodia’s History with Jon Swain’s River of Time

Holiday in Cambodia by Laura Jean McKay

If you prefer short stories,  Holiday in Cambodia  is the book for you. These stories are all intimate slices of life in Cambodia, some about foreigners, some about Cambodians. They range in time from the 1950s to the 1990s.

Don’t go into this thinking that short stories will be easier to read than a book about the Khmer Rouge. For one, many of the stories confront the realities of the aftermath war. But many of these stories are also disturbing and poignant.

From the brothels of Phnom Penh and forced marriage under the Khmer Rouge to vampires, landmines and aid agencies, there’s a story here for everyone.

Temple of a Thousand Faces by John Shors

Cambodia’s most popular attraction is the ancient city of Angkor, and the giant Hindu temple of Angkor Wat its most visited site (and the largest religious site in the world).

Temple of a Thousand Faces  takes us back in time to the construction of Angkor Wat, which is the backdrop to the warring Cham and Khmer nations.

Although a lot of the book is dedicated to battle (and fair warning, it can get quite bloody), there is also a great deal about the food, the clothing, the tools and other aspects of everyday ancient Khmer life. Many of these can still be seen in modern Khmer life.

It is obvious Shors loves the subject matter, and for anyone visiting Angkor Wat and looking to read more about it, this is a must.

Read More : Books to Read Before you Visit Myanmar (Burma)

The Ramayana by Valmiki

Now this may seem like a weird choice for a book list about Cambodia seeing as it is an Indian classic, but hear me out. One of the most unique cultural experiences to have in Cambodia is going to a shadow puppet show. These cool plays use flat cut-outs with intricate designs held up and moved against the light to tell a story.

Many of the stories used in shadow puppet plays come from the Cambodian version of the  Ramayana , the  Reamker , and they are, naturally, in Khmer, not English. However, the  Reamker  is quite difficult to find, so I recommend familiarising yourself with the  Ramayana  instead so you can follow along while you’re in Cambodia.

If you’re keen to read distinctly Cambodian folklore instead, check out  Cambodian Folk Stories from the Gatiloke  by Kong Chhean. These stories are unlikely to pop up in a shadow play, though.

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

• INTELLIGENT TRAVEL

Great Travel Literature: Cambodia

Thinking about planning a trip to   Cambodia   or simply hoping to bone up on your knowledge about the Southeast Asian   nation?

Pick up one of these insightful books, recommended by travel literature expert   Don George:

• A Woman of Angkor , by John Burgess, illuminates the rites and rituals of 12th-century life in the Khmer kingdom—which, at its height, included much of modern-day Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Malaysia—as majestic Angkor Wat is being built. Burgess focuses lovingly on mundane subjects such as rice cultivation and temple construction—as well as on the intricacies of palace intrigues and political maneuverings—to create a rich portrait of Cambodia’s ancient past.
• Complementing   A Woman of Angkor , John Shors’s historical fiction   Temple of a Thousand Faces   focuses on the later 12th-century period when rival Cham forces under King Indravarman IV overran Angkor Wat and wrested control of the empire. As in Burgess’s book, Shors interweaves tales of commoners and royals to bring the era—and the new Khmer King Jayavarman VII’s quest to restore his people to power—to palpable life in this sweeping novel.
• Norman Lewis is one of the 20th century’s most discerning travel writers and Asia aficionados. In   A Dragon Apparent , Lewis recounts his journeys in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam in 1950, near the end of French colonial rule. His eloquent tales and reflections reveal an area and an era on the cusp of change—as well as the gentle manners and aesthetic sensitivities that still distinguish Cambodia today.
• Just decades after Lewis’s travels, Cambodia was shattered by Pol Pot, a brutal despot who masterminded a campaign of genocide that killed more than one-quarter of the country’s population in the 1970s. Vaddey Ratner’s   In the Shadow of the Banyan   describes the atrocities of these years and the remarkable resilience of the Cambodian people as embodied in the main character, a girl named Raami who, though only seven years old at the beginning of the book, manages to retain both her heritage and her humanity. Ratner’s deeply personal fiction is an indelible historical record and an inspiringly transcendent testament to the redemptive power of hope and love.

Don George   is an editor at large at   Traveler   a nd the author of   The Way of Wanderlust   and   Lonely Planet’s Guide to Travel Writing .   He   has also edited award-winning travel writing anthologies, including   An Innocent Abroad .   Follow Don on Twitter   @don_george .

• Nat Geo Expeditions

For Hungry Minds

Related topics, you may also like.

Which UK destinations inspired gothic literature greats?

5 top spots for slow travel in 2023

Meet the original members of the tortured poets department

Hay-on-Wye and beyond: 5 of the UK & Ireland's best spring literary festivals

Why parents still try to ban ‘The Color Purple’ in schools

• Environment
• Perpetual Planet

History & Culture

• History & Culture
• History Magazine
• Mind, Body, Wonder
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

Hrmm. Looks like you're using an older browser, which means some site features may not work they way they should. For the full gadventures.com experience, we recommend upgrading to the most recent version of your browser . It's worth it! Honest!

View all tours

North America

Central america & caribbean, south america, north africa & middle east.

Few travellers make it to this icy continent, but the lucky ones who do get to explore a frozen Eden ruled by the elements and teeming with wildlife.

G Adventures Land

G adventures sailing & cruises, g adventures private travel.

Whether it’s a family retreat or a girls trip, you can surround yourself with a hand-picked crew and customize a tour that fits you all perfectly.

The Geluxe Collection

Our new line of premium active adventures is officially here. With perfectly paced itineraries, one-of-a-kind accommodations and elevated dining, this is adventure at its finest.

National Geographic Journeys

Go deeper into the cultures and habitats of the places we explore. More is included and you’ll enjoy greater hands-on exploration, interactions with local experts, and freedom to roam.

National Geographic Family Journeys

Are you an adventure-loving family in search of meaningful ways to discover the world together? These tours are specially designed for travellers seven and up and their inquisitive families.

Jane Goodall Collection

Step deeper into the animal kingdom while respecting all of its inhabitants. Our incredible collection of wildlife-focused tours is endorsed by the world-renowned ethologist.

Roamies by Hostelworld

The thrill of adventure. The awesomeness of hostels. Get ‘em both on these immersive small group trips for 18 to 35-year-old travellers.

Why choose us

As the leader in small group travel for 30 years, we know how to do it right: flexible itineraries, freedom to roam, safety, peace of mind, and locally based guides.

Change the world just by having the time of your life. When you travel with us, you become a force for good by acting responsibly and creating positive impact.

Together with our non-profit partner, Planeterra, we ensure local communities touched by our tours benefit from our visits in as many ways possible.

Trees for Days

Leave your destination even greener than you found it! For every day on tour, we’ll plant a tree in your honour and ensure that our forests get to live their best lives.

Travel resources

Last minute deals.

Looking to have the time of your life in the next 90 days or so? You can save big if you’re ready to book now.

Loyalty discount

Back home from a G Adventures tour? Submit a quick trip evaluation to save 5% on your next tour with us.

Student discount

Got proof that you’re pursuing higher learning? Then we’ve got a travel voucher with your name on it.

All travel deals

New ways to save pop up all the time. Here’s where you’ll find every hot deal in one easy place.

Phnom Penned: 10 great books about Cambodia

From lighthearted travelogues and culinary guides to political biographies and poignant memoirs, we take a look at the best books about cambodia..

Cambodia’s literary canon is comparatively threadbare. There are no old masters like Salman Rushdie or Haruki Murakami nor contemporary voices like Khaled Hosseini or Mohsin Hamid — a fact of little wonder when one considers what happened in the country between 1975 and 1979.

In that short period, nearly all of Cambodia’s artists, writers, and musicians were systematically killed by Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime as part of its radical attempt to engineer a classless peasant society. The culling delivered a devastating blow to the county’s artistic heritage — one that still reverberates 40 years later.

In lieu of grand swaths of literary fiction, the reader can turn to an alternative set of books about Cambodia. From lighthearted travelogues and culinary guides to political biographies and poignant memoirs, this chronological list offers a look at the country’s extraordinary legacy.

1. A Dragon Apparent

by Norman Lewis – Travelogue, 2003

In this compelling travelogue, author Norman Lewis journeys through Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia as the sun begins to set on French colonial rule. He experiences the region before the devastating Vietnam War and paints a portrait of local cultures struggling to retain their identity in the grip of Western rule.

Lewis meets monks, farmers, emperors, and colonialists, and shares their stories with wit and intelligence. In fact, it’s Lewis who reportedly inspired famed English novelist Graham Greene to visit the region and write The Quiet American .

Originally published in 1951, A Dragon Apparent is a fascinating account of a corner of the world since changed drastically and irrevocably.

2. Notes from My Travels

by Angelina Jolie – Travelogue, 2003

Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie is an unlikely author — a fact she acknowledges at the start of the book — but her honest, unvarnished accounts of working with refugees across the world prove both compelling and insightful.

In this travelogue , Jolie charts her travels through Cambodia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Pakistan, and Ecuador as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. She meets an array of people who have suffered debilitating violence and destitution, and offers candid snapshots of their lives.

Jolie’s jumble of personal notes and scrawled insights can feel jarring at times, but the visceral quality adds an emotional depth seldom found in celebrity-penned memoirs.

3. Pol Pot: Anatomy of a Nightmare

by Philip Short – Political biography, 2006

How did an idealistic dream of equality and prosperity lead to one of humanity's worst nightmares? This is the question author Philip Short seeks to answer in this biography of Pol Pot .

Having witnessed Pol Pot at his charismatic best during an official visit to China in 1975, Short wonders how the leader’s utopian ideals led to the killing of two million Cambodians in the ensuing four years. In search of an answer, he travels through Cambodia, interviewing Khmer Rouge leaders and delving into previously closed archives around the world. He interviews key Khmer Rouge figureheads Khieu Samphan and Ieng Sary, who speak here for the first time.

There is scant information about Pol Pot, so Short’s resulting book isn’t so much a biography as a political text. Nevertheless, it is a fascinating read and one of the most comprehensive accounts of the merciless leader.

4. The Lost Executioner

by Nic Dunlop – Political biography, 2006

Haunted by an image of Khmer Rouge-official comrade Duch, photographer Nic Dunlop sets out to track down the war criminal.

"I needed to understand how a movement that laid claim to a vision of a better world could instead produce a revolution of unparalleled ferocity; how a seemingly ordinary man from one of the poorer parts of Cambodia could turn into one of the worst mass murderers of the 20th century," writes Dunlop.

In a work that combines impressive investigative journalism and enthralling first-person narrative, Dunlop draws out the details of Duch's transformation from sensitive schoolchild and dedicated teacher to the revolutionary killer who later slipped quietly back into village life.

Of course, the story doesn’t end there. Dunlop’s quest culminates in an unexpected encounter with Duch himself, setting in motion events that would eventually lead to his surrender.

5. First They Killed My Father

by Loung Ung – Memoir, 2006

A precocious child even at the age of five, Loung Ung led a relatively comfortable life in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. One of seven children of a high-ranking government official, Ung enjoyed the freedom of open city markets, fried crickets, and chicken fights — but life quickly changed when the Khmer Rouge conquered the city in April 1975.

Ung’s family fled their home and were later separated in their bid to survive. Ung was trained as a child soldier and her siblings were sent to forced labour camps, only reuniting years later when the Vietnamese unseated the regime.

First They Killed My Father is Ung’s haunting account of life under the Khmer Rouge and her struggle to survive despite overwhelming odds.

6. The Gods Drink Whiskey

by Stephen T. Asma – Part memoir, part Buddhist philosophy, 2006

The tagline — “Buddhism, Booze, and the Four Noble Truths” — does this book a disservice of sorts. The Gods Drink Whiskey is not a laddish foray into an exotic land, it’s a thoughtful account of a personal journey through Buddhist Cambodia. Asma is in fact a professor of philosophy who travelled to Cambodia to teach at the Buddhist Institute in Phnom Penh.

Asma’s book interrogates both Eastern and Western maladies — poverty and violence in Cambodia and the relentless pursuit for “more” in America — and wonders if each half would benefit from the other. Asma craves neither a spiritual America nor a capitalist Cambodia, but acknowledges that each has something to offer the other.

Part memoir, part self-help book, The Gods Drink Whiskey is an excellent option for anyone interested in Buddhism.

7. From Spiders to Water Lilies

by Gustav Auer and Sok Chhong – Cookbook, 2007

A list of books about Cambodia wouldn’t be complete without an ode to its culinary delights — and what better source than Friends the Restaurant ? This much-loved restaurant in Phnom Penh serves up tasty tapas and famous frozen shakes all while training disadvantaged youth in the field of hospitality.

From Spiders to Water Lilies offers recipes for more than 40 traditional Cambodian staples and delicacies, from traditional fish amok to unique dishes like banana flower salad with grilled Cambodian bacon and, yes, crispy fried tarantulas...

8. To Cambodia with Love

by Twefic El-Sawy – Essay collection, 2010

To Cambodia with Love is a heart-warming ode to this gem of a country. Through its collection of more than 50 personal essays, the book takes in everything from a tarantula brunch in the remote Cambodian countryside to a leisurely cyclo ride through the streets of Phnom Penh.

Contributors include the aforementioned Loung Ung, as well as Angkor Wat expert Dawn Rooney and long-time Lonely Planet author Nick Ray. Each essay is supplemented by a practical fact file detailing how readers can follow the author’s footsteps.

With full-colour photographs and first-person insights into dining, shopping, sightseeing, and culture, To Cambodia With Love is a unique guide for the traveller in Cambodia.

9. In the Shadow of the Banyan

by Vaddey Ratner – Novel, 2012

Vaddey Ratner is a Khmer Rouge survivor and author of In the Shadow of the Banyan , a New York Times-bestselling novel that draws on the author’s own childhood.

It follows the tale of seven-year-old Raami, whose childhood ends the day her father comes home with news of the civil war sweeping the streets of Phnom Penh. Raami’s carefully guarded royal privilege proves ineffectual in the ensuing chaos, and she finds herself swept away in the so-called revolution.

Over the next four years, Raami endures bereavement, starvation, and brutal forced labour, all in the pursuit of survival. The resulting tale is an extraordinary act of storytelling that takes a very real human tragedy and builds a novel that’s both poignant and piercing.

10. Temple of a Thousand Faces

by John Shors – Novel, 2013

In arguably lighter fare, Temple of a Thousand Faces is an epic saga of love, betrayal, and survival at all costs.

The novel is set in the 12th century. when Angkor Wat is ruled by the benevolent Prince Jayavar. When his land is forcibly taken by the conquering Cham King Indravarman, Jayavar narrowly escapes death and flees to the jungle with his wife, Ajadevi. There they set up camp and begin to amass an army to reclaim their land and free their people.

The book does stray into darker Game of Thrones –style material, and at more than 500 pages, is not a quick read, but Shors’ prose is so evocative, you can almost feel the humidity of the jungle and the buzzing mosquitoes as you turn the pages. It’s well worth a read on a longer trip through the country.

Getting There

G Adventures runs a number of departures in Cambodia encompassing a wide range of departure dates and activities to cater to different tastes. We’re thrilled at the prospect of showing you this big blue planet of ours — check out our small group trips here .

Read more from

Capturing patagonia: an analog film adventure, by haramar kandola.

Steeple-like peaks, turquoise lagoons, contemplative moments at camp — our very own Haramar Kandola shares analog snaps from Torres del Paine

5 ways solo travel helps you meet new people

By g adventures.

See how small group tours like National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures help spark lasting connections

6 best places to propose for a unique engagement

By jessica moy.

From glowworm caves to snow monkey parks, discover our best destinations to pop the question

Going solo: how to travel the world on your own

See how small group tours pave the way for incredible solo adventures (especially for women!)

Mexican street food: a beginner's guide

By richard kitzinger.

One frequent (but first-time Mexico) traveller takes a crash course to prep for a Classic Mexico Adventure

Delete post?

Note: If you only want to remove this post from public view, you can choose to unpublish it instead.

We Are Travel Girls

A Community Created To Inspire, Connect, Educate & Empower Female Travelers

ASIA , BOOKS , CAMBODIA , TRAVEL · May 27, 2017 Last Updated on March 10, 2024

• 7 Books You Should Read Before You Visit Cambodia

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may receive a small commission when you make a purchase using our link.

When I was about 5 years old I was taking a train with my mother from London Kings Cross back to our house in Hertfordshire. We sat down and immediately a gentleman opposite us starting chatting to my mum. As young as I was at the time, the exchange is one of those memories that really stuck with me and whilst I don’t remember the conversation in detail I remember the topic very well.

The gentleman began telling my mum about the country of Cambodia, the history of the Khmer Rouge and the Cambodian genocide between the years of 1975 and 1979. This conversation was taking place around 1985 so it was very recent history and I could feel the intensity of the conversation as they discussed what had happened in the country. The gentleman then reached into his bag and pulled out a book, The Killing Fields  by Christopher Hudson – he told my mum she had to read it and gave her his copy.

My mum of course read the book and it stayed on our bookshelf for many years, she always recommended to friends that they should read it and learn more about Cambodian history. Years later, before I embarked on a 6 month trip to South East Asia, she gave me that old copy as I was planning to visit Cambodia.

The Killing Fields is a must read for any one, whether you plan to visit Cambodia or not, to fully understand and appreciate Cambodia’s recent history. If you visit the country then you will quickly see that the Pol Pot era truly shaped the country and its people. And most people you will encounter will want to talk about it with you, so make sure you are an educated traveller.

Far better than my writing a post explaining the history to you, I suggest you read The Killing Fields and these 6 other books that I read before and during my trip to Cambodia.

1. FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER By Loung Ung

One of seven children of a high-ranking government official, Loung Ung lived a privileged life in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh until the age of five. Then, in April 1975, Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge army stormed into the city, forcing Ung’s family to flee and, eventually, to disperse. Loung was trained as a child soldier in a work camp for orphans, her siblings were sent to labor camps, and those who survived the horrors would not be reunited until the Khmer Rouge was destroyed.

2. BROTHER NUMBER 1 By David P Chandler

In the tragic recent history of Cambodia—a past scarred by a long occupation by Vietnamese forces and by the preceding three-year reign of terror by the brutal Khmer Rouge—no figure looms larger or more ominously than that of Pol Pot. As secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK) since 1962 and as prime minister of Democratic Kampuchea (DK), he has been widely blamed for trying to destroy Cambodian society. In this political biography, David P. Chandler throws light on the shadowy figure of Pol Pot. Basing his study on interviews and on a wide range of sources in English, Cambodian, and French, the author illuminates the ideas and behavior of this enigmatic man and his entourage against the background of post–World War II events, providing a key to understanding this horrific, pivotal period of Cambodian history.

3. IN THE SHADOW OF THE BANYAN By Vaddey Ratner

For seven-year-old Raami, the shattering end of childhood begins with the footsteps of her father returning home in the early dawn hours bringing details of the civil war that has overwhelmed the streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital. Soon the family’s world of carefully guarded royal privilege is swept up in the chaos of revolution and forced exodus. Over the next four years, as she endures the deaths of family members, starvation, and brutal forced labor, Raami clings to the only remaining vestige of childhood—the mythical legends and poems told to her by her father. In a climate of systematic violence where memory is sickness and justification for execution, Raami fights for her improbable survival.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch new trips and receive exclusive discounts!

4. WHEN BROKEN GLASS FLOATS By Chanrithy Him

In the Cambodian proverb, “when broken glass floats” is the time when evil triumphs over good. That time began in 1975, when the Khmer Rouge took power in Cambodia and the Him family began their trek through the hell of the “killing fields.” In a mesmerizing story, Him vividly recounts a Cambodia where rudimentary labor camps are the norm and technology, such as cars and electricity, no longer exists. Death becomes a companion at the camps, along with illness. Yet through the terror, Chanrithy’s family remains loyal to one another despite the Khmer Rouge’s demand of loyalty only to itself. Moments of inexpressible sacrifice and love lead them to bring what little food they have to the others, even at the risk of their own lives. In 1979, “broken glass” finally sinks. From a family of twelve, only five of the Him children survive. Sponsored by an uncle in Oregon, they begin their new lives in a land that promises welcome to those starved for freedom.

5. VOICES FROM S21 By David Chandler

A world-renowned historian of Cambodia, David Chandler, examines the Khmer Rouge phenomenon by focusing on one of its key institutions, the secret prison outside Phnom Penh known by the code name “S-21.” The facility was an interrogation center where more than 14,000 “enemies” were questioned, tortured, and made to confess to counterrevolutionary crimes. Fewer than a dozen prisoners left S-21 alive.

6. LUCKY CHILD By Loung Ung

After enduring years of hunger, deprivation, and devastating loss at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, ten-year-old Loung Ung became the “lucky child,” the sibling chosen to accompany her eldest brother to America while her one surviving sister and two brothers remained behind. In this poignant and elegiac memoir, Loung recalls her assimilation into an unfamiliar new culture while struggling to overcome dogged memories of violence and the deep scars of war. In alternating chapters, she gives voice to Chou, the beloved older sister whose life in war-torn Cambodia so easily could have been hers. Highlighting the harsh realities of chance and circumstance in times of war as well as in times of peace, Lucky Child is ultimately a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and to the salvaging strength of family bonds.

I hope that you found this post helpful in learning about the history of Cambodia, please share your own reading list recommendations and thoughts on the books mentioned in the comments below.

Get Access To Our Library Of Freebies, Checklists, eBooks, Travel Guides And More!

Subscribe to receive free access to the Travel Library

Read More About Cambodia

• Ultimate Guide To Exploring The Temples Of Angkor Wat
• Visiting The Phnom Tamao Rescue Centre In Cambodia
• 8 Things To Do In Siem Reap, Besides Angkor Wat

My Favourite Places To Stay In Cambodia

• Park Hyatt Siem Reap
• Jaya House River Park
• Phum Baitang
• Belmond La Résidence d’Angkor
• Sign up to Air BNB with this link and receive a US $35 off your first booking!

Pin For Later

This website is a free resource and to keep it free for our readers we may use affiliate links in our articles. If you make a purchase via the links on our site you will pay the same price, but we may receive a small percentage which helps us to keep bringing you new and informative content every day! Any products we endorse we personally use and love.  Please see our  Disclosures  for more information.

You’ll Also Love

May 27, 2017 at 9:07 am

Good suggestions Bex, definitely agree that everyone should read The Killing Fields, a powerful book. Good photos ?

glitterandmud says

May 27, 2017 at 10:39 am

I love this post! Can’t wait to visit Cambodia. I’ll have to start with reading one of these books first!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

• Travel Girls Getaways
• DESTINATIONS
• TYPE OF TRAVEL
• TRAVEL RESOURCES
• AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
• TRAVEL GIRLS GIVING

Get Access To The Travel Resources Library

Subscribe to receive free access!

• Work With Us
• TESTIMONIALS
• DISCLOSURES
• TERMS OF SERVICE
• PRIVACY POLICY
• ACCESSIBILITY

COPYRIGHT © 2023 WE ARE TRAVEL GIRLS

Exclusive Member of Mediavine Travel

What you need to know before visiting Cambodia: health care, currency, and culture

Mar 26, 2022 • 7 min read

From what to pack to being prepared for health and safety concerns, here's what you need to know ahead of a trip to Cambodia © Jim Purdum / Getty Images

Cambodia is considered one of the friendliest countries in Southeast Asia . Thanks to an unbreakable spirit and infectious optimism, the Khmers have prevailed. No visitor comes away without a measure of admiration and affection for the inhabitants of this enigmatic kingdom. 

General health is more of an issue here than in many other parts of Southeast Asia, due to a lack of international-standard medical-treatment facilities, a prevalence of tropical diseases, and poor sanitation. Once you venture into rural areas you are on your own, although most provinces have a reasonable clinic for minor health problems.

Cambodia is generally a very safe country to visit, but occasional crimes and scams do happen so it is best to minimize the risks where possible. Whether you're a first-time visitor or returning once again, this guide can help you plan the essentials for your trip.

Cambodia's use of currency can be confusing 

Cambodia’s official currency is the riel (4000r = US$1). The US dollar is used as a parallel currency and accepted everywhere, although small change may arrive in riel. Just to confuse matters, in towns bordering Thailand Thai baht (B) is also accepted.

Get yourself a  krama  as soon as you arrive

Purchase a krama , a traditional Cambodian checked scarf, as soon as you arrive – it's a multipurpose travel towel that the locals use in a multitude of ways. The primary use is protection from the sun, dust, and wind, but you can also use it as a quick cover-up sarong-style, to towel yourself down after a dip in the pool, and as a makeshift pillow. Essentially the list is as long as your imagination and it takes up virtually no space in your backpack compared to the multiple equivalent products it dupes.

Pack lightweight gear and casual clothes for Cambodia

Lightweight and loose-fitting clothes are the best plan in Cambodia, including cottons and linens to combat the humidity. Cambodia is not a particularly dressy place unless you're spending time at high-end bars and clubs in  Phnom Penh or Siem Reap , so smart clothes are rarely a necessity. If heading to the upland northeast in November to March, pack a warm top for the cool nights. 

What to pack

• Lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect the sun
• Comfortable sandals or shoes
• Refillable water bottle
• Powerful sunscreen and long-lasting deodorant
• Earplugs to block out the noise
• Unlocked mobile phone for use with a Cambodian SIM card (roaming charges are very expensive, it’s worth buying a cheap SIM upon arrival)
• A light raincoat if traveling in the wet season.

There is some important etiquette to keep in mind

Cambodian people are very gracious hosts, but there are some important spiritual and social conventions to observe.

Always be respectful at a Buddhist site 

When visiting temples, cover up to the knees and elbows, and remove shoes and any head covering when entering temple buildings. Sit with your feet tucked behind you to avoid pointing them at Buddha images. It's also good to leave a small donation. Women should never touch a monk or his offering bowl – the Buddhist faith believes it is contrary to a monk's sacred vows to be in close proximity to a woman that isn't a relative.

Use the local greeting when meeting new people

Called the sompiah , the local greeting in Cambodia involves putting your hands together in a prayer-like manner. Use this when introduced to new Khmer friends. When beckoning someone over, always wave towards yourself with the palm down.

Bargaining is expected in markets and for transportation

It's important to haggle in markets in Cambodia, otherwise, the stallholder may "shave your head" (local vernacular for "rip you off"). Negotiation is also the rule when arranging share taxis, pickups, and local transportation like tuk tuks if ordering in person and not via a ride-hailing app. The Khmers are not ruthless hagglers, so a persuasive smile and a little friendly quibbling are usually enough to get a price that's acceptable to both you and the seller.

It's important to dress modestly 

Avoid wearing swimsuits or scant clothing around towns in Cambodia, even in beach destinations. Wear a sarong or krama to cover up.

Tipping is appreciated

Tipping is not essential but is commonplace in establishments catering to tourists such as hotels and restaurants, and it is standard practice to tip tour guides and drivers on organized tours. 

Local health care in Cambodia is basic

Do not visit Cambodia without medical insurance. Hospitals are very basic in the provinces and anyone who has a serious injury or illness while in Cambodia may require emergency evacuation to Bangkok. If you fall seriously ill in Cambodia you should head to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, as these are the only places in the country with decent emergency treatment. 

Pharmacies in the larger towns are remarkably well stocked and you don’t need a prescription to get your hands on anything from antibiotics to antimalarials. 

When it comes to tap water, play it safe and avoid it where possible. Bottled water is widely available in Cambodia and many hotels and guesthouses have refill tanks. Ice is generally fine to use, as it is produced in bottled water factories around the country, a legacy of the French colonial period.

Elephant rides are not recommended

Though not yet illegal in Cambodia, elephant rides have been repeatedly called out by animal welfare groups as cruel and painful for the animal – some private companies are finally rethinking the practice . Do your research to ensure any animal sanctuary you'd like to visit is ethical and prioritizes the welfare of the inhabitants.  

Stay safe in Cambodia with these top tips

The most common crime is bag or mobile-phone snatching, usually perpetrated by thieves on motorcycles. Smartphones are a particular target, so avoid using your phone on the side of the street, especially at night. Walking or riding alone late at night is not ideal, as there have been several incidents of solo women travelers being assaulted in isolated areas, usually after dark.

Most scams are fairly harmless, involving a bit of commission here and there for local drivers. There have been one or two reports of police set-ups in Phnom Penh, involving planted drugs, but these seem very rare and usually involve business owners. Beware the Filipino blackjack scam – don't get involved in any gambling with seemingly friendly folks unless you want to part with plenty of cash.

There is quite a lot of fake medication floating about the region, so only buy prescription drugs from reliable pharmacies or clinics. Be very careful if being offered chemical drugs on the street in Cambodia, as not only are they illegal but may be laced with all sorts of dangerous toxic substances. 

Due to the presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in some rural areas, it is essential to stick to marked paths. Keep a close eye on small children in rural areas to make sure they don't stray and do not go off road if you're cycling.

Roads have improved massively in recent years, but conditions can vary widely from the dry to the wet season. Although motorcycles are a popular way to get around in Cambodia, do not attempt it if you're not an experienced driver. The tangled traffic in the big towns and cities is no place for a novice.

Run through this pre-departure checklist before you go

• Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months or you won't be allowed into Cambodia
• Arrange any recommended inoculations at a travel-health clinic
• Purchase travel insurance with decent health coverage
• Double-check to see if you need to arrange a visa before arrival

You might also like: Angkor Wat: everything you need to know about Cambodia's most iconic temple    Siem Reap: 11 best things to do after you explore Angkor Wat    Cambodia's less-traveled islands visitors need to know about   

Explore related stories

Budget Travel

Apr 21, 2024 • 6 min read

You can get a lot of bang for your buck on these three tiny islands off the west coast of Lombok – if you know where to look.

Mar 14, 2024 • 10 min read

Feb 24, 2024 • 8 min read

Feb 22, 2024 • 5 min read

Feb 3, 2024 • 7 min read

Jan 27, 2024 • 17 min read

Jan 17, 2024 • 6 min read

Jan 5, 2024 • 20 min read

Dec 27, 2023 • 8 min read

Dec 15, 2023 • 7 min read

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Cambodia Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 29, 2024

Backpacking Cambodia was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

When I first visited Cambodia in 2006, I had low expectations for the country as I hadn’t heard much about it as a travel destination. I knew a little about its violent and tumultuous past but that was it.

But, as I traveled around Cambodia, I was blown away by the friendliness of the people, the beauty of the country, and all the great things there are to see and do. The country fast became one of my all-time favorite travel destinations; I think it’s one of the most underrated countries in the world. I can’t recommend it enough!

Since that first visit, I’ve been back dozens of times — I even spent over a month there writing a book. After all these visits and my subsequent travels elsewhere, the country remains a favorite.

Cambodia is still trying to find its footing after the horrifying genocide carried out by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979, which saw upwards of 3 million Cambodians killed. This conflict left a deep, deep wound on the country that very much exists to this day.

Despite this, Cambodia is filled with some of the friendliest people I’ve ever encountered, a rich history, delicious food, beautiful coastlines, and a lively nightlife.

This guide to Cambodia travel guide can help you plan your trip, save money, and ensure you make the most of your visit to one of the best countries in the region.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Cambodia

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in cambodia.

1. Explore Angkor Wat

The Angkor Wat temple ruins are massive and you’ll need a few days to satisfy your inner Tomb Raider. If you’re not a history buff, just purchase a single-day ticket ($37 USD). Everyone else may want to consider the 3-day ticket ($72 USD) as there is a ton to see here! You can also take a guided tour if you want to really learn about this epic site!

2. Hang out in Sihanoukville

White sand beaches, nearby deserted islands, great diving, seafood, and a lively nightlife filled with cheap booze make Sihanoukville a favorite among backpackers. It’s not a quiet place to hang out, but it’s a good place to drink or use as a base to visit the nearby islands, which are quiet and serene.

3. See Phnom Penh

As the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh has a wild west ambiance. But it’s an up-and-coming foodie hub with lots to see and do so you can easily spend a few days here playing tourist. Don’t miss the sobering but important Killing Fields outside the city.

4. Visit Tonle Sap

Sailing down this river and around the lake highlights just how closely Cambodian life is tied to this major waterway. You can take a boat all the way downriver or just cruise around on a day trip. Tours start around $20 USD per person.

5. Discover Battambang

Other things to see and do in cambodia, 1. see the killing fields.

You can’t mention Cambodia without people drawing a connection to the country’s bloody genocide. Although a visit to Choeung Ek, also known as the Killing Fields, may not be the most cheerful way to spend an afternoon, it makes for a hallowing and memorable experience, a testament to the dangers of uncontested power. You can’t understand modern Cambodia without learning about Pol Pot and the violence of the Khmer Rouge, which was responsible for killing millions of people during their reign of terror. Admission is $6 USD, though you’ll need to arrange a ride to the area, as the site is located 10 miles from Phnom Penh. Expect to pay at least $15 USD for a return trip via tuk-tuk .

2. Visit Kep

This quaint beach town, located three hours east of Sihanoukville, is the quiet version of Sihanoukville. It’s a nice place to relax near the ocean without the party atmosphere. This town is famous for its pepper crab and empty beaches. It’s quite sleepy and there’s not a lot to do here, making it a good place to come for some downtime. Nearby Kep National Park, which spans almost 70 square kilometers (26 square miles), is a great place for mountain hikes with incredible views over the water and surrounding jungle.

3. Hike in Bokor National Park

Visit this national park as a full day trip from Sihanoukville or nearby Kampot. Here you can wander among the atmospheric French ruins while hiking around the rainforest. Bokor was a big destination for the French aristocracy in the early 20th century and Bokor Hill Station has the remains of an abandoned luxury resort and casino that was later used as a hideout by the Khmer Rouge. Admission to the park is free. Group day tours from Sihanoukville start from about $20 USD, while a private guide for the day is $40 USD.

4. Enjoy the views at Prasat Preah Vihear

This breathtaking mountain temple was built in the 11th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its exceptional carved stonework and overall preservation. Today, it’s the source of conflict with neighboring Thailand, which also claims ownership of the temple. As it is quite remote, the trip here is not easy so not a lot of foreigners visit. Expect a $10 USD entrance fee and a long and steep hike (you can hire a 4×4 for $25 USD or a motorbike taxi for $5 USD to take you to the top if you don’t want the trek).

5. Visit a river village

There are three major floating villages in Cambodia. At these villages, the houses are built on bamboo stilts, and there are always boats filled with people selling trinkets, food, and hanging out. The Chong Khneas is the most visited in the country, but its popularity has made it a bit of a tourist trap. It’s interesting to visit but you won’t have a whole lot of interaction with the locals. Most tours cost at least $15 USD per person. The other floating villages are Kampong Khleang and Kampong Phluk, which you can access from nearby Siem Reap.

6. Visit the pepper farms of Kampot

Outside the city of Kampot and on the way to Kep are vast pepper fields. This southern region of Cambodia is filled with pepper farms where you can learn about the history of the spice, see how it is grown, and pick up what is considered some of the finest pepper in the world. Tours are usually free, though you need to arrange transportation. Half-day tours are around $25 USD. Don’t miss the nearby mangroves and national park too.

7. Trek Koh Kong

An island near the Thai border in the Cardamom Mountain district, the Koh Kong region offers excellent jungle trekking opportunities, as well as a chance to relax on the white-sand beaches. Koh Kong is the biggest island in the country and is considered one of the best beach spots in Southeast Asia. It’s illegal to spend the night there, but there are plenty of operators offering day trips to the island. Keep an eye out for monkeys, boars, and all kinds of indigenous birds while visiting.

8. Tour Kampong Cham

Though it’s the third-largest city in Cambodia, most travelers overlook Kampong Cham. The city has retained a lot of its old French colonial feel and is a great place to really get to know Cambodia. While the city in itself is something to explore, don’t miss the ruins at Nokor Wat, a 10th-century temple built by Jayavarman VII. One of the temple’s highlights is a detailed series of murals that depict religious torture scenes.

9. Relax, Unpack, and Meditate in Kep

Take a break from traveling and sign-up to stay at Vagabond Temple for a while. Prices begin at $275 USD for a 5-day retreat, which includes accommodation, meals, and full days of yoga and meditation classes from incredible teachers. If you’d like to commit to staying for longer, you can pay around $43 USD per day for a two-month retreat. This is a great place to take a break and gather your thoughts, especially if you’re on a long trip. No previous yoga or meditation training is required either.

10. Visit the Landmine Museum

Landmines have devastated Cambodia, maiming and killing thousands over the decades. The remaining mines from the Vietnam War (which spilled over to Cambodia) are still discovered every year. Located in Siem Reap, the Landmine Museum is an eye-opening museum that will broaden your perspective on the war and the horrific impact of landmines. Admission for foreign visitors, including a guided tour in English, is $5 USD per person. I can’t recommend this museum enough.

11. Shop at the markets

Exploring the street, indoor, and night markets is a quintessential part of traveling through Southeast Asia , and Cambodia is no different. Every major city has sprawling markets offering all manner of stalls, from prepared street food and produce to clothing and household items that make great souvenirs. Haggling is commonplace, so don’t be afraid to do so.

12. Learn to cook Cambodian dishes

Learning how to cook Cambodian food is one of the best souvenirs you can bring home. Dive into Cambodian cooking with a class where you’ll learn to cook 3-4 different dishes — and eat them at the end! You’ll usually get to go to a market to shop for produce too and you’ll also get a recipe card so you can recreate the recipes at home. Class sizes tend to be around 6 people, take around 3 hours, and cost around $20 USD per person.

13. Take a food tour

Traditional Khmer food is often overlooked compared to other Asian foods, so a food tour is the best way to sample this culture’s amazing noodle dishes, fresh seafood, sweets, and street food while learning about the history and culture behind the cuisine. Siem Reap Food Tours offers several tours, including morning tours into the market and evening tours perusing food stalls. Tours start from $75 USD and include all food, drinks, and transportation.

14. Hike in Phnom Kulen National Park

Located just 1.5 hours from Siem Reap, this national park is the perfect place to spend a day hiking in the rainforest, with majestic waterfalls, epic viewpoints, and hidden temples in the jungle. Don’t miss Kbal Spean, an archaeological site in a riverbed with intricate rock carvings representing Hindu gods. The entire park area holds tremendous national significance as it was on this mountain range that King Jayavarman II founded the Khmer Empire in 802 CE. The park entrance fee is $20 USD.

  For more information on specific cities in Cambodia, check out these guides:

• Angkor Wat Travel Guide
• Phnom Penh Travel Guide
• Siem Reap Travel Guide
• Sihanoukville Travel Guide

Cambodia Travel Costs

Note: Cambodia uses USD. There’s no real need to carry the local currency, Cambodian Riels (KHR), unless you’re paying for really small things on the street. In a growing number of places, especially in the countryside, you might start getting riels back when paying in USD but you can essentially get by using mostly USD here.

Accommodation – Dorm rooms in hostels with 6-8 beds start at around $6-8 USD per night. Private double rooms generally go for $10-20 USD per night, depending on where you are in the country. Free Wi-Fi is standard and many hostels also have outdoor swimming pools and air-conditioning. Free breakfast and kitchen facilities are rare.

A double room with an ensuite bathroom in a comfortable guesthouse or hotel costs $15-20 USD. Most places have air conditioning, TV, and Wi-Fi. Nicer hotels in the $25-35 range have swimming pools and restaurants on-site.

Airbnb is available in the major cities, with prices starting around $25-35 USD per night for an entire home or apartment.

Food – Cambodian food is similar to Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. Vietnam and Cambodia especially have many dishes in common due to the countries’ shared history of French colonization. For example, the baguette sandwich known as bánh mì in Vietnam is called num pang pâté in Cambodia. Popular Cambodian dishes include num banhchok , a lightly fermented rice noodle dish served for breakfast; amok trei , a fish curry dish; and samlar kako , a hearty soup filled with vegetables, roasted ground rice, and catfish or pork. In general, Cambodian cuisine includes a huge variety of noodle soups, stir-fries, curries, fried rice, and sweets.

Rice and freshwater fish are present in nearly every Cambodian meal. Lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, tamarind, ginger, chili pepper, and kaffir lime are all commonly used spices. Fermented fish paste is another widely used ingredient that adds saltiness and flavor.

Common vegetables include leaf and root vegetables as well as melon, long beans, snow peas, bean sprouts, and eggplant. Dozens of types of fruit are native to Cambodia, with durian being the most infamous. However, there are plenty of less pungent fruits to try, including mangosteen, passionfruit, dragonfruit, and mangoes. Fruit is a popular dessert and snack, either eaten alone or made into a variety of sweets.

Overall, food is very cheap in Cambodia. A meal from local street vendors costs about $1-3 USD per meal, while street snacks are even less. Basic restaurant meals cost between $3-5 USD for a typical dish like curry or fish and rice.

Western meals generally cost $5-10 USD. Pizza costs $4-6 USD, a burger costs $7-8 USD, and a pasta dish costs $6-8 USD.

For drinks, a beer costs less than $1 USD, a glass of wine is $3 USD, and a cocktail is $3-5 USD. A cappuccino is $1.75 USD.

If you want to splurge, you can get world-class food in Phnom Penh for around $8-10 USD.

If you plan on buying your own groceries and cooking your own meals expect to pay between $15-20 USD per week for basic groceries like rice, produce, and some meat or fish. Stick to local markets for the cheapest produce. However, given that hostels and hotels don’t have kitchens and the street food is so cheap, I wouldn’t advise cooking your meals while here.

Backpacking Cambodia Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Cambodia, expect to spend around $45 USD per day. On this budget, you can stay in a dorm room, eat food from the street stalls, have a couple of beers here and there, and take public transportation to get around. If you’re visiting Angkor Wat (you likely are), you’ll need an additional $37 USD plus the cost of a bike or driver.

On a mid-range budget of $90 USD, you can stay in a budget hotel with air conditioning, have some sit-down meals at nicer restaurants, drink more, take buses between cities, visit Angkor Wat, and do more tours and activities like seeing the Killing Fields and taking a cooking class.

On a “luxury” budget of $160 USD or more a day, the sky is the limit! You can stay at hotels, eat out anywhere you want, drink as much as you want, hire a driver, and do whatever tours and activities you want (including a multi-day visit to Angkor Wat).

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in USD.

Cambodia Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Cambodia is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia . There really aren’t any big money-saving tips here unless you go out of your way to find the most expensive things to see or do. But if you really want to pinch some pennies, here are a few tips on how to save extra money in Cambodia:

• Minimize your drinks – Every drink is a dollar and before you know it, you’ve spent more money on beer than on food and accommodation. Limit your drinking to save your budget.
• Work for your room – You can usually negotiate a discount at a hostel if you stay for a week or longer and offer to volunteer. Usually, this means just a few hours per day helping out in exchange for free accommodation.
• Book tours and day trips as a group – You have more negotiation power when you’re with a group of people buying multiple tickets. Traveling alone? Meet a friend at a hostel and see if they want to join the same tour as you. You can likely get a better price this way.
• Don’t book in advance – Don’t book any tours or activities before you get to your destination. They’ll be much cheaper when you arrive as you can to negotiate a lower price. Anything you see online is going to be more expensive than you need to pay!
• Eat on the street – You can pick up tasty local fare for cheap in Cambodia. Eat cheap at the stalls and avoid Western food.
• Pack a water bottle – A water bottle with a purifier comes particularly in handy in Cambodia since you can’t drink the tap water. Save money and thousands of plastic bottles by getting a bottle that can purify the tap water. My preferred bottle is LifeStraw since it has a filter that ensures your water is always safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Cambodia

Accommodations in Cambodia are incredibly cheap. Here’s a list of budget-friendly places to stay in Cambodia:

• The Siem Reap Pub Hostel (Siem Reap)
• Lub D Cambodia Siem Reap (Siem Reap)
• Onederz Hostel (Siem Reap)
• Onederz Sihanoukville (Sihanoukville)
• Next Beach Club (Koh Rong)
• Mad Monkey Koh Rong Samloem (Koh Rong Samloem)
• Mad Monkey (Phnom Penh)
• Onederz (Phnom Penh)
• Sla Boutique Hostel (Phnom Penh)
• The Magic Sponge (Kampot)

How to Get Around Cambodia

Public transportation – Local city transportation is cheap in Cambodia. Phnom Penh is the only city with any public transportation network to speak of, with a small bus network of 17 routes. Tickets cost just $0.40 USD per ride, paid in cash each time you board the bus.

Taxi – Taxis are normally double to triple the local transportation cost, and you often must haggle for the price. They start high, and you work towards something you are willing to pay. Shared taxis for long-distance travel are a good idea if you have a group of 3-4 people. When in doubt, ask your hotel/hostel staff for a price estimate so you know you’re not getting ripped off.

Renting a driver for the day costs $15-20 USD, and most hostels can help you arrange finding one.

Tuk-tuks can be found on every corner in the big cities, though be sure to negotiate a price in advance (usually not more than $5 USD depending on the distance).

Bus and minibus – The easiest and cheapest way to travel around Cambodia is by bus, a network that has improved quite a bit in recent years. The backpacker trail is so worn that there is a very well-established tourist bus system to take you anywhere. Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville are the main hubs.

Generally, you can get a bus anywhere in the country for under $20 USD. Buses depart regularly from Siem Reap to Bangkok for $20 USD each way, a journey that takes around 9 hours. Both buses and mini-buses also make the 6-hour journey from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh daily for $10 USD per person. The 5-hour ride from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville starts from $9 USD, while Siem Reap to Sihanoukville takes 10 hours and costs $17 USD.

To find bus routes and prices, use BusBud .

Train – Trains are not common in Cambodia. There is one route that runs between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, and one that runs from Phnom Penh to Poipet. Tickets cost $5-7 USD though departures are not very common so you’ll need to plan ahead. While improvements are being made, due to the lack of upkeep of the rail infrastructure, trains are in bad shape. I’d stick to the buses.

Boat – You can take a boat between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and between Siem Reap and Battambang. This isn’t the most efficient or cost-effective way to travel, but it can be a scenic and fun journey. The 6-hour ferry ride from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh costs $18-25 USD, and it’s $25 USD between Siem Reap and Battambang.

Flying – There are only a few domestic routes in Cambodia, between the major destinations of Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, and Siem Reap. The main airline carrier is Cambodia Angkor Air. Flights are generally quite expensive and have infrequent schedules. The one-hour flight from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap costs $140 USD, while the 45-minute flight from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is $90 USD. These prices can increase significantly when booking last-minute.

Car rental – Car rentals are expensive here and the roads are far from excellent. Since accidents are common, I suggest skipping the car rental here.

When to Go to Cambodia

The high season in Cambodia is from November to April when temperatures are milder. This more or less coincides with the dry season, which is from November-May. November-February are the busiest months, with temperatures rarely dipping below 20°C (68°F). Temperatures can go as high as 38°C (100°F), especially in April and May, so if you visit during these months be prepared for the heat and dress accordingly.

If you’d rather avoid peak tourist season, visit from May to the beginning of October. Although this overlaps with the rainy season, generally that just means getting hit with brief heavy rainfall in the afternoons. You can still see and do a lot during this time, just bring a rain jacket.

How to Stay Safe in Cambodia

Cambodia is a safe place to backpack and travel — even if you’re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. Violent attacks against tourists are rare here, though petty theft can occur so always guard your possessions.

Unfortunately, theft is frequent on the beaches and in crowded streets. Always keep an eye on your belongings when out and about and never flash your valuables. Keep your wallet and phone secure and out of reach and don’t leave anything unattended on the beach either.

There are some common scams around that you’ll want to be aware of, such as the motorbike scam. This is where vendors try to charge you for damage to your bike rental. To avoid this, take pictures and video of your bike when you rent so that you can’t be charged for existing damage.

There is also a common tuk-tuk scam where the driver takes you miles from your destination and then pressures you to stay and spend money at the shop or restaurant where he dropped you off (the driver works under commission for a particular restaurant, hotel, or shop). If this happens, firmly decline and demand to go back or find another tuk-tuk driver.

Another common scam involves shady or fake police officers who demand to see your passport. Chances are, you’ll be asked to pay a “fine” to get it back. Simply deny the request and tell them the passport is back at your hotel in a safety deposit box.

For more information on travel scams, read about common travel scams to avoid here .

The people who usually get in trouble in Cambodia tend to be involved with drugs or sex tourism. Stay away from that stuff and you’ll likely be fine.

Avoid dehydration in the heat by making sure you bring lots of water to keep hydrated. Remember that tap water isn’t safe to drink, so bring a water bottle with a built-in filter.

If you experience an emergency, dial 119 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Cambodia Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Agoda – Other than Hostelworld, Agoda is the best hotel accommodation site for Asia.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.

Cambodia Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more information on Cambodia? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Cambodia travel and continue planning your trip:

Is Southeast Asia Safe for Travelers?

Backpacking Cambodia: 3 Suggested Itineraries for Your Trip

Experiencing Local Cambodian Culture on Bamboo Island

Phnom Penh, I Love You!

The Tragic Death of Phnom Penh’s Lake Area

Get my best stuff sent straight to you, pin it on pinterest.

• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

• WEB STORIES New
• ENTERTAINMENT
• CAREER & CAMPUS
• INFOGRAPHICS
• ISL 2023-24

• Manorama Online
• Manorama News TV
• ManoramaMAX
• Radio Mango
• Subscription

First direct India-Cambodia flight ops to commence from June 16

New Delhi: Cambodia's national flag carrier Cambodia Angkor Air on Tuesday said the first-ever direct flight services between the two nations will start from June 16 between Phnom Penh and New Delhi four times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Koy Kuong, Ambassador of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia to India, said he was hopeful that the flow of tourists between the two nations will double year-on-year, with direct flight connectivity and demand for medical tourism in India.

Before the Covid pandemic, around 75,000 people from India used to visit Cambodia every year, and the number is around 45,000 per year as per 2021 figures, the Ambassador told PTI. He added that he expects more people from Cambodia seeking medical treatment to come to India "because the cost of treatment is less as compared to neighbouring countries". Cambodia Angkor Airline CCO Eng Molina said the pricing per person for a round trip from New Delhi to Phnom Penh is around Rs 23,000, including taxes. 

Fly91 Airline: Special inaugural fare of Rs 1,991; Services to Lakshadweep from April

Nearly 5 lakh passengers affected due to flight delays in Jan 2024: DGCA

Heavy rain alert in Kerala: What should tourists be careful of?

Ooty train service suspended as rocks fall on track: Details

Visa-free group travel between Russia and India expected by 2024 end

Navakerala bus: High ticket fare, inconvenient schedule keep passengers away

UAE to offer visa support for Indians hosting Abu Dhabi destination weddings: Details

Gulf Grand Tours visa: Travel agencies to launch unique tourist packages

Flights to Kozhikode diverted to Kochi and Kannur airports due to inclement weather

Rains, gusty winds lash parts of Mumbai; Metro, local train services hit

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

• Travel Products
• Trends + Deals We Love

Amazon Just Dropped the Perfect Travel-ready Polo Dress of the Season — and It's Only $38

“So impressed with the quality, the fit, the flow, everything!”

Travel + Leisure / Reese Herrington

Millennials will call it the Ralph Lauren aesthetic. Gen Z deems it “plazacore.” However you want to categorize it, the Ivy League look is in again — and polos are making a comeback, ready or not. 

If you’re like me and still little-”t” traumatized by the popped collars of the early aughts, fear not. The Hollister polos of our high school nightmares are still firmly secured in the time capsule. The 2024 version is less Laguna Beach and more Blair Waldorf. This elegant, on-trend, and comfy-enough-to-travel-in summer dress perfectly sums it up. 

Merokeety Polo V-neck Dress

Merokeety’s ribbed-knit maxi is a sweater dress made for warm destinations. Amazon reviewers say the material feels breathable, high quality, and soft against the skin. The dress creates a longline, bodycon silhouette, molding to curves and falling below the knee with elegant fishtail pleating. The details scream “chic” — the collar and pleats so “tennis-core” à la Zendaya, in TikTok terms. 

“Honestly never leave reviews but I had to on this one: [I] was so impressed with the quality, the fit, the flow, everything,” one reviewer wrote . “Going to buy in every color.” Another said the material “has heft and drapes well” and that the edge detail makes the dress look “classy and expensive.” You’d never guess it’s so comfortable.

Reviewers also love the versatility of this polo dress, which they say pairs well with heels and  sneakers alike. “Envisioned this with top buttons open, worn with sandals and a ‘jaunty’ white scarf for a casual dinner or strolling through a fun village,” one wrote . And that kind of versatility is exactly what you want in a travel outfit. 

The slinky sweater dress comes in 10 colors, including beige, black, navy, white, light blue, and wine red. Sizes range from small to XL. Since debuting in February, it has earned a 4.4-star average rating on Amazon. More than 500 shoppers have purchased it just in the past month.

Snag this classy and packable dress for just $38 at Amazon, and shop more comfy travel dresses for under $40 below.

More Travel Dresses Under $40:

Yony cles bodycon maxi dress, naggoo t-shirt midi dress, anrabess v-neck swing dress, lomon ribbed-knit maxi dress.

At the time of publishing, the price started at $38.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Shop More T+L-Approved Picks

Related Articles

km travel chesterfield 2024 brochure prices

This is our KM Travel Tour Operators page, we have listed the full address of KM Travel as well as phone numbers and websites. KM Travel is in Chesterfield, KM Travel may offer holiday tours, sightseeing tours, and general city tours in Chesterfield.

If you have used KM Travel before be sure to leave your own comment or rating on the city tour or holiday tour that you went on so other poeple wishing to use this company can read fair and honest reviews before the book there holiday with KM Travel. Please remember that KM Travel may offer much more that just UK holiday tours, UK Coach Tours and city tours so remember to contact the travel agents company using the details below to find out more information.

Latest KM Travel Reviews

• Transportation (Chesterfield)
• KM Travel Chesterfield

Chesterfield, United Kingdom

Related places.

• Get directions
• Photos page

QR code, vCard

Activate map

Business hours

Reviews of km travel chesterfield.

• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Holiday Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travellers' Choice
• Help Centre

Lovely holiday - KM British & European Coach Holiday

• Europe    
• United Kingdom (UK)    
• England    
• Yorkshire    
• South Yorkshire    
• Barnsley    
• Barnsley - Things to Do    
• KM British & European Coach Holiday

Brilliant holiday to Torquay, tinsel & turkey 20 th November to Belgrave Sands hotel. The hotel was... read more

Thanks to all at KM TRAVEL especially our driver courier Matt who made the trip more enjoyable and... read more

Trains Moscow to Elektrostal: Times, Prices and Tickets

• Train Times
• Seasonality
• Accommodations

Moscow to Elektrostal by train

The journey from Moscow to Elektrostal by train is 32.44 mi and takes 2 hr 7 min. There are 71 connections per day, with the first departure at 12:15 AM and the last at 11:46 PM. It is possible to travel from Moscow to Elektrostal by train for as little as or as much as . The best price for this journey is .

Get from Moscow to Elektrostal with Virail

Virail's search tool will provide you with the options you need when you want to go from Moscow to Elektrostal. All you need to do is enter the dates of your planned journey, and let us take care of everything else. Our engine does the hard work, searching through thousands of routes offered by our trusted travel partners to show you options for traveling by train, bus, plane, or carpool. You can filter the results to suit your needs. There are a number of filtering options, including price, one-way or round trip, departure or arrival time, duration of journey, or number of connections. Soon you'll find the best choice for your journey. When you're ready, Virail will transfer you to the provider's website to complete the booking. No matter where you're going, get there with Virail.

How can I find the cheapest train tickets to get from Moscow to Elektrostal?

Prices will vary when you travel from Moscow to Elektrostal. On average, though, you'll pay about for a train ticket. You can find train tickets for prices as low as , but it may require some flexibility with your travel plans. If you're looking for a low price, you may need to prepare to spend more time in transit. You can also often find cheaper train tickets at particular times of day, or on certain days of the week. Of course, ticket prices often change during the year, too; expect to pay more in peak season. For the lowest prices, it's usually best to make your reservation in advance. Be careful, though, as many providers do not offer refunds or exchanges on their cheapest train tickets. Unfortunately, no price was found for your trip from Moscow to Elektrostal. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find price results. Prices will vary when you travel from Moscow to Elektrostal. On average, though, you'll pay about for a train ticket. If you're looking for a low price, you may need to prepare to spend more time in transit. You can also often find cheaper train tickets at particular times of day, or on certain days of the week. Of course, ticket prices often change during the year, too; expect to pay more in peak season. For the lowest prices, it's usually best to make your reservation in advance. Be careful, though, as many providers do not offer refunds or exchanges on their cheapest train tickets.

How long does it take to get from Moscow to Elektrostal by train?

The journey between Moscow and Elektrostal by train is approximately 32.44 mi. It will take you more or less 2 hr 7 min to complete this journey. This average figure does not take into account any delays that might arise on your route in exceptional circumstances. If you are planning to make a connection or operating on a tight schedule, give yourself plenty of time. The distance between Moscow and Elektrostal is around 32.44 mi. Depending on the exact route and provider you travel with, your journey time can vary. On average, this journey will take approximately 2 hr 7 min. However, the fastest routes between Moscow and Elektrostal take 1 hr 3 min. If a fast journey is a priority for you when traveling, look out for express services that may get you there faster. Some flexibility may be necessary when booking. Often, these services only leave at particular times of day - or even on certain days of the week. You may also find a faster journey by taking an indirect route and connecting in another station along the way.

How many journeys from Moscow to Elektrostal are there every day?

On average, there are 71 daily departures from Moscow to Elektrostal. However, there may be more or less on different days. Providers' timetables can change on certain days of the week or public holidays, and many also vary at particular times of year. Some providers change their schedules during the summer season, for example. At very busy times, there may be up to departures each day. The providers that travel along this route include , and each operates according to their own specific schedules. As a traveler, you may prefer a direct journey, or you may not mind making changes and connections. If you have heavy suitcases, a direct journey could be best; otherwise, you might be able to save money and enjoy more flexibility by making a change along the way. Every day, there are an average of 18 departures from Moscow which travel directly to Elektrostal. There are 53 journeys with one change or more. Unfortunately, no connection was found for your trip from Moscow to Elektrostal. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find connections.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Moscow to Elektrostal, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from Moscow to Elektrostal.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

Best time to book cheap train tickets from Moscow to Elektrostal

The cheapest Moscow - Elektrostal train tickets can be found for as low as $35.01 if you’re lucky, or $54.00 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $77.49.

Find the best day to travel to Elektrostal by train

When travelling to Elektrostal by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Moscow to Elektrostal CO2 Emissions by Train

Anything we can improve?

Frequently Asked Questions

Go local from moscow, trending routes, weekend getaways from moscow, international routes from moscow and nearby areas, other destinations from moscow, other popular routes.

Na Ulitse Yalagina 13B Apartments

Trending Questions

Property policies, frequently asked questions, how much does it cost to stay at na ulitse yalagina 13b apartments, what are the check-in and check-out times at na ulitse yalagina 13b apartments, does na ulitse yalagina 13b apartments provide airport transfer services, what amenities and services does na ulitse yalagina 13b apartments have, does na ulitse yalagina 13b apartments have a swimming pool, does na ulitse yalagina 13b apartments have fitness amenities, does na ulitse yalagina 13b apartments provide wi-fi, does na ulitse yalagina 13b apartments have non-smoking rooms, does na ulitse yalagina 13b apartments have a restaurant, is parking available at na ulitse yalagina 13b apartments, popular hotels, popular attractions, explore more.

Expedia Rewards is now One Key™

Elektrostal, visit elektrostal, check elektrostal hotel availability, popular places to visit.

• Electrostal History and Art Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Electrostal History and Art Museum in Elektrostal. Take in the museums while you're in the area.

• Cities near Elektrostal

• Places of interest
• Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
• Peter the Great Military Academy
• Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino
• History of Russian Scarfs and Shawls Museum
• Balashikha Arena
• Balashikha Museum of History and Local Lore
• Bykovo Manor
• Pekhorka Park
• Ramenskii History and Art Museum
• Malenky Puppet Theater
• Drama Theatre BOOM
• Likino Dulevo Museum of Local Lore
• Noginsk Museum and Exhibition Center
• Pavlovsky Posad Museum of Art and History
• Saturn Stadium
• Fairy Tale Children's Model Puppet Theater
• Fifth House Gallery
• Church of Vladimir
• Malakhovka Museum of History and Culture
• Orekhovo Zuevsky City Exhibition Hall

Destinations in May

Destinations in 2024.

Please note prices are based on two persons sharing a twin/double room. Single room supplements may apply, please call check single availability/price.

Comments are closed.

• Destinations
• Hotel Information
• Private hire
• Special offers / Late availability
• Travel Insurance
• Employment Opportunities

NEW CHRISTMAS TOUR 2024 - Bournemouth - Norfolk Royale Hotel - BROCHURE ADDITION . 2024 EUROPEAN HOLIDAYS - Early release - ITALY - Lake Garda / Alassio Click here to download our 2024 Brochure All Our Holidays Include In The Price: Free Door to Door Taxi ( Subject to Area ) ~ Luxury Coach Travel ~ Reserved Coach Seats . Personally Selected ...

www.kmchesterfield.co.uk

KM Travel of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Request a brochure by: Calling: 01226 245564 email: [email protected] . download: click here to download the 2024 Tour Brochure.

KM Travel is in Chesterfield, KM Travel may offer holiday tours, sightseeing tours, and general city tours in Chesterfield. If you have used KM Travel before be sure to leave your own comment or rating on the city tour or holiday tour that you went on so other poeple wishing to use this company can read fair and honest reviews before the book ...

What people are saying. " HOLIDAY TO BLACKPOOL ". Oct 2023. Thanks to all at KM TRAVEL especially our driver courier Matt who made the trip more enjoyable and a credit to the co... " Lovely place enjoyed it clean need a bit of investment there ". Aug 2022. Stayed at ilfracombe Devon 14 to 20 Aug the coach was lovely our driver Tony was ...

Reviews, contact details and business hours of KM Travel Chesterfield at 27 Stephenson Place, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Check out nearby places on a map. Write a review. Log in. ... 21:03 Tuesday, 23 April 2024: Business hours. Monday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm: Tuesday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm: Wednesday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm: Thursday: 9:00 am - 4:30 ...

KM Travel of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Tel: (01226) 245564 [email protected] . Home. Booking Guide Request Brochure Customer Information Contact Us. ... Our 2024 British Coach Holiday Brochure is now available to download and available shortly from our Market Street office in paper form.

5. £339. Nil. Please note prices are based on two persons sharing a twin/double room. Single room supplements may apply, please call check single availability/price. Price Includes: * Luxury Coach Travel * Local Departure Points. * En-suite bedrooms * Excursions. * Half Board Accommodation.

Page List. (Click on the page required to be linked with that page in the brochure) Page 1 - Front cover. Page 2 - Introduction. Page 3 - Contact information. Customer information. Page 4 - How to make a booking. Holiday index January to June. Page 5 - Holiday index June to December.

Our 2024 UK Brochure is OUT NOW! Order yours today. 01246 474747 Opening Times Brochures . Menu (current) Home Holidays Day Trips ... A-Line Travel 15 Soresby Street Chesterfield S40 1JW 01246 474747 [email protected] . A-Line Travel, Company number 13060548

Lovely holiday. Review of KM British & European Coach Holiday. Reviewed 9 December 2023. Just back from a T&T break at Exmouth. The hotel and food were brilliant, and the driver James was the best. However we had a bad start after waiting nearly one and a half hours in cold and rain at Ilkeston for the coach. I know there was traffic problems ...

Geeveetravelchesterfield, Chesterfield. 1,657 likes · 24 talking about this · 29 were here. DOOR TO DOOR COACH HOLIDAYS DAY TRIPS AND PRIVATE HIRE

Thankyou received our brochure in the post , I see you have new for 2024 Kynren weekend , we went last year and its the most amazing show I've seen well worth going recommended to everybody. 22w. Robert Lindley. Can I have a brochure please 9 monsal crescent Barnsley S71 3PY. 15w.

KM Travel of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Tel: (01226) 245564 [email protected] . Home. Booking Guide Request Brochure Customer Information Contact Us. Skip to content. Request a brochure by: Calling: 01226 245564 . email: [email protected] download: ... Please note prices are based on two persons sharing a twin/double room ...

Central Air Force Museum The Central Air Force Museum, housed at Monino Airfield, 40 km east of Moscow, Russia, is one of the world's largest aviation museums, and the largest for Russian aircraft. 173 aircraft and 127 aircraft engines are on display, and the museum also features collections of weapons, instruments, uniforms (including captured U2 pilot Gary Powers' uniform), other Cold War ...

The journey from Moscow to Elektrostal by train is 32.44 mi and takes 2 hr 7 min. There are 71 connections per day, with the first departure at 12:15 AM and the last at 11:46 PM. It is possible to travel from Moscow to Elektrostal by train for as little as or as much as . The best price for this journey is . Journey Duration.

KM Travel of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Tel: (01226) 245564 [email protected] . ... we guarantee excellent customer service and affordable prices. ... Winter/Spring 2024. Blackpool 2024 Potters Resorts 2024. Our booking office is located at: 52, ...

2022 Brochure . Page List ... All Our Holidays Include In The Price: Free Door to Door Taxi ( Subject to Area ) ~ Luxury Coach Travel ~ Reserved Coach Seats . Personally Selected Hotels ~ En-suite Bedrooms ~ Free Varied Excursions . Telephone: 01246 -556617 ...

Prices at Na Ulitse Yalagina 13B Apartments are subject to change according to dates, hotel policy, and other factors. To view prices, please search for the dates you wish to stay at the hotel. What are the check-in and check-out times at Na Ulitse Yalagina 13B Apartments? The check-in time is after 14:00 and the check-out time is before 12:00.

Cities near Elektrostal. Places of interest. Pavlovskiy Posad Noginsk. Travel guide resource for your visit to Elektrostal. Discover the best of Elektrostal so you can plan your trip right.

There's more to booking a cruise than picking your travel dates. Here's what to know.

Cruises could be considered one-stop shopping for travelers. With accommodations, transportation, food and entertainment all in one, they can help take the complications out of vacation planning.

But there’s more to booking a cruise than first-time passengers may realize.

From the wide range of lines to add-ons like drink packages and excursions that often cost extra, guests can face numerous decisions throughout the process. “There's like a pretty huge difference in booking a hotel upfront versus a cruise line,” said Andy Knowles, a luxury travel adviser affiliated with Fora Travel.

How far in advance should I book?

Booking well in advance will generally yield better rates, but travelers may also be able to find last-minute bargains if cruise lines are looking to fill space ( click here for USA TODAY’s guide to finding cruise deals).

“I'd say most of my clients are booking at least six months out in advance, if not more,” said Knowles.

Should I use a travel agent to book a cruise?

You can book a cruise without a travel agent, but there are some advantages to using one.

Alyssa Griffin, who makes videos about cruising with her husband, Cullen, on their YouTube channel, Griff & Alyssa , said they began working with an agent about five years ago.

“I don’t know why we didn’t get a travel agent sooner,” said Griffin, who has been on “at least” 60 cruises (she also worked as a travel agent briefly from 2018 to 2019).

Initially, she enjoyed coordinating trips on her own and found it easy, but she said consulting an agent “takes the stress out of planning, and they can help offer suggestions and things that you wouldn't necessarily think about.”

They can assist clients with determining which line, ship and destination may be the best fit. And if travelers run into an issue or have a question, their agent can handle it for them – a nice benefit given potentially long customer service phone line wait times.

“They can also get some cool perks, like onboard credit or some will put a bottle of wine or chocolate-covered strawberries in your room,” she added. Most also don’t charge clients for their services as they earn commission from cruise lines.

Knowles encouraged travelers to use an adviser who is an expert in the type of trip they are planning, whether a family vacation or a romantic getaway.

Many cruise lines also have in-house vacation planners who can help prospective guests navigate the booking process. Travelers may be able to find cheap rates on third-party booking sites (though some customers using those have had to jump through hoops when problems arise).

Should I book my flights through a cruise line?

Packages that bundle flights with a cruise are sometimes “very enticing and worth it,” according to Knowles, but they can come with some limitations. “I will say for the majority of cruise lines that you're booking flights through their platform, it just adds that third-party element that sometimes removes things from your control,” he said.

If travelers need to make changes, for instance, he said they would have to go through the cruise line. And while they may be able to list their general preferences, it’s not as easy to choose the exact seat they want on the plane.

Are cruises all inclusive?

That depends. Cruise line fares do include items that are often sold a la carte on land, and you can technically go an entire sailing without paying much more than the ticket price.

But many extras are not part of base fares on mainstream brands, ranging from alcoholic drinks to laundry, so you can rack up quite a few additional charges depending on your priorities. That's where packages come in handy, and higher stateroom categories often include more perks.

Luxury and river cruise lines also tend to bundle more in their base fares, though policies vary.

Do I need restaurant reservations?

Not necessarily. Mainstream cruise lines historically offered an early or late seating in their dining rooms, but many have introduced flexible mealtimes in recent years and often have a number of casual walk-up venues open for dinner as well. Some lines don’t have traditional dining rooms at all.

But if you want to eat at specialty restaurants, which typically come at an extra charge, you’ll likely want reservations. Passengers may be able to make a last-minute booking, but it’s worth doing before the cruise.

“I always recommend booking those ahead of time just to have something locked in,” Knowles said. Reservations typically open 30 to 60 days before departure.

If guests change their mind, it’s fairly simple to make changes “so you’re not necessarily locked into one spot.” They can typically do so via the cruise line’s app.

The newer, the better: What to know about taking a cruise with a mobility device

When should I book excursions?

The same goes for excursions. “I always point folks towards, if there’s one specific tour that (clients are) like, ‘This is something that we absolutely want and need to do,’ that it's always best to book that as far out as you can, just to make sure that you have it available,” Knowles said.

That said, cruise lines typically offer “a pretty large handful of experiences in each location,” and he hasn’t had any clients board to find all the excursions sold out.

Are tips included in my cruise fare?

Mainstream cruise lines charge passengers for gratuities on a per person, per day basis. The cost is automatically added to their onboard account, and passengers can generally adjust them before disembarking.

Passengers can also pay their gratuities in advance. Many higher-end lines include tips in the fare automatically.

Should I prepay for extras?

Guests can buy add-ons like Wi-Fi or drink packages during the cruise, but they may be sold at a cheaper rate ahead of time. Knowles said there is typically “going to be some incentive to booking beforehand.”

“So, if you were booking a bar package, something that might be $250 on board, you'll pay maybe $200 up front for,” he said. If you know you want to book one at some point, he recommended pulling the trigger sooner than later.

Griffin echoed that, and said the convenience is also nice. “I am one to just want to get on the ship and not worry about how much money I’m spending once I get there,” she said. “So, if you've already established all those things ahead of time, it feels more like an all-inclusive vacation.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Amazon Prime includes:

Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.

• Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
• Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
• Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
• A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
• Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
• Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access

Important:  Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.

Buy new: .savingPriceOverride { color:#CC0C39!important; font-weight: 300!important; } .reinventMobileHeaderPrice { font-weight: 400; } #apex_offerDisplay_mobile_feature_div .reinventPriceSavingsPercentageMargin, #apex_offerDisplay_mobile_feature_div .reinventPricePriceToPayMargin { margin-right: 4px; } -41% $16.39 $ 16 . 39 FREE delivery Friday, May 24 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35 Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com

Return this item for free.

Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges

• Go to your orders and start the return
• Select the return method

Save with Used - Like New .savingPriceOverride { color:#CC0C39!important; font-weight: 300!important; } .reinventMobileHeaderPrice { font-weight: 400; } #apex_offerDisplay_mobile_feature_div .reinventPriceSavingsPercentageMargin, #apex_offerDisplay_mobile_feature_div .reinventPricePriceToPayMargin { margin-right: 4px; } $10.70 $ 10 . 70 $3.99 delivery May 24 - 29 Ships from: SFBayGoodwill Sold by: SFBayGoodwill

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Follow the author

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand (Travel Guide) Paperback – November 23, 2021

Purchase options and add-ons.

Lonely Planet's Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Visit Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of northern Thailand, discover a secret beach on Cambodia's Koh Rong, or loosen up in Ho Chi Minh City; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand and begin your journey now!

Inside Lonely Planet's Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand Travel Guide:

Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreak

NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel

Improved planning tools for family travellers - where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kids

What's New feature taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas our writers have uncovered

Colour maps and images throughout

Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests

Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices

Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss

Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics

Over 70 maps  

Covers Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Vientiane, Luan Prabang, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle and more

The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand, our most comprehensive guide to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled. 

Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet Vietnam, Lonely Planet Cambodia, Lonely Planet Laos or Lonely Planet Thailand for a comprehensive look at all these countries have to offer.

About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day.

'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – New York Times

'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – Fairfax Media (Australia)

• Print length 576 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Lonely Planet
• Publication date November 23, 2021
• Dimensions 5.1 x 0.88 x 7.7 inches
• ISBN-10 1787017958
• ISBN-13 978-1787017955
• See all details

Frequently bought together

Similar items that may deliver to you quickly

Editorial Reviews

About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lonely Planet; 6th edition (November 23, 2021)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 576 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1787017958
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1787017955
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.04 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.1 x 0.88 x 7.7 inches
• #2 in Vietnam Travel Guides
• #4 in Southeast Asia Travel Guides
• #14 in General Asia Travel Books

About the author

Lonely planet.

With over 150 million guidebooks in print, Lonely Planet is a trusted source for any traveler. Since our inception in 1973, we've inspired generations of travelers to discover amazing places and enabled curious travelers to get off the beaten paths to appreciate different cultures and become agents of positive change.

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

9 Handy Travel Cases For Transporting Those Unruly Device Cords

On Assignment For HuffPost

20 years ago — hey, maybe even 10 years ago! — keeping our cords organized while traveling wasn’t much of a concern. These days, most of us have so many devices that we have a lot more cables to keep track of.

Before you toss the chargers for your Kindle, phone, computer, smartwatch, and wireless headphones haphazardly into your suitcase before a trip, hear us out: There are travel cord organizers that exist specifically for the purpose of keeping all your chargers safe and tangle-free. Here are the 9 best options.

HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Popular in the Community

From our partner, huffpost shopping’s best finds, more in shopping.

15% off with code MAY15

• North America
• South America
• Middle East
• Australia & Pacific

New Releases

Trending Destinations

Experience Guides

• Outdoor Travels & Adventures
• Epic Guides
• Food & Drink
• Gifts & Inspiration
• Language Guides
• Lonely Planet Kids

Country Guides

Pocket Guides

All Guides & eBooks

• Lonely Planet Insider

Your cart is empty

Get this book for free by becoming a Lonely Planet Insider:

• 3 eBook downloads every year
• Exclusive offers and discounts
• Free shipping on all orders

£2.49 GBP/month (charged annually) Learn more

Lonely Planet's  Cambodia  is our most comprehensive guide that extensively covers all the country has to offer, with recommendations for both popular and lesser-known experiences. Explore the elaborate temples of Angkor Wat, relax on pristine island beaches and immerse yourself in the history of Phnom Penh; all with your trusted travel companion.

Inside  Lonely Planet's  Cambodia  Travel Guide:  

Lonely Planet's Top Picks  - a visually inspiring collection of the destination's best experiences and where to have them

Itineraries  help you build the ultimate trip based on your personal needs and interests Local insights  give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - whether it's history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, politics

Eating and drinking  -  get the most out of your gastronomic experience as we reveal the regional dishes and drinks you have to try

Toolkit  - all of the planning tools for solo travellers, LGBTQIA+ travellers, family travellers and accessible travel

Colour maps  and images throughout Language  - essential phrases and language tips

Insider tips  to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Temples of Angkor, South Coast, Northwestern Cambodia, Eastern Cambodia and more

ISBN: 9781788687874

Edition: 13th

Publication Date: July 2023

Vladisavljevic, Brana

Dailly, Madevi Eimer, David Ray, Nick

320 pages, 60 maps | Dimensions: 128mm width × 197mm height

Next edition due: July 2025  

Language: English