Explore

Prey Veng Attractions

Prey Veng is quite a sleepy Cambodian province, that just happen to have one of the countries busiest highways running straight through it-National Highway No 1, which links Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. It is a small but heavily populated agricultural region located on the east banks of the mighty Mekong. The name of the province means literally tall forest, but actually doesn't refer in any case to lush forests as most of them were chopped down in the past 30-50 years. Also rubber played once a big economical role in this province, but since the war took over the country the plantations are no longer commercially viable.

Prey Veng Introduction

Prey Veng Introduction, Cambodia

Prey Veng is quite a sleepy Cambodian province, that just happen to have one of the countries busiest highways running straight through it-National Highway No 1, which links Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. It is a small but heavily populated agricultural region located on the east banks of the mighty Mekong. The name of the province means literally tall forest, but actually doesn't refer in any case to lush forests as most of them were chopped down in the past 30-50 years. Also rubber played once a big economical role in this province, but since the war took over the country the plantations are no longer commercially viable. 

There are little places of significance to see nowadays, but during the pre-Angkorian times it must have been one of the most populated and lively areas of the country. One of the earliest pre-Angkorian kingdoms was located in the area around Ba Phnom. 

The sleepy provincial capital is also named Prey Veng and situates on the National Highway No 11, recently rebuild as a road link between National Road No 11 and No 7, or Neak Luong and Kompong Cham. There aren't a lot of travellers making their way to that small town. So if you would like to escape from your fellow travellers that's an opportunity, especially on the way to Kampong Cham. It's also a stop worth on the way to or from Vietnam. The town itself hosts a few decaying colonial buildings, showing that this was once a lively and important centre. There is a huge lake on the west edge of the town, which evaporates from March till August and local farmers cultivate their rice on the fertile ground.

Prey Veng Introduction
Prey Veng Introduction
Prey Veng Introduction
Prey Veng Introduction
Prey Veng Geography

Prey Veng Geography, Cambodia

Prey Veng province is 4,883 square kilometres big. It's located in the South of the country and is bordering to the North with Kampong Cham, to the West with Kandal, to the East with Svay Rieng and to the South with Vietnam. The province consists of the typical plain wet area for Cambodia, covering rice fields and other agricultural plantations (rubber plantations in former times). The province also features two of the biggest rivers of the country the Tonle Bassac and the mighty Mekong.

Prey Veng Geography
Prey Veng Geography
Prey Veng Geography
Prey Veng Geography
Prey Veng Climate

Prey Veng Climate, Cambodia

The country has a tropical climate - warm and humid. In the monsoon season, abundant rain allows for the cultivation of a wide variety of crops. This year-round tropical climate makes Cambodia ideal for developing tourism. Travellers need not to fear natural disasters such as erupting volcanoes or earthquakes, and the country is not directly affected by tropical storms.

Climate: Cambodia can be visited throughout the year. However, those plans to travel extensively by road should be avoided the last two months of the rainy season when some countryside roads may be impassable. The average temperature is about 27 degrees Celsius; the minimum temperature is about 16 degrees. December and January are the coolest months, whereas the hottest is April.

General information about the provincial climate:

- Cool season: November- March (24-32c) 

- Hot season: March- May (28c -36c) 

- Rainy season: May - October (24-32c, with humidity up to 90%.)

Prey Veng Climate
Prey Veng Climate
Prey Veng Climate
Prey Veng Climate
Prey Veng Population

Prey Veng Population, Cambodia

The current population in this province is 1,063,494 person or 7.64% of the total population (14,363,519 person in Cambodia, 2007, provincial government data) with a growth rate of 2.40%, which consists of 502,671 person or 47.18% who are male and 560,823 person or 52.82% who are female. The above number also consists of 825,818 persons or 80.54% who are farmers, 140,685 persons or 13.72% who are fishermen, 44,561 persons or 4,35% who are traders and 14,267 persons or 1.39% who are government?s officers. The population density is 217.8 people per square kilometre.

Prey Veng Population
Prey Veng Population
Prey Veng Population
Prey Veng Population
Prey Veng Economy

Prey Veng Economy, Cambodia

Prey Veng's economy consists basically of agricultural farming, fishery, rice and fruit cropping and some garment factories producing for international markets. Especially the rural households depend on agriculture and its related sub-sectors.

Prey Veng Economy
Prey Veng Economy
Prey Veng Economy
Prey Veng Economy
How to get to Prey Veng

How to get to Prey Veng, Cambodia

Prey Veng is with 90km distance to Phnom Penh not far away (to the east). Kampong Cham is even closer with 78km to the North. Due to the former, bad condition of NH No 11 the place used to seem a world away. For good the government comprehensively overhauled the road in 2003 and now the city of Prey Veng is easily to enter.

Minibuses/Bus/Share Taxis: 

There is lot's of minibuses going almost everytime of the day from Phnom Penh to Prey Veng (6000Riel). Most of them leave near the central market (Southwest corner), where you can also find lots of usual buses heading to Vietnam or Svay Rieng Province (they have to pass Prey Veng). Going with a share taxi won't cost you so much time to reach, but a little more money (8000-10000Riel, 2 hours). If you would like to go to Kampong Cham, there are also minibuses leaving from the centre of Prey Veng city for a 1 1/2 hour ride costing 4000-6000Riels.

Motorbike Info: 

The wonderful newly overhauled road is a mixed blessing for motorbikers as it gets a lot faster to Prey Veng, but less interesting and enjoying than the crappy, bumpier roads of old.

How to get to Prey Veng
How to get to Prey Veng
How to get to Prey Veng
How to get to Prey Veng
What to see in Prey Veng

What to see in Prey Veng, Cambodia

Prey Veng "grand forest" or "long forest") is a province (khaet) of Cambodia. The capital is Prey Veng town. In 2008 it had a total population of 947,357 people.

This densely populated agricultural region is located on the east bank of the Mekong. The name literally means "long forest" in khmer, but the last great forests have gradually disappeared there over 30 years to provide for agricultural land.

History

In early Christian era, the province was a major center of the kingdom of Fu-nan, between economic and political capitals of the country what were Oc Eo (now in the Vietnamese province of An Giang) and Angkor Borey (in the Cambodian province of Takeo).

However, with the advent of Chen-la, the hub of the kingdom moved farther west, to Koh Ker and Angkor and the region lost its importance.

In the 15th century, the Khmer emperors, under threat from the Siamese (former name of people of current Thailand) decided to resettle back to the east, to Oudong, Lovek then Phnom Penh. Prey Veng did favor them as it was too close to another danger, namely the Annam. Neverless they formed an army at Ba Phnom in 1473 to defend against an invasion of Siam.

Under the French protectorate, the colonial authorities saw potential of the region in terms of agriculture and fishing and its proximity to the French colony of Cochin China. Mass deforestation took place, to create land for agriculture.

In 1975 when the Khmer Rouge took power, the province experienced its first famine, until 1977. Thousands of people in Prey Veng Province were killed by the Khmer Rouge and buried in mass graves.

As the Vietnamese army advanced in January 1979, the region regained its position and became one of the first areas of Cambodia liberated from the Khmer Rouge.

Tourist Sites

Ba Phnom

Ba Phnom is located 78 kilometers east of Phnom Penh and 45 kilometres south of the provincial capital. Its name literally means "ancestor of the hill". There is actually a mound of 139 meters.

Archaeological research has shown that it was an important cultural center of the kingdom of Fu-Nan, and a sacred place in which they worshipped Shiva. The site seems to have retained its sacred character throughout the Angkor period, and traces of animist and Buddhist rituals have also been found.

Prey Veng

The provincial capital is located on the National Road 11 between Nak Loeung and Kampong Cham. It is located about 2 and half hours by road from Phnom Penh and 3 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. This quaint town is off the usual tourist trail and is uncrowded. It houses several old dilapidated colonial homes. There is a large lake west of the city which is dry from March to August.

What to see in Prey Veng
What to see in Prey Veng
What to see in Prey Veng
What to see in Prey Veng
Where to eat in Prey Veng

Where to eat in Prey Veng, Cambodia

Mittapheap Restaurant: 

The same family of the nearby Mittapheap Hotel owns this restaurant. The manager of this place is always concerned about their guests and therefore ensures fast service. So this place shows up as a friendly, sometimes funny restaurant offering Khmer, Vietnamese and Chinese food.

Arunreas Restaurant: 

They make the most of their parkway location by having a small sidewalk eating area. It?s a pleasant enough early evening spot as the locals ride by on their evening motorcycle pleasure cruise. They have good food (Western and Khmer), and an English menu to go along with English-speaking staff.

No Name Restaurant: 

Located across the parkway from the Arunreas, this place is easy to spot, as it always seems to have Coca Cola and Player umbrellas set up. The food is tasty, but is prepared to try your hand at Khmer as they don?t speak English and there isn?t an English menu. The staffs is very friendly and though.

Kolap Stung Treng Hotel & Restaurant: 

Good Khmer and Chinese food with an English menu and beer girls, to boot.

Hotel Sok-sabat & Restaurant: 

At the time of our trip, the hotel was talking about expanding its restaurant. It was talking about expanding its restaurant. It was only serving a soup breakfast and catering to wedding parties at the time.

Noodle and Rice Shops: 

Along the parkway and near the market are some dirt cheap, simple Khmer food stands.

Where to eat in Prey Veng
Where to eat in Prey Veng
Where to eat in Prey Veng
Where to eat in Prey Veng
Where to stay in Prey Veng

Where to stay in Prey Veng, Cambodia

Mittapheap Hotel: (tel: 012/997757) 

This hotel is located on the central crossroads in town. It's a very popular small place, since many years the old timer among Prey Vent?s hotels. The rooms are clean and include bathroom and fan (some air-con), a good value for money ($5-10). 

Angkor Thom Hotel: (tell: 012/953165) 

This smart, but small hotel sets a new standard for the city of Prey Vent with 27 pristine rooms including attached bathroom and fan (some air-con). The prices range from US$5 to 10.

Rung Dare Hotel: (tell: 011/761052) 

This hotel is located on the north-eastern corner of the town right behind the local stadium. The rooms are very clean and comfortable with bathroom and air-con. Prices range from US$6-12.

Chan Kiry Guesthouse: (tel: 011/746014) 

This guesthouse sits on a headland jutting into the big lake during the wet season. Unfortunately the hotel standards do not tackle with the setting of it, but still the rooms are equipped with Satellite TV, bathroom and air-con. Prices range from US$6-12. 

Sekong Hotel: 

This is a very pleasant place with its nice layout and location next to the San River. Bib rooms with nice old wooden furniture and a Western bath are US$ 10 a night with a fan, or a whopping US$ 20 a night to flip on the a/c. They say the electricity is expensive in these parts. Better bargains are the simple rooms in the back of the complex. They have a fan and Western bath for US $ 5 a night. The friendly Khmer lady owner has her staff (family) head to the market for warm French bread in the mornings and serves it with espresso coffee.

Amatak Guesthouse: 

Very basic rooms with a floor fan, bed and mosquito net. It's clean and there is a share bathroom for US$ 5 a night.

Preap Sor Guesthouse: 

Clean and simple rooms with a Western bath for US$ 10 a night including a fan. It?s double what the price should be. Adding a/c puts the price at US$ 15. 

Hotel Sok-Sabat: 

It's a fairly new place with nice rooms that go for US$ 10-20 a night. They also have a Chinese breakfast in the morning.

Where to stay in Prey Veng
Where to stay in Prey Veng
Where to stay in Prey Veng
Where to stay in Prey Veng
Shopping in Prey Veng

Shopping in Prey Veng, Cambodia

As it is quite common in Cambodia even smaller cities, such as Prey Veng have at least one bigger market. You may also find a market in Prey Veng centre, which is a very busy area with local shops dealing the local daily consumer products, like fish, fruits, vegetables, meats and packed products. The market is bustling Cambodian affair with loads of goods from nearby Vietnam. Most of the food and drink shops are surrounding the market. 

You may also find some Mini-Marts with Western Foods. This doublewide mini-mart has a number of Western foods to satisfy your craving. The other side is filled with cases of all brands of beer available in Cambodia- enough to quench even the driest whistle.

Shopping in Prey Veng
Shopping in Prey Veng
Shopping in Prey Veng
Shopping in Prey Veng

Ba Phnom Resort

Ba Phnom is located in Chheur Kach commune, Ba Phnom district, about 78 kilometers east of Phnom ...

Baray An Det Resort

Baray Andet is in Baray village, Baray commune, Prey Veng district, 3 kilometers west of Prey Veng ...

Chong Srok Temple

Prey Chong Srok Temple is regarded as one of the best religious sites of the province. The ...

Fish Growing Center

The Fish Growing Center, Prey Veng is situated in Bati Village in the Peam Ror Commune in the Peam ...

Kampong Sne Damp

Kampong Sne Damp, Prey Veng is one of the best Prey Veng Tourist Attractions. The travelers ...

Nokor Phnom

Nokor Phnom, Prey Veng is located in Roung Dam Rei Village, Cheung Phnom Commune, Bar Phnom ...

Prey Chong Srok Temple

Prey Chong Srok Temple is located in Boeng Chor Village, Prey TorToeng Commune, Sithorkandal ...

Viel Brang In the City

The Viel Brang In the City, Prey Veng is a nature and wildlife preserve. It is situated in the ...

Vihear Chan Temple

Vihear Chan Temple is located in Rong Dam Rey VillageCheungPhnom Commune, Bar Phnom District, about ...

Weaving Handicraft Center

Weaving Handicraft Center is located in Prk Chorngkran Village, Prk Chorngkran Commune, ...