S1 E63 | First Impressions of Phnom Penh and a Sunset River Cruise

Stepping into Phnom Penh was overwhelming at first. Within minutes of arriving, we were already navigating the confusing world of SIM cards. Prices seemed arbitrary, each vendor quoting a different rate, but we finally managed to get a card for $3 plus a $1 top-up for 5GB. It worked, but the process felt shady and chaotic—very much in tune with our first impressions of the Cambodian capital.

The streets were buzzing with tuk-tuks, food stalls, and vendors selling everything under the sun. Phnom Penh instantly reminded us of Hanoi’s energy but felt noticeably different from Ho Chi Minh City. There was more English spoken here—at hotels, shops, and by street vendors—which made simple things like check-ins a lot smoother. But the vibe was distinctly Cambodian: raw, vibrant, and a little rough around the edges.

Another adjustment was the money. Cambodia uses two currencies interchangeably—the local Khmer Riel (KHR) and the US Dollar. It was a tricky system at first, since you might pay in dollars but get change in riel. With 4,000 riel equal to one dollar, it took us a little while to adapt and avoid mistakes.

In the evening, we decided to unwind with one of Phnom Penh’s most popular experiences—a river cruise on the Tonle Sap. We booked with Crocodile Cruises, a company we found online with good reviews, and for just $5 per person we boarded a pretty little boat decorated with plants on the deck. The moment the boat left the pier, all the chaos of the city melted away.

The one-hour ride was magical. The skyline glowed in the golden sunset, the river sparkled clean, and the sky turned into a canvas of dramatic colors. Sitting there with snacks and drinks on board, watching Phnom Penh slowly pass by, was the perfect way to spend our first evening in the city. The cruise even gave us a preview of many landmarks we planned to explore the next day.

After docking, we wandered into the night market. Unlike Vietnam, where locals sat on tiny stools, here people simply spread mats on the floor and ate their dinners picnic-style. It was a lively, communal atmosphere that made us smile and gave us a warm welcome into Cambodia.

Our first day in Phnom Penh had been a whirlwind of confusion, discovery, and calm. From SIM cards to sunset skies, the city had already shown us so many contrasts—and we were excited to see what the days ahead would bring.