Hidden Gems – Prey Veng Guide
The Prey Veng Guide! One of the biggest and most populous provinces of Cambodia and only 100 km from Phnom Penh you’d expect more people to know about Prey Veng. Alas whilst tourism has spread like wildfire throughout Cambodia there are still a few places that are truly off the beaten track, Prey Veng is very much one of them.
Prey Veng guide – The basic facts
Prey Veng, much like in Koh Kong is the name of both the province and the capital “city”. There are 1.1 million people in Prey Veng making it the most populated province in Cambodia, with the densely populated province now very much being dominated by the agricultural sector.
To read our guide to street food Battambang click here.
The area suffered greatly under the Khmer Rouge, but were also one of the first areas to be liberated by the Vietnamese backed forces. You will see lots of monuments to this throughout the province.
Getting to Prey Veng City
It is exactly 98 km from the Royal Palace to Prey Veng city, there are few buses that go here, with a private car costing $40 to get you here, or alternatively you can hire and jump on a bike. Bikes can be hired for $60 a month in Phnom Penh, although probably do not mention you will be going off-road.
Getting here also involves driving over the fabulous Japanese built Neak Loeung Bridge. With its golden gates this is truly a marvel to look at, stop for photos and as we were to find out buy and eat bugs!
To read about weird street food click here.
Prey Veng Guide – what is there to do in the province?
We will be straight up with this, not very much! But there is a real old-school feel to the town itself with a very relaxing sleepy vibe. Being an agricultural area there is also a lot of beautiful scenery surrounding the province, the joy is partly in simply going here. There’s the aforementioned bridge, but also lots of other chances to stop and take pictures of the stunning scenery.
What is there to do in Prey Veng City?
Prey Veng FC are now in the metfone C-League, which seems to be the main reason to come here, aside from that there is a nice central park and the Prey Veng Museum, which is obviously currently closed.
There is a one central road that has a few shops and restaurants, a decent market and a fair share of unique street food, much like any rural Khmer Town.
And of course there is now the chance to watch top-flight football. As an FYI Prey Veng lost to Tiffy Army 2-1 to an injury time winner.
And the Prey Veng nightlife?
The town shuts at 7pm on the dot! Like literally. Finding eating options after this consists of about 7 street food vendors, one of whom at least spoke English. He told us they once had a bar in Prey Veng, but people did not want to waste money on cocktails. Fair enough. One does wonder though what the few foreign teachers, NGO’s and football players that live here do for fun.
Where to stay in Prey Veng City
There are basically two hotels the Rum Duol Don Reun Guest house (you will not find it on booking.com), located slightly on the outskirts, but also within walking distance of the main “sites”. The hotel is reminiscent of a US style drive-in motel, has decent rooms at around $15 and friendly staff. There are other hotel options on the main freeway going past the city, but there would be even less to do there!
The second hotel, which we were to discover on our last visit is also probably the best restaurant in Prey Veng City, namely Mittapheap Hotel and Restaurant. Have not seen the rooms, but the meal and service were at least top notch.
Prey Veng becomes second province in Cambodia to be de-mined
What had actually brought us on this trip was that Prey Veng has now become the second province in Cambodia after Kep to be de-mined and cleared of unexploded ordinance. This day out involved seeing the cleared areas, getting to try the equipment, survey the cleared ordinance, as well as join the big awards ceremony.
The ceremony was led by H.E. Ly Touch Senior Minister & First Vice President, Cambodian Mine Action & Victim Assistance Authority and was attended by ambassadors, members of the business community, as well as journalists!
Is Prey Veng a hidden gem?
Is Prey Veng worth visiting? If you have a week in Cambodia then no it is not, of course, but if you are an expat, why not? It is a few hours drive from the city and if you want some real countryside rural seclusion then it is worth coming here for a night away from Phnom Penh. Would I want to live in Prey Veng? No, no I would not.
 | Prey Veng, Cambodia |
 | https://www.cambodialifestyle.com/prey-veng-province-guide/ |
 | +855 9 678 01791 |
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Author: Gareth Johnson
Gareth Johnson is the founder of Young Pioneer Tours and has visited over 180+ countries. His passion is opening obscure destinations to tourism and sharing his experience of street food.
