Crossed by one of the country’s busiest highways, which links Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Prey Veng is nevertheless a sleepy province that few tourists visit more than in just passing; most only lingering to cross the Mekong River at Neak Luong ferry crossing and continue to Phnom Penh or HCMC.
Prey Veng province is mostly agrarian and the residents are some of the poorest in Cambodia; however, the province hosts one of the oldest archaeological sites in Cambodia, the temples of Ba Phnom: a must-visit site in the country for obsessive Cambodiaphiles, though generally uninteresting to the common visitor. Also in provincial Prey Veng, Preah Theat Me Bon is worth a visit if you have time, and the other main towns in the province are Kampong Chan and Neak Luong.
Prey Veng city, the capital of the province, is a small town of minor interest to most tourists. The town is one of the least developed of all Cambodia’s provincial capitals, but has a certain charm. A few colonial buildings sit as a reminder of the town’s former importance during the French occupation, and there is a pleasant riverside area that is a popular place to eat and hang out in the evening. The town also features a nearby lake that evaporates half of the year.
Prey Veng City lies roughly 20 miles (30 km) north of Route 1 along National Road No. 11. Minibuses, buses and share taxis ply the route to Phnom Penh. From Prey Veng city, it is also easy to get to Kampong Chan by minibus. Motorbike is the favorite means of transport.
Where to Go
- Neak Luong: A popular town located near the Mekong River and a nice spot to walk around for half a day.
- Prey Veng: A tranquil provincial capital offering a glimpse into Cambodia’s rural life and local traditions, set amidst lush rice fields.
- Ba Phnom: A hill with Cambodia’s oldest archaeological sites, the Ba Phnom temples, which date back to pre-Angkorian kingdoms.