After the Vietnamese overthrew the Khmer Rouge in Phnom Penh and later ceded the city to the United Nations, the communist party erected a Soviet-style memorial statue to commemorate the event.
While there is some residual resentment among Cambodians about the historical relationship, the friendship monument occupies a public park that is very popular with Phnom Penh residents.
In the evenings, couples sit together on benches to watch an entertaining column of fountains with colorful lights and recorded music. Group aerobic dancing and badminton are other popular activities before sunset, and holidays often feature a stage with live performances.
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Getting There
Located just south of the Royal Palace. Walk or take a tuk tuk down Sothearos Blvd
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Need to Know
- What is It?: A memorial statue and a park with colorful fountains and sunset activities.
- When to Go: Any time, particularly around sunset and in the early evening.
- Nearest Town: In the center of the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, which features an international airport
- Don’t Miss: The group aerobics and the colorful and musical fountain show
- Trivia: In the wake of the elections of August 1998, several Cambodians attacked the statue with hammers, doused it with gasoline, and set it aflame. ,
- Opening hours: 24-hours (though perhaps not safe late at night).
- Entrance fees: None