[Series] Cambodia Today: Insights from Vietnam's Neighbor
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Vol.3: The Reality of Life in Cambodia — Q&A: The Reality of Safety, Currency, Healthcare, and Cost of Living
Starting March 5, 2026, KBC-LINK continues its series, 'Cambodia Today,' designed for our readers in Vietnam.
Written by the head of a Japanese Desk at a local bank with six years of residency, this series offers authentic, on-the-ground perspectives—from professional financial insights to the realities of daily life.
🔰 About This Series / Author Introduction
Hello, my name is Asami Iida, and I lead the Japanese Desk at ABA Bank in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I am delighted to continue sharing the evolving landscape of “Cambodia Today” with everyone living in Vietnam. This year marks my sixth year of living and working in this vibrant country. When people think of Cambodia, the majestic spires of Angkor Wat often come to mind. While that historical legacy remains a point of pride, Cambodia is now a nation in the midst of a rapid and profound transformation. Through this column, I hope to provide a more contemporary and realistic view of the country as seen through both my professional and personal experiences. |
Every April, Cambodia celebrates Khmer New Year with a nationwide holiday, and the entire country shifts into celebration mode. This year (April 14–16), Phnom Penh was filled with festive events, including a giant inflatable water slide installed in front of the central post office. Streets across the city became crowded with families, young people, and tourists enjoying the celebrations.
During the holiday, I visited Siem Reap. However, the area around the famous
Pub Street was so crowded that it was nearly impossible to get close. Instead, I joined the water fights taking place on the surrounding streets. Along the streets, residents stood outside their homes spraying water from hoses. Pickup trucks and motorbikes passed continuously, packed with excited participants.
According to local news reports, approximately two million people visited Siem Reap during the holiday period, once again reminding me of Cambodia’s incredible energy and vibrancy.
While working in Cambodia, I am often asked: “What is life there actually like?” This time, I would like to answer some of the most common questions I receive about daily life in Cambodia.
Is Cambodia Safe?
In Phnom Penh, I generally feel that life is safe as long as you exercise normal common sense. Many condominiums and apartment buildings have 24-hour security, making them comfortable places to live.
At the same time, working in banking, I receive several consultations each month regarding account security and app access following the loss or theft of smartphones. As in any country, it is important to take basic precautions with valuables. Outside the major cities, there are still areas where houses may have doors but no locks, simply because locking doors is not yet part of daily life in some communities. The contrast between urban and rural lifestyles is also one of Cambodia’s unique characteristics.
Is the Currency U.S. Dollars or Cambodian Riel?
U.S. dollars are widely used throughout Cambodia, and much of daily life can still be managed entirely in dollars. However, in recent years, efforts to promote the Cambodian riel have accelerated.
Supermarkets are increasingly displaying prices in riel, and banks are encouraging customers to open riel-denominated accounts. Some companies have even begun paying salaries partially or fully in riel. Little by little, Cambodia appears to be moving toward greater use of its national currency.
How Is Healthcare?
Japanese-affiliated clinics and international medical facilities have increased significantly in recent years, making it easier to receive medical treatment in Japanese or English. Many clinics also accept international travel insurance, and some provide cashless treatment arrangements.
For highly specialized medical care, some residents still choose to travel to neighboring countries. However, for everyday healthcare and minor illnesses, I feel that Phnom Penh now offers a fairly reliable medical environment.
Is the Cost of Living Rising?
The cost of living has definitely risen over the past few years. For Japanese residents in particular, the weak yen has amplified this effect. For those earning and spending in U.S. dollars, the increase may not always feel dramatic. However, from the perspective of Japanese yen, exchange rate fluctuations have made everyday expenses feel noticeably higher.
Even a simple cup of coffee can feel more expensive today when converted into yen, despite local prices remaining relatively stable.
Recently, rising fuel costs have also affected transportation prices. For example, long-distance bus fares have increased, and on my recent trip between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, ticket prices were approximately two dollars higher per person than before.
Looking at all these factors together, Cambodia may best be described as a country where comfortable daily life is becoming increasingly possible, while still remaining very much in the middle of its development journey.
Perhaps that is exactly what makes living here so fascinating—the ability to experience a country that is constantly evolving in real time.
KBC-LINK Featured News:
Cambodia's Economy Today: Insights with Asami Iida of ABA Bank Japanese Desk
Cambodia Accelerates Riel Promotion Policy — Salary Payments in Riel Begin Across the Banking Sector
As mentioned in Asami Iida’s article, Cambodia’s efforts to promote the use of the riel are now reaching a major turning point. Beginning in 2026, salary payments in Cambodian riel are being gradually introduced across the banking sector. The government’s goal is for more than 25% of bank employees to receive salaries in riel by the end of the year.
These changes are already being felt at the operational level. At ABA Bank, where Asami works, salaries are still currently paid entirely in U.S. dollars. However, she notes that friends working at other banks have already shifted to systems where 50% of salaries are paid in riel, while some institutions have moved entirely to riel-based salary payments. Even within the banking industry, the pace of adoption varies significantly from institution to institution.
At the same time, the presence of the riel in digital payments is growing rapidly. Transactions denominated in riel through the National Bank of Cambodia’s “Bakong” digital payment system reportedly tripled in 2024 compared to the previous year. The gradual changes Asami experiences in everyday life reflect Cambodia’s long-term effort to reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar and strengthen confidence in its own national currency.
Author Profile
Asami Iida
Based in Cambodia for 6 years
Japanese Desk, ABA Bank
Supporting Japanese individuals and companies expanding into Cambodia. From financial operations to everyday life, she shares insights into Cambodia’s evolving landscape from both professional and personal perspectives.
Contact
ABA Bank Japanese Desk
Next Episode (Vol.4)
In the next article, Asami will introduce:“Weekend Getaways from Phnom Penh — Recommended Travel Destinations (Part 1).” Stay tuned.
Editor’s Note
This article is a contributed piece.
For detailed procedures and financial inquiries, please refer to official channels of the respective institutions.
