Series 🇰🇭 Cambodia Today: Insights from Vietnam's Neighbor
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Vol.6: What's Happening in a Young Nation — Cambodia Today
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. |
People sometimes ask me, "Are there a lot of young people in Cambodia?" In fact, Cambodia has an incredibly young population—half of all citizens are 27 or younger. Considering Japan's average age is around 50, that means a generation more than 20 years younger is driving the country's economy and society forward. Having lived and worked here for six years now, I feel the energy of this "young nation" every single day. Walk through the city and you'll see new cafés and shops opening one after another, meet young entrepreneurs, and watch new digital services quietly become part everyday life. The pace of change is remarkably fast—it's an everyday occurrence to think, "oh, something new has started again."
Recently, I traveled about an hour from the city center to watch Cambodia's national team play in the ASEAN Championship (a Southeast Asian international football tournament). The team narrowly lost, but the energy and cheers from the young people and children filling the stadium were truly something to witness.
Cambodia's Momentum
One recent piece of news that stood out to me: between January and May 2026, around 650 new companies were registered in Cambodia. It's not simply about the number going up—but the fact that more people are taking on new challenges says something about the country's momentum.
This isn't just about a young population—there's also a growing ecosystem supporting entrepreneurs. Khmer Enterprise, a government-affiliated organization, actively runs startup accelerator programs and investor matching services. CJCC (the Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center), which many Japanese residents are familiar with, also offers accelerator programs and Japanese-style business training, used by many young business owners as a place to learn. Having somewhere to turn to—and an environment to learn in—when you decide "I want to start a business" is, I think, one more sign of how Cambodia is changing.
Pride in "Made in Cambodia"
Lately, I've also been hearing the phrase "Made in Cambodia" more often in the news and in everyday conversation. Cambodia still relies heavily on imports, but at the same time, I sense a strong drive among the younger generation to "make good products here and share them with the world." Around the city, I've noticed more locally designed cafés and processed foods made from domestic produce. Watching young entrepreneurs search for—and share—"the value only Cambodia can create," rather than simply imitating what's abroad, is genuinely inspiring to me.
Digital Natives Are Reshaping the Country
No discussion of daily life in Cambodia is complete without mentioning its rapid digitalization. Thanks to the widespread adoption of Bakong—the blockchain-based payment system led by the National Bank of Cambodia—and the KHQR common QR code, you can now pay for everything from a $1 coffee at a street stall to a full shopping trip at a major supermarket, all with just your phone. Living without cash has become the norm. I'll go into more detail on fintech in a future installment of this series.
The "Returnees" Bringing the World Back Home
Another key part of understanding Cambodia today is the growing number of people who studied or worked abroad and have since returned. Prime Minister Hun Manet himself studied overseas. And it's not just the top tier—more and more young people are heading abroad, including to Japan, to gain expertise and a global outlook, then bringing it back home. Foreign language education is thriving at institutions like the Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL) at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, and I regularly meet talented young people who speak fluent Japanese and bridge the gap between Japanese companies and Cambodia. Watching young people bring back new perspectives from abroad—whether starting their own businesses or thriving within companies—gives me real hope for this country's future.
I'm often asked, "Why do you love Cambodia so much?" There are a few reasons, but the one that feels most true is this: "because my world gets a little bigger every day." Even after six years here, I keep meeting new people, discovering new businesses, and being surprised by perspectives and solutions I'd never considered. That hasn't stopped.
Iida-san's Local Cambodia Tips:
■ Local Coffee Brands Making Their Mark in Phnom Penh
Homegrown coffee chains are thriving in Phnom Penh. BROWN Coffee and Bakery, with more than 40 locations nationwide, is the clear leader—loved by expats, local young people, and business professionals alike for its sleek, modern space design. Tube Coffee comes next in terms of store count, drawing a young crowd with its minimalist interiors and quality drinks at accessible prices.
■ A Small Sustainable Surprise from Starbucks
At the Starbucks near my office, which I visit often, I've noticed used coffee grounds sometimes set out for anyone to take home for free—great for gardening and composting. It's a small reminder that sustainable habits are quietly spreading, even in the most familiar places.
KBC-LINK Featured News: Reading Cambodia's Economy Today, with Iida-san of ABA Bank's Japanese Desk
■ Cambodia on the Rise: 650 New Businesses Registered in Just the First Half of the Year
The 650 figure Iida-san mentions in her article tells an even bigger story. Nationwide, the number of registered business establishments has grown to 47,299, with employment reaching approximately 2.3 million people—including around 1.3 million women. A government push to streamline investment rules and simplify procedures is drawing in both domestic and foreign investment. As manufacturing orders and exports continue to grow, this is expected to fuel further job creation and economic development.
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.6)
Next month, Iida-san brings us "What's Happening in a Country with an Average Age of 27." Stay tuned!
Editor’s Note
This article is a contributed piece.
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