About
Rarely visited by hordes of tourists Oddar Meanchey is a relative hidden gem when it comes to tourism in Cambodia. The province was created on 27 April 1999, after being carved from the northern half of Siem Reap province and part of Banteay Meanchey. Having previously been its own unit from 1962 – 1970 and the formation of the Khmer Republic.
Being border town with Thailand it was of extreme strategic importance to whoever controlled it. As such it became the last bastion of the Khmer Rouge during their last state.Â
At 6,000 square kilometers it is the 13th biggest province in Cambodia, but with only 200,000 people is only the 18th most populous.
Culture & History
Attractions
Eat & Drink
Shopping
Places to stay
Something Different
Eco & Wellness
Services
What to see and do in Oddar Meanchey?
Nowadays much of the tourism within the province is thus based around the final days of the Khmer Rouge, particularly around the city of Anlong Veng. Aside from this the historical site of Koh Ker lies on the journey here, while O’Smach is home to luxury resorts and hotels.
Dark Tourism at Anlong Veng
Anlong Veng function as the last capital of the last Khmer Rouge state under both Pol Pot and Ta Man and there are therefore lots of sites related to this. These include the home of Ta Mok, the bunker of Pol Pot, as well as the eery graves of Pol Pot and Son Senn.
O'Smach - Oddor Meanchey
An extremely weird place this border town features a resort which includes a number of casinos, good restaurants and luxury hotels.Not for your average western traveler, but worth a visit if you are working your way to Thailand. Located just to the north of Samraong the provincial capital of the province, which is the most easy to reach place by bus.
Where to sleep in Oddar Meanchey province?
Your choice of hotels in Oddar Meanchey will dependÂ
If visiting the provincial capital of Samraong there are a number of cheap guesthouse style places. To the north of the capital lies O’Smach which is full of high-end resorts of that is your thing.
Koh Ker Temple Garden Hotel
Despite its historical significance there is not that much choice around Koh Ker Temple. One place that does come highly recommended though is Koh Ker Temple Hotel
Hotels in Anlong Veng
Anlong Veng Town has everything from casinos, to small hotels and backpacker lodges. The best value place and indeed the best location is Heng Hotel which is quite literally 5 minutes walk from the ghostly grave of Pol Pot.
Eating and drinking in Oddar Meanchey
While hardly the culinary capital of Cambodia, Oddar Meanchey has all of the street food Khmer style restaurants you would expect from rural Cambodia. High end restaurants exist in the resorts of O’Smach, whilst there is western food available in the smattering of hostels in Anlong Veng Town.
Coffee Con Ganh Phnom Dong Rek Anlong Veng
Located on the road leading to the border with Thailand. Great choice of western and Khmer dishes, as well as having the best breakfast in town.
Eating at the Peace Observatory
As well as being the best view and sunset in Anlong Veng there are also vendors serving up traditional Khmer food alongside the Khmer style hammocks and picnic tables
Photo: THE MINISTER OF TOURISM
Tours in Oddar Meanchey
There are a number of companies and individuals thats specialize in tours to the region, as well as ones that do tours throughout the provinces of Cambodia. Cambodia Lifestyle recommend the following;
Young Pioneer Tours – As well as offering regular group tours to Anlong Veng, they can also offer trips to Oddar Meanchey and the rest of Cambodia.
Getting away from Oddar Meanchey
Being next to the Thai border Oddar Meanchey is equally the perfect gateway to travel there, as well as being next to Siem Reap province and of course Angkor Watt.
