Why I WON'T BE RETURNING to Cambodia any time soon!

This is my first trip back to Cambodia in 20 years, despite having lived next door in Vietnam for the past 13! How has it changed? And will I still like it? I visit Koh Rong, Kampot and Phnom Penh to find out!
WATCH:
How to GET AROUND in CAMBODIA (Koh Rong, Kampot & Phnom Penh)
• How to GET AROUND in C...
Chapters:
0:00-1:02 Intro
1:03-5:55 Koh Rong
5:56-10:53 Kampot
10:54-15:22 Phnom Penh
15:23-17:54 Outro
#cambodia #phnompenh #kampot #kohrong
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In memory of Chris Donnellan. RIP mate. The Saigon community will miss you terribly. X

[@gsomethingsomething2658]

Siem Reap is the real gem of Cambodia. How the hell did you miss going there??

[@TheBureauAsia]

I've been there before, but not recently. I hadn't been to Koh Rong or Kampot and wanted to check them out.

[@retribution999]

Absolutely right!

[@KB3TLE]

WELL > YOUR LOSS !@@TheBureauAsia

[@Vlogged-off]

Only good bit tbh

[@Wandrative]

@@TheBureauAsiaSiem reap changed for the better and got very clean minus the Chinese overpopulation.

[@cvr168]

Despite more negative reviews, thank you for visiting Cambodia. Cambodia is still Cambodia. You have rights to express your opion; we have our own.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Just want to stress that our interactions with Cambodians were awesome and that you guys are lovely (as I mentioned in the video) and that many I spoke to had similar grievances about the cost of living and wage disparity, plus the video isn't all negative, there are positives highlighted too! Thanks heaps for your comment 🙂

[@janeloumaizo2332]

I really love cambodia. Been there twice.. And going again next year

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@janeloumaizo2332 Great, where to this time?

[@janeloumaizo2332]

@@TheBureauAsia I am currently in the middle east now

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@janeloumaizo2332 I mean, where will you visit in Cambodia next?

[@rafski-travels-1984]

Cambodia is for backpackers and for those who are adventurous. Personally I love the place and the food and learning the language makes it even more special. I like it because it still has a rustic charm and the culture is still quite authentic, whilst Thailand and Vietnam have already joined the technocratic rat race. SE Asian cities are know for their cramped concrete streets and lack of parks. Older westerners need to keep all this in mind and perhaps not expect as much as they do. Nonetheless a candid comprehensive review thanks for sharing.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks for your perspective and I'll take onboard what you've said when planning my next trip, my expectations were probably too high, glad to hear you're loving it, where are you based?

[@rafski-travels-1984]

@@TheBureauAsia Freelancer

[@KB3TLE]

Heard from elderly retired expats that seem to think Siem Reap was made for them and not just "backpackers" ! --?-- Good food cheap if that's what your after ?

[@rafski-travels-1984]

@@KB3TLE : good yes of course it’s located near a biosphere with huge swathes of water meadows and grasslands, needless to say the beef is grass finished, good food? Shouldn’t that be our birthright?

[@BIGJED75]

Nothing you said was truly that bad, mostly complaining about western restaurants food prices. We have lived in Kampot, Kep, Phnom Penh and are currently living in Siem Reap. All these places have a plathira of positives and a myriad of activities to do. Sometimes you have a run of Fails on a holiday, but that's not a reason to write off a whole country. Cambodia is a developing country and is still recovering from a truly horrible recent past. So maybe a little bit of understand and patience is appreciated, and less western privilege.

[@TheBureauAsia]

All fair points and I'm sure there are plenty of things to do in many places in Cambodia, we had mostly positive experiences which I've been documenting in my shorts vids, I understand Cambodia's developing status and its past, but as a traveller (yes, it's a privilege, but I might add that locals I spoke to agreed with my observations), I felt I didn't get value for money in many cases, perhaps because I'd raised my expectations too high after watching all the glowing recent youtube videos about it, I live just next door in Vietnam and as I said in the video, never say never, so I may go back at some point. Thanks heaps for watching and commenting!

[@martinherald6492]

Yes, nothing to do there? Bokor mountain is pretty hard to miss and you can waste at least a day running around there. Kayaking, cruises, pepper, salt farms... and no, I don't work for tourism Cambodia. One of my criticisms of the sights in Phnom Penh, is except for around the palace, the best known tourist sights are depressing.

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@martinherald6492 We had planned to go up Bokor, but the motorbike rental place wanted my passport, which I didn't want to hand over, so we ditched that idea. Salt and pepper farms may have been an option, but we'd come to hang out in Kampot that people had highly rated online and here on YT, unfortunately it didn't match those expectations. I think the options you provide demonstrate that there's no need to stay in Kampot for too long. Aside from the Old Fish Market and 1960, where else would you recommend to eat? Agree with your thoughts on Phnom Penh, I hadn't been to S-21 before, obviously I wouldn't go back if I visited PP again, so what does it leave? Thanks heaps for taking the time to watch and comment!

[@henrylawson938]

@BIGJED75 Western privilege 🤔 There are more poor people than rich CSukers in so-called American dominated Western countries. MSM does a good job of brainwashing individuals. But BRICS will brick them very shortly.

[@user-ps6fk5cd8b]

@@TheBureauAsia you are speaking the truth. Unfortunately, criticism where is negative can be hard to swallow, particularly with a nation that just not long ago learned about internet and seeing the real world where oppression wasn’t an issues. Propaganda in Cambodia is exactly the same and not yet improved.

[@w.m.p-w8989]

I disagree with your review… I love Cambodia and happy to grow with it.

[@TheBureauAsia]

That's fair enough, everybody's experiences are different, just to make it clear, I don't dislike Cambodia, this was merely my review of my travel experience in this case, particularly as it pertains to value for money in the places I visited. Thanks for commenting! 🙂

[@letssee5213]

As a 1 week tourist you cannot expect too much. There are a lot more things to the country than a quick skim. As for food there are some great places. Don't expect much on any island as they make their businesses from tourism or fishing not growing fruit plantations. If fruit isn't delivered by boat then forget it. Kampot is just for relaxing not sightseeing. Food options in PP are very good. Beer is cheaper than Thailand. Wine is drastically cheaper than Thailand. If you aren't use to eating street food in Cambodia then silly to try on a short trip. Takes time to acclimatise. Some decent hotels in the capital. But apart from eating and drinking what else do people do on holidays? Boat trips - Cambodia has. Sightseeing- temples everywhere. Museums - couple in PP. One big issue in Cambodia still is destruction of forests and that is on the coast near Koh Kong, islands and Prey Lang. Chinese gangsters everywhere. The American bbq would have been Craft. They are trying but can be hit and miss.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks heaps for your comment, it makes sense, cheers!

[@walsakaluk4630]

Your honest report of your personal experience is respected. Respected, however, you came across as being a tad precious and a moaner. Embrace the Kingdom. It is what it is where you are. You may have had guilded expectations.🤔 I've lived in Cambodia for over 25 years now, worked all over the place and I love it. Your belly problems...yeah, you get that. I'm visiting family in Oz at present and I dare not venture far from a bathroom. I can't wait to get back home. (I still love my family) People, all types, are just nicer in Cambodia. Go with the flow.

[@TheBureauAsia]

I don't know if you watched the whole video, but I mention a number of positive things about Cambodia, including how the people are a highlight and Koh Rong's stunning beaches. This has been missed (for whatever reason) in many of the comments on this vid. That's great if you live there and love it, but this review wasn't targeted to foreigners living in Cambodia, rather it was for people considering a trip there for a short period of time, with an honest review of my experience. Yes, my expectations were made high from the glowing reviews I watched on KZbin, so this video aims to provide something more balanced. I live in HCMC and I read and watch people dissing it a lot, but that's their experience, not mine, so no offence taken. Thanks heaps for taking the time to comment!

[@walsakaluk4630]

@@TheBureauAsia Yes, I watched the whole thing. I did hear your positive comments too. I think you went to the "wrong" places with high expectations. It's best to travel with a blank slate. No chance of having your bubble burst that way. Thank YOU for taking the time to share your experiences too. Come again!

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@walsakaluk4630 I think you're right, I must've had my bubble burst 😅I'll be back for sure, but will check out some other locations. Cheers!

[@walsakaluk4630]

@@TheBureauAsia 🖖

[@GeFarr]

​@@walsakaluk4630to😢

[@avabartlett1]

Woah! This is insulting and ignorant among other things. You ARE entitled to your opinion. Kampot is one of the most exciting places i've been in asia and if not the world. It's filled with amazing culture, locals, scenery, food and the list goes on. I will forever carry with me the kindness and genuine love i was shown during my time in Cambodia. I'm also an avid cook and my visit to Cambodia has added a lot of dishes to my list of things i cook. I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to make this video but I really find this a ridiculous review on the wonderful Kampot. The durian you mention on the roundabout is a Monument for the Durian farmers and their families who were brutally murdered (NOT EXTERMINATED, WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE) during the khmer rouge. I get that google doesn't show much of what to do in Kampot but that is maybe a part of its charm. If you are nice and open to meeting locals I'm sure they will show you what to go get up to, what to see and what to eat! NOMADS hostel in Kampot will facilitate climbing through caves, going to historic and sacred sites, biking through local villages, bathing in mineral rich mud baths, watching how the locals fish, party and live!! I'm sorry you had a bad experience in Kampot but please don't spurt that it's a bad place because you just clearly weren't lucky enough to see it in all its glory or perhaps just didn't take the time to see it. With love from Australia, my friend!

[@TheBureauAsia]

This video was about my travel experience to Kampot (as well as PP & Koh Rong), a destination I chose to visit after seeing a lot of videos about it extolling many of the things you mention in your comment, I just found for me, that it didn't measure up to the hype, that's all. And I thought that it was important to give my honest opinion so that people considering travelling to Kampot, can make a more informed decision on whether to or not. I don't believe that I insinuated anything about the culture, although I do remember mentioning the people who are extremely lovely and who happened to agree with many of the things I raise in the video when I chatted to them about it privately. As for the reference about the Khmer Rouge atrocities, I don't see an issue with using the word 'exterminated' because what took place imo goes beyond murder, it was a deliberate killing of a large number of people of a particular demographic. Pol Pot was responsible for the same atrocities just across the border in Vietnam at Ba Chúc where I visited just last week, so I'm certainly not ignorant to the devastation he and his regime caused in both Cambodia and Vietnam. It's great that you hold Kampot so close to your heart and you're clearly passionate about it, it's awesome when that happens, but it just so happens it's not the case for me. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@annaso3522]

I agree with you 100% with @avabartlett1. The durian in the roundabout represents the town. Each village, town, city has its own. I’m Cambodian American and video is insulting to my birth country and culture.

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@annaso3522 Sounds like you didn't watch the entire video, it's got nothing to do with the culture and people, and if you did watch it in its entireity, you would've noticed plenty of positives I raise about Cambodia

[@annaso3522]

@@TheBureauAsia Not only I watched it till the end but I watched it entirely twice.

[@KhmerSanjose]

I think Cambodia will be the next Dubai by 2040.

[@YoutubeTravelerSoloVagabond]

LOL $37 for lunch? i wonder if hes pulling these prices out of a hat. i can usually get this for $2.5 and if im splurging $6 for 1 person no problem.

[@TheBureauAsia]

For dinner, was my wife's birthday so we were prepared to pay more for American bbq, but it wasn't value for money imo, staff were very nice though. Thanks for commenting!

[@adventurefreaksss]

Thank you for the wonderful video!

[@melaniecasul]

Talking to the locals and getting their unfiltered opinions on everyday life was definitely a highlight. If you have unlimited budget for SEA travel I guess one way to help the people is with a visit. Perhaps this mentality is what drives the young vloggers to gush over 🇰🇭. They feel that it can help.

[@TheBureauAsia]

The people were definitely a highlight 💯 I guess with KZbinrs, we're often watching videos made by a demographic with different priorities, I know when I came through Cambodia as a backpacker, my main priority was to see how far my dollar would go, my reward each day for sticking to my budget was a beer or a Coke, I'm not built for that these days 😅

[@matt55592]

Love your honesty. Going to PP in January and looking forward to it

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks heaps for your comment and all the best with your trip!

[@heythave]

Matt, go to eat at One More Restaurant if you like Khmer food. The fish pancakes and sour soup were very good.

[@rothlis18]

Kampot works for me. I'm retired here for now 4 years now.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Yup, I can see it might be nice for retirement.

[@Kevin-vx8qe]

I was there in July and just loved the views of the mountains by the river. The weather was great l, too! I hope you are enjoying your retirement there.

[@Kosalsom]

Welcome to Cambodia 🇰🇭

[@ianbond2336]

It isn't pronounced Ko Rong it is Koh Rong. You sound like a typical tourist who goes to an island not thinking that it costs money to get the food transported to the island and compare everything to where you live. There isn't a lot in Kampot but peope go there to chill out and relax. Mosquitoes are in every tropical country so you should have been prepared. I have lived here for 17 years and love it just as much as when I first came here. The less people like you who visit the better!

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks for the pronunciation tip! Sadly I don't have the ability to pronounce things correctly in the local language of every country I go to, unlike your good self it seems. Funnily enough, the locals seemed to understand what I was saying. One of the dishes I mention in the video is squid, now last time I checked, Koh Rong...Ko Rong (?) is a small island surrounded by the ocean, I would expect a lot better than what we got served up. As for Kampot, previous comments (including mine) suggest that my expectations for it were too high, and clearly they were. You're right about the mosquitoes, I come from Australia so I know them well, but when you're paying between US$50-US$70 per night for a room, I think it's not too much to expect that you won't get divebombed by mozzies throughout the night. And it's "fewer people" not "less people" 😉 Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@edgregory1]

Koh is pronouned gaw. Same as in TL.

[@Natascha1979]

For that amount of money you would expect good mosquito screens and no cracks in the building where they can get through. The prices he mentions are crazy, especially for Cambodian standards

[@flyer2757]

Thank you. If you may can tell please, Is this big market the biggest for fresh fruits in kampot?

[@TheBureauAsia]

Don't know if it's the biggest but there is plenty of fruit. There's also a very interesting jewellery/ gold market in there as well.

[@lahola3265]

I traveled to Cambodia 20 years ago as a single woman aged 30 & I enjoyed it

[@TheBureauAsia]

Yup, was amazing then, I was there about 99 I think, you would've been there at a very interesting time!

[@TheOtherOtherMike]

well done video!

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-cc4fz1cj3o]

thanks for the honesty

[@TheBureauAsia]

If you go, let me know what you think. Thanks for commenting 👍

[@LoyBerlina]

Thanks for loving Cambodia ❤❤❤

[@tubewatcher3100]

Thanks for the humorous video review and the effort in getting the visuals. I revisited PP in 2023 after a 15 year absence and am impressed by the changes. I guess the comments below don't appreciate the "OMG, I visited xxxx and survived, it was horrible" travel review style which was common in nearly all edgy young traveller's tales (book form and blogs) worldwide from around your last visit i.e. 20 years ago. Those young people with an attitude are now your age. Ha ha.

[@TheBureauAsia]

I'll take that as a compliment...I guess, lol. Yeah, cheeky young buggers! But as you show with your comment, everyone's experience is different, I had some really good experiences there and some average ones, but nothing that will turn me off returning some day. The content I saw about Cambodia was so hyped that I had to go and see for myself, but unfortunately it didn't live up to the hype on this occasion. Thanks heaps for commenting!

[@geoffmcintosh3]

Interesting take. I have been travelling in SEA and Cambodia for the last 10 yrs . All the prices you quote seem high to me. I was in Thailand for 2 months this year and find Cambodia alot cheaper when you know where to go and stay. Siem reap especially. You would also been better off on Koh Rong Semloeng, smaller, quieter and more chilled vibe

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks for the tips! On the way back to the mainland we stopped by Semloeng to pick others up and it seemed much quieter. I was surprised by the prices too...would that be because a lot of produce is imported from places like China...?

[@KB3TLE]

Siem Reap was worth a visit ! -- Prices are more friendly than the Capital ! Street food is better and most everything is less expensive. Many prefer it there !

[@TheBureauAsia]

I went there a long time ago, sounds like I need to go back, a lot of comments highly recommend it, thanks for commenting!

[@KB3TLE]

@@TheBureauAsia > I'm old and retired in the US and been looking to perhaps move to Siem Reap where some 20,000 expats are retired. A variety of international food is available there as well as cheap street food. Retirement visas are ridiculously cheap and easy ! -- Many of the expats love it and report living 'comfortably' on $900 -- $1200 per month there. --?--

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@KB3TLE Wow 20,000 retired expats?! 😲

[@heythave]

We did the Angkor Zipline and it was a lot of fun.

[@subculturenz]

I actually love Kampot, but i started going there before it started getting all the hype from random KZbinrs and influencers and I spent a few weeks to a month each time I went. It was a great base to see the surrounding areas, I usually get a scooter and drive to Kep, Bokor Mountains and get my Visa to go to Vientnam or go to the less frequented Islands like Rabbit Island etc. Also the Pepper is one of a kind and I will always stand by it being the best you can get anywhere, especially with the seafood dishes you can get from seafood restaurants in the area. It was really a big Mecca for young backpackers because of some of the well known accommodation, but from what i can see now is it has got very commercialized.

[@TheBureauAsia]

I can see how Kampot has the potential as a cool place to hang out, at the moment though I don't think it's for me. The Kampot pepper is incredible. I brought some home with me. Thanks heaps for commenting!

[@garysmith4418]

People in Cambodia won't miss you not coming back I doubt. Yes, I came back from over 20 years ago. So you didn't go to S21 last time and ok to see this time and was worth seeing in the first place? There are architectural buildings in Kampot but I guess you didn't bother looking that much.

[@TheBureauAsia]

This video was never about trying to charm the Cambodian people, it was about trying to give an honest opinion based on my experience. As for S21, I explain in the video why I didn't visit it the first time round. Yes, I acknowledge in the video there are buildings of note in Kampot e.g. Cinema Hotel, Old Fish Market, but as I said, the town doesn't compare architecturally with towns in the region I've been to that have heritage status. To that end, people aren't stupid, there are plenty of other videos out there about the places I visited and with mine, they can use them to plan their trip or make a call on whether they want to visit or not.

[@samproximax1790]

hahaha

[@mbvalency]

I found your review reasonable and fair. There is not much to see in Kampot. I bough pepper, but did not want to visit a farm in the hot sun. But will go there again for the beers in the bars.

[@TheBureauAsia]

I didn't go to the pepper farm, but I now have a new found appreciation for pepper after visiting Kampot, it's next level!

[@robertchflynn]

I thought you might scare me off to visiting PP next month but seems your biggest concerns of Phnom Penh aren't really that problematic. I am quite happy you noted the cleanliness of the streets as that is something very tiresome here in Vietnam...

[@TheBureauAsia]

The main thing for me in PP was the lack of great street food like you find in Saigon, for some people it's not an issue, but after living here in Saigon, I've become accustomed to finding great places to eat all over the city. Have a great trip and let me know how it goes. Thanks fot watching!

[@phlezktravels]

​@@TheBureauAsiaI guess Saigon is more expedient than the official name 😜

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@phlezktravels And you just get used to calling it that when you live here

[@bichsbanhbaos4088]

@@TheBureauAsia ở Sài Gòn ,hầu như quận nào cũng có chợ đêm, khu phố ẩm thực, hoặc khu ăn uống, nhậu nhẹt vui chơi . đi bất cứ đâu cũng thấy quán nhậu và ăn uống. Điều tồi tệ là giao thông đông đúc và đường phố chưa sạch sẽ , hy vọng trong vài năm nữa các dự án giao thông sẽ hoàn thành và môi trường ý thức người dân được cải thiện. Chúc bạn thật nhiều sức khỏe 💪. Và người Cambodia rất thân thiện .

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@bichsbanhbaos4088 Anh đồng ý 100%! Anh vẫn không chắc chợ đêm nào là nơi anh yêu thích nhất. Con đường nào bạn yêu thích nhất?

[@TannerMcCuin]

Kampot, like much of Cambodia isn't geared for easy consumption by westerners - frankly, that's part of the charm. The dilapidation & squalor - are a reminder of their brutal history they're still recovering from. Food in PP is general fantastic, i've got a notoriously easy to upset stomach but didn't get sick once eating street food - 4 days in a 4 star Mexican resort though, I almost missed my flight. Of couse your going to pay dearly for American BBQ in PP, what an absurd thing to do in Cambodia frankly. Meanwhile one street over from Central market in any direction you have your choice of amazing Viet Pho and Khmer traditional breakfast plates. for 2-4 USD. Sorry you had a bad experience - maybe stick to more western tourist friendly countries next time?

[@TheBureauAsia]

My reaction to Kampot was in response to the hype created by videos I'd seen, I appreciate that you highlighted the dilapidation and squalor (not too sure it's that extreme, although Samaki Market in places was pretty intense) that can be found there. The American BBQ joint was right by our hotel, I'm always interested in the variety of what's available in cities like PP, so I don't think it's absurd at all to try one out occasionally, I was also still a bit under the weather. 25 years ago when I travelled to Cambodia, the thought of a BBQ joint like that was unimaginable, so I was curious to try it. I live in HCMC so I'm fairly well attuned to what SEA nations/ cultures can serve up, my wife is also Filipino, I guess the main thing I've taken away from the trip (short as it was) is not to set expectations too high for Cambodia as a short trip destination for mid-range travellers like me, I'm sure it's great for backpackers and the high-end market, but it needs to lift its game for the rest of us. Thanks heaps for taking the time to comment!

[@parasitius]

"Of couse your going to pay dearly for American BBQ in PP, what an absurd thing to do in Cambodia frankly." I don't know that I understand this comment. If you follow any of the PP Facebook groups, you'll know there are tons of bars and restaurants offering really fair prices on Western meal sets. Yeah they're not all meat plates, but still. It is contrary to expectations and I am familiar with a premium being charged for rare cuisines. Plus, what's the point of being in a large metropolitan city if not to avail oneself of the variety. Imagine being prohibited from Chinese and Italian food in NYC because on travelers' honor you're only going to eat American: hot dogs and sweet tea. Then again, my stay was 2 months so it's a bit different than a short traveler.

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@parasitius Spot on!

[@zwzwz00]

Ok. Let me help you. This beach island you went to it’s not a standard beach (prices are high if you want white sands and clear water!) people that go there go to resorts not low cost accommodation. It’s not for backpacking. You really need to know where to go when you go travelling and focus on eating local food and if you want special experiences like white sands and clear waters expect it to be expensive. Also, you don’t really go to PP and order sliders, I mean come on, what would you expect? You go there and you eat local food, from Cambodia and from neighbouring countries, which btw is extremely cheap and tasty!

[@TheBureauAsia]

Koh Rong is actually very popular with backpackers, Nest Hostel holds regular parties at weekends, there was one while we were there. We're not backpackers so we didn't expect to stay in backpacker accommodation or get things cheaply, just value for money. I'm not sure if you've been to Koh Rong, but there's actually very few options for local food it turns out, especially during the time of year that we went. As for PP, it was my wife's birthday and we were keen to try something that wasn't street food, a bit more expensive and to see what the quality was like. We're foodies and like trying all types of food, the BBQ joint was owned by a local so we decided to support it. We live in Vietnam so we're fully aware of how good street food can be, but Cambodia's street food scene (as I mention in the video) isn't on the same level as here.

[@TobyandTamar]

OMG what a depressing review. Each to their own I guess. Can't wait for my 4th trip to Cambodia in Feb 2024!

[@TheBureauAsia]

Lol, just being honest 😅 To be fair, there were quite a few positives in there. They tell me Siem Reap is THE place to go, so look out for that review in 2024 😄

[@TobyandTamar]

@@TheBureauAsia When I was on Kog Rong in 2017 I stayed at coconut beach in a tent for $6 a night. we could eat at the little restaurant at the place we stayed that was a little overpriced but ok or there was a restaurant/guest house on the other end of the beach that had nice traditional curries and such with as much rice as you could eat. It's definitely my "happy place" but maybe I should leave it as that as it's probably sad to see all the development.

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@TobyandTamar We didn't get to Coconut Beach because the road was being resurfaced and widened, but who knows, it could still be ok...

[@TobyandTamar]

@@TheBureauAsia coconut beach was where I spent the majority of my time there except for a wander over the hill to the big long beach. I have one question for you. What is your favourite place/city/country in SE Asia? Cheers! I am hanging for some culture, stuck living in a bogan Aussie suburb for the past few months. hehe

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@TobyandTamar I'm biased because I've lived in Vietnam since 2010 and my wife is from the Philippines, so definitely those two😅I've always loved going to the Phils, there's so much left there for me to explore. It seems not all that many Aussies get there. Loved Yangon before all the strife, I believe it's off limits now...?

[@brightstar6492]

Things are getting expensive every where in the world. Cambodia is still affordable. You can't get $15 or $18 dollars a night hotel in US whereas Cambodia still have that deal. 👍

[@TheBureauAsia]

Fair point, what's the quality of the room like? On Koh Rong, day rates for clapped out scooters are $15 😅

[@melaniecasul]

I saw tents on the beach with shared bathrooms and no security for $7/night. But it rained 2 consecutive nights we visited. I hope the people in those tents did not get robbed, flooded or sick after their trip. That would incur more costs 💸

[@brightstar6492]

The room was fair in good condition better than tents This is in the city Seam Reap. I don't know why would you go travel to go sleep on a tent, if you can't effort a descent room why travel for?

[@brightstar6492]

​@@TheBureauAsiaThe room was nice when I went with my mom. Not in the island though. It was in Seam Reap and Phon Phem we found less than $20.00 per night.

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@brightstar6492 You'd have to ask the people who stayed in them, but there were fairly large permanent tents for 2-4 people just along from Nest Hostel

[@michaelthompson6885]

Why didnt you go to Siem Reap feller and have day trips?

[@TheBureauAsia]

Had already been there, I wanted to see what the islands and Kampot were like after hearing so much hype about them. It sounds like Siem Reap is the best place to go, based on the comments!

[@phlezktravels]

I'm wondering how much research was done before this trip? Seems all of your issues could have been mitigated by diligent effort! But if you just wanted to wing it, I get that, I do that too, sometimes.

[@TheBureauAsia]

I'd been keeping an eye on Kampot and Koh Rong for quite some time, mostly here on KZbin, but yeah, I guess you could always do more research I suppose. Perhaps I needed more time for the trip...?

[@Andrew_._._.]

Cambodia is not expensive compared to surrounding Countries. Kampot isn't really a... Traveler tourist destination. It's mostly a Local destination to get out of the Phnom Penh the city life. Some where a bit more calm and relaxed.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Yep, fair points, I think that's why I was underwhelmed with Kampot, videos and posts that I saw about it online pumped it up as a must-visit for foreign tourists. As for cost, I was expecting better value for money given the country's development. Thanks heaps for commenting!

[@gosnooky]

Kampot is really only a destination for backpackers and foreign expats who like to smoke marihuana cigarettes.

[@mbvalency]

@@TheBureauAsiaBeer and cigarettes are very cheap, but I won't start smoking because of that. The hotels in cambodia and especially in Phnom Penh were not really cheap. Almost prices like in Bangkok, but a bit lower in quality. Staff a little bit friendlier than in the new Thailand. Eating in western oriented Restaurants is also not cheap as the rents near the river are ridiciously high. Traffic is not as fast as in Thailand and felt a bit unsafer to me. I've seen two small accidents in 2 weeks there. Life is expensive for the locals in Phnom Penh too. Gas, food, accomodation, school money. In many places it is less developed than Thailand, but does not seem to be cheaper. I'm still trying to figure out why that's the case.

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@mbvalency In terms of cost of living in Cambodia (and I'm no expert by a mile😅) it may have something to do with monopolies and Chinese investment/ imports...?

[@heythave]

@@TheBureauAsiaMy goodness, Kampot is cheap as it is and you are complaining about the price?

[@garysmith4418]

Did you go to Bokor My in Kampot? No?

[@TheBureauAsia]

We had planned to go but when we went to rent a motorbike, the owner wanted to keep my passport which I wasn't prepared to do, so we changed our plans and walked the town on foot and had lunch at the Old Fish Market.

[@jasongodwin9454]

That was a great review and was particularly refreshing especially in these days of 1000's of guide channels simping over a location to get likes and not going anywhere near the downsides of their stay. I have not only visited many times but also lived in Thailand, Vietnam and SE Asia for years, many of these places are fantastic but they are all tempered by their own problems which very obviously become apparent when you visit in person. I would say that highlighting both positive and negative aspects is an essential pragmatic approach when reviewing any location. Thanks bro, keep it up!

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks heaps for watching and taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it. I'm happy that you see the video in that light because that's all I intended for it to be - an honest review of my experience visiting those places in 2023. It can be annoying at times when honesty is dismissed as whinging and whining 😄 so I'm very happy that you recognised what I was trying to achieve with this vid. Cheers!

[@richardyip9404]

Only the honest review could help Cambodia to see and work harder to improve.

[@gabriellarosa5015]

Great info, thanks!!!!

[@TheBureauAsia]

Glad you found it useful

[@gabriellarosa5015]

@TheBureauAsia , my husband and I are heading to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand at the end of the year. Lots to learn.

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@gabriellarosa5015 Feel free to ask questions, I'm based in HCMC, I also have a small Fb group where you can ask things and share info 😎

[@annaso3522]

I LOVE Cambodia. I watched your video twice to make sure I didn’t miss any positive views. I’m Cambodian American. My family immigrated to America as refugees of war when I was a child. Since we were able to travel back, I’ve been back 3 times. On my second trip I got my dual citizenship. I plan on going back until the day I can’t travel anymore. I find this video very insulting to my birth country and my culture. I don’t know where you went but your money can go a long way in Cambodia. Street food doesn’t come out till early evening. Too hot during the day. I just went to Siem Reap in February and I ate street food every night. Our hotel was walking distant to the Famous Pub Street. On this same trip I wanted to pamper myself so I stayed at Hyatt in Phnom Penh. Yes, it was expensive but to be expected. The durian in the town center roundabout your mentioned represents the town. Each village, town, city has its own. Should you give Cambodia a second chance like I gave your video a second look, go to Siem Reap. You keep saying your expectation was too high, give me a break, you should have an open mind when you travel to new places.

[@TheBureauAsia]

That's great that you love Cambodia and equally so that you have Cambodian heritage, but this video is about my experience travelling to 3 places there in 2023, the expectations created by the content I watched while planning the trip didn't match the reality of my travel experience, I'm only being honest about it. It's actually the second time I've been to Cambodia, the first time was around 1999, so I'm fully aware of the trauma the country has been through. On that occasion I visited Angkor and it was amazing, I'm not sure what it's like now given the effects of over-tourism...?

[@annaso3522]

@@TheBureauAsia Every time I've gone back it has improved tremendously. I encourage everyone to visit Cambodia at least once.

[@parasitius]

I watched even though I've been to Kampot and PP. TBH this was a great lil review, more than I was expected at the onset. And I think the review was fair & objective, no hype. My actual only hesitation in returning is the low key racism in that part of the world, I honestly find it so offensive when I walk up to a stranger and they say stuff at me in English without even asking if I understand English. That kind of culture is really offensive, doesn't happen in Korea/China/Japan where you are treated as a human and addressed in the actual language of the country. Sorry you got sick lol, I honestly thought sanitation must be awesome because in 2 months I didn't have the slightest problem even once. (Meanwhile during my 5 months in Mexico city eating 0 street food, only expensive restaurants, I was low key ill with stomach problems EVERY SINGLE WEEK WITHOUT FAIL!)

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks heaps for taking the time to watch and comment, I really appreciate it AND I'm glad you thought it was fair and objective, which is what I set out to achieve with this vid. I understand what you mean with people assuming you're an English speaker, I'm white so people assume I'm American and wish me a Happy Thanksgiving each year 😅It's an interesting topic that you raise that could form the foundation of an interesting video. Sorry to hear about the stomach upsets in Mexico, those things can really ruin a trip!

[@heythave]

I think you (and I) have gotten old and prefer the nicer and more pleasant things and places like The Plantation for a hotel. Yet you dare to partake a lukewarm curry sold in the wet market. Eat that, if you must, at a proper sit down restaurant and stay clear from iced drinks or smoothies sold on the street. Those drinks should be alright at places like Aeon Mall where they have their own ice machines. I think you go about it wrong. You should have gone to Koh Rong Sanloem instead. We stayed at the rustic Lazy Beach cabins and loved it. Our cabins are about fifteen feet from the water and there’s plenty of bioluminescent planktons on the water’s edge at night to be seen. We didn’t want the western food on the menu and they made us Cambodian sour fish soup with morning glory. It was so delicious. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJLVZGerp7OleJYsi=rXIFI8kpmErOkm_b There are a couple of higher end hotels on the other side of the island (Saracen Bay side) that you may like. There are restaurants with very good Khmer food in Phnom Penh. One More restaurant is one place.

[@TheBureauAsia]

I like value for money, that's never changed, and unfortunately my experience this time round didn't stack up to expectations set by the videos/ content I saw before going to Cambodia. As for the nicer things, yeah, who doesn't like them, but I've stayed in some dumps recently on a 5 day trip to the Mekong on my dirtbike and enjoyed them because they were good value for money and met my expectations. I hope I don't come across as too crabby in this comment, but it's nearing 6pm and my dinner is being served late 😉 Thanks for taking the time to comment! 😊

[@deejay5088]

You not been realistic, cambodia is still development coutry. A motel 6 here cost more $60, in shitty neighborhood, you got robb when go out at night. So be thoughtful.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Not sure whether you agree with me or you don't 😅

[@OccultistKH]

Good bye 4ever 🙏🏼

[@rogerparis]

Excellent review!

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks for the comment Roger, appreciate it!

[@belstar1128]

i was there 20 years ago and again in 2011 but now i may want to come back to Cambodia to meet some family but i don't really want to go there if its still like back in the day .i know just between 2004 and 2011 they improved a lot so i am optimistic .but i will go to small towns not just the big cities i am hoping its on par with a place like Serbia or Mexico now in terms of infrastructure. my biggest issue was the lack of food. i am a picky eater but i basically only ate rice and drank water for weeks there .was other food but it was all too spicy no western style food outside of the big cites. the roads made travel quite difficult and annoying. there were also no toilets in the villages and they turned off the electricity at night. another issue was that i kept getting bothered by scammers .some minor issues was the limited internet but that wasn't a big deal back in 2011 and in 2004 i didn't even care about that at all. and the bugs and snakes but i know you can't do anything about that.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks heaps for sharing. My visit was only for a week to the 3 places mentioned, it sounds like you'd have a different experience from me if you were visiting family. I was struck by the lack of variety and prices with food, perhaps it was because of the season we went? On reflection, I guess because I live next door in Vietnam and had seen a lot of hype about Cambodia as a destination, I was expecting something different from what I experienced. Let me know how your experience is if you decide to go. Cheers.

[@fmtnic]

It is a radically different place compared to 2011. Especially the infrastructure.

[@zandig666]

Thanks for the honest review !!!

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks for watching & commenting!

[@simplebudd]

I love your presentation and I love you. You're giving a observant detail with rationale and I can relate to easily.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks heaps for your comment, I really appreciate it 😊 I aim to bring you more in 2024!

[@adisiri6712]

Thanks for your honest review. It definitely helps with a decision making. I really appreciate your vdo.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thank you for watching and commenting, I'm glad you found it useful!

[@peterRobinson10101]

sizeable gaps in floorboards means snakes. anyone whos been to thst part of the world knows snakes and big bugs are everywhere. $37 would buy my whole family a 3 course meal at a top tier chain restaurant in Bangkok.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Yep, the resort needs a bit of work done. I thought the BBQ joint in PP was expensive for what we got, too. Thanks for commenting.

[@mattmackane]

Great video! First time I went to PP was 1990 it was still called The City of Ghosts. A Khmer guy got my attention and asked me if I wanted to shoot a cow with a bazooka - a deal at 150 USD plus all the ganja I could smoke. Of course, I declined. - bazooka not the ganja! LOL. I went to Chiang Mai Thailand for a one month holiday in 2003 and stayed for 15 years. Lead a lot of motorcycle and bicycle tours through SEA for around 10 years so visited Cambodia many times. I was in Kampot for a couple of months Oct-Dec 2023. It was okay. Got a lot of work done there. But the food is terrible! Headed off to Phu Quoc and the food instantly 1000% better. Next month I am in Hanoi for three months leading motorcycle tours down to HCMC. I agree with you about Kampot. Meet some nice expats there. I love SEA. Vietnam is my fav atm. cheers.

[@mattmackane]

The other thing is Cambodia is expensive & expensive for what basically is crap food. Certainly more expensive than Vietnam - or even Thailand. For my tastes, I liked it much more when I was bloody WILD & LAWLESS - 80s & 90s. It really was like that Matt Dillion & James Caan film "City of Ghosts" - about twenty foreigners TOTAL around the place in the whole of PP - all the Western men seemed sweaty and grubby, trying to dodge some kind of shady past. You would meet up with every foreigner staying in PP at the FCC (Foreign Correspondence Club) every night. In 1994, I met an aussie girl at the morning market, she asked me to meet up with her and her boyfriend that night for drinks. We had a great night and her boyfriend, David Wilson, suggested that we meet up again when he got back from a train trip to Sihanoukville. Unfortunately he never made it back to PP, as he was pulled of the train by the Khmer Rouge (remnants still survived up country even as late as 94) and shot. Very sad story because they told the Australian authorities that they were holding him for ransom even though they had immediately killed him. His parents made years of trips and spent lots of money trying to get him released. All of SEA - apart from Thailand and Vietnam - was still pretty dangerous in those days. I rode my bicycle from Huay Xai to Vientiane in 2002 and was shot at once and robbed by gun point TWICE! Two weeks later a Swiss cyclist on the same road was shot and killed. Oh those were the days. A lot of SEA has become Disney-fied. But it's still fun in its own way. If you like mega-shopping centers. I find that Vietnam has still got the vibe, particularly Hanoi, which I love.

[@TheBureauAsia]

I pissed myself laughing at this, absolute gold! The imagery of a dude asking if you want to shoot a cow with a bazooka 🤣I know I'm gonna giggle at this over the coming days. Thanks heaps for the rest of your comment, it's good to know I'm not the only one lol!

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@mattmackane Great share! Yes, I'm familiar with the David Wilson story and was telling my wife about it before we left for Cambodia. That's mad that you had a night out with him and his girlfriend prior to it. I don't spose there's anything nearby e.g. some kind of memorial where he and the others were killed? The first time I visited Cambodia was around 2002 I think and while I didn't have the adventures you did, Phnom Penh definitely had that wild west feel and it took me 8 hours by bus to get to Siem Reap - a nightmare. And I remember reading Off The Rails in Phnom Penh as a primer for my trip lol! Perhaps you should write something similar! Thanks heaps for commenting!

[@dimitar297]

Limited cheap food options in Cambodia which doesn't make sense I've often wondered what the locals eat. Some are large people. They must spend a fortune on food.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Glad you noticed, was beginning to think I was the only one here thinking it was pricey and looking in all the wrong spots 😅

[@melaniecasul]

Maybe like 🇹🇭 there are 2 sets of menu. One for locals and the other for farangs.

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@melaniecasul I guess there are always different prices for different peeps! 😅

[@petersom4882]

If you missed going visiting Siem Reap, you did not plan for your vacation . Every visitors would Angkorwat. My family skip the resorts because most of the resorts own by the corrupted tycoons.

[@TheBureauAsia]

I'd already been to Siem Reap years ago but it seems like I need to revisit as many comments on this video recommend it. Thanks for commenting!

[@teachermike1947]

Hello from Phnom Penh!... Great channel!(although* only glowing reviews of Cambodia are to be accepted lol..only joking M8) :)

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks for watching & commenting & taking a light-hearted approach to it, cheers!

[@virakbun3658]

Some people still giving different price for European. You better check the price first for local market. Street food in cambodia is not good enough for people from modern countries. I would suggest you to try famous local food in small restaurant. What you showed and where you visited is not interesting. Maybe you are not lucky that time.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Any recommendations for specific places to eat in any of the locations I visited? Thanks for your comment!

[@oeunok8308]

🇰🇭🙏❤you

[@kheankimhong]

❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉😊😊😊

[@boracayhayden]

You are a rare KZbinr who doesn’t self censor. Keep it up!

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks heaps for your encouraging comment, I really appreciate the pump up! 😊 Hoping to bring more in 2024!

[@mylifethaidiy7045]

People really brag about the 1 hr riverboat ride in Phnom Penh at night. It is only like $6 and includes 1 FREE drink.

[@gosnooky]

The government mandated the cleanup of Phnom Penh for the ASEAN games and the ASEAN summit. I live in Phnom Penh and it's one of the best cities I've lived in. I love it.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Yes, was surprised at how clean the streets were!

[@user-bf9sk5wl5z]

EXPENSIVE .....compaired to Koh Chang Island, Thailand just around the corner

[@TheBureauAsia]

Not far at all!

[@srgba244]

Honest review! Overall, same feelings about Cambodia.

[@TheBureauAsia]

I'm glad you see it that way, thanks for the support!

[@davidcorkill9022]

I'm a terrible tourist so two places to see, suits me.

[@kolapyellow7631]

Mosquitoes is everywhere in the tropics.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Yep, in tents they are

[@parislim853]

How can you sitting there criticize and came down so hard on the country that just got back on their feet from the year ZERO due to war. To rebuild the whole country it doesn’t take over night. On the other hand, Other tourists they’re not over rated Cambodia like what you’re saying, in fact, they’re appreciating the beauty of Cambodia despite what the country have been through. Poor Cambodia there is an Australian guy doesn’t love you.

[@TheBureauAsia]

The aim of the video was to give an honest review of my travel experience (no one else's) to three popular places in Cambodia in 2023. I think I achieved that. And I actually say a number of positive things about Cambodia, too, but you appear to have conveniently overlooked that.

[@kolapyellow7631]

Yadayaydayadayada !!!!

[@TheBureauAsia]

If that's the best you can do, ok

[@jamesmercer8442]

Siem Reap...crap hole...overrated place. This report is honest and clear...none of the nonsense most tourists report. Good place for drunks as the beer is cheap.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it. Your comment is the first one that's negative about Siem Reap. I have been there, but that was about 25 years ago 😅 Your comment has lit a small fire within me 😄 Perhaps I need to visit for myself to see what it's really like in 2024...? Going by youtuber vids, it's amazing and mustn't be missed, but now I have an opposing viewpoint to investigate! Thanks again for watching and commenting! Cheers!

[@user-ex1xe3qm3i]

🇰🇭🇰🇭🇰🇭🇰🇭🥰🥰🤝🙏🙏

[@user-ds2lm8uz6s]

🥲

[@jackket6708]

Sauer grape.

[@TheBureauAsia]

They were expensive too

[@jamieklim3814]

Thanks for the video.but most the things you didn't like sound like you not doing updated research. So I take some bits from the video but most of the dissatisfaction I will take with a pinch of salt.

[@TheBureauAsia]

By all means! As I've said in the comments time and again, this video is a review of my experience in 2023 at these particular places in Cambodia, and that I chose these places based on glowing reviews on social media and youtube. But Koh Rong, if you haven't been (have you been?), is about to be changed forever with the new international airport planned to go in soon, happy travels and thanks for commenting!

[@PopPop-of8km]

"Heaven or Hell is not a place but the people inside" .... if you surrounded by the peoples, that want to take your money all the time, I knew how uncomfortable it is. Nobody take a vacation and want to have an experience of those feeling. That what every influencer try to imply to Cambodian and it need to be improved. But ...in term of Cambodian's perspective, it turn to be your fault to be there, to not prepare well enough.... Blar blar .... That why vacation in Cambodian is awful.

[@jamesl9371]

I spent 2 months in Siem Reap in the last year. It’s an amazing place and definitely worth visiting. However I wouldn’t want to live in Cambodia 🇰🇭 I much prefer Vietnam 🇻🇳

[@TheBureauAsia]

I need to revisit Siem Reap it seems after all the comments about it!

[@dankryskalla8490]

I spent a few months in Kampot - it was okay. Then I got robbed in Phnom Penh and that was a disaster. They took everything. Messed up my credit, lost my passport, cash, phone - what a headache. 9 months later, I am still digging myself out of my Cambodian get-away ditch. What a drag. Ps. Cambodian Beer is a great laxative. Lord Have Mercy.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Sorry to hear that, but thanks for taking the time to watch and comment about your experience. I hope it all works out!

[@nofood1]

How??? Hotel? Gun point ? Knife point?

[@Parisian71]

Your expectations are too high for a country that's been only developing for the past 20 + years; this country of SEA has come from a horrific civil war that has slowed down its development in comparison to its ASEAN neighbors, so it takes time to rebuild an economy from scratch such as infrastructures and attracting FDI investments to develop the country !! It's a big challenge and task for the KoC, but It will be '' Catching Up '' with its Asian neighbors in the short future !! It's still better than going to Africa, even though they claim that it is developing, and yes it is, but it's the Chinese who develop the entire continent of Africa !! Africa is '' UNCIVILIZED '' !!!

[@TheBureauAsia]

Yes, you're right, my expectations were too high, but hopefully I've provided a more balanced picture of the current situation for most travellers as opposed to many of the vids I watched beforehand that gushed over it 😅 Clearly it does take a lot of time to develop, will be interesting to see if it catches up, as you say. Thanks for your comment!

[@timothy4557]

Buddy, the war was over in Cambodia 44 years ago ! Time to move on.

[@UnclePhillyMyAss]

@@timothy4557 A quarter of the population died. Takes longer than 44 years to fully come back. The Khmers in the cities are doing much better now and see the tourist as less of an attraction and just hang with their own. Go to Uni etc. The Goverment is still crooked as fk so itll take even longer to get to see real vibrant progress instead of just land grabs sold to the chinese.

[@khmerian1985]

​@@timothy4557the civil war finished in 1999. That is when the Khmer rouge gave up their arms. Before that they were terrorising and destabilizing the country. It's only been 24 years

[@timothy4557]

@khmerian1985 No, they had 2 Democratic elections in '93 and '98. Pol Pot's death was in '97. The war was over in '79. Yes, there were skirmishes but the war was over. No excuses ! 44 years of corruption held this country back and 'everyone' knows this so don't kid yourself.

[@raymy8946]

u sound like a true queenslander! lols.

[@TheBureauAsia]

I'm actually Victorian, lol

[@edadams4631]

This is a spoof video, i think that guy has a bet on hiw many negative comments he can get.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Haha favourite comment yet, I've racked up a few! Thanks for commenting 👍

[@pojaneepornkongsomboon9181]

การแสดงความคิดเห็นแบบตรงไปตรงมา มักจะสร้างความไม่พอใจให้ชาวเขมรเสมอ..ถ้าคุณแสดงแต่ด้านดีๆ ของพวกเขา หรือพูดแต่คำชื่นชม พวกเขาก็จะบอกรักคุณ ..เขมรคือ คนที่ไม่เคยยอมรับความจริง

[@TheBureauAsia]

Don't get me wrong, I find Cambodians lovely and their culture fascinating, but in this instance regarding my trip to the locations in the video, I just found it didn't meet expectations set by foreign youtubers and the like. But yes, people often struggle with honesty funnily enough, and all the more baffling these days when everyone says to just be yourself and be honest with your opinions😅Thanks for commenting!

[@user-ps6fk5cd8b]

The worst is mostly the case at present. Cambodia hasn’t yet established their identity that stand out as unmissable gem. So far over forty years under hunsen, and now his son - there’s hardly any major improvement until the recent Chinese investment, and it isn’t all that good. The next door Vietnamese in respective are actually better if you are a first time visitor. If you wanna travel around with good infrastructures and be intriguing with a real authenticity in different cultures of Asia, as well as having plenty to do and loads to see = then go to china, Japan, Thailand, India. This four countries are the hubs with extremely strong individuals characteristics essence. While Dubai, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines is also quite a good choices, just depends on what you’re looking for. Apart from the huge Angkor temple ruins which we can also similarly found the smaller ones in many other ancient Hindu based countries since the older time throughout Asia and southeast Asia region. Then - The only place we can think of which might take visitors interest is the Cambodia brutal history at p-pot red regimes museum. But frankly speaking = how many of us would enjoyed seeing the left behind evidences of inhumane murdered victims, particularly on a nice break. You are so right in not recommending Cambodia and we feel the same. You won’t have missed much by missing out on Cambodia. It’s just like seeing older days in certain part of Thailand going 40/ 50 years back. But in terms of natural beauty there are loads more interesting places that make better choices in the Southeast Asia and main Asia. So For now, it is better to go to other neighboring countries. Even Lao can draw better attention from their very unique indigenous tribal groups of local hiding behind many beautiful mountains scenery. Personally = Myanmar is more mesmerizing than Cambodia in its rawness quality. Lao and Cambodia town shops are full of new Chinese influences and today as standing = might as well just go to China. At least is China is more authentic and better comfort infrastructure wise. Unfortunately as a tourist wanting to be country = Cambodia is far from being a good place to take on as an all rounded happy holiday experienced. Cambodia is full of scammers compared to Singapore, Japan, Thailand and Malay. Culinary wise = not thing really wow and mediocre at most, particularly compared to Vietnamese, S. Korea or Indonesia. In fact, many adaptation on well known Thai dishes have recently been implemented as Cambodian owned. Though, the copy version is still lacking in executing the standards and incomparable to the original Thai delicious taste, never mind presentation. Beach and scuba diving= visitors might get better experiences in Philippine, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Malay. A last strong word of warning is to never visit seahanu-view for beach holiday. This is a rough looking town at present. Exploring Cambodia will suits those groups of people who preferred a quiet, less to do, beer bar drinking holiday. Traveling around Cambodia on public transport is not on par like the rest of the mainland Southeast Asia. At least Lao have a Chinese cross country train services. After all Cambodia is a country that has just came into the light on tourism. So keep your expectations low to avoid disappointment.

[@Jenny_sa11]

This is must written by a thai person. Or someone who never been to Cambodia. All i see is negativity not even reality or honesty.

[@user-ps6fk5cd8b]

@@Jenny_sa11 Over Forty years, the last trip in 2023. Very little changed especially in propaganda and lack of capability at the world help aids table. Why do you think your government have to turn to China for help. Hmmm… is Cambodia still lack of clean water after forty years = well, this April new year will speak for itself - tis the peak of drought season and what did Hansen promised his people before the election last year? Tell you what, don’t have to take my word for it, instead = Might be worthwhile for you to check up on the world basic infrastructure development and progress updates year ending report. Many fields experts, specialists, professionals investors, traders and world banks in - graphs, statistics, evaluations reports that is related to Cambodia progress - once again = will speaks for itself. Feel so bad for the real Cambodian people in hardship so -so much right now, especially had they known how much free money Cambodia is getting each year that actually never gets pass on to the real suffering locals. 🤔 🧐 🤨

[@user-ps6fk5cd8b]

@@Jenny_sa11 we have to because of our family members work profession. Not because we wanted to. So we ended up staying no more than a week at most in Cambodia and traveling the rest of Asia and Southeast Asia from the whole six to eight weeks - of our yearly family visiting trips in the Southeast Asia.

[@andrewsmith19681]

The problem is your a tourist not a traveller. Tourists expect western standards, where as Travellers want to experience the local culture. Plus throw in abit of western arrogance too.

[@TheBureauAsia]

What's wrong with being a tourist for a week to get away? Why would I expect Western standards when I've lived in Vietnam for years? Arrogance has nothing to do with it. I would've thought I could at least get some kind of fruit on a tropical island for breakfast...have you been to Koh Rong recently?

[@laykimly4303]

Thank you for visiting our kingdom and I wish the government should block ur passport for coming to CAMBODIA😀

[@TheBureauAsia]

Lol, not sure if you actually watched the video or not, but you'll find in it a number of positives about Cambodia that I highlight, and I've done my best to critique the travel experience that I had so that others can weigh up their options

[@melaniecasul]

Speaking of passports... at SVille immigration the officers pulled me aside and asked for "tip". Are they the same officers who block passports? 😂

[@92vynamese]

Seems like some of the people here cant take the facts and upset on you much 😂 as a Nguyen ive seen / heard alot of negative things about trash on beach , visa situations , being ripoff …etc in VietNam , im upset as well but its true , it happens every day , so rather listen to some of the feedbacks and change !

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thanks for your comment Vy, you make a great point, Vietnam has been copping it for a long time, especially places like HCMC where I live, but as you say, best to take it onboard and try to improve. If I were to bitch every time someone said they hated HCMC and that it was hot, dirty and noisy, I'd be a basket case by now 😆

[@iROChakri]

Welcome to Thailand i guess 😂

[@TheBureauAsia]

Love Thailand, hoping to spend more time there in the future, especially love Thai food! 😋

[@rastapalka]

Cry baby😂😂😂

[@fabioleonosorio2298]

We guess,after watching your KZbin video,that probably you have to keep looking for that special & beautiful gay bar,you dream about it!😂

[@TheBureauAsia]

Thank you for watching "Fabio" 🥰 such a fabulous name!

[@fmtnic]

Some pretty sensitive people watching your video. I'm finding it humorous. I hope you do too.@@TheBureauAsia

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@fmtnic I'm old enough now to not let these things worry me 😅A lot of the comments have made me laugh, too 😆As long as people understand that the purpose of this vid was to be honest about my experience so it can help others with planning their own trips. Thanks heaps for the support!

[@heyha-asean1184]

Who is Khom? The latest research done by Chiang Mai University in collaboration with an international research team has examined DNA samples from Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, and Cambodia, compared with DNA samples from ancient humans found in archaeological excavations of each country. Compared to the current ASEAN DNA As a result, Thailand is close to Vietnam, Laos, and Indonesia, but Burma and Cambodia are separated. People who lived during the Khom civilization are pedigree South Indian Mon which is not found in Cambodia This clearly indicates that Khmer is not Khom and Khom Warman was completely eradicated from the present Khmer faction, which had no Khmer ancestry. This coincides with the story of Nai Tang Wan (Mr.Sweet Melon, the slave master) Rebellion who established himself as a later king with the eradication of the Varman dynasty and theories. Diva Sarug Khmer according to the Sap Bak inscription was just a savage village recruited for slave labor. (China-Zhou Da Guang's record)

[@mylifethaidiy7045]

I have been hearing about food poisoning in Kampot for the last two years. It seems like that is what Kampot is known for nowadays. :(

[@TheBureauAsia]

Yikes!

[@bunthoeunhas549]

6 dollar disappointment 😂

[@TheBureauAsia]

Was that for the squid? It's been a while, but it was rubbish 😄 Don't go to Koh Rong hungry 😄

[@schoolnyc]

A lot of broke packers all over _ No back packers in USA

[@nickbangkok3365]

Dude "jaded expats"..5555. Not you. Seriously though, I appreciate no bullshit reviews without every braindead new KZbinr gushing over everywhere they go. This is a balanced review that I would consider to be good journalism. Although you forgot to mention any venues where you can go and watch the 'Pies winning again...

[@TheBureauAsia]

Not surprised you liked the jaded expat reference 😄 Thanks for the pump up, this video attracted quite a few comments not as positive as yours 😅 so it's good to feel the love 🥰

[@shakiMiki]

Even the voice is nauseating whine. Nothing warrants that silly headline.

[@TheBureauAsia]

Plenty disagree with you

[@samproximax1790]

@@TheBureauAsia i agree with her. not sure if this is actually a "necessary review" or you just want to whine about little things becuase you cant have them your way - the 1st world privilege way. very crazy to see a guy your age complaining about this kind of thing. how small is your mind?! 😊

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@samproximax1790 Nothing to do with privilege, it's just an honest review about my experience to those places in 2023 and I can't remember saying it was "necessary". The use of "first world" is long outdated by the way, are you implying Cambodia is third world? Is that something people your age still use, or is it just that you're ignorant and don't care? 😊

[@samproximax1790]

@@TheBureauAsia Cambodia IS a third world country, also known as a developing country? Lol, look who’s the ignorant one! Maybe educate yourself first before visiting a country? Most of your problems are just 1st world problems, or maybe I should say it’s not real problems. If you’re not happy about a hotel you stay at, maybe try searching for more options or write a review on your booking platform instead of whining about it to the whole world? It’s amazing you’re not ashamed of yourself spitting out those complaints while Cambodia is only trying to catch up with its neighbor countries. Like someone in the comment said, the locals won’t miss visitors like you, the less the better.

[@samproximax1790]

@@TheBureauAsia so instead of accepting that you’re an ignorant snob, you deleted my comment for pinpointing it. way to go, mate! 😄😂 this is the last time I’m coming back to this page anyway, hearing your voice really nauseates me!

[@Stevonthemove]

Very negative person,dont come back

[@TheBureauAsia]

There are plenty of positives in the video that people tend to ignore. I plan to visit Siem Reap again some time soon to see if it lives up to the hype.

[@mimibigdy1917]

Disappointed with your perspective

[@TheBureauAsia]

That's fair enough, just my perspective, as you say, on my travel experience to these places in 2023

[@smileofasia2024]

Eating a 1$ Nom banh chhok bowl at Kampot's Samaki Market and then spending 35$ for a disappointing meal at an American BBQ joint in Phnom Penh says it all about this very poor value of your personal review. You clearly didn't prepare well enough for this trip and your negative review of the country is due to a lack of direct contact with local Khmer culture, attractions, your choice of food and hotel accommodation.

[@TheBureauAsia]

It's not a review of Cambodia, it's a review of my travel experience to three places in Cambodia in 2023. It appears you're letting your prejudice of being a tour operator (I'm guessing in Cambodia) get in the way of being objective. Instead of being butt-hurt over it, perhaps you could use my review as a way to help improve the travel experience of people with similar itineraries in the future.

[@zane8507]

Painful. Things and stuff. No substance, shallow and nothing about spending time with the people.

[@TheBureauAsia]

I said the people are lovely and that many agreed with my thoughts on where Cambodia is at, in fact, some of their comments informed this video.

[@chinkimfook4117]

Corruption destroyed this beautiful country.

[@TheBureauAsia]

There's def a lot of things going on there

[@maayaa3921]

Waaahhh waaah give me cheap stuff waaaah waaah. That’s what you sound like btw

[@TheBureauAsia]

Nah, just after value for money, most of the time we didn't get it, expectations were set a bit high I suppose, I know to lower them next time

[@maayaa3921]

@@TheBureauAsia waaahh waaah give me better value for my money, you people don’t deserve nice thing waaah waaahhh

[@melaniecasul]

We paid above average for plane fares and the hotel in PP was swanky. We loved both experiences. It's not just about cheap cheap but value for money.

[@TheBureauAsia]

@@melaniecasul Plane fares were definitely pricey, along with the hotel in Phnom Penh, but both value for money for sure!

[@BIGJED75]

​@@TheBureauAsiamaayaa is right you came across as a spoilt brat. We didn't get any Fresh Fruit.... there were mosquitoes on a island.... I ate a expensive western restaurant and it wasn't good..... Any of those things could happen anywhere in the world. Cambodia is beautiful, full of nice people and great food. Your very limited holiday hardly rates as a yard stick for what Cambodia is like.

[@robertnew4568]

Jeez, complain much?

[@TheBureauAsia]

Not complaining, just telling it how it was, I wasn't about to hype it up as amazing when it wasn't.

[@docdok1963]

Cambodia is an underdeveloped land. When you travel to Cambodia, you have to accept the poor quality of the food. People who are looking to extort you. A land full of garbage, beggars, and junk food on the side of the road.

[@sreyneath4010]

Welcome to Cambodia 🇰🇭