Kampong Speu

Kampong Speu is a province located west of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, famous for its beautiful natural landscapes, rich traditional culture and profound historical relics. Speu is the Khmer word for “star fruit”, but Kampong Speu is really famous for its palm sugar, considered the best in the Kingdom. The province is not often visited by tourists but is worth exploring.

The province is not often visited by tourists but is worth exploring (Cre: cambodiahalaltour.com)

History of Kampong Speu province

Kampong Speu was once part of the Khmer empire and made notable contributions to agriculture. Although not as famous as Angkor Wat, this province still retains many ancient Khmer relics. 

The province has suffered much damage from the war. Currently, the province is making efforts to develop its economy, especially in the field of tourism.  

The province has suffered much damage from the war (Cre: Khmer Times)

Read more: Cambodia cycling tours

Location of Kampong Speu province

Kampong Speu is a province located west of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. This province has a quite favorable geographical location, located in the Mekong Delta, providing favorable conditions for agricultural development. 

The province borders Prusat and Kampong Chhnang to the north, Kandal to the east, Takeo to the southeast, Kampot to the south and Koh Kong to the west. With a diverse topography, the province possesses both plains and high mountains.

Kampong Speu is a province located west of Phnom Penh (Cre: khong_gallery)

How to get there

To get to Kampong Speu, the bus is the most popular means of transport, as tickets are easy to find at bus stations in Phnom Penh and are inexpensive. Additionally, you can use a taxi, coach, or private car for more flexibility in your schedule. Currently, the roads are not too difficult to navigate, but there are still limitations in traffic infrastructure, and direct flights are not available. 

There are still limitations in traffic infrastructure (Cre: Tripadvisor)

Some famous destinations of Kampong Speu province

Phnom Aural 

Aural Mountain (Phnom Aural) is the highest mountain in the province, standing at 1,813 meters (5,948 feet) above sea level. As the tallest peak in Cambodia, Phnom Aural is part of the Cardamom Mountains.

Located within the expansive Cardamom Mountains and protected by the Phnom Aural Wildlife Sanctuary, this peak invites those eager to explore the untouched beauty of Cambodia. It is a must-see destination when visiting Kampong Speu.

It is a must-see destination when visiting Kampong Speu (Cre: eBird)

Kirirom National Park

Kirirom National Park was originally established as a resort and tourist town in 1945. The area was named Kirirom, meaning "Joyful Mountain," by the king at the suggestion of a monk from Phnom Penh.

The mountain stands 700 meters high and covers an area of 35,000 hectares. It is conveniently located in Phnom Sruoch District, Kampong Speu Province, 120 km southwest of Phnom Penh, and can be reached via National Highway No. 4.

It features a diverse ecosystem with ancient forests, waterfalls, natural lakes, and many rare species of flora and fauna. Visitors can go hiking, camping, or simply relax and enjoy the fresh air.

Kirirom National Park was originally established as a resort (Cre: Green Era Travel)

Chreav Waterfall

Chreav Waterfall, commonly known as Chreav Rapids, is located in Tang Samrong Village, Am Leang Commune, Thpong District, Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia and is about 110 kilometers from the Kampong Speu Independence Monument. One of the most popular activities for tourists when coming to Chreav Waterfall is to immerse themselves in the cool water of the waterfall.

Chreav Waterfall, commonly known as Chreav Rapids (Cre: Pinterest)

The best time to visit Kampong Speu province

The weather is typical of the tropical monsoon climate, so Kampong Speu is divided into two distinct seasons. The rainy season lasts from May to October and the dry season lasts from November to April of the following year. 

In fact, from November to January of the following year is always considered the peak tourist season of Cambodia because this is one of the best months to travel to this kingdom. The temperature at this time is quite cool, suitable for the experiences of tourists.

The weather is typical of the tropical monsoon climate (Cre: cambodiahalaltour.com) 

Explore local villages of Kampong Speu province

This province is a treasure trove of cultural experiences and natural beauty. Visiting local villages will give you a real insight into the lives of the people here.

The province’s economy is mainly based on agriculture, with rice, fruit and fishing being the main industries. It is also famous for the production of palm sugar and wine, which are some of the province’s main exports.

The province’s economy is mainly based on agriculture (Cre: angkorfocus.com)

Explore cuisine and festivals in Kampong Speu 

When visiting Kampong Speu, you can enjoy traditional Cambodian dishes such as amok, Khmer curry and nom banh chok. Also, don't forget to try the palm sugar and palm wine dishes, which are local specialties.

In Kampong Speu, traditional festivals are celebrated and promoted by the community each year. One of the major festivals is Khmer New Year, an important event not only for the local people but also a traditional holiday for all Cambodians, taking place in April each year.

Try dishes made with palm sugar and palm wine (Cre: VOH)

Conclusion

With its unique features, Kampong Speu is definitely a destination worth exploring for anyone who loves nature and Cambodian culture. Hopefully, this article provides useful information about the province and makes you more excited for your journey to explore Cambodia. Don’t hesitate to plan your trip to Kampong Speu today!

Read more: Cambodia tours 5 days