Travel Svay Reing Province (Svay Reing)

Travel Svay Reing Province, Cambodia: My Mango on the Cambodia-Vietnam Border

When people think of Cambodia, Svay Reing Province may not be a top destination for most travelers. But for me, mr.hotsia, who loves discovering new places, this area has a unique charm that is quite impressive. The province lies on the route from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with the important Bavet border checkpoint connecting Cambodia and Vietnam. It is about 48 kilometers from Svay Reing town to the border, and from there, it's less than an hour and a half to Ho Chi Minh City.

This small province is a bustling border trade hub, featuring two casinos at the Bavet checkpoint along with hotels and accommodations for travelers seeking entertainment or a stopover before entering Vietnam. However, if you want to experience the true local atmosphere, I recommend exploring Svay Reing town itself, which shares the province's name and offers a very different charm from the border area.

Traveling to Svay Reing with mr.hotsia

My journey started from Pursat, where I took a boat across Tonle Sap Lake from Siem Reap to Pursat, staying there one night. The next morning, I took a bus from Pursat to Phnom Penh, then another bus from Phnom Penh to Svay Reing. The bus left at 3 PM but waited to pick up more passengers, so I arrived near evening. From the bus station, I took a motorcycle taxi for just 20 baht to my accommodation in town. During that time, I used a Cambodian 3G SIM card on my phone with GPS to navigate, which made traveling and sightseeing much easier. For those interested in travel details, you can find more information inTraveling to Svay Reing Provincewhich I have written.

Svay Reing Town: My Unique Mango

The province's name is quite charming. “Svay” or “Savai” means mango, and “Reing” is a Vietnamese word meaning personal or private. So I playfully translate the province's name as “My Mango,” which fits well because nearby is another mango town called Dong Xoai in Vietnam. This suggests that in the past, this area was known for especially delicious mangoes.

Svay Reing town has a private lake at its center. Most locals make their living fishing in this lake, and in the mornings, you can see villagers loading their catch onto tuk-tuks to sell at the fresh market. This is a scene I really like, giving a simple and warm feeling of authentic Cambodian countryside life. If you want to experience this lifestyle, I recommend waking up early to visit.Svay Reing Morning MarketThis is another spot I was impressed with. Although the market is not large or grand, it offers local foods and colorful sights to enjoy.

Accommodation in Svay Reing: Simple but Heartfelt

Although Svay Reing has a lake by the town, strangely there are no lake-view accommodations as I had expected. Most hotels are located deeper in town. I stayed atTonlay Waiko Hotela small hotel that, despite lacking Wi-Fi, has clean rooms, cool air conditioning, and karaoke with a restaurant downstairs. The hotel's restaurant features live singers. Although the price is a bit high, if you want to fully experience the local atmosphere, this place is a must.

If you want central town accommodation with guaranteed Wi-Fi, trySAMAKI Guesthousewhich is a guesthouse whose owner speaks Thai and is very friendly. Alternatively, you can choose other hotels and guesthouses scattered around town, all within walking distance to the market and lake.

Local Food and Snacks: Flavors Similar Yet Unique

Regarding food, I must say Svay Reing Province has its own charm. For breakfast, there are curry rice shops where you can pour various curry toppings directly over rice, unlike some places where dishes are served separately. I really liked the pork stew here; it was delicious and comparable to home but not overly sweet. Ginger pork stir-fry is a popular dish in almost every Cambodian province. The bamboo shoot curry tastes good and uses coconut milk that is not as sweet as ours.

For dinner, locals often eat grilled fish rice porridge, a dish hard to find in big cities. I tried it at the market and local restaurants; it tasted good and gave a warm, homely feeling. For more details about local food and snacks, you can readFood of Svay Reing PeopleandLocal Snacks of Svay Reingwhich I have compiled.

Atmosphere and Lifestyle Experienced

Svay Reing town feels peaceful and less hectic than big cities, which I, mr.hotsia, really like because it allows me to experience the real lifestyle of the locals. Here, I saw worker transport vehicles packed with people returning home in the evening, creating a warm and impressive scene. Additionally, I experienced a culture and language blend of Khmer and Vietnamese that fits perfectly.

For convenient travel in Cambodia, Svay Reing also has a small airport (code SVR) serving domestic flights. However, I recommend using the bus service, which is good value and reliable from Phnom Penh or other cities, especially the Soriyah company buses I used. Although some routes have less effective air conditioning, overall the service is very good.

Summary and Recommendations for Travelers

Svay Reing Province is a small province filled with the charm of simplicity and authentic local life. I, mr.hotsia, encourage Thai travelers who enjoy cultural and community tourism to visit at least once. Whether it's waking early to visit the fresh market, tasting local food, or relaxing by the town lake, there is much to enjoy. And if you want some casino fun, the Bavet border offers options as well.

For those planning a trip to this province, I recommend starting with the travel route I described inTraveling to Svay Reing Provinceand taking time to explore the morning market, accommodations, and restaurants in Svay Reing town thoroughly. I believe you will have a unique and memorable experience.

Don't forget to follow the stories, photos, and video clips I, mr.hotsia, have shared to see the real atmosphere of this province without having to imagine far.