Guide
Money in Cambodia
Money in Cambodia comes in two currencies: the national currency, the Cambodian riel, and the US dollar, which circulates beside it.[1] This guide gives what official sources said when it was last checked.[2][3]
Riel and dollars
An International Monetary Fund working paper of 2011 called Cambodia Asia's most dollarized economy. It counts the country as partly dollarized: the dollar circulates alongside the riel, which is the official currency.[1] The same paper found the riel widely accepted in rural areas.[1]
Cash
UK government travel advice says a visa bought on arrival is paid in US dollars.[4] It also warns that travelers have been given fake dollar bills as change in shops and clubs. It advises checking that notes are genuine and not damaged or torn.[2]
Paying by phone
The National Bank of Cambodia runs Bakong (បាគង), a payment and banking app linked to accounts at the banks in its network.[3] Its national standard for scan-to-pay codes is called KHQR: one code can take payments through any of its member payment services.[3]
For visitors the bank offers a separate app, Bakong Tourists.[5] A visitor registers with an email address, links a Visa card or Mastercard, and moves money from the card into the app in riel. The bank's leaflet says tourists can then scan KHQR codes to pay anywhere in Cambodia.[5]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 International Monetary Fund, Nombulelo Duma, Dollarization in Cambodia: Causes and Policy Implications (March 2011)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Cambodia travel advice: Safety and security (advice updated March 19, 2026; read October 17, 2026)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 National Bank of Cambodia, Bakong (undated; read October 17, 2026)
- ↑ UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Cambodia travel advice: Entry requirements (advice updated March 19, 2026; read October 17, 2026)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 National Bank of Cambodia, Bakong Tourists (undated leaflets; read October 17, 2026)