Phnom Penh

Medical facilities

• Royal Phnom Penh Hospital+855 23 991 000

  Samdach Techo Hun Sen Boulevard, Phnom Penh

  Premier private international hospital in Phnom Penh. English-speaking staff, modern equipment, 24/7 emergency service. Affiliated with Bangkok Hospital group (BDMS). Recommended first choice for tourists requiring hospital care in Phnom Penh.

• Calmette Hospital+855 23 426 948

  3 Monivong Boulevard, Phnom Penh

  French-funded public hospital with better facilities and English capability than most government hospitals. Has French medical staff in some departments. Good option for budget-conscious travelers for non-emergency care.

• SOS International Medical Centre Phnom Penh+855 23 216 911

  161 St 51, Phnom Penh

  International medical clinic (part of AXA / International SOS network) providing GP consultations, travel medicine, vaccinations, and emergency referrals. English-speaking expat doctors. For non-emergency consultations and pre-travel health advice.

• PharmaciesN/A

  Throughout Phnom Penh city center and BKK1 area

  Well-stocked pharmacies throughout Phnom Penh dispensing OTC medications, antibiotics (available without prescription in Cambodia), and medical supplies. Lucky Pharmacy chain is one of the most reliable. Check expiry dates carefully.

Staying safe

General safety

Moderate safety — Phnom Penh has improved significantly but requires vigilance; bag snatching by motorbike is the most common serious crime against tourists

Notes

Phnom Penh has become considerably safer over the past decade but remains more dangerous than Bangkok or Hanoi for tourists. Main risks are: bag snatching by motorbike (the most serious and common crime against tourists — phone and bag theft by passing motorbike is frequent), pickpocketing in crowded areas (Russian Market, riverside), armed robbery at night in poorly lit streets (uncommon but occurs), and scams. The riverside area is generally safe during the day and early evening. Avoid isolated streets after midnight. The area around the Night Market and Sisowath Quay is well-lit and patrolled. The Daun Penh and BKK1 areas are the safest for tourists.

What to carry

Crossbody bag worn in front of you (not over one shoulder swinging to the side), hidden money belt for large amounts of cash, no flashy jewelry, keep phones out of sight when in open tuk-tuks

Lost items

Report theft to the Tourist Police station in Phnom Penh (tourist-focused officers with some English capability) for an official police report required for insurance claims. The Tourist Police office is near Wat Phnom. For lost passports, contact your country's embassy in Phnom Penh immediately — all major nations maintain embassies here. Keep a digital copy of your passport, visa, and travel insurance accessible in your email or cloud storage. Your guesthouse or hotel can assist with translation and navigating the reporting process.

• Never carry your phone or camera visible in an open tuk-tuk — bag and phone snatching by motorbike while you ride in a tuk-tuk is Phnom Penh's most notorious tourist crime; keep valuables in your lap or bag, never dangling or on display
• Walk parallel to traffic flow if carrying a visible bag or phone — snatchers on motorbikes attack from behind; facing traffic (against the flow) makes you harder to target
• After dark, use PassApp or Grab for all transport rather than walking in poorly lit streets — the cost is minimal ($2–3) and eliminates the primary risk
• Be aware of common scams: fake cyclo tour quotes, gem scams near the riverside, 'helpful' strangers offering to guide you to a restaurant or show (usually earning commission)
• The Tuol Sleng and Killing Fields visits are emotionally intense — allocate mental energy accordingly and take breaks; these are among the most important historical sites in Southeast Asia but are deeply affecting
• Phnom Penh's traffic is chaotic by any standard — exercise extreme caution when crossing roads; use pedestrian crossings when available and wait for a gap; do not assume vehicles will stop for pedestrians
• Be vigilant in large crowd events (Water Festival, Khmer New Year) — the 2010 stampede on Diamond Island during Water Festival killed 347 people; in very dense crowds, stay near the edges and have a clear exit plan
• Get comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation to Bangkok — even Phnom Penh's best hospitals transfer very serious cases to Thailand; evacuation insurance is especially important here
• Dengue fever is endemic in Cambodia and Phnom Penh is no exception — apply DEET-based repellent especially during wet season (June–October); seek medical attention immediately for fever with joint pain and rash following mosquito exposure
• Rabies risk from stray dogs and cats: avoid contact with stray animals; if bitten or scratched, wash the wound immediately with soap and water for 15 minutes and go to Royal Phnom Penh Hospital for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
• Drink only bottled or filtered water — tap water is unsafe throughout Cambodia; bottled water widely available for $0.25–0.50. Avoid ice at street food stalls from unclear sources (commercial ice bags at restaurants are generally safe)
• Stomach illness from food is common — carry rehydration salts and anti-diarrheal medication. If symptoms are severe (bloody diarrhea, prolonged high fever), seek medical attention rather than self-treating
• Antimalarial medication may be required if visiting rural jungle areas outside Phnom Penh — within the city itself malaria risk is very low; consult a travel health clinic 4–6 weeks before departure
• Save Royal Phnom Penh Hospital (+855 23 991 000) and Tourist Police (+855 12 942 484) in your phone before heading out
• If your bag or phone is snatched from a tuk-tuk, call your bank immediately to freeze cards and notify your travel insurance — physical recovery of items is unlikely but insurance can cover losses
• For serious medical emergencies requiring surgery or specialist care, Royal Phnom Penh Hospital will stabilize you; if transfer to Bangkok is needed, ensure your insurance company is contacted immediately to authorize and arrange the evacuation
• Keep a written list of your emergency contacts, insurance policy number, and embassy phone number separate from your phone — invaluable if your phone is stolen