Preah Vihear is a sizable province in northern Cambodia. The name of its capital is Phnom Tbeng Meanchey. The Prasat Preah Vihear temple, which is unquestionably this province’s hotspot, inspired the name of the province itself. The province is heavily forested and remote in many places. Unfortunately, major logging firms destroy pure tropical hardwoods in vast tracts, altering the natural environment. It is also one of the provinces in the Kingdom of Cambodia with the least population. The Preah Vihear temple, located close to the Cambodian-Thai border, is a famous attraction at this serene location.
The infrastructure in the province is among the worst in the nation; there aren’t even any proper major roads. If you’re used to using regular roads and transportation options, getting about this province won’t be as simple because there aren’t many pick-ups or moto drivers willing to take you where you need to go.
For those who are interested in distant communities without tourist impact and ancient temple complexes, the province has a lot to offer. Three of the most remarkable Angkorian relics can be found in Preah Vihear: the Preak Khan fortress, the Koh Ker capital from the tenth century, and the mountain temple of Prasat Preah Vihear.
The other two are still difficult to visit, requiring long and difficult overland journeys and a distinct risk of spending a night in the forest, although Koh Ker is already easily accessible from Siem Reap through Beng Mealea. These areas are more or less inaccessible during the rainy season. However, there are plans for the government to improve roads and upgrade infrastructure in order to develop the area for a steady but smooth flow of tourism.
Due to its position and the quality of its infrastructure, Tbeng Meanchey is not frequently visited by tourists from other countries. Due to concerns about the state of the roads and the impression that there is no quick supply of what they need in the backcountry, the majority of them fail to arrive. Just two tiny, main dirt roads go from south to north through the huge, dusty metropolis. It has inevitably turned into more of a stopover on the way to Koh Ker and Preah Khan because there is nothing exciting to do or see there.