AKP Phnom Penh, July 17, 2025 --

The Ministry of Tourism and the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) have discussed the cooperation in promoting the tourism sector and encouraging the use of Khmer Riel through the Bakong Tourism App.

The discussion was held here on July 16 between H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism and H.E Dr. Chea Serey, NBC Governor.

The meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and the NBC, and included a visit to the Cambodia’s Museum of Economy and Money - Preah Srey Içanavarman.

On this meaningful occasion, H.E. Huot Hak took the opportunity to express gratitude, praise, and high appreciation to the NBC governor and her team for the many achievements the NBC has made in recent times.

These include the acceptance of old or damaged US dollars, the development of the Bakong payment system, and the launch of the “Bakong Tourist App”, which has significantly contributed to supporting Cambodia’s tourism sector by facilitating payments for international tourists visiting the country.

The Ministry of Tourism and the NBC addressed ways to further promote the Bakong Tourist App, potentially in collaboration with the Visit Cambodia App, to better facilitate payments for international tourists.

The meeting also focused on jointly promoting the Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum —a historical tourism product located in the heart of Phnom Penh—as well as supporting the ongoing “Visit Cambodia in the Green Season” campaign, which runs from May to October.

NBC launched the Bakong Tourists App in August 2024 in Siem Reap province. The App has contributed to promoting tourism in Cambodia by providing an electronic payment method that allows international tourists to make payments for goods and services efficiently and conveniently, and to experience a new digital payment experience in Cambodia.

By Chea Vannak