Stung Treng (also Stoeng Treng, Khmer: ស្ទឹងត្រែង) is a small town in northeastern Cambodia, and can easily be described with the word "outpost" more than anything else. Many tourists heading to/from Laos pass through here, though few stay long as Banlung and Kratie offer far more excitement, activities and remedies.
Most tourists who end up here do so only for a couple of hours before rushing south to Kratie or north to the Laos border. But, like anywhere in Cambodia, you could easily spend a day here relaxing by the river but don't plan on a week. There are a couple of sights to see here, but not enough to seriously keep yourself occupied.
The only meaningful sight in Stung Treng is watching the sun set and rise over the landscape. Great for lounging in a hammock, bottle of Angkor Beer in hand, lazily chatting with your compadres.
Stung Treng Province is a beautiful place with some historical value as well. The Ramsar site to the north that connects to Laos is a real treat to explore and several (nearly extinct) Irrawaddy dolphin pools surround this charming provincial town. Furthermore several NGO's such as Tourism for Help and Mlub Baitong are active in the region and welcome any kind of support from travellers where needed. The town links well to Banlung (Ratanakiri) and can be used for more than just a stopover. Hikes are available to see the 4,000 Islands area from the mountain top and the unique merging of 4 main rivers (also known as the Mekong plus 3 Area) makes the place for a great river exploration.
There exists a weaving co-operative towards the north end of town, which warrants a visit for the lovely fabrics and patterns they produce.
- Mekong Discovery Trail. The Mekong Discovery Trail takes you into the heart of the Mekong where the beauty of the river and the friendliness of the people create unforgettable river life experiences in northeast Cambodia.
The Mekong Discovery Trail is a network of safe, eco-tourism journeys through some of the most natural and least populated parts of the Mekong.
The free trail guide provides maps, transport and accommodation options. You can travel on a small part of the trail, or all of it. You can travel alone or with a group. There are many options along the 180 km trail, which runs between Kratie and the Cambodian/Laos border. But remember to allow enough time to go with the flow of river life.
Along the trail, you will have the opportunity to see critically endangered Mekong River dolphins, while minimising your impact on them and the habitats they rely on.
By using the trail, you will also be assisting river communities, some of the poorest (but most welcoming) in Cambodia.
Mekong Discovery Trail. The Mekong Discovery Trail takes you into the heart of the Mekong where the beauty of the river and the friendliness of the people create unforgettable river life experiences in northeast Cambodia.
The Mekong Discovery Trail is a network of safe, eco-tourism journeys through some of the most natural and least populated parts of the Mekong.
The free trail guide provides maps, transport and accommodation options. You can travel on a small part of the trail, or all of it. You can travel alone or with a group. There are many options along the 180 km trail, which runs between Kratie and the Cambodian/Laos border. But remember to allow enough time to go with the flow of river life.
Along the trail, you will have the opportunity to see critically endangered Mekong River dolphins, while minimising your impact on them and the habitats they rely on.
By using the trail, you will also be assisting river communities, some of the poorest (but most welcoming) in Cambodia.
- Acleda Bank. Has an ATM which you can use to withdraw US dollars. They can change Cambodian riel, US dollars, and Lao kip, but you'll get a better rate from money changers at the market.
Acleda Bank. Has an ATM which you can use to withdraw US dollars. They can change Cambodian riel, US dollars, and Lao kip, but you'll get a better rate from money changers at the market.
- Riverside Restaurant. Offers good, early morning noodle soup. Dishes are USD1-3. The manager, Mr T, can help organise any transport or tour you might need. They also have rooms from USD6 with large comfortable beds and private bathrooms but no outside window.
- Sophak Mukul Restaurant. Very popular. The portions are unusually large for a restaurant serving Khmer food, and cost around 3,000 riel.
Riverside Restaurant. Offers good, early morning noodle soup. Dishes are USD1-3. The manager, Mr T, can help organise any transport or tour you might need. They also have rooms from USD6 with large comfortable beds and private bathrooms but no outside window.
Sophak Mukul Restaurant. Very popular. The portions are unusually large for a restaurant serving Khmer food, and cost around 3,000 riel.
- Buses to Phnom Penh usually leave at 07:00. The exact departing place depends on the bus company but is somewhere in the town centre. You can normally get off in any place on the route. A ticket costs USD10-15 Phnom Penh, USD3 to Kratie (2.5 hr).
Stung Treng is the last major outpost before the Lao border, though there's surprisingly little traffic headed that way. The road to the border, once newly paved, unfortunately hasn't been maintained, and as of June 2019 has devolved into gravel, potholes, and patches of asphalt in many areas, though the majority if it is still okay.
There is no scheduled public transport going only to the border, and even if you have a motorbike driver or a fast boat taking you there, you may have to walk on the Lao side to the village of Voeng Kham to find some form of transport (about 4 km from the border). Travelers on the public bus from Phnom Penh are collected at the border though.
Lao visas are available on arrival. How much it costs depends on what passport you have, but most are about USD30-35. You will likely be asked for an additional 2 USD stamping fee on both sides of the border, which you may or may not be able to get out of by insisting it's not a real thing.