Indian tourists pray at Kbal Spean in Siem Reap province in January 2025. FB Nhoem Sidet
Unlike the majority of tourists from other countries or regions, many Indian tourists visit the ancient temples of Cambodia to observe Hindu or Brahman rites, both religions originating from India.
Many ancient Khmer temples were originally dedicated to Brahmanism or are linked with Hinduism, the prevalent religions in Cambodia before the arrival of Buddhism.
This religious connection is what makes many Indian tourists interested in visiting Cambodia, and is reflected in the great respect they display for the carvings and religious artefacts that can be found throughout the Kingdom.
Nhoem Sidet, a tour guide in Siem Reap province, has escorted many Indian tourist groups to various temples in the area.
He explained that they are usually very interested in the history of temples related to Hinduism, the God Shiva, and cultural traditions, such as those carved at Angkor Wat, Kulen Mountain and the Kbal Spean, among others.
“Since they are often followers of Hinduism, they understand this religion clearly, such as the stories and carvings found at Angkor Wat, which are largely connected to Indian mythology. The temples in Cambodia are related to both Brahmanism and Buddhism, and in India, their cultural traditions are similar to ours,” he said.
“Many scriptures related to Brahmanism have been lost, but they are still found in Buddhist texts. As for the Indian tourists I've guided personally, I’ve noticed that they are particularly keen on the prayer rituals like the worship of Shiva and Vishnu. For example, when visiting the Kbal Spean, they show great respect. When they arrive, they don’t just come to sightsee; they come to offer prayers, show respect and recite religious texts. It’s not merely a casual visit,” he added.
According to Sidet, the number of Indian tourists in Cambodia increased in 2024 compared to 2023, though he did not have the precise numbers. This year, he expects to welcome even more guests from the sub-continent, due to the growing number of direct flights between Cambodia and India.
Indian tourists pray at Kbal Spean in Siem Reap province in January 2025. FB Nhoem Sidet
Cambodia and India established the first “Cambodia-India Year of Tourism” in 2024. It aimed to promote tourism between the two countries. Currently, there are direct flights between Phnom Penh and New Delhi, operated by Air Cambodia, which began in June 2024.
In February 2025, new direct flights will be added between New Delhi and Phnom Penh, as well as Kolkata and Siem Reap.
Data recently released by the Ministry of Tourism showed that in the first 11 months of 2024, Cambodia welcomed six million foreign tourists, a 22% increase compared to the same period in 2023, when there were 4.92 million arrivals.
Of these, tourists from India totalled 69,063, a 13.2% increase compared to the same period in 2023. However, Indian tourists have not yet reached the top 10 in terms of total arrivals.
Khiev Thy, president of the Khmer Angkor Tour Guides Association (KATGA), said that based on his experience, Indian tourists feel a sense of pride about the culture and religion from India that is present in Southeast Asia, particularly in Cambodia.
“They are proud because we Khmer have had ties with India since ancient times, and the number of Indian tourists continues to grow. They show great respect when they see sculptures of Vishnu or Shiva. They worship devoutly, offer incense, and pour sacred water fearing the consequences of not doing so,” he added.
However, he noted that handling Indian tourists requires a high level of patience and composure, as Indian tourists generally demand high-quality service, such as strong air conditioning, and are not always punctual.
