It may not have the glistening shopping malls of Bangkok or the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, but Phnom Penh’s laid-back charm and tangible sense of history are slowly establishing the city among the most popular destinations in mainland Southeast Asia.

Kambol F1 Go Karts
This is not really suitable for young children but teenagers will love it. Just 8 kms south of the city centre in neighbouring Kandal province, this go-kart track is nearly a kilometre long and features 200cc karts that reach about 50 kms per hour. Be warned that payment is expected in US dollars for every 10 minutes, and credit cards are not accepted.
Phone: +855 12 804 620

New Year’s Day: it’s not an official public holiday in Phnom Penh but with the increasing numbers of expatriates and foreign tourists here, the New Year is rising in prominence. Expect many of the bars and restaurants – particularly those along Sisowath Quay – to make a big deal of New Year’s Eve the evening before. Many places will remain open late and there is no shortage of dining options on 1 January itself for a good New Year’s Day lunch.

Banks: 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday and 08:00 to 12:00, Saturday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 07:00 to 17:30, some closed on Sunday
Museums: 09:00 to 18:00, daily, some closed at lunchtime and on Monday
Business Offices: 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:30 to 17:30, Monday to Friday