Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Bavet border crossings up 6.2%

Bavet border crossings up 6.2%

Bavet border crossings up 6.2%

The number of foreigners arriving into Cambodia from its biggest border with Vietnam at the Bavet international crossing in Svay Rieng province increased 6.2 per cent in the first six months of this year compared with the same period in 2012.

Data from the checkpoint show that 394,188 foreigners entered Cambodia in Bavet in the first half of the year, compared to 371,047 in the corresponding time frame.

Vietnamese topped the list, followed by Chinese, Americans, South Koreans and Australians, according to an official at the checkpoint, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Cambodian crossings into Vietnam from January through June at the same border increased by a little more than three per cent to reach 104,788, up from 101,460 a year earlier.

The Vietnam to Cambodia crossings are a mix of tourists, business owners, merchants and families visiting relatives on the other side.

In total, Cambodia received around 1.8 million tourists in the first five months of this year, the most recently available official statistics from the Ministry of Tourism showed.

Vietnam took the lead in tourism, accounting for 340,000 visitors. South Korea scored second with some 215,000 tourists, followed by China with around 132,000 visitors.

Tith Chantha, general director of tourism at the Ministry of Tourism, said the number of visitors crossing the Cambodia-Vietnam border increases at a slow pace because the figures are already so high.

While he has not yet received the latest official tourist data for all gateways, including air travel, he said he assumes the number will go up due to crossings at Poipet at the Thai border. Referring to tensions over the Preah Vihear temple, he said that the numbers will rise because the relationship between Cambodia and Thailand has returned to normal.

MOST VIEWED

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.