Cambodia's currency: history, exchange, photo

Cambodia is an original country that attracts more and more tourists. Payment for a hotel room, the purchase of food or bills in a restaurant, entertainment costs can be made in this state using its national currency. What are its features? What alternatives can there be?

General information

First, let's look at some noteworthy facts about cash payments in the state in question. The Cambodian currency is riel (in the international banking classification is denoted as KHR). Corresponds to 100 sen.

For the first time, this national currency of Cambodia was put into circulation in 1955, replacing the Indochinese piastre. During the period of the Khmer Rouge (in 1975-1980), virtually no operations were conducted with the use of the national currency. In economic calculations , foreign currencies were used.

But later the situation changed. In 1980, riel was reintroduced into circulation. However, in practice, Cambodians still prefer to settle in dollars. The currency of Cambodia is much inferior to it in popularity and is used mainly for the exchange and implementation of small transactions.

Banknotes of Cambodian currency

One way or another, in the national economy, the national currency is treated with a certain degree of intensity. In trade, banknotes of riel are used with different denominations: from 50 to 100 000 KHR. In the state of Cambodia, during various periods of its economic development, high inflation was observed. In this regard, banknotes with a denomination of up to 500 KHR are extremely rare in circulation, since real prices for goods and services in them can be problematic.

What does the currency of Cambodia look like? Photos of the banknotes of riel are presented in the article.

Inscriptions on banknotes are mostly phrased in Khmer, but their denomination is indicated by Arabic numerals, as well as Latin letters.

It should be noted that coins in Cambodia are rare, mainly banknotes. However, metal riels are also available.

Practice of financial settlements

As we noted above, the currency of Cambodia (riel) is much inferior in popularity to the US dollar. This is due, not least, to the inflation processes in certain periods of the country's economic development. Prices in most stores, hotels, catering points are indicated in the American currency. The same can be said about trade in private markets.

It is worth noting that the Cambodian seller can issue a change in the local currency from the purchase of goods paid in dollars. Her course, as some travelers note, in many cases may not be too profitable. Therefore, in the case of small purchases, it is desirable to have with you dollars, at least in bills of 1 or 5 USD. In this case, there will be less likelihood that the seller will issue a change in the national currency of the state.

Where can I buy Cambodia's national currency?

So, what currency in Cambodia, we now know. But where can I buy it?

In principle, such a need in most financial legal relations on the territory of the state may not arise. As we noted above, in Cambodia, the dollar can be used as the main currency. However, if the traveler has on hand, for example, Chinese yuan, then they will have to be exchanged for the same dollars or already in real terms. For these purposes it is desirable to apply to official exchange offices with banks in large cities.

It is worth noting that the currency of Cambodia is not subject to export from the state. Therefore, there is not much point in storing riel for future travel. Moreover, due to inflationary processes, the purchasing power of this currency may somewhat decrease. Although, it should be noted, the national government of Cambodia has recently paid considerable attention to the issue of sustainability of the purchasing power of riel. Thus, in particular, the fixed rate of the national currency against the dollar was fixed. Certain successes Cambodia's financial authorities have reached and in solving problems with inflation.

Note that in Cambodia, the use of plastic cards is not too common. Therefore, to carry out exchange operations to a tourist, most likely, in any case have to. But at the same time, we should take into account the specifics of using local currency considered by us and correctly distribute our own finances from the point of view of their conversion into dollars or riels.