Cambodia launches new ‘cashless’ app for tourists
The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) has introduced a new app that allows tourists to make digital payments with ease.
The app, called BAKONG, works with VISA cards, letting visitors transfer money from their accounts to the app. Payments can then be made by scanning QR codes at shops and other locations.
Chea Serey, the governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, said the app is designed to make travelling in Cambodia easier by reducing the need to carry cash.
She said it works at four million retail points across the country and improves payment efficiency for tourists.
The BAKONG app was first launched in 2024 and later added support for Mastercard.
It is part of Cambodia’s push to encourage cashless payments.
Millions of people in Cambodia already use digital apps like Grab, Foodpanda, and banking services on their smartphones.
Some tourists faced issues with the app when it first came out. Users said it sometimes took several attempts to scan QR codes, and poor internet signals made payments difficult in some areas. However, the Ministry of Tourism says the system has improved a lot in recent months.
While Cambodia is promoting cashless payments, most everyday transactions are still made with cash.
Many businesses display prices in both US dollars and the local currency, the Cambodian riel. The government wants to encourage more use of the riel, but it cannot be used outside the country.
