What is the currency of Cambodia?

The currency of Cambodia is the Cambodian riel.

The riel’s ISO code is KHR and its symbol is ៛. Cambodia has used two distinct riel currencies: the first circulated from 1953 until 1975, while the present riel was reintroduced on 20 March 1980 after several years without a functioning monetary system. The National Bank of Cambodia issues the currency.

The riel is divided into 100 sen, although these tiny subdivisions are no longer used. Cambodia is highly dollarized, especially in cities and tourist areas, so U.S. dollars are commonly accepted and often used for larger prices. Even so, the riel remains the country’s official currency and is especially common for small purchases and for giving change.

The name’s origin is sometimes linked to the riĕl, a small fish associated with the Mekong River. Another theory connects it to the Spanish-American silver dollar, worth eight reales, which circulated widely in Asia. The riel should not be confused with Laos’s kip, Vietnam’s đồng, or Thailand’s baht. Cambodia’s long monetary disruption and later dollarization explain why visitors often encounter both currencies together.