Cambodia

Koh Trong Island is a must-visit stop on your journey through Cambodia’s Kratié province. This small island, accessible via a short boat ride, is often referred to as an ecotourism paradise. It warmly welcomes travelers with smiling farmers, scenic rice fields, and peaceful beaches along the Mekong River. Take time to unwind, reconnect with nature, and enjoy a relaxing stay on Koh Trong.

Visiting Koh Trong Island

Overview and Landscapes

Koh Trong is a small island encircled by a 9-kilometer loop road that passes through two traditional villages. The warmth of the local Khmer population provides a unique opportunity to discover rural Cambodian culture and daily life. One of the island’s most distinctive features is its charming wooden stilt houses. These homes, topped with tiled roofs and adorned with shutters and occasionally decorated doors, often include blooming gardens and neatly arranged courtyards. You’ll also come across wooden carts and small shelters used for drying hay.

The village centers are surrounded by vast rice paddies stretching to the horizon, interspersed with tomato fields, vegetable gardens, and pomelo orchards. Koh Trong is renowned throughout the region for its delicious pomelos. It’s a self-sustaining community that produces a wide range of fruits and agricultural products including rice, soybeans, custard apples, coconuts, and assorted vegetables, many of which are sold in Kratié.

Cycling is one of the best ways to explore the island, along shaded dirt roads under the mango trees and groves of towering bamboo. The lush, unspoiled scenery makes an immediate impression—Koh Trong is the perfect destination for a peaceful retreat, offering natural beauty and relaxation by the Mekong's sandy shores.

Atmosphere

Koh Trong is a car-free, tranquil haven. The only traffic consists of ox-drawn carts, cheerful farmers, and local fishermen. Far from the hustle and bustle of urban life, the island remains largely untouched by mass tourism. The only sounds you're likely to hear are the soft clatter of hooves pulling carts through the dirt roads.

To complete your visit, don’t miss the stunning sunset views from the island’s western shore. Be sure to plan your return in advance, as the last ferry leaves the island around 6:30 p.m.

Things to do on Koh Trong

Enjoy the Beach and Visit Temples

One of the island’s top activities is simply relaxing by the water. Koh Trong is surrounded by beautiful white-sand beaches along the Mekong, perfect for swimming, picnicking, and unwinding in a peaceful setting.

Visitors can also explore several temples, including a Vietnamese-origin temple located in the island’s southern area. The majority of Koh Trong’s population is of Vietnamese descent.

Cycle around the Island

A great way to experience the island is by exploring its natural surroundings on foot or by bike. The calm atmosphere, scenic trails, and friendly locals offer the perfect setting for photography enthusiasts. Interacting respectfully with residents is recommended—smiles and permission go a long way toward capturing authentic portraits.

In the island’s southwest corner, you’ll find a floating Vietnamese village. Interestingly, this village moves with the seasons: it hugs the riverbanks during the rainy season and floats toward the river’s center during the dry months. Access is by boat or via a makeshift wooden bridge.

Continuing your tour, take the southern fork near the floating village to meet friendly locals, sample tropical fruits, and admire vegetable plots and rural landscapes.

See the Cantor’s giant softshell turtles

A rare and fascinating highlight of Koh Trong is the chance to spot the elusive Cantor’s giant softshell turtles, native to the western shore of the island. These unique freshwater turtles are known for their flat, soft shells and their habit of burying themselves in the sand or mud. Typically, only their noses and eyes are visible above the surface.

While on the west side, be sure to stop by one of the island’s charming cafés for a refreshing break.

Where to stay

Koh Trong offers a few modest guesthouses where travelers can enjoy a comfortable and authentic stay. For those seeking more luxurious accommodations, there are also boutique resorts and villas with swimming pools.

A variety of cafés and small restaurants are available across the island, offering snacks and generous traditional meals.

Climate

Like the rest of Kratié province, Koh Trong has a monsoon climate. The cool season runs from November to March, the hot season from March to May, and the rainy season from May to October.

How to get there

To reach Koh Trong, take the ferry from the northern part of Kratié town. The fare is 1,000 riels per person. Ferries operate from 7:00 a.m. and run every 30 minutes. The last ferry departs the island at around 6:30 p.m.

Getting around

Transportation on the island is limited to scooters, ox-drawn carts, and—most commonly—bicycles. You can bring your own bike for an additional 500 riels ferry fee.  

Best time to visit

Flooding is common in Kratié during the rainy season, as the Mekong can overflow its banks. The best time to visit Koh Trong is between March and May when the weather is dry and the landscapes are at their most accessible.