Siem Reap, Cambodia-Long celebrated as the cultural heart of Cambodia, Siem Reap is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Once defined by tourism alone, the city is now emerging as a growing hub of infrastructure, innovation, and investment opportunity. With landmark projects and international partnerships accelerating progress, 2025 marks a defining moment. Siem Reap is positioning itself not only as a world-class destination—but as a modern, resilient, and future-ready urban center.
Here’s a look at the key developments
driving this evolution:
1. Siem Reap Ring Road 3
Siem Reap Ring Road 3 or Green Siem Reap Urban Bypass is a game-changing infrastructure project designed to ease traffic congestion, reduce pollution, and enhance city-wide connectivity. Stretching over 46 kilometers, the bypass will link Bakong District to Pouk District, as confirmed by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. Construction is set to begin following a recent technical assessment. Beyond mobility, the bypass is expected to unlock new real estate potential, attracting residential and commercial investment to previously under-connected areas.
2. Passport
Services Arrive in Siem Reap
In January 2025, Siem Reap officially launched its first passport office, located within The Heritage Walk Supermarket. This move eliminates the need for residents to travel to Phnom Penh and signals a meaningful shift in decentralizing government services. For businesses, residents, and expats, it reflects growing administrative independence—and reinforces the city’s role as a fully capable regional hub.
3. Emirates
Connects Siem Reap to the World
On June 3, 2025, Emirates Airlines introduced a new tri-weekly service connecting Dubai and Siem Reap, with a stopover in Bangkok. Flights operate every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, offering First, Business, and Economy class cabins. This route is more than a direct connection—it’s a gateway for luxury travelers, global investors, and business leaders from the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Strengthened by the UAE–Cambodia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), this new link positions Siem Reap on the global investment map. Emirates now operates 10 weekly flights between Dubai and Cambodia.
4. Free Public
Wi-Fi: Powering Digital Tourism
In a major step toward digital inclusivity, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications has launched free public Wi-Fi across 24 high-traffic locations, including Angkor Archaeological Park, the Night Market, and Pub Street—adding to 16 existing network nodes. Each hotspot supports up to 100 users, accessible via QR code. This initiative strengthens digital tourism, enhances the visitor experience, and encourages real-time content sharing, contributing to Siem Reap’s smart city vision.
5. Smart City
Phase 2: JICA Expands Urban Innovation
On March 19, 2025, Phase 2 of the Siem Reap Smart City Project was formalized by JICA and the provincial government. Building on the success of Phase 1 (2022–2025), this next chapter runs for 36 months starting August 2025 and integrates advanced urban technologies into daily life.
Planned developments include:
- Smart waste management
- Real-time illegal parking monitoring
- Digital tourism data systems
- Urban environmental sensors
- Electronic document tracking in public offices
- Strengthened public–private partnerships
Backed by the Japanese government, this
project underscores a long-term commitment to sustainable, tech-forward growth.
6. Riverfront
Revival: Siem Reap River Improvement Project Nears Completion
The second phase of the Siem Reap River Improvement Project, launched in May 2022, , is scheduled for completion in July, 2025, —with weirs at 98%, bridge work at 97%, and road construction at 99%. Funded by the South Korean government, this 5-kilometer enhancement—from Ring Road Bridge to Aranya Village—includes flood control, irrigation systems, three new bridges, and a concrete riverside road. Beyond function, the project has revitalized the riverfront into a walkable, vibrant space that’s attracting small businesses, cafés, food stalls, and boutique lodgings—infusing the city with a fresh layer of local economic activity.
Siem Reap is stepping boldly into its future. With a blend of cultural richness and forward-thinking development, the city is becoming more livable, investable, and globally connected. From smart city systems and international air routes to real estate potential and public service expansion, Siem Reap is rewriting its story—emerging not just as a destination, but as a thriving urban force ready for long-term prosperity.
By Kem Sreyneth
Project Marketing & Communication at Hunter Group