| Prey Veng, the name means 'long
forest' in Khmer, is one of the poorest provinces in Cambodia, prone to
both floods and droughts. The province, situated near the Vietnamese
border, was
one of the most heavily bombed during the Vietnam war.
Sites:
Baray Andet, some 3 kilometres west of Prey Veng, a plain on
high ground surrounded by big trees, is believed to be a Bang Pot
place, where all the powerful and magical spirits of the provinces
gather. Local people consider it an ideal place for swearing oaths and
praying. It is the starting point for the Nhek Ta procession to Ba Phnom
before Khmer new year.
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Ba Phnom mountains, 45 kilometres south of the provincial
capital, consists of 4 mountains: Phnom Sampeou, Phnom Laang, Phnom Thom
and Phnom Banhchor. The ancient city of Nokor Phnom was once located
near this mountains. Few remnants of the city remain. Near the foot of
Phnom Sampeou, you can still see some remnants of the ancient temple
Prasat Chan. At one time, the city also had a palace and a hall, but
these were destroyed by years of war. Chong Srok temple, about 38 kilometres north of Prey Veng
town. The temple was built of brick and sandstone in the 7th century.
Much of it has been destroyed, but a sandstone statue of a bull remains,
once revered as a powerful Bodhisattva.
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