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In Phnom Penh, a new page opens up the history of the Kingdom thanks to the SOSORO museum : this place which traces nearly 2,000 years of economic history now has a illustrated work carried out in partnership with SIPARpublished on June 9, 2026Presented in the museum garden in front of actors from around the world cultural And educationalThis book makes accessible the scenography of the permanent exhibition and its treasures — of the medallion piece from the 7th century to the stories of riel and Khmer RougeLocated near Wat Phnom In a colonial building on 106th Street, the museum combines objects, immersive devices and games for visitors and young audiences understand how an economy works throughout the ages. Available in Khmer, English And FrenchThis guide is intended as a fun companion to extend the visit or simply discover the monetary history of Cambodia.
In just a few pages filled with images and educational insights, the SOSORO museum takes a new step: the publication of a illustrated work made with SIPAR which makes accessible, in Khmer, English and French, nearly 2,000 years of economic history of Cambodia. Published in Phnom Penh on June 9, 2026 and launched in the garden of the museum in the presence of cultural and educational actors, this book aims to be both a visitor’s companion and an entry point for all those who want to understand the monetary and social saga of the Kingdom.
A book to extend the visit
The new illustrated work, the result of an editorial collaboration between the SOSORO museum And SIPARIt offers a clear and engaging interpretation of the permanent exhibition. Designed as an educational tool, it complements the visit while remaining perfectly accessible independently of a museum tour. The publication, launched on June 9, 2026, in Phnom Penh, was celebrated with a friendly gathering in the museum garden, attended by representatives from the Cambodian cultural and educational sectors.
For an initial journalistic overview and images of the event, see the report by Wonders of Cambodia and the cover of Vietnam Today.
The museum in the heart of the city
Housed in a colonial building in the 106th Street, a stone’s throw from Wat Phnom, THE SOSORO museum It has been open to the public since 2019 and has quickly established itself as a must-see for curious visitors to Phnom Penh. Its central location makes it easily accessible to both travelers and locals, and its modern design breathes new life into the material traces of the past.
If you are planning a visit, the detailed presentation in Wonders of Cambodia is a good starting point, and the story of a responsible discovery between Phnom Penh and Kampot can complement your itinerary via Southeast Asia.
A journey that tells the story of 2,000 years of history
The museum’s route traces long journeys: from the kingdoms of the Funan and of Chenla to the splendors of theAngkorian Empire, through the French protectorate and the monetary crises of the 20th century. Among the remarkable pieces, a medallion piece dating from the 7th century, attributed to the Chenla kingdom, illustrates the ancient exchanges between Cambodia and the world.
The museum does not shy away from the more turbulent periods: from the creation of the riel from independence to its near disappearance under the Khmer Rouge, via the crisis of the Indochinese piastreEach step is placed in its economic and social context to better understand the dynamics behind currencies and exchange practices.
Immersive scenography and playful pedagogy
This is what makes up the signature of SOSORO museumIt’s his penchant for immersion: reconstructions, videos, animations, and interactive games come together to make sometimes abstract concepts accessible. A scene from Angkorian market It invites visitors to understand exchanges without money, while audiovisual devices and interactive modules specifically target young audiences.
These systems aim to transform learning into an experience—you touch, you play, you understand. Articles on how museums showcase Asian treasures (such as at Guimet Museum) show that this immersive approach is a strong trend in contemporary cultural institutions.
Editorial collaboration in the service of education
The book was born from a simple desire: to put the museum’s resources at the service of the reading and theeducationThe partnership with SIPAR mobilizes editorial expertise and audience knowledge to produce content that is accessible in multiple languages and designed for different age groups.
Museum officials emphasized the importance of making economic history accessible to everyone, and SIPAR was delighted to contribute its expertise to make this book a educational tool Useful for young Cambodian and international visitors. For an associative and media perspective, see also the presentation on Justice for Cambodia and the press report on CambodiaMag.
Multilingual publication and distribution
The book is offered in Khmer, in English and in Frenchin order to reach a local and international audience. It is available at the SOSORO Museum shop and from SIPARwhich facilitates its access to schools and foreign visitors.
Additional reports and articles can be found that place this initiative within a broader movement to promote heritage in Southeast Asia, as described Southeast Asia about exhibitions related to the region.
The museum, a cultural and tourist player
Beyond publishing, the SOSORO museum It establishes itself as an actor that engages in dialogue with cultural tourism and the local community. Curious visitors discover not only objects, but also stories that shed light on the economic mechanisms of the past and present.
For those who wish to combine curiosity and responsibility in their travels, accounts of sustainable discovery between Phnom Penh and Kampot usefully complement the overview, such as those published on Southeast Asia.
A shared heritage, told through storytelling
The book and the permanent exhibition stem from the same conviction: economic heritage is a living heritage, to be recounted in order to be shared. Thanks to its collections, interactive displays, and now this multilingual publication, the museum offers insights into how the Cambodian economy was built and what its contemporary challenges are.
Media outlets have already praised this accessible and user-friendly storytelling — find an overview of reactions in the specialized press and coverage on Wonders of Cambodia, Vietnam Today And CambodiaMag.
Cultural contexts and international networks
The project is also part of a broader network of cultural initiatives that highlight Southeast Asia, from exhibitions at the Guimet Museum in Paris to diplomatic and cultural coverage in the international press. For the international context and examples of heritage promotion, see articles such as those published by Southeast Asia or the cultural sections on official visits and regional exchanges (Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia).
FAQ — The SOSORO Museum: A new chapter is being written in the history of Cambodia
Q What is the SOSORO museum ?
R : THE Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum of Economy and Currency, nicknamed SOSORO, is a place dedicated to the economic and monetary history of Cambodiaoffering an educational journey covering nearly 2,000 years of history.
Q Where is the museum located?
R It is located near Wat Phnom, in a colonial building of the 106th Street has Phnom Penh, easily identifiable and open to the public since two thousand nineteen.
Q What is the new book published in connection with the museum about?
R The illustrated book offers a clear and accessible reading of the permanent exhibition, tracing the monetary and economic evolution of Cambodia since the Funan up to the present day.
Q Who contributed to this publication and why?
R The book is the result of a collaboration between the SOSORO museum And SIPAR, an organization committed to promoting reading and education, in order to combine historical collections and editorial expertise to produce an educational tool.
Q When and how was the book launched?
R The book was published on June 9, 2026 has Phnom Penh and was launched in the museum garden in the presence of representatives from the Cambodian cultural and educational sectors.
Q In which languages is the book available?
R The book is published in Khmer, in English and in French, to reach a local and international audience.
Q Who is this book for?
R Aimed at a broad readership, it serves as addition to the visit of the museum, as an introduction to the economic heritage of the Kingdom and as an educational tool for young visitors.
Q What are the key pieces and themes exhibited at the museum?
R The museum showcases key periods such as theAngkorian Empire, THE French protectoratethe crisis of the Indochinese piastre and the creation of rielIt includes, among other things, a 7th century medallion coin attributed to the kingdom of Chenla, a witness to past exchanges.
Q How does the museum make sometimes complex economic topics accessible?
R Through a scenography blending historical objects, devices immersive and contents audiovisual — videos, animations and interactive games — as well as a reconstruction of a Angkorian market to explain exchanges without money.
Q Where can one obtain the book?
R The book is on sale at the SOSORO Museum Shop and with SIPARand it is designed to be useful to both museum visitors and readers interested in Cambodian history.
Q What is the stated mission of the museum?
R One of the museum’s main missions is to present the economic history of Cambodia accessible to allby offering educational content adapted to different audiences, especially young people.
Q Does the museum cover the country’s recent history, such as the Khmer Rouge era?
R Yes. The exhibition also covers the contemporary period, notably mentioning the disappearance of the riel under the Khmer Rouge and banknotes that were never put into circulation.