The kong ring is represented by similar instruments in other countries of South Asia and the Pacific.

There are two different syles; the traditional uses bamboo to make the sounding strings, and a more modern style uses new materials.

In Vietnam, a variant exists today, the Đàn goong, that looks like the modern Cambodian instrument, with as many as 17 metal strings and pegs.

[6][7] With instruments made with steel strings the Vietnamese instruments have one end secured inside the bamboo tube, the other wrapped around a peg on the opposite end, to add string tension and to lift the stings off the bamboo tube.

[7] In Thailand, it can be found among the Karenni Kayan people, where it may have as many as 8 bamboo strings cut from the resonator.