[Area Guide] Phnom Penh (Cambodia)

Phnom Penh Basic Information

Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia, a special city that is the centre of administration and economy. Located in the southern part of Cambodia, it is a key junction of transportation at the confluence point of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers.

The name of Phnom Penh means "a hill of a pen" in Khmer, derived from the fact that the pious Mrs. Penh finds a Buddha statue flowing from the river and enshrined well.

Phnom Penh started functioning as the capital in the 1880s during the Kingdom of Noromud, and the city developed under French rule.

However, in the Pol Pot administration era, the town was devastated since citizens were forced to migrate to provinces. After 1993, when the civil war over, Phnom Penh regained its vibrancy and has been developing as a central city of politics in Cambodia.

The beautiful cityscape is known as “Paris of the East,” which is a remnant of the French colonial period. The area of Phnom Penh is 678 km2, and the population is about 1.6 million.

Phnom  Penh Overview

Approximately 60% of Cambodia's gross domestic product is produced in Phnom Penh, the economic centre. In Phnom Penh, fixed areas are developed as an industrial complex and functions as a special economic zone for the purpose of accumulation of export processing industries and creation of employment opportunities. Due to the rise in personnel expenses in the neighbouring ASEAN countries, foreign companies are expanding their business to Cambodia, especially Phnom Penh, in manufacturing and agricultural sectors.

In addition, the increase in the number of Japanese companies made Phnom Penh a better livable place for Japanese. For example, many Japanese schools opened and the second store of Aeon Mall Phnom Penh is planned to open in 2018. Phnom Penh also has great access to neighboring cities such as Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh.

However, traffic congestion has been a big issue because Phnom Penh’s metropolitan infrastructure development has not been able to keep up with its city’s rapid growth. For this reason, three public bus lines have just been opened, and additionally, there is a plan to launch a monorail from the airport to Phnom Penh city.

Phnom  Penh Popular Investment Area

Duong Penh is located in the northeastern part of Phnom Penh. While architectures from French colonial era remains, there are constantly plenty of tourists in the area. Kandal Market, Old Market, and Ounalom Temple are the major touristy spots in this area.

Chamkar Morn has the largest number of service apartments and condominiums. The first Aeon Mall opened in 2014, and there are many international schools and Japanese restaurants which make life easy for the Japanese.

Toul Kork is a quiet luxury residential area in the northwestern part of Phnom Penh, also an area where many local wealthy people and foreigners are living. TK Avenue, a shopping mall, and other facilities are popular among young people. The area has a kit of Korean restaurants and is one of the most popular tourist spots for Korean people.

National Olympic Stadium in 7 Makara is surrounded by a lot of condominiums many of which are still under construction. It is also a lively area with foreigners because of Orsay Market and Olympic Market.

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