Located to the north of Chamkarmon, Daun Penh is more inclined towards a mixed-use area in Phnom Penh. The property stock generally comprises low-rise, 3 to 4-storey pre-1950’s shop houses, primarily owned and occupied by Cambodian nationals.
Living in Daun Penh
Popular local markets such as Phsar Kandal and Phsar Thmei are also located here. The main attractiveness of living in this area is the close proximity to the river front, the CBD and various tourist attractions (Wat Phnom, Royal Palace, National Museum) and offers a more authenic Cambodian experience.
Sisowath Quay, aka Riverside, is an attractive boulevard running along the bank of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers. Fronted by a large open space with manicured lawns, palm trees and walk ways, the street is home to cafés, shops and bars, and is popular with tourists. The esplanade along the river is also popular with Cambodians, who come here in the cool of the evening to enjoy the quasi-carnival atmosphere. It begins at the riverfront park opposite the Royal Palace.
House and apartment rentals in Daun Penh are generally cheaper as compared to Chamkarmon, however, many Western expatriates choose riverfront flats, which come with a premium on rent.
Historic and Tourist Attractions in Daun Penh
Daun Penh is the core of the historical city centre, with Phnom Penh believed to have been founded in 1327 at the location of what is now Wat Phnom, in the northeast of the district.
Daun Penh encompasses many of Phnom Penh’s major tourist attractions including the Royal Palace, the National Museum, Wat Phnom, the riverside area (Sisowath Quay), the French Quarter with its numerous colonial buildings, Central Market, the Old Train Station and Phnom Penh’s fledgling Central Business District.
It is a major tourism area in Phnom Penh and thus there are numerous restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels, boutique retail shops and other commercial offerings catering to the tourism sector. It is also the location of Phnom Penh’s Central Business District (CBD) which includes four high-rise office towers, two B Grade and two A Grade. Two having been developed by local developers and two by international developers, including Exchange Square; Phnom Penh’s second A Grade building constructed by regionally renowned developer, Hongkong Land.
Commercial Activity in Daun Penh
It is Phnom Penh’s main commercial district and commands the highest land prices in Cambodia. This district is home to many multinational banks and company headquarters expanding operation in Cambodia.
As the Central Business District of Phnom Penh, some of Phnom Penh’s main office buildings are located here including Canadia Tower, Exchange Square and Vattanac Capital (all in the CBD area). Other smaller scale office buildings include Emerald Building, Raintree and The Vanguard.
Office occupiers include major multinational companies and world organisations such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, AIA, Prudential, Deloitte, Regus, Emirates Airlines, Arup and Bank of China to name a few, whilst two of Phnom Penh’s three 5-star hotels are also located in Daun Penh.
General Information About Daun Penh
The district of Daun Penh is where the Cambodian capital was founded when it relocated from Oudong in 1886. According to legend, the Mekong burst its banks and a hollow tree containing statues of Buddha washed up in front of the home of a woman called Lady Penh. Taking it as a sign, she built a temple for Buddha, which stands today in the form of Wat Phnom.
Comprised of 11 sangkats, the area takes in the bustling riverside, Central Market, the burgeoning Central Business District, iconic Royal Palace and several of the city’s most famous local markets. As well as serving as Phnom Penh’s commercial hub, Daun Penh boasts a variety of accommodation, ranging from local-style apartments through to modern Western-equipped options, making it a great choice to rent or buy property in Phnom Penh.
Daun Penh is also home to a handful of schools and educational centres, as well as a range of supermarkets, medical centres and pharmacies. With rental prices sitting lower than in BKK1 and all the amenities on your doorstep, from the array of restaurants and vibrant nightlife, to the local charm found in the network of side streets and bargains to be bagged at Sorya Shopping Center, this district is becoming an increasingly desirable destination for expats looking for somewhere to live in Phnom Penh.
Accommodation and Pricing
Accommodation in Daun Penh is dominated by flats, shophouses and condominiums that vary from a Cambodian set-up through to Western-style apartments equipped with modern amenities.
While there are a few villas remaining in the area, these are few and far between, with the majority snapped up by developers for hotel, apartment and condo construction in this rapidly rising district.
1-bedrooms: $300-$800
2-bedroom: $400-$1,100
3-bedroom: $1,200-$2,500
Villa: $2,500-$3,500
Medical Services
There are plenty of medical facilities in Daun Penh, with hospitals and clinics offering out-patient and in-patient treatments, as well as emergency medical care. Medicine and other pharmaceuticals are readily available from the many chemists that dot the area, and Daun Penh is home to a handful of the capital’s most reputable dentists.
Medical care in Cambodia is constantly improving, however, for many serious conditions, patients may need to seek treatment abroad. Often this is in the form of medical-evacuation to Bangkok. We therefore recommend expatriates living in Cambodia invest in reliable health insurance, with medical evacuation included.
Help + Pharmacy Raintree
Sangkat Voat Phnum - 023210338 - Open 24/7
Preah Ket Mealea Hospital
Street 47 - 023 427 229 - Open 24/7
Kantha Bopha IV Children's Hospital
90 Chivapol - 023 428 009 - Open 24 hours, from Monday to Friday
National Maternal and Child Health Center
31a Street 47 - 023 724 257 - Open 24/7
Calmette Hospital
3 Monivong Boulevard - 023 426 948 - Open 24/7
Central Hospital
82a Street 154 - 023 214 955 - Open 24/7
Naga Clinic
11 Street 254 - 023 211 300 - Open daily, from 8am to 8pm and 24/7 for emergencies
Denriche Asia dental clinic
L2 Vattanac Captial Tower - 66 Monivong Boulevard - 023 901 200
Bumrungrad International Hospital Office
147-153 Kampuchea Krom - 012 989 551
Visal Pharmacy
63 Preah Trasak Paem - 023 213 531
UCare Pharma
Multiple locations - 023 22 21 99 - Open daily, from 8am to 10pm.
Ang Duong Hospital
Dimitriv - 023 218 875 - Open 24/7
International Schools
Providing children with a top-class education is a key priority for parents moving to Cambodia. Daun Penh is home to a handful of educational institutions that adhere to international standards. However, a bonus to the Cambodian capital’s compact size is that nowhere is too far away, with the many other international schools sitting close by.
The Westline School
The school offers English training from pre-kindergarten to advanced level, and Khmer general education programme from Grade 1 to 12. Annual, full-time tuition fees start at $1,100 a year.
22 Street 51 - 023 886 887/ 015 713 123 - www.westlineschool.org
ICS International School
ICS International School operates as a Cambridge Interantional Centre, having been granted International Centre status by the University of Cambridge International Examinations. Fees are available upon request.
14 Street 214 - 099 509 997 - www.ics.edu.kh/icsis
Sovannaphumi School
The school runs a variety of educational courses, including the Khmer General Education programme from Kindergarten to Grade 12, General English Programme from Kindergarten to secondary level and computer courses. Annual tuition fees start at $530.
14 Street 184-200 - 023 991 279 - www.sovannaphumi.edu.kh
ELT International Training School
This offers a range of English language programmes for kindergarten, young learners and adults. Full-time admission fees start at $240.
Street 49 - 012 900 242 - www.elt.edu.kh
Lycée Français René Descartes
This is a French language school that offers education, from primary level through to college. Annual, full-time tuition fees start at $4,629.
Street 96 - 023 999 925 - www.descartes-cambodge.com
Australian Centre for Education
ACE has been educating kids in Cambodia for more than 20 years, offering a range of English language training and testing to those aged eight and upwards, including adults. Tuition fees are available on request.
46 Street 214 - 023 218 318 - www.acecambodia.org
The Camfirst School
The Camfirst Schools offers a range of English as a Second Language (ESL) courses for pre-school age children up to Grade 12. Annual, full-time tuition fees start at $460.
74-76 Street 19 - 012 52 22 07/ 015 52 22 07 - www.camfirst.edu.kh
Supermarkets
Daun Penh’s diversity makes it an ideal spot to rent an apartment in Phnom Penh, with the area striking a nice balance between traditional and modern Cambodia. It is home to Phsar Thmey (Central Market), Phsar Kandal and Phsar Chas – all bustling local markets and great places to buy fresh fruit and veg, as well as other household items.
Several supermarkets also call Daun Penh home, meaning residents can easily get their hands on ingredients from back home, as well as a range of other packaged goods and foods. The recently opened Exchange Square in the capital’s Central Business District also houses the country’s only Premium Lucky supermarket, selling Lucky’s top-quality brands.
Pencil Market
Street 214 - 023 216 471 - Open daily, from 9am to 9pm
Paragon Supermarket
12 Street 214 - 023 220 348 - Open daily, from 9am to 9pm
Sorya Shopping Center
11-13 Street 63 - 023 210 018 - Open daily, from 9am to 9pm
Lucky Premium
Exchange Square, Street 51-61 - Open Monday to Sunday, from 8am to 9pm, and Sunday, from 9am to 5pm.
Police and Sangkats
Various documents may be required from your local sangkat, and any complaints or crimes will need to be lodged with local police so it’s worth storing the contact details somewhere safe.
Sangkat: Wat Phnom
Mink Yan - 012 727 580/ 017 929 295
Sangkat: Phsar Chas
Ly Sokond - 012 844 676/ 012 930 913
Sangkat: Phsar Kandal 1
Nak Mink - 012 777 347/ 012 841 783
Sangkat: Phsar Kandal 2
Mink Ean - 012 887 927/ 017 980 988
Sangkat: Chey Chumneas
Reaksmey - 012 350 626
Sangkat: Phsar Thmey 1
Pu Vanna - 012 789 530 / 012 656 105
Sangkat: Phsar Thmey 2
012 888 187
Sangkat: Phsar Thmey 3
012 868 306/ 012 875 022
Sangkat: Sras Chak
011 837 353
Sangkat: Boeung Raing
012 995 343/ 016 883 541
Sangkat: Chaktomuk
012 818 021/ 017 983 505
Please contact our professional team of real estate agents at +855 23 966 878 or enquiry@kh.knightfrank.com if you need any advice on types of real estate in Cambodia.
Our Phnom Penh Area Guides:
Where to Live in Phnom Penh | Daun Penh | Chamkarmon | Toul Kork | 7 Makara | Russian Market (Toul Tom Poung) | Suburbs