Chaktomuk Walk Street: A Symbol of Phnom Penh’s Urban Renewal and Vibrant Nightlife

(Phnom Penh, February 2, 2026) — One year after its launch, Chaktomuk Pedestrian Street has become a symbol of Phnom Penh’s urban renewal and dynamic nightlife.

On the occasion of its first anniversary, celebrated on Sunday, February 1, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, sent a congratulatory message praising “the success of a collective project” that blends tourism appeal, social cohesion, and local economic development.

The head of the Royal Government highlighted that this transformation of the riverfront, led by the Capital Administration, “perfectly illustrates Phnom Penh’s modern and inclusive vision,” while strengthening its position on the regional tourism scene.

A revival of the Sisowath Quay

Inaugurated on February 1, 2025, “Chaktomuk Walk Street” transformed an emblematic section of Preah Sisowath Quay — between Streets 94 and 240 — into a fully pedestrian zone every weekend, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

During these evenings, all motorized traffic is prohibited, allowing residents, families, and tourists to stroll freely along the Tonlé Sap River and the confluence of the four rivers, known in Khmer as Chaktomuk.

Food stalls, artisans, street performers, and cultural shows enliven the area. Initially designed as a six-month trial, the project quickly demonstrated a positive impact on tourist attendance and community cohesion.

By the second quarter of 2025, City Hall decided to make the initiative permanent—expanding the pedestrian area, strengthening security, and installing a harmonized urban signage system.

Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng noted that the idea drew inspiration from models seen in other major Asian cities such as Bangkok, Seoul, and Hanoi, where pedestrianizing historic districts has transformed downtown dynamics.

A driver for local economy and nightlife

According to Phnom Penh Capital Administration figures, the street attracts between 80,000 and 100,000 visitors every weekend. Over one year, more than 4.5 million visits were recorded, making Chaktomuk one of the capital’s most frequented spots.

This influx generated 1,400 direct jobs, shared among 1,000 street vendors and 400 registered operators with organized stalls. Several young entrepreneurs have taken advantage of this platform to launch small food, art, or craft ventures.

The Cambodian Ministry of Tourism estimates that pedestrianizing the quay has contributed to a 15% increase in visitors’ average nighttime spending in 2025. It also supports the growth of the “Creative Night Markets” segment, encouraged by the national tourism diversification strategy.

According to the Nightlife Cities Index 2025, Phnom Penh now ranks second in the world for nightlife, just behind Bangkok. Meanwhile, BBC Travel included the Cambodian capital among the top 20 destinations to visit in 2026, highlighting “the vibrant energy of its riverfront and the warmth of its people.”

A city asserting itself regionally

This renewed vitality is not an isolated phenomenon. Since the launch of the Phnom Penh Vision 2035 plan, municipal authorities have multiplied efforts to boost the city’s appeal: restoring river promenades, landscaping around the Royal Palace, maintaining the Win-Win Boulevard Night Market, and expanding support for cultural events.

Phnom Penh now attracts over 4 million international visitors annually, according to the Tourism Statistics Report 2025. Urban tourism accounts for roughly 7% of the capital’s GDP—a key driver for small businesses and youth employment.

Hun Manet emphasized the need to build on these achievements:

“Chaktomuk Street shows that urban development can also be a tool for shared prosperity and a means of bringing citizens together. We must continue to make Phnom Penh a dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable city.”

Challenges ahead: parking, traffic, and business coexistence

Despite widespread enthusiasm, several practical challenges remain. On pedestrian days, traffic becomes congested in nearby streets. Motorists struggle to find parking, while mototaxis and ride-sharing services must drop passengers at a distance, sometimes causing jams on Streets 178, 184, or 240.

These issues have raised concerns among some restaurateurs and hoteliers along Sisowath Quay, who notice fluctuations in customer flow during pedestrian evenings. Chea Dara, owner of a historic riverside restaurant, shared:

“The pedestrian street is a great idea for the city, but our regular clients—especially expatriates—find it difficult to reach us on weekends. We hope the authorities will soon find a parking solution.”

In response, Phnom Penh City Hall has begun implementing a temporary mobility management plan, including two peripheral parking areas — one near the National Museum and another by Hun Sen Park. Discussions are also underway to improve routes for cyclo drivers and electric city buses for better access to pedestrian zones.

“We want Chaktomuk to be enjoyable for everyone, without disrupting traditional economic activities along the quay,” stated Governor Khuong Sreng during the anniversary ceremony.

Inspiration for other provinces

The relative success of Chaktomuk Walk Street is now inspiring other Cambodian cities. In Siem Reap, the municipality is studying a “Pub Street 2.0” concept, combining pedestrian spaces, local stalls, and permanent cultural areas. In Battambang, a similar project along the Sangker River is under public consultation.

These initiatives align with the Cambodia Sustainable Tourism Development Master Plan 2021–2035, developed with support from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which aims to “promote inclusive, safe, and environmentally responsible tourism.”

Hun Manet also emphasized the environmental aspect:

“Urban transformation should not be limited to aesthetics or attractiveness. It must also reduce emissions, encourage walking, and prioritize green spaces.”

A civic and participatory approach

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Chaktomuk project is community engagement. From the outset, City Hall held consultations with vendor associations, residents, and business owners. Participatory workshops helped define activity zones, cleanliness and safety rules, and waste management procedures.

According to an internal report from the Department of Public Works and Transport, the amount of waste collected each weekend in the pedestrian zone has dropped by 25% since March 2025 — a sign of rising environmental awareness. Part of the profits from vendor stalls is also reinvested into the city’s urban sanitation fund.

Balancing modernity and heritage

The transformation of Sisowath Quay also carries cultural significance. This historic avenue, lined with colonial buildings, pagodas, and the famous Chaktomuk Theatre, remains an important architectural heritage site.

The municipal project strives to preserve this spirit: architectural interventions are limited, signage is standardized, and street performances must end by 11 p.m. to respect residents. Authorities aim to maintain this delicate balance — to energize without denaturing.

Urban architect Sokha Nita, a consultant for the Phnom Penh Urban Forum, summarized:

“Chaktomuk Walk Street is not just a leisure venue; it’s a successful experiment in social urbanism. It shows how public space can enhance quality of life, tourism, and local pride.”

Toward a sustainable model

After one year of existence, Chaktomuk Walk Street has become more than a simple promenade — it is a symbol of modern Phnom Penh: youthful, open, and connected. Its success relies on a fragile balance between grassroots vitality and municipal planning.

Facing logistical challenges still to be resolved, authorities have pledged to adjust the system without reducing its conviviality. The Prime Minister concluded his message with a call for cooperation:

“The future of our capital will be built step by step, together. Chaktomuk Walk Street is the living expression of the Cambodian spirit — welcoming, creative, and resilient.”

Illustrations Pcm