Phnom Penh might be the political powerhouse of Cambodia and the place where serious people wear serious suits and talk about investment and trade, but it’s also a city of incense smoke, tuk-tuk horns, iced coffee on the curb, and unmissable street food. It’s big, loud, fast-growing, sometimes confusing, and always alive. And if you plan on living here, starting a business, sending a package, or just finding the best num pang sandwich in the right district, you’re going to want to understand how Phnom Penh Postcodes work.
Because yes, Phnom Penh has postcodes. And unlike in some countries where they’re just bureaucratic filler, in Cambodia they actually help you make sense of the city.
What Are Phnom Penh Postcodes?
Postcodes in Phnom Penh are not just numbers. They’re keys to understanding the geography and the rhythm of the city. The Phnom Penh postcode system is structured, surprisingly efficient, and tied closely to the city’s districts and communes. At its core, it’s a five-digit number that tells you more than just where your package goes. It tells you what part of the city you’re standing in, or where that smoky barbecue smell in the distance might be coming from.
The first two digits of every postcode in Phnom Penh are twelve. That’s because twelve is the code assigned to the capital itself. The remaining three digits identify the specific district, and sometimes the exact sangkat or commune. It’s not always a one-to-one system, but it gets the job done and helps untangle this urban sprawl.
If you’re in the city center, where monks wander past French villas and the smell of grilled squid mixes with traffic fumes, chances are you’re in Daun Penh. That area usually falls under 120101. Further northwest in Toul Kork, where middle-class Cambodians and expats tuck into their bowl of kuy teav in renovated townhouses, it might be 120201. Chamkar Mon, with its embassies, cafes, and oddly placed Irish pubs, is usually 120301. And if you’re up by Russey Keo, enjoying river views with your steamed pork buns, you’re probably in 120401.
Why Do Phnom Penh Postcodes Matter?
Let’s say you’re running a food blog and just discovered the best beef lok lak in the city. Or maybe you’ve opened a micro-roastery tucked behind a market in Toul Tom Poung. Or you’re importing durian-flavoured energy drinks from Thailand. You need a system to help your deliveries arrive, your customers find you, and your legal documents to not disappear into a bureaucratic vortex.
Phnom Penh Postcodes do all that. They help:
- Postal services deliver things with at least a fighting chance of reaching the right address
- E-commerce sellers and delivery apps target the right district
- Government forms, job applications, bank documents, and utility registrations get processed smoothly
- Food bloggers and tuk-tuk drivers figure out if the new noodle stall is in Toul Kork or Chamkar Mon
In short, understanding Phnom Penh Postcodes means you know where things are, where they’re going, and how to move through the city without constantly asking the fruit vendor for directions.
Postcode Districts of Phnom Penh and Their Vibes
Phnom Penh is a patchwork. Each district feels like its own world with its own speed, flavor, and soundtrack. Here’s a quick tour through some of the key ones tied to their postcodes.
Daun Penh – 120101
This is where it all began. Temples. The Royal Palace. Phsar Thmei with its Art Deco dome and pungent mix of seafood, gold, and mobile phone stalls. Daun Penh is the soul of the city and its historical heartbeat. Great for culture. Great for street eats. Great for getting stuck in traffic for no reason.
Toul Kork – 120201
Toul Kork is where Phnom Penh gets serious. Tree-lined streets. Private schools. Big villas. And food courts that look like they belong in Singapore. It’s a quieter area but still full of personality. Great for raising kids. Great for working remotely. Great for finding artisanal bubble tea.
Chamkar Mon – 120301
This one’s a bit of everything. Embassies. Rooftop bars. Russian Market chaos. Upscale bistros next to noodle shops with plastic chairs. If you want a place where you can get brunch, a haircut, a bag of mangosteens, and a shot of rice wine all within 500 meters, Chamkar Mon is for you.
Russey Keo – 120401
Head northeast and things start to slow down. Russey Keo hugs the Mekong and still feels semi-rural in places. It’s where people go to breathe, watch the river, and eat grilled fish near the banks. It’s not the first place tourists land, but it’s one of the last they forget.
Phnom Penh Postcodes by District
Daun Penh
120101
Chamkar Mon
120301
Toul Kork
120201
Russey Keo
120401
Mean Chey
120501
Sen Sok
120601
Chbar Ampov
120701
Dangkor
120801
Chroy Changvar
120901
Prek Pnov
121001
Kamboul
121101
Por Senchey
121201
Boeng Keng Kang
121301
Khan Prampi Makara
121401
Wrapping Up – Phnom Penh Postcodes and Real-Life Coordinates
So Phnom Penh Postcodes are not just about mail. They’re about identity. They tell you where you are in a city that’s growing so fast even Google Maps is struggling to keep up. Whether you’re living here, eating your way through the street stalls, running a Khmer-Chinese hotpot joint, or just sending postcards to your aunt in Bulgaria, you need them.
Know your postcode. Know your district. Know where to get the best nom banh chok and the fastest wi-fi. That’s how you survive and thrive in Phnom Penh.
And once you’ve figured that out, go outside and get yourself a bowl of something spicy, something grilled, or something that still might be moving. This is Phnom Penh. The postcode is 120101, but the experience is all yours.