Indonesia Launches First Night Market in Phnom Penh to Boost People-to-People Ties

The Indonesia Night Market opened on Chaktomuk Riverside Walk Street in Phnom Penh on 15 November 2025, marking the beginning of a two-day cultural showcase aimed at strengthening community ties between the peoples of Indonesia and Cambodia.

Phnom Penh’s riverfront came alive on Saturday night as the very first Phsaar Reatrei Indonesia (Indonesia Night Market) officially opened in front of Wat Ounalom.

The event, held from 15–16 November 2025, was inaugurated by the Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia, H.E. Santo Darmosumarto, Cambodia’s Secretary of State of the Ministry of Tourism, H.E. Katoeu Mohammad Nossry, and the Vice Governor of Phnom Penh, H.E. Imran Hassan.

Ambassador Santo described the event as “a night of friendship celebration,” emphasising the warm and vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of an Indonesian night market. He encouraged visitors to enjoy the space as a place to meet, share stories, and strengthen community relationships.

He expressed hope that the event would deepen bonds not only between Indonesians and Cambodians, but also within the wider international community living in Phnom Penh.

“Music, dance, and food are universal languages. Through them, we hope Cambodian visitors can connect with Indonesian culture in a memorable and joyful way,” the Ambassador said.

Speaking at the event, H.E. Katoeu Mohammad Nossry noted that the event reflects both creativity and strong partnership, as well as the long-standing friendship and solidarity between the two nations.

“Cambodia and Indonesia share centuries of cultural interaction, and this year proudly commemorate 66 years of formal diplomatic relations—relations that continue to grow with mutual warmth and respect,” he said.

He added that the initiative contributes to strengthening the local tourism ecosystem by attracting visitors, stimulating foot traffic, and supporting small businesses and community livelihoods along Chaktomuk Walk Street.

For Indonesia, he explained, the market serves as an effective cultural promotion platform, inspiring potential travellers through direct exposure to Indonesian cuisine, performances, handicrafts, and hospitality.

“Our hope is that Psar Reatrei Indonesia, or ‘Pasar Malam Indonesia’, can help build a bridge between Indonesians and Cambodians. I hope people can see that Indonesia is not so different from Cambodia and that we share many similarities — from food with similar flavours to products enjoyed in both countries,” Ambassador Santo further added.

The night market features 12 booths offering a tempting selection of authentic Indonesian dishes and speciality products. Visitors can enjoy beloved favourites such as bakso (beef meatballs) and chicken satay, along with a wide range of Indonesian brands already gaining popularity in Cambodia — from food and beverages to personal-care items and traditional herbal medicines.

Cultural performances form the heart of the programme, including traditional Indonesian dance and music by students of the Indonesian Cultural Centre in Phnom Penh, energetic Dangdut performances by young Indonesian singer Fire Amanda, and an Indonesian–Khmer fusion DJ set by DJ Osvaldo Nugroho. Interactive games also offer visitors the opportunity to win prizes featuring Indonesian products.

Hosted by the Embassy of Indonesia and supported by Smart Axiata, Phsaar Reatrei Indonesia aims not only to draw weekend crowds, but also to support the Cambodian government’s efforts to develop the area into a prominent cultural and tourism hub.

As part of Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy, the Indonesia Night Market serves as a platform to promote mutual understanding and celebrate shared values between Indonesia and Cambodia. It also aims to inspire future travel to Indonesia and increase interest in Indonesian products, supporting broader tourism and trade initiatives between the two nations.