Chaktomouk Hall, Performance hall on Tonlé Sap riverbank, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Chaktomouk Hall is a conference building on the Tonlé Sap riverbank featuring eight gabled roofs arranged in a fan pattern that opens 270 degrees toward the water. The auditorium seats 570 people and hosts government conferences, cultural performances, and international meetings.
Architect Vann Molyvann designed and completed this structure in 1961 as a striking symbol of modern Khmer design. The hall later gained historical significance when it hosted the 1979 trials of Khmer Rouge leaders.
The building blends traditional Khmer design with modern concrete construction, showing patterns inspired by royal architecture. Walking through the halls, visitors notice how old and new building styles speak to each other.
The building sits directly on the riverbank and can be approached from multiple sides, offering different views and entry points. The surrounding area is easy to walk around, and there are open spaces where visitors can pause and take in the riverside setting.
The structure spreads outward like an open hand, with concrete trusses forming distinctive V-shaped patterns across the entire exterior. This unusual fan-like shape creates 270-degree views of the river and serves as a remarkable example of organic architectural thinking.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.