Plan Ahead for Public Holidays Before Traveling to Cambodia
With a total of 27 public holidays compared to just 11 in France, Cambodia is one of the countries with the most public holidays in the world.
With a total of 27 public holidays compared to just 11 in France, Cambodia is one of the countries with the most public holidays in the world.
During these celebration periods, daily life slows to a measured pace, particularly affecting shops and markets. Conversely, traveling to Cambodia during a festive period can be a wonderful opportunity to discover local traditions. This is why knowing a few key dates can prove invaluable for your Cambodia visit.
The Monarchy
May 14, 1953
On the occasion of King Norodom Sihamoni's birthday, born on May 14, 1953, a grand fireworks display lights up the banks of the Mekong, the river that flows through Phnom Penh. Performances are also organized throughout the two-day festivities.
June 18, 1936
June 18, 1936 marks the birth of Queen Mother Monique. This year, Her Majesty the Queen celebrated her 82nd birthday. Most shops close during her birthday celebration.
September 24, 1993, Constitution Day
This date marks when the constitutional monarchy was restored, and the day is now a national holiday in the kingdom.
October 15, 2012
October 15 celebrates the commemoration of the Late King Norodom Sihanouk (father of the current king Norodom Sihamoni) who passed away at age 89 of natural causes in Beijing. A grand ceremony takes place each year at the Royal Palace of Phnom Penh in his memory.
October 29, 2004
In 2004, King Norodom Sihamoni was crowned following his father King Norodom Sihanouk. This date has been recognized as a national holiday in Cambodia ever since.
Religion
Meak Bochea
The Meak Bochea festival is an important Buddhist celebration, observed in several Southeast Asian countries. January 31 was a holiday this year, though the date can vary between late January and early February. Meak Bochea coincides with the first full moon of the third month of the Khmer lunar calendar. In the morning, monks receive offerings from devotees, and in the evening, sermons are delivered in temples.
Monks gather during Meak Bochea
Khmer New Year
Soursdey chnam khmer, happy new year! This is Cambodia's most important celebration. The lunar new year is celebrated for 3 days in mid-April, from the 13th to 15th, or 14th to 16th depending on the year. During this period, Phnom Penh empties as Khmer people return to their home villages to celebrate with family.
Traditional dance during Khmer New Year
Visak Bochea
Visak Bochea celebrates Buddha's enlightenment, making it a major festival in Buddhism. The day is devoted to purifying body and mind through fasting. This date falls on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, April 29 this year.
Pchum Ben
This celebration occurs on the 15th day of the waning moon, October 8 this year. Khmer people leave the capital once more to join family in the provinces. It is a festival honoring the damned—those who misbehaved during their lives. They are released from hell's torment for 15 days and can receive food prepared by their relatives through the monks.
Monks await food prepared by families
Cambodia's History
The Fall of the Khmer Rouge
The Khmer Rouge regime orchestrated by Pol Pot left a deep mark on history. It was not until 1979 that they were defeated by the Vietnamese army. January 7 is celebrated as the Day of Victory over the genocide and the liberation of Phnom Penh.
International Women's Day
March 8 is celebrated as International Women's Day in many countries worldwide, including Cambodia.
Labour Day
Celebrated in several Western countries since the late 19th century, Labour Day on May 1 is also one of Cambodia's public holidays.
The Paris Peace Accords
October 23, 1991 is a date etched in stone that changed Cambodia's historical course. On this date, the Paris Peace Accords were signed, restoring sovereignty to the Khmer people under UN supervision.
Independence Day
Cambodia achieved independence on November 9, 1953. It is customary for merchants to display flags to celebrate Independence Day.
The monument erected for Independence
International Human Rights Day
Another globally recognized day, December 10, International Human Rights Day, is also considered a public holiday in Cambodia.
Daily Life
The Royal Ploughing Festival
The Royal Labour Day, also known as the Sacred Furrow Festival, is an important event in the daily life of the Khmer people as it marks the beginning of the agricultural season with the arrival of the rainy season. This signals the start of the first furrows being traced in the rice fields.
International Children's Day
On June 1, no special events are organized. Only schools are closed for the day.
Five schoolchildren from the provinces
The Water Festival
"Bon Om Teuk" takes place over 3 days before the full moon in November. This festival marks the reversal of the flow of the Tonlé Sap river. Unlike other cultural or religious celebrations throughout the year, this is when the entire country gathers in Phnom Penh. The highlight is boat racing in the afternoon on the Mekong in front of the Royal Palace of Phnom Penh. Each boat represents a province of Cambodia. Many provincial residents travel to the capital for this event. In the evening, fireworks light up the sky.
Each village sends a team to Phnom Penh to participate in the boat races during the Water Festival
