Cambodian Public Holidays

Khmers Enjoy More Holidays Than Almost Any Other Nation in the World

Mar 14, 2009

At least one Khmer national holiday can be expected to fall within a vacation as there are around 30 official days and several others which are unofficially observed.

Due to the lunar nature of many of the following major holidays, looking up the annual date under which they fall is advised unless otherwise stated. Below are some of the main annual celebrations.

Cambodia Celebrates Three New Years

International New Year: The celebration of New Year's Eve has become more and more popular in Cambodia, and although not an official holiday, January 1 may as well be.

Victory over Genocide Day (January 7): This national holiday commemorates Vietnamese-backed troops taking the capital from the Khmer Rouge in 1979.

Valentine's Day: The government may not recognize "The Day of Love" as Khmers call it, but the people do. Unlike in the West, flowers and gifts are not only reserved for sweethearts but also friends, family, teachers – in fact, pretty much anyone.

Chinese New Year/Vietnamese Tet: Vietnamese and Chinese share the same lunar New Year, and due to religious and ethnic connections, Cambodia also comes to a near-halt during this three-day celebration. This is a time for feasting and gifts but absolutely not traveling. Every Cambodian who can afford to goes home to family in the provinces, and all prices double.

Women's Day (March 8): This United Nations-inspired holiday has become a big deal. Don't hope to get anything done.

Ching Ming: The Chinese period for honoring ancestors. This is a lunar event. Khmer-Chinese (of which there are tens of thousands) clean graves and revere their forefathers. Travelers may see people burning "hell money" (imitation money for the afterlife) and spirit gifts including paper cars and houses. Don't panic! All donations benefit hungry ghosts.

Khmer New Year (April): Possibly Cambodia's most important holiday. The cities empty as Cambodians rush to spend the three-day lunar holiday with family. This is the Khmer equivalent of Chinese New Year, welcoming in the new zodiac animal. Gifts and tips are especially auspicious during April and should be accompanied with the phrase 'Sok Sabay, Ch'nam Tmey' (Happy New Year!)

Royal Birthdays and Colorful Khmer Festivals

Labor (May) Day: A relatively minor holiday. Embassies advise avoiding large labor-related gatherings and rallies falling on this day as union disputes can occasionally turn violent.

Royal Plowing Day (May): Richly decorated royal oxen ceremonially plough the field next to the royal palace before being presented with a bovine feast of food and drink. Which dishes the animals consume and how much is analyzed by royal astrologers to predict the coming season's weather. Get there early for photos to beat the huge crowds.

King Norodom Sihamoni's Birthday (May 13-15): The current king was crowned in 2004 after the abdication of his father, Norodom Sihanouk.

Queen Norodom Monineath's Birthday (June 18): Cambodians have a deep affection for the queen mother. Even so, this is a minor holiday which does not usually affect travel.

Pchum Ben (September): Festival of the Ancestors. Buddhist tradition demands Cambodians visit many pagodas over two weeks. Food, flowers, rice and gifts are given to the monks to convey to the afterlife so the dead do not haunt the living. This is a particularly poignant celebration given Cambodia's recent history.

Independence Day (November 12): Marks anniversary of independence from France. King Sihamoni visits Independence Monument in Phnom Penh.

King Father Norodom Sihanouk's Birthday: Retired king Sihanouk is indisputably Cambodia's most important modern monarch and still widely regarded as divine.

Water Festival (November): Millions teem into Phnom Penh from the provinces to celebrate the end of monsoon season. Dragon boats race for three days with the king overseeing. Perhaps the best time of any for meeting the people and enjoying the culture of Cambodia but the capital is impossibly crowded!

Human Rights Day (December 10): A United Nations-inspired holiday. Unlikely to affect travel plans but government offices are closed.

The copyright of the article Cambodian Public Holidays in Cambodia Travel is owned by Bronwyn Sloan. Permission to republish Cambodian Public Holidays in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.