Cambodia Public Holidays

New Year Day (1 Jan)

Victory Day (7 Jan), commemorating the fall of the Khmer Rouge in 1979

Chinese & Vietnamese New Year - around January/February period

Women's Day (8 Mar)

Chaul Chhnam (app. 14-16 Apr): This is the Cambodian equivalent of Thailand's Songkran, when Cambodians throw water at passers-by, and make offerings at the local temples.

Labour Day (1 May)

Visa Ka Bocea (app. 17 May): This is the festival commemorating the birth and first sermon of the Buddha.

Royal Ploughing Ceremony (21 May): This is a farmer's festival inaugurating the ploughing season.

International Children's Day (1 Jun)

Queen's Birthday (18 Jun)

End of Buddhist Lent (around Sept)

Constitution Day (24 Sep)

Pchum Ben or Soul Day (15 days between the end of Sept and Oct): Festival to bless the spirit of the dead.

Bonn Kathen (timing decided by lunar calendar): Festival when monks come out of their retreats and take on new robes offered by devotees.

Paris Peace Agreement (23 Oct)

Birthday of His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk (30 Oct): 3-day festival to honour the monarch.

Independence Day (9 Nov): Public holiday to celebrate the independence of Cambodia from France in 1953.

Bonn Om Took Water Festival (some time in November): Festival to celebrate the reversal of the flow of the Tonle Sap River. Boat races and fairs are held.

International Human Rights Day (10 Dec)

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