Check out important occasions and get some quick tips on how to celebrate public holidays in Cambodia.

References:

• Vietnam Public Holiday
• Laos Public Holiday
• Thailand Public Holiday
• Basic Cambodian Phrases for Travelers in English

Overview

In the year 2024, Cambodia observes 15 public holidays. These are global celebrations, national commemorations, and traditional festivals. The specific dates are as follows:

Date	Day	Holiday
1 Jan	Mon	New Year’s Day
7 Jan	Sun	Commemorating Victory Over Genocide Regime Day
8 March	Fri	International Women’s Day
13 – 16 April	Sat – Tue	Khmer New Year (Chaul Chnam Thmay)
1 May	Wed	International Labor Day
14 May	Tue	King Norodom Sihamoni’s Birthday
22 May	Wed	Visak Bochea’s Day
26 May	Sun	Royal Ploughing Ceremony
18 June	Tue	Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk’s Birthday
24 Sep	Tue	Constitution Day
1 – 3 Oct	Tue – Thu	Pchum Ben Day
15 October	Tue	Commemoration Day of King Norodom Sihanouk
29 October	Tue	Coronation Day of King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia
9 November	Sat	National Independence Day
14 – 16 November	Thu – Sat	Water Festival

Meaning of Cambodia Public Holidays 2024

• New Year’s Day: Beginning of the new year.
• Commemorating Victory Over Genocide Regime Day: Honors the resilience of the Cambodian people and commemorates the end of the Khmer Rouge regime.
• International Women’s Day: Recognizes and celebrates the achievements and contributions of women worldwide.
• Khmer New Year: Cambodia traditional festival marked by joyous festivities, cultural events, and family gatherings.
• International Labor Day: Honors the contributions of workers globally and advocates for workers’ rights.
• King Norodom Sihamoni’s Birthday: Celebrates the birth of the reigning monarch, King Norodom Sihamoni.
• Visak Bochea’s Day: Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha, promoting reflection and spiritual practices.
• Royal Ploughing Ceremony: Ancient agricultural ritual predicting the upcoming harvest season and promoting agricultural prosperity.
• Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk’s Birthday: Honors the birthday of the queen consort, celebrating her role and contributions.
• Constitution Day: Marks the adoption of Cambodia’s constitution, emphasizing the principles and values of the nation.
• Pchum Ben Day: A religious observance honoring deceased ancestors through offerings and prayers.
• Commemoration Day of King Norodom Sihanouk: Pays tribute to the late King Norodom Sihanouk, acknowledging his historical significance.
• Coronation Day of King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia: Commemorates the coronation of the current king, Norodom Sihamoni.
• National Independence Day: Celebrates Cambodia’s independence from French colonial rule since 1953.
• Water Festival: An annual event celebrating the reversing flow of the Tonle Sap River, featuring boat races and cultural festivities.

Famous festival For Visitors to Cambodia

Visitors from other countries are free to tour Cambodia during special events. Some things to keep in mind are booking accommodations in advance, anticipating price increases, and the likelihood of crowded places.

Here are some of our suggestions for you to observe or join in some festivals with the people of Cambodia:

• Khmer New Year: In this celebration, there will be a water festival, street processions, and people coming together at temples or participating in group recreational activities. This day is celebrated throughout the country.
• Bon Om Touk: This is the boat racing festival usually held in November at Tonle Sap Lake. Visitors can visit Siem Reap to observe the boat races or enjoy musical performances.
• Pchum Ben: On this ancestral worship day of Cambodian, visitors can go to local temples to observe how the residents offer lights, offerings, and perform ancestral worship.

Conclusion

The above details Cambodia’s public holidays in 2024 and along with some explanations.

If you need assistance with your trip to Cambodia and Indochina, feel free to leave your details in the Enquire section or drop us a message in the chat box. Our team is always available to provide support and guidance for your travel plans.