Cambodia e-Visa Blog

Bonn Phchom Ben (10-12 October)
The Spirit Commemoration Festival is held for the spirits of the dead. For Bonn Dak Ben, food is offered to monks for 14 days. The 15th day of the festival is called Bonn Phchom Ben; people join this festival at a pagoda to make offerings for the spirits of their ancestors. During this celebration, if departed souls do not find their family making offerings at a pagoda, it is believed that the souls will curse and bother the descendants throughout the year.

Bonn Kathen (27 October-24 November)
Another major religious festival in Cambodia is Bonn Kathen, lasting for 29 days after the Spirit Commemoration Festival. Town and country folks march in a procession to the pagoda where the monks are waiting to change their old saffron robes for the new ones offered during the festival. The ceremony brings spiritual merit to both lay people and the monks.

Royal Coronation of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Baromneath Norodom Sihamoni (29 October)

Royal Birthday of His Majesty King Father Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia (31 October)
His Majesty King Father Norodom Sihanouk, the former king of Cambodia, was born on 31 October 1922 in Phnom Penh Capital.

This celebration acclaiming the country’s influential king is help on 31 October. Provincial residents, who would ordinarily have no reason to visit Phnom Penh, will save up and make this occasion their sole visit to the capital to join in the festivities.

Independence Day (9 November)
The Independence Day which Cambodia achieved from France in 1953 is marked by a military parade, carnival floats and national achievements.

Water Festival, Moon Festival (23-25 November)
The Regatta (Bonn Om Touk), Procession of Illuminated Floats (Bandet Pratip), Salutation to the Moon (Sampeah Preah Khe), and Offering of Bananas and Ambok (Auk Ambok); Ambok means “pounded rice”.

This vast festival is probably the most extravagant one in the calendar.

The Water Festival, which ushers in the fishing season and marks the reverse of the current in the Tonle Sap, is a spectacle to behold. At the height of the rainy season, the water in the Mekong River that strongly flows back to the Tonle Sap forces its current to reverse northwest to the Great Lake. As the water level begins to subside, the current reverses its direction again.

Boat races are jubilantly held in Phnom Penh Capital. Racing boats and rowers come from several parts of the country to join that competition. The festivals draws thousands of the castors from all walks of life to the riverbanks to watch long boat races, fireworks and a flotilla of lighted ships under the full moon. There is often a parallel festival at Angkor Wat. Although smaller in scale, it is just impressive due to the backdrop of Angkor Wat.

The boat racing dates back to ancient times, which really marks the strength of the powerful Khmer marine forces in the ancient Khmer Empire.

United Nations Human Rights Day (10 December)

Official tourist guide, Ministry of Tourism

• 2007 Cambodia Public Holiday
• The Story of Kampong Krabey
• General Information about Cambodia

Posted under Events, Travel to Cambodia.