Cambodia Holidays :
Festivals and Celebrations
Cambodia holidays usually mean festivals. And festivals means more cultural activities and events that you'd otherwise will not experience.
That makes holidays an interesting time to visit Cambodia.
Would you like to when the boat races are? Or the Cambodian New Year celebrations? Or the Buddhist related birthdays?
See below for 2010’s holiday, and plan accordingly!
January
1st: International New Year's Day.
7th: Genocide victory commemoration day celebrates the end of the Khmer Rouge regime, when Vietnam forced them to retreat in 1979. Khmer Rouge wasn’t officially over yet, but this was still a major event.
February
28th: Meak Bochea day, celebrating the first gathering where Buddha lectured his monks.
March
8th: Women's Rights day, an international holiday celebrating women's achievements.
April
14 - 16th: Khmer New Year day, which is based on the lunar calendar dating. This is the most important Cambodia holidays of all, spanning over 3 days. The temples are heavily visited during this time, so it could be an interesting time to visit.
May
1st: International Labor day, celebrating the achievements of workers.
10th: Royal Plowing Ceremony. This
officially marks the start of the rainy season in Cambodia, and the
start of the planting season. Cambodians believes strongly that
ceremony tells them about the prospects of upcoming year's crops.
13 - 15th: King Norodom Sihamoni's Birthday
celebration. King Sihamoni was born in 1953, and is the current King of
Cambodia. Strangely, he is unmarried. Who will he pass the throne to?
28th: Visaka Bochea day, celebrating the birth of
Buddha. Everyone, from monks, nuns and Buddhist Cambodians celebrate
this Cambodia holiday.
28th: Visaka Bochea day, celebrating the birth of Buddha. Everyone, from monks, nuns and Buddhist Cambodians celebrate this Cambodia holiday.
June
18th: Queen mother Monineath’s Birthday.
She was born as Paule-Monique Izzi in Saigon, Vietnam in 1936, of
French-Italian descent. She was the 7th wife of the previous Cambodian
King.
September
24th: Constitution day, celebrating the day when King Sihanouk signed the Cambodian constitution.
October
22-34th: Pchum Ben day is a 3 day festival where Cambodians honor their ancestors by providing food offerings to ease their burdens. Is it said that the spirits of the ancestors roam the world during this day.
29th: King Sihamoni's Coronation day celebrates the day when the current ruler was made King in 1994.
31st: King Sihanouk's birthday (the current King's father). The King father is a controversial figure. He has played a large part in Cambodia's history, as King, Prime Minister, Head of State, and a filmmaker.
King Sihanouk's birthday preparation.
Photo by R. McFarland
November
9th: National Independence Day celebrates Cambodia's independence from France in 1953. Cambodia fell under French protectorate in 1863, making it 90 year occupation.
19-21st: Water festival ceremony (Bon Om
Tuk) is when the boat races are held. Phnom Penh holds races at a
larger scale, but Siem Reap also has its races. During the ancient
times, this is how the King chooses his most powerful warriors, by
choosing champions from the boat competitions. The festival is
ongoing for 3 days, and so naturally this is one of the most celebrated
Cambodia holidays.
December
10th: Human Rights Day celebrates the UN's adoption of the declaration of the universal human rights in 1948.
What other Cambodia travel info do you need to know about?
What
is the Cambodian Currency?
The Cambodian currency is called Riel. However, most Cambodians prefer
US dollar than their own currency. The littlest shop will quote the
price in dollar, and they keep on saying that their own money
Finding Cheap Flights To Cambodia
How to find cheap flights to Cambodia. Tips on when and where to find
it. List of airlines
Cambodia
Climate and Weather
The Cambodia climate is a tropical monsoon climate. The whole year is
basically consisted of two seasons, the monsoon or rainy season, and
the dry season. Which time is best for visiting? It depends.
Map
of Cambodia
Where is The Kingdom of Cambodia, exactly? This Google Map of Cambodia
shows you exactly where it is. Have an idea where you're heading before
you go!
Return
from Cambodia Holidays to Cambodia travel information
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exciting stuff like visa, currency, flights, airports, weather, etc
etc? Click here for detailed info!
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