Cambodia has a number of public holidays throughout the year, many of which are religious or cultural in nature. If you are planning a trip to Cambodia, it is important to be aware of the public holidays, as many businesses and government offices may be closed on these days.
The most important public holidays in Cambodia
Khmer New Year (Bon Chol Chhnam Thmei): This is the most important holiday in Cambodia, and is celebrated over three days in April. It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the new year.
Water Festival (Bon Om Touk): This festival is celebrated in November, and coincides with the full moon. It is a time for Cambodians to celebrate the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the dry season.
Pchum Ben: This is a 15-day festival that is celebrated in September or October. It is a time for Cambodians to pay their respects to their ancestors.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony: This ceremony is held in May, and is a traditional way to mark the beginning of the planting season.
Independence Day: This holiday is celebrated on November 9, and marks the day that Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953.
In addition to these major holidays, there are also a number of other public holidays in Cambodia, such as:
New Year’s Day (January 1): This is a global holiday that is celebrated in Cambodia.
International Women’s Day (March 8): This is a global holiday that is celebrated in Cambodia to honor women’s achievements.
Victory over Genocide Day (January 7): This holiday commemorates the end of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia.
How many public holidays does Cambodia have? It depends. In 2023, the number of days off are less as the holidays coincide with the weekends.
The most important holiday of the year is Khmer New Year (Bon Chol Chhnam Thmei in Khmer) in mid April.
This is a complete list of Cambodia’s national public holidays in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017 (from ministry of labor). The day(s) off is/are meant for government officials, although businesses have to observe these national holidays. Cambodian people enjoy about 20 days of public holidays in Cambodia, probably more than other countries in the world.
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Public holidays in Cambodia in 2024
Please note that these dates are subject to change, so it is always best to check with the Cambodian government or a local source for the most up-to-date information.
New Year’s Day – January 1
Victory over Genocide Day – January 7
International Women’s Day – March 8
Khmer New Year – April 14, 15, 16, 17
International Labour Day – May 1
King’s Birthday – May 13, 14
Royal Plowing Ceremony – May 20
Visak Bochea Day – May 22, 23
Constitution Day – September 24
Ancestors’ Day – October 1, 2, 3
Commemoration Day of King’s Father – October 15
Independence Day – November 9
Water Festival – November 14, 15, 16
Holidays and Observances in Cambodia in 2023
1 Jan Sunday New Year Public Holiday 7 Jan Saturday Victory over Genocide Day Public Holiday 8 Mar Wednesday International Women Day Public Holiday 14 Apr Friday Khmer New Year Day (Day 1) Public Holiday 15 Apr Saturday Khmer New Year Day (Day 2) Public Holiday 16 Apr Sunday Khmer New Year Day (Day 3) Public Holiday 1 May Monday Labour Day Public Holiday 4 May Thursday Visak Bochea Day Public Holiday 8 May Monday Royal Plowing Ceremony Public Holiday 14 May Sunday King’s Birthday Public Holiday 18 Jun Sunday King’s Mother’s Birthday Public Holiday 24 Sep Sunday Constitutional Day Public Holiday 13 Oct Friday Pchum Ben Festival Public Holiday 14 Oct Saturday Pchum Ben Festival Public Holiday 15 Oct Sunday Pchum Ben Festival Public Holiday 15 Oct Sunday Commemoration Day of King’s Father Public Holiday 29 Oct Sunday King’s Coronation Day Public Holiday 9 Nov Thursday Independence Day Public Holiday 26 Nov Sunday Water Festival Ceremony (Day 1) Public Holiday 27 Nov Monday Water Festival Ceremony (Day 2) Public Holiday 28 Nov Tuesday Water Festival Ceremony (Day 3) Public Holiday 22 Dec Friday December Solstice Season
Public Holidays in Cambodia in 2022
Cambodia now has 21 official national holiday days in 2022:
January 1, Global Day January 7, Victory Day over the genocidal regime March 8, International Women’s Day April 14-15-16, Khmer New Year May 01, International Labor Day May 14, The Royal Birthday of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, King of the Kingdom of Cambodia May 15, Vesak Bochea Festival May 19, Royal Plowing Ceremony June 18, the Royal Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, the Queen Mother of Cambodia September 24, Constitution Day September 24-25-26, Pchum Ben festival October 15, Day in Honor of the Late King Norodom Sihanouk, His Majesty the King Father, Independence, Territorial Integrity and Khmer National Unity October 29, Royal Ceremony of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, King of the Kingdom of Cambodia November 07-08-09, the Royal Water Festival November 9, National Independence Day
Cambodia’s Public Holidays in 2021 (the official calendar)
New Year’s Day Fri, Jan 1, 2021 Victory Day Thu, Jan 7, 2021 International Women’s Day Mon, Mar 8, 2021 Cambodian New Year Apr 14 – 16, 2021 Labour Day Mon, May 3, 2021 King Sihamoni’s Birthday May 13 – 14, 2021 King Sihamoni’s Birthday Mon, May 17, 2021 National Day of Remembrance Thu, May 20, 2021 Children’s Day Tue, Jun 1, 2021 Queen Mother’s Birthday Fri, Jun 18, 2021 Constitution Day Fri, Sep 24, 2021 Commemoration Day of King Father, Norodom Sihanouk Fri, Oct 15, 2021 Paris Peace Agreements Day Mon, Oct 25, 2021 King Norodom Sihamoni’s Coronation Day Fri, Oct 29, 2021 Independence Day Tue, Nov 9, 2021 Independence Day of Cambodia Tue, Nov 9, 2021 Human Rights Day Fri, Dec 10, 2021
Cambodia’s Public Holidays in 2020
Starting in 2020, public holidays for civil servants and those in the business workforce have been cut down dramatically. New Year’s Day Wed, Jan 1, 2020 Victory Day Tue, Jan 7, 2020 Meak Bochea Day Likely Mon, Feb 10, 2020 International Women’s Day Mon, Mar 9, 2020 Cambodian New Year Apr 14 – 16, 2020 Labour Day Fri, May 1, 2020 Vesak Likely Wed, May 6, 2020 Royal Ploughing Ceremony Likely Mon, May 11, 2020 King Sihamoni’s Birthday May 13 – 15, 2020 National Day of Remembrance Wed, May 20, 2020 Children’s Day Mon, Jun 1, 2020 Queen Mother’s Birthday Thu, Jun 18, 2020 Pchum Ben Day Sep 16 – 18, 2020 Constitution Day Thu, Sep 24, 2020 Commemoration Day of King Father, Norodom Sihanouk Thu, Oct 15, 2020 Paris Peace Agreements Day Fri, Oct 23, 2020 King Norodom Sihamoni’s Coronation Day Thu, Oct 29, 2020 Bon Om Touk Oct 30 – Nov 2, 2020 Independence Day Mon, Nov 9, 2020 Human Rights Day Thu, Dec 10, 2020
Cambodia’s Public Holidays in 2019
1 Jan Tue New Year’s Day 7 Jan Mon Victory Day 19 Feb Tue Meak Bochea Day 8 Mar Fri International Women’s Day 14 Apr to 17 Apr Sun to Wed Khmer New Year 1 May Wed Labour Day 13 May to 15 May Mon to Wed King Norodom Sihamoni’s Birthday 18 May Sat Visak Bochea Day 20 May Mon National Day of Remembrance 22 May Wed Royal Ploughing Ceremony 1 Jun Sat Children’s Day 18 Jun Tue Queen Mother’s Birthday 24 Sep Tue Constitution Day 27 Sep to 30 Sep Fri to Mon Pchum Ben 15 Oct Tue Commemoration of Late King Father 23 Oct Wed Paris Peace Agreements Day 29 Oct Tue King Norodom Sihamoni’s Coronation Day 9 Nov Sat Independence Day 10 Nov to 13 Nov Sun to Wed Bon Om Touk 10 Dec Tue Human Rights Day
Cambodia’s Public Holidays in 2018
Date Day Holiday 1 Jan Mon New Year’s Day 7 Jan Sun Victory Day 8 Jan Mon Victory Day Holiday 31 Jan Wed Meak Bochea Day 8 Mar Thu International Women’s Day 14 Apr to 17 Apr Sat to Tue Khmer New Year 1 May Tue Labour Day 3 May Thu Royal Ploughing Ceremony 13 May to 16 May Sun to Wed King Norodom Sihamoni’s Birthday 29 May Tue Visak Bochea Day 1 Jun Fri Children’s Day 18 Jun Mon Queen Mother’s Birthday 24 Sep Mon Constitution Day 8 Oct to 10 Oct Mon to Wed Pchum Ben 15 Oct Mon Commemoration of Late King Father 23 Oct Tue Paris Peace Agreements Day 29 Oct Mon King Norodom Sihamoni’s Coronation Day 9 Nov Fri Independence Day 21 Nov to 23 Nov Wed to Fri Bon Om Touk 10 Dec Mon Human Rights Day
Cambodia’s Public Holidays in 2017
01 January International New Year Day
07 January Victory over Genocide Day 11 February Meak Bochea Day 08 March International Women’s Day 14-15-16 April Khmer New Year Day 01 May International Labor Day 10 May Visak Bochea Day 13-14-15 May King Norodom Sihamoni’s Birth Day 14 May Royal Plowing Ceremony Day 01 June International Children Day 18 June Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk’s Birth Day 19-20-21 September Pchum Ben Day 24 September Constitutional day 15 October Commemoration Day of Former King Norodom Sihanouk 23 October Anniversary of the Paris Peace Accord 29 October King Norodom Sihakmoni’s Coronation Day 02-03-04 November Water Festival 09 November Independence Day 10 December International Human Rights Day