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List of Public Holidays in Cambodia for year 2010.
Please note that many public holidays in Cambodia are either traditional festivals or Buddhist holidays, which are based on lunar calendars, thus the holiday dates change from year to year.
We do not and cannot guarantee accurate of the calendar. Use it at your own risk.
International New Year’s DayThe celebration of New Year’s Eve has become more and more popular in Cambodia, and although not an official holiday, many offices are closed.
Friday, 1 January 2010
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Victory over Genocide DayThis national holiday commemorates Vietnamese-backed troops taking the capital from the Khmer Rouge in 1979. It marks the end of the Khmer Rouge regime after their defeat to the Vietnamese.
Thursday, 7 January 2010
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Chinese New YearFirst new moon in the Chinese lunar calendar. An important celebration to Cambodians with chinese origin.
Sunday, 14 February 2010
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Meak Bochea Day /Magha Puja DayAn important Buddhist holy day, celebrated in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos on the full moon day of the third lunar month in Buddhist Calendar. The month is known in the Thai language as Makha (Pali: Magha). Bucha, also a Thai word (Pali: Puja), meaning to venerate or to honor. As such, Makha Bucha Day is for the veneration of Buddha and his teachings.
Sunday, 28 February 2010
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Women’s DayThis United Nations-inspired holiday, International day for women has become a big deal. Don’t hope to get anything done.
Monday, 8 March 2010
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Cambodian Khmer New Year/Chaul Chnam ThmeyPossibly Cambodia’s most important holiday. The cities empty as Cambodians rush to spend the holiday with family. The holiday lasts for three days beginning on New Year’s Day. This time of the year is at the end of the harvesting season. The farmers enjoy the fruits of their harvest and relax before the rainy season begins. Gifts and tips are especially auspicious during April and should be accompanied with the phrase ‘Sok Sabay, Ch’nam Tmey’ (Happy New Year!)
Wednesday, 14 April 2010Thursday,
15 April 2010Friday,
16 April 2010
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Labour Daya relatively minor holiday. Embassies advise avoiding large labor-related gatherings and rallies falling on this day as union disputes can occasionally turn violent.
Saturday, 1 May 2010
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Royal Ploughing Day CeremonyKnown in Cambodia as Pithi Chrat Preah Neangkol, this public holiday corresponds to the start of the planting season. Royal astrologers will predict the coming season’s weather.
Monday, 10 May 2010
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HM King Sihamoni’s BirthdayCommemorates the birthday of King Norodom Sihamoni on 14 May 1953. The current king was crowned in 2004 after the abdication of his father, Norodom Sihanouk.
Thursday, 13 May 2010Friday,
14 May 2010Saturday,
15 May 2010
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Visaka Bochea / Visaka Buja DayVesak Day, Buddhist observance commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha
Friday, 28 May 2010
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HM the Queen Mother’s BirthdayCommemorates the birthday of The Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk. Cambodians have a deep affection for the queen mother. Even so, this is a minor holiday which does not usually affect travel.
Friday, 18 June 2010
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Pchum Ben DayFestival of the Ancestors. Buddhist tradition demands Cambodians visit many pagodas over two weeks. Food, flowers, rice and gifts are given to the monks to convey to the afterlife so the dead do not haunt the living. This is a particularly poignant celebration given Cambodia’s recent history.
Friday, 22 October 2010
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Sunday, 24 October 2010
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Cambodia Constitution DayA public holiday called to celebrate the anniversary signing of the Cambodian new constitution by King Sihanouk on 24 September 1993
Friday, 24 September 2010
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Cambodia Coronation DayCambodia Coronation Day is the anniversary of the coronation of current King Norodom Sihamoni.
Friday, 29 October 2010
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Former HM King Sihanouk’s BirthdayRetired king Sihanouk is indisputably Cambodia’s most important modern monarch and still widely regarded as divine.
Sunday, 31 October 2010
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Water Festival / Bon Om ThookMillions teem into Phnom Penh from the provinces to celebrate the end of monsoon season. Dragon boats race for three days with the king overseeing. Perhaps the best time of any for meeting the people and enjoying the culture of Cambodia but the capital is impossibly crowded!
Friday, 19 November 2010
Saturday, 20 November 2010
Sunday, 20 November 2010
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Cambodia Independence DayMarks anniversary of independence from France. King Sihamoni visits Independence Monument in Phnom Penh.
Thursday, 9 November 2010
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Human Rights DayA United Nations-inspired holiday. Unlikely to affect travel plans but government offices are closed.
Friday, 10 December 2010
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Also check out 2010 Public Holidays in other countries.
Related articles:
Cambodia National Public Holidays For Year 2009 Calendar
Thailand 2010 Public Holidays & Festivals Calendar
Malaysia Public Holidays Calendar 2010
Philippines 2010 Public Holidays Calendar
Australia 2010 Public Holidays Calendar
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More events with pictures:
Here you'll find the 2010 dates of official public holidays, religious ceremonies and other festivals in Cambodia. Holidays falling on a Saturday or a Sunday are taken on the following Monday.
Plus some links to online picture albums of Cambodian festivals and more in-depth information on the celebrations mentioned, like the Water Festival and Khmer New Year.
Date in 2010 Festival Remarks:
January 1
New Year's Day
Although an official holiday, not widely celebrated in Cambodia, only by expats and tourists.
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January 7
Liberation Day
Mixed feelings on this day as it marks the Vietnamese invasion, which ended the Khmer Rouge regime. But a lot of Cambodians feel the Vietnamese later occupied their country.Read more...
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January 30
Meak Bochea
Marks the four auspicious occasions, which happened nine months after the Enlightenment of the Lord Buddha at Veluvana Bamboo Grove, near Rajagaha in Northern India. More on Wikipedia.
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February 13-14-15
Chinese New Year, the year of the Tiger.
This is the New Year of both the Chinese and Vietnamese lunar calendar.NOT an official holiday, but widely celebrated in Cambodia. Almost all shops are closed.Read more...
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March 8
International Women's Day
Celebrated with marches, gatherings and cultural events
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April 14-15-16
Khmer New Year
Celebrated for 3 days after the end of the harvest to mark the turn of the year according to the Buddhist lunar calendar. Every home is decorated, shrines are filled with food and traditional games performed. Best place to watch or take part: around Wat Phnom in Phnom Penh.Read more...
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April 28
Visakha Bochea
Birth of Buddha
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May 1
Labour Day
Better Factories
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May 2
Bonn Chrott Preah Nongkoal
Royal Ploughing Ceremony. This is celebrated to alert the nation of the commencement of the rainy season and to ready farmers for the ploughing period. Cows are given a variety of crops to eat. Based on the choices of crops eaten, predictions are made for the coming year's harvest.
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May 13-14-15
King Sihamoni's birthday
No festivities, only evening fireworks on the river front in Phnom Penh.
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June 1
International Childrens' Day
Some NGO's organize special activities for children. For the rest the day goes by unnoticed.
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June 18
King's Mother Birthday, Norodom Monineath Sihanouk
No festivities
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October 7-8-9
Bonn Pchum Ben
A colourful religious festival blessing the souls of ancestors, relatives and friends alike who have passed away.Household members attend Buddhist temples.Colourful offerings in the pagodas.Read more...
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September 24
Constitution Day
Constitution of Cambodia
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October 29
King Sihamoni Coronation Day
No festivities, only evening fireworks on the river front in Phnom Penh.
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October 31
King's Father Birthday, Norodom Sihanouk
No festivities, only evening fireworks on the river front in Phnom Penh.
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November 20-21-22
Water Festival
Marks the reversing flow of Tonle Sap River and also ushers in the fishing season. The highlight of the event, are the boat races that are held over three days. When night falls, fireworks light the sky and a lighted flotilla of boats sail aloft for good luck. People from all walks of life gather on the bank of the Tonle Sap for several days and nights. The population of Phnom Penh doubles during this festival. Colourful, very busy.Read more...
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November 9
Independence Day (1953)
Celebrated with a ceremony early morning at the Independence Monument, usually with the King attending. Fireworks at night on the river front. In 2008 this will no doubt be the start of the water festival celebrations which start two days later.
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December 10
Human Rights Day
Human Rights Watch
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