Public Holiday in Cambodia - 2012


Most legal holidays fall on the same dates every year. Some holidays such as Khmer New Year, Visakhaboja, Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Prachum Ben and the Water Festival follow the lunar calendar and move a few days forward or back each year. Some holidays which are not legal holidays in Cambodia such as Chinese New Year receive almost as much attention and celebration as legal holidays.

Month Day Descriptions No. of Days Holiday
January 1

International New Year Day - Celebrates the beginning of the Gregorian New Year.

 1 day
January 7 Liberation Day - It is a national holiday was established to commemorate the end of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979. 1 day
February 7 Meakh Bochea Day - It is national holiday was established to commemorate the spontaneous gathering of monks to listen to the Buddha's preaching. 1 day
March 8 International Women's Day - It is a national holiday was established to commemorate the brave history of women around the world. 1 day
April 13-14-15 Cambodian New Year Days - They are the national holiday was established to celebrate the New Year in Cambodia. The holiday lasts for three days and are considered to be the most important festival on the calendar. 3 days
May 1 International Labor Day - It is a national holiday was established as

a Buddhist observance commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha.

 1 day
May 5 Visakh Bochea Day - It is a national holiday was established to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. 1 day
May 9 Royal Plouging Ceremony Day - It is a national holiday corresponds to the start of the planting season. 1 day
May 13-14-15 King Norodom Sihamony's Birthdays - They are the national holiday was established to celebrate the birthday of HM King Norodom Sihamoni on May 14, 1953. 3 days
June 1 International Children Day 1 day
June 18 Queen's Birthday - It is a national holiday was established to celebrate the birthday of Queen Mother Norodom Monineath on June 18, 1936. 1 day
September 24 Constitutional Day - It is a national holiday was established to celebrate the signing of the Cambodian constitution by King Sihanouk. 1 day
October 14-15-16 Pchum Ben Days - They are the national holiday was established for buddhist to pay their respects to deceased relatives by cooking meals for monks and making offerings to the "ghost" of deceased relatives. It is also known as "Ancestor's Day". 3 days
October 29 Coronation of the King Sihamony
 1 day
October 31 H.M. King Norodom Sihanouk's Birthday - It is a national holiday was established to celebrate the birthday of King Father Norodom Sihanouk on October 31, 1922. 1 day
November 9 National Independent Day - It is a national holiday was established to celebrate Cambodia's independence from France in 1953. 1 day
November 27-28-29 Water Festival Days - They are the national holiday was established to celebrate the time when the water in the Mekong and Tonle Sap river changes course.
 3 days
December 10 International Human Right Day - It is a national holiday was established to commemorate the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) 1 day