The Ultimate Cambodia Holiday Guide
The only official 2025 & 2026 calendar (MLVT Prakas), data-driven survival guides, and the ‘Unfair Advantage’ for planning your life in the Kingdom.
Stop searching for outdated or unverified lists. This is the single source of truth for planning your business, vacation, or family gatherings in Cambodia.
We’ve sourced the official government Prakas (decrees) from the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) to provide the only accurate, dual-year calendar available anywhere. Unlike competitors, we provide both the official 2025 (Prakas No. 218/24) and 2026 (Prakas No. 216/25) holiday lists.
But dates are just the beginning. This is a strategic guide. We’ll show you which holidays to embrace (Water Festival), which to avoid for travel (Pchum Ben), and which turn Phnom Penh into a “ghost town” (Khmer New Year).
Official 2025 Public Holiday Calendar
Sourced directly from MLVT Prakas No. 218/24. Click any holiday for more details.
| Date | Holiday Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | International New Year’s Day | |
|
TypeHistorical/Intl
Key InsightStandard one-day closure. Banks/Govt closed.
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| Jan 7 | Victory over Genocide Day | |
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TypeHistorical/Intl
Key InsightSolemn state holiday. Banks/Govt closed.
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| Mar 8 | International Women’s Day | |
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TypeHistorical/Intl
Key InsightBanks/Govt closed. Many NGOs host events.
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| Apr 14-16 | Khmer New Year (Choul Chnam Thmey) | |
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TypeReligious
Key InsightCRITICAL: 7-day biz shutdown. PNH is a ghost town.
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| May 1 | International Labor Day | |
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TypeHistorical/Intl
Key InsightStandard one-day closure. Banks/Govt closed.
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| May 11 | Visak Bochea Day | |
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TypeReligious
Key InsightHoliest Buddhist day. Quiet, respectful.
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| May 14 | King Norodom Sihamoni’s Birthday | |
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TypeRoyal
Key InsightBanks/Govt closed.
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| May 15 | Royal Ploughing Ceremony | |
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TypeRoyal
Key InsightMarks start of rice season. Date is lunar-based.
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| Jun 18 | Queen Mother Monineath’s Birthday | |
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TypeRoyal
Key InsightBanks/Govt closed.
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| Sep 21-23 | Pchum Ben Festival (Ancestors’ Day) | |
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TypeReligious
Key InsightCRITICAL: Mass travel. Do NOT plan travel.
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| Sep 24 | Constitutional Day | |
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TypeHistorical/Intl
Key InsightBanks/Govt closed. No public events.
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| Oct 15 | Commemoration of King Father Sihanouk | |
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TypeRoyal
Key InsightSolemn day of remembrance. Banks/Govt closed.
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| Oct 29 | King Sihamoni’s Coronation Day | |
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TypeRoyal
Key InsightBanks/Govt closed.
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| Nov 4-6 | Water Festival (Bon Om Touk) | |
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TypeHistorical/Intl
Key InsightMAJOR EVENT: Millions in PNH. Book hotels NOW.
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| Nov 9 | National Independence Day | |
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TypeHistorical/Intl
Key InsightFormal ceremony at Independence Monument.
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| Dec 29 | Peace Day in Cambodia | |
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TypeHistorical/Intl
Key InsightNewer holiday. Banks/Govt closed.
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Official 2026 Public Holiday Calendar
Sourced from MLVT Prakas No. 216/25. Plan your 2026 staffing, budgets, and vacations with 100% confidence.
2026 HR/Biz Insight: The “Combined Holiday”
Look closely at May 1, 2026. Labor Day & Visak Bochea Day fall on the same date. The official Prakas lists this as a single paid holiday, not two. Budget your payroll and staffing accordingly. This is the kind of detail competitors miss.
| Date | Holiday Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | International New Year’s Day | |
|
TypeHistorical/Intl
Key InsightStandard one-day closure.
|
||
| Jan 7 | Victory over Genocide Day | |
|
TypeHistorical/Intl
Key InsightBanks/Govt closed.
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| Mar 8 | International Women’s Day | |
|
TypeHistorical/Intl
Key InsightBanks/Govt closed.
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| Apr 14-16 | Khmer New Year (Choul Chnam Thmey) | |
|
TypeReligious
Key InsightCRITICAL: 7-day biz shutdown. PNH is a ghost town.
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| May 1 | Intl. Labor Day & Visak Bochea Day | |
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TypeHistorical/Intl
Key InsightBIZ ALERT: This is a single combined holiday.
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| May 5 | Royal Ploughing Ceremony | |
|
TypeRoyal
Key InsightMarks start of rice season. Date is lunar-based.
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| May 14 | King Norodom Sihamoni’s Birthday | |
|
TypeRoyal
Key InsightBanks/Govt closed.
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| Jun 18 | Queen Mother Monineath’s Birthday | |
|
TypeRoyal
Key InsightBanks/Govt closed.
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| Sep 24 | Constitutional Day | |
|
TypeHistorical/Intl
Key InsightBanks/Govt closed. No public events.
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| Oct 10-12 | Pchum Ben Festival (Ancestors’ Day) | |
|
TypeReligious
Key InsightCRITICAL: Mass travel. Do NOT plan travel.
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| Oct 15 | Commemoration of King Father Sihanouk | |
|
TypeRoyal
Key InsightSolemn day of remembrance.
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| Oct 29 | King Sihamoni’s Coronation Day | |
|
TypeRoyal
Key InsightBanks/Govt closed.
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| Nov 9 | National Independence Day | |
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TypeHistorical/Intl
Key InsightFormal ceremony at Independence Monument.
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| Nov 23-25 | Water Festival (Bon Om Touk) | |
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TypeHistorical/Intl
Key InsightMAJOR EVENT: Millions in PNH. Book hotels NOW.
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| Dec 29 | Peace Day in Cambodia | |
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TypeHistorical/Intl
Key InsightNewer holiday. Banks/Govt closed.
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The “Big 3” Holiday Survival Guides
Not all holidays are created equal. Most are simple one-day closures for banks. The “Big 3” – Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben, and Bon Om Touk – are multi-day events that transform the entire country.
Understanding the difference is the key to a successful trip or a smoothly-run business. Here is our data-driven survival guide for each.
1. Khmer New Year (Choul Chnam Thmey)
When: April 14-16, annually.
What it is: Cambodia’s most important and joyous festival, marking the end of the harvest season. It’s a 3-day spiritual and family-focused event… which has evolved into the nation’s biggest water fight.
The “Ghost Town” Effect: This is the critical insight. KNY is a family holiday. The vast majority of Phnom Penh’s residents leave the city to return to their home provinces (srok). The result? Phnom Penh becomes a “ghost town” with 80-90% of local businesses, markets, and restaurants completely shut for up to a week.
KNY Showdown: Phnom Penh vs. Siem Reap
| Feature | 👻 Phnom Penh | 🎉 Siem Reap (Recommended) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Ghost Town | Global Epicenter | |
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Phnom Penh80%+ of residents leave. Eerily quiet.
Siem ReapPacked with locals and tourists for the party.
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| Main Event | Small local events | Massive Angkor Sankranta | |
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Phnom PenhSmall local celebrations at Wat Phnom.
Siem ReapMassive Angkor Sankranta festival in the Angkor Park.
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| Water Fights | Scattered / Isolated | City-Wide / Intense | |
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Phnom PenhScattered and isolated.
Siem ReapCity-wide, intense. Pub Street becomes a giant, friendly water battle.
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| Closures | Extreme (90%+) | High (Manageable) | |
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Phnom PenhExtreme. 90%+ of local biz closed. Hard to find food.
Siem ReapHigh, but manageable. The entire tourist hub is booming.
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| Verdict | AVOID | GO! | |
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Phnom PenhThe worst time to be in the capital.
Siem ReapThe #1 place in Cambodia to be. Book 3-6 months ahead.
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2. Pchum Ben (Ancestors’ Day)
When: Sept 21-23, 2025 | Oct 10-12, 2026 (Lunar-based)
What it is: The most sacred and important religious holiday. It’s a 15-day period (culminating in the 3-day holiday) where Cambodians pay respect to their ancestors. It’s believed the gates of hell open, and spirits roam the earth. Families visit pagodas to make offerings of food (like Bay Ben rice balls) to transfer merit and ease their ancestors’ suffering.
CRITICAL: The 2.14 Million Person Problem
This holiday causes the largest mass domestic migration of the year. Ministry of Tourism data shows 2,144,224 people traveled during the 3-day holiday in 2025. This means all buses are sold out, roads are dangerously congested, and provincial towns are packed.
MoveKH Recommendation: DO NOT plan inter-province travel during this period. Phnom Penh will be a “ghost town” (like KNY), but travel routes will be at a critical breaking point.
Top 5 Pchum Ben Destinations (2025)
Of the 2.14M domestic travelers, only 24,443 were foreign visitors. This is an overwhelmingly domestic event.
3. Bon Om Touk (Water Festival)
When: Nov 4-6, 2025 | Nov 23-25, 2026 (Lunar-based)
What it is: Cambodia’s most spectacular public event. This 3-day festival in Phnom Penh celebrates the unique natural phenomenon of the Tonle Sap river reversing its flow. It’s a massive party with hundreds of traditional long-boat races, illuminated floats, fireworks, and concerts, all focused on the riverside in front of the Royal Palace.
CRITICAL MYTH-BUSTER
There are ZERO water fights during Bon Om Touk. Tourists who confuse “Water Festival” (the name) with “water fights” (the KNY activity) will be very disappointed. This is a festival of watching the water (and boat races), not throwing it.
Bon Om Touk “Pro-Viewing” Strategy
Millions of people descend on a 2km stretch of riverside. The street level is a crush of people and a risk for pickpockets. Do not watch from the street. Use this map to find a smart viewing spot.
Tourist Planner: Embrace, Avoid, or Ignore?
Use this master framework to plan your vacation. The “Big 3” are the only ones that require serious planning.
| Holiday | Recommendation | |
|---|---|---|
| Khmer New Year | EMBRACE (in Siem Reap) | |
|
VibeFestive (Water Fights)
ClosuresExtreme (90%+)
Travel ImpactCritical (Book 2-3 months ahead)
Full TipGO to Siem Reap for the party. AVOID Phnom Penh (it’s a ghost town).
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| Pchum Ben | AVOID (All Travel) | |
|
VibeSolemn (Religious)
ClosuresExtreme (80%+)
Travel ImpactCRITICAL (2.1M+ travelers)
Full TipThis is the worst time for inter-city travel. Stay put. Do not travel.
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| Bon Om Touk | EMBRACE (in Phnom Penh) | |
|
VibeFestive (Races)
ClosuresMedium (Govt/Banks)
Travel ImpactCritical (Book PNH hotels 3-6 months)
Full TipThis is the main event. GO to Phnom Penh. Book a rooftop view now.
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| All Other Holidays | IGNORE | |
|
VibeNone
ClosuresLow (Govt/Banks)
Travel ImpactNone
Full TipYour trip is unaffected. Just be aware that visa extension offices or embassies will be closed.
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Expat & Business Planning Guide
For residents and business owners, holidays aren’t a vacation—they’re a logistical challenge. Here’s what you need to know.
A simple rule: on all 21 official paid holidays, all government offices are closed. This includes the Ministry of Interior (for visa extensions), the Ministry of Commerce (for business licenses), the General Department of Taxation, and all banks. Plan your visa renewals and admin tasks accordingly.
For businesses that must stay open (hotels, restaurants), you are legally required to comply with the labor law. If an employee agrees to work on a paid holiday, you must provide a compensatory day off at a later date. You must maintain a list of this rotational leave for labor inspections.
As noted in the 2026 calendar, May 1st (Labor Day) and Visak Bochea Day fall on the same date. The MLVT has officially declared this a single paid holiday. Do not budget for two separate paid holidays or days-in-lieu. This single-day observance is the official mandate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Khmer New Year and Water Festival? +
This is the most common confusion.
- Khmer New Year (April) is the “water fight” holiday. It’s a 3-day nationwide party where people throw water and powder. Phnom Penh becomes a “ghost town.”
- Water Festival (Nov) is the “boat race” holiday. There are NO water fights. It’s a massive festival in Phnom Penh to watch boat races, concerts, and fireworks.
Can I travel in Cambodia during Pchum Ben?
We strongly advise against it. Pchum Ben causes the largest mass domestic migration of the year (2.14 million people in 2025). All buses will be sold out, roads dangerously gridlocked, and taxis will charge 2-3x the normal price. If you are in a city, stay put.
What is the official source for these holiday dates?
The one and only official source is a Prakas (decree) issued annually by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT). Our 2025 list is from Prakas No. 218/24 and our 2026 list is from Prakas No. 216/25. Any list that doesn’t cite these sources is unverified.
Is everything closed on a public holiday in Cambodia?
No. For most of the 21 holidays, only banks, government offices, and corporate offices close. Restaurants, cafes, and tourist sites remain open.
The only exceptions are Khmer New Year and Pchum Ben, during which 80-90% of all businesses (including local restaurants and markets) will close, especially in Phnom Penh.
What is the dress code for visiting a pagoda during a holiday?
Respect is key, especially during a sacred holiday like Pchum Ben (where many locals wear white). You must cover your shoulders and knees. This means no shorts, short skirts, or tank tops. Remove your hat and shoes before entering any temple building.
Ready to Plan Your Life in Cambodia?
Understanding the holidays is the first step to truly living like a local. Whether you’re planning a move or finding your next home, our guides can help you navigate the Kingdom.
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