Cambodia Travel Guide

Festivals and Event

January 01
International New Year’s Day

January 07
Victory Day over Genocide

March 08
International Women's Day

April 13-16
Khmer New Year
The New Year Festival spans three days following the end of the harvest season. People clean and decorate their houses with altars of offerings. People play many traditional games at this time of the year.

May 01
International Labour Day

May 15
Visaka Bochea Day
Birthday of Buddha.

May 19
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
The Royal Ploughing ceremony announces the start of the planting season. The ploughing is performed by a man, King, who leads the yoke and plough, followed by a woman, the Queen, who sows seeds.

June 01
International Children's Day

June 18
Samdech Preah Reach Aka Mohesey Norodom Monineath Sihanouk’s Birthday

September 24
Constitution's Day and Recoronation Day of H.M. Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk

September 24-26
Pchum Ben Day

October
This is a 30-day religious festival when town and country folks march in procession to the pagoda where the monks are waiting to change their old saffron robes for new ones offered during the festivals. The ceremony brings spiritual merit to both lay people and the monks.

October 7-9
Water Festival, Moon Festival

October 23
Paris Peace Agreement on Cambodia

Oct 30-31, Nov 01
H.M.Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk's Birthday

November 09
Independence Day
The date Cambodia achieved independence from France in 1953 is marked by a parade of spectacular floats highlighting the nation’s achievements.

December 10
United Nations Human Rights Day
A festival of many traditional dance forms.

Cambodia Visas

All Foreign Visitors are now able to obtain the Cambodia visa upon arrival at the airport.  It is no longer necessary to get the visa stamp at the Cambodian Embassy before your visit. Just prepare the following documents:

• A Passport Photocopy
• 1 photos (3 x 4 cm)
• US$ 20 Cash for tourist visa fee (Paid directly to the Immigration)

The Cambodia Visa is issued officially at the following ports of entry:

By Air

• Pochentong Airport in Phnompenh
• Siemreap Airport (Angkor Wat Region)

By Land

Travelers can travel to/from Cambodia by land through Aranyapathet-Poipet Border and Trat-Koh Kong Border of Thailand and Moc Bai - Bavet Border of Vietnam

Cambodia Visa Validity:  30 days from the date of issue, *NOT* from the date of entry.

Visa Extension

• Travelers who would like to prolong their stay in Cambodia may extend their visa at the Department of Immigration situated just opposite the Pochentong Airport. The visa may be extended for 30 days at the cost of USD 25
• Some travelers have reported that the visa extension for another one month was no longer possible, since the middle of June 2000. If you expect to stay more than a month, better get a Business visa at one shot for USD 25 with three months validity.