There are 15 public holidays with 20 days in Cambodia in 2023, 11 of which fall on weekends.
New Year's Day
New Year Holiday, celebrated on January 1, 2023, is the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar, and it is one of the most popular holidays in the world.
Victory over Genocide Day
Victory over Genocide Day, observed on January 7, 2023, commemorates the end of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979. Supported by the Chinese Communist Party, the Khmer Rouge took power in 1975 and tried to turn Cambodia into a socialist agrarian republic.
International Women's Day
The holiday is one of the most important days to recognize women's achievements and raise awareness about women's equality. It is observed on March 8, 2023.
Cambodian New Year
Cambodian New Year is one of the most important celebrations in Cambodia, and it coincides with the traditional solar new year. In 2023, it falls on Apr 14, and the celebration lasts three days.
Labour Day
Labour Day is observed on May 1, 2023, and it celebrates the achievements of workers. The holiday originates in the eight-hour day movement, which is eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.
Vesak Festival
Visak Bochea Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Gautama Buddha, the religious leader from Ancient India. He was the founder of the world religion of Buddhism. It falls on a full moon day in the month of Vaisakh in the Hindu calendar, around April and May each year. In 2023, it falls on May 04.
Royal Plowing Ceremony
The Royal Plowing Ceremony is an important traditional agricultural festival in Cambodia, celebrated on May 8, 2023. It marks the beginning of the rice-growing season and symbolizes the importance of agriculture to the Cambodian people.
King Norodom Sihamoni's Birthday
King Norodom Sihamoni's Birthday, observed on May 14, 2023, celebrates the birthday of the current king of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni, born on May 14, 1953. He became King of Cambodia on October 14, 2004, and was crowned on October 29, 2004.
Queen Mother's Birthday
Queen Mother's Birthday, observed on June 18, 2023, celebrates the birthday of Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, the queen consort of Cambodia from 1993 to 2004 as the wife of King Norodom Sihanouk. She is the mother of the current King of Norodom Sihamoni, and was born on June 18, 1936.
Constitutional Day
Constitutional Day, observed on September 24, 2023, celebrates the anniversary of when Prince Sihanouk signed the constitution into law on September 24, 1993. On this day, the Kingdom of Cambodia was formally established, and Norodom Sihanouk was restored as King of Cambodia.
Pchum Ben
Pchum Ben is a 15 days Cambodian religious festival, the longest and most unique in Cambodia. It is believed the gates of hell are open during the festival, and ancestors' souls are released from the spirit world to find their relatives. The holiday lasts three days from October 13 to 15, 2023.
Commemoration Day of King's Father
Commemoration Day of the King's Father, observed on October 15, 2023, commemorates the death anniversary of the current King's father: Norodom Sihanouk. He was born on October 31, 1922, and was first coronated as the King of Cambodia on May 3, 1941. He abdicated in 1955, but he was an active politician in Cambodia.
King's Coronation Day
King's Coronation Day, observed on October 29, 2023, commemorates the current King Norodom Sihamoni on October 29, 2004. Norodom Sihamoni was born on May 14,1953 to King Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Norodom Monineath.
Independence Day
Independence Day, observed on November 9, 2023, celebrates the anniversary of Cambodia's independence from France on November 9, 1953. After being colonized for 80 years, in 1953, King Norodom Sihanouk proclaimed independence from France.
Water Festival
Water Festival, also known as Bon Om Touk, is a public holiday in Cambodia. The festival marks the end of the monsoon season, usually celebrated in late October or November each year. Water Festival is also called Boat Racing Festival, and dragon boat races highlight the festival. The holiday corresponds with the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. The holiday lasts three days from November 26 to 28, 2023.
The following is the list of public holidays in Cambodia 2023.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 01, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Victory over Genocide Day | Jan 07, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| International Women's Day | Mar 08, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Cambodian New Year | Apr 14, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Cambodian New Year Holiday | Apr 15, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Cambodian New Year Holiday | Apr 16, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Labour Day | May 01, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Vesak Festival | May 04, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Royal Plowing Ceremony | May 08, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| King Norodom Sihamoni's Birthday | May 14, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Queen Mother's Birthday | Jun 18, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Constitutional Day | Sep 24, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Pchum Ben | Oct 13, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Pchum Ben Holiday | Oct 14, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Pchum Ben Holiday | Oct 15, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Commemoration Day of King's Father | Oct 15, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| King's Coronation Day | Oct 29, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Independence Day | Nov 09, 2023 | Thursday | Public Holiday |
| Water Festival | Nov 26, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Water Festival Holiday | Nov 27, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Water Festival Holiday | Nov 28, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
Please also check the working days in Cambodia in 2023.
