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The Cambodian New Year or Khmer New Year is the country’s most important holiday. It is celebrated in mid-April, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the rainy season. It is a three day event of happiness, cultural pride and renewal.
3 Days Of New Year Celebrations
- Day 1 – Moha Songkran – The Day of Blessing
- Day 2 – Virak Vanabat – The Donating Day
- Day 3 – Vearak Leurg Dak – Officially Welcoming the New Year
This year, the New Year celebration is scheduled for April 14, 15 and 16, 2025. It is recognized as a unique cultural experience that attracts hundreds of thousands of international visitors. The largest New Year celebrations can be found in the capital, Siem Reap, and Phnom Penh.
Angkor Sankranta 2025 is returning to Siem Reap this year for the New Year celebration. It is a cultural festival that will transform the Angkor Archeological Park into an oasis of celebrations.
The festival brings to life centuries old traditions through dance performances, exciting games and fascinating cultural displays. Traditional games include Bos Anakunh, Teanh Prot and Choi Chhoung.
Attendees will see beautifully choreographed classical dances, folk music and a stunning parade of traditional costumes. The park will have a Food and Handicraft Village. One highlight is the creation of the Giant Sticky Rice Cake – Nun Ansom – which is a Cambodian symbol for unity and prosperity. Attendees can enjoy Cambodian cuisine, see traditional cooking demonstrations and gain an understanding of the art of Cambodian gastronomy.
This celebration of the New Year brings together locals and visitors to honor Cambodia’s rich heritage and culture. It emphasizes national unity and bridges the present to the past.
Cambodian Culture & Cuisine
If you’d like to read more about Cambodian culture, traditions and history, try these books. And you can use our links to see how you can save money on them.
- Angkor & the Khmer Civilization by Michael D. Coe and Damian Evans
- Cambodia – Culture Smart! – The Essential Guide to Customs & Cultures by Kate Reavill
- Cambodian History – A Captivating Guide to the History of Cambodia & the Khmer Empire
If you enjoyed the food at the festival and would like to learn more about Cambodian cuisine, try these cookbooks.
- Kroeuna: Cambodian Cooking With Chef T by Christina Su and Visoth Tarak Ouk
- The Ultimate Cambodian Cookbook
- The Food & Cooking of Cambodia by Ghillie Basan
Visiting Siem Reap
If you’d like to visit Siem Reap for the New Year celebrations, you should consider the following hotels. They are all offering discounted rates which can save you money on your stay.
- Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor – 62% Discount
- Won Residence & Spa – 58% Discount
- Park Hyatt Siem Reap – 56% Discount
- Viroth’s Hotel – 55% Discount
- Damrei Residence & Spa – 53% Discount
- FCC Angkor by Ovani – 48% Discount
- Sofitel Angkor Prokeethra Golf & Spa Resort – 47% Discount
- Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap – 46% Discount
- Shinta Mani Angkor & Bensley Collection – 44% Discount
- Enjoy Boutique – 44% Discount
- Jaya House River Park – 40% Discount
- Sala Lodges – 40% Discount
- Nita by Vo Luxury Hotel – 39% Discount
- Heritage Suites Hotel – 36% Discount
- Sokkhak Boutique Resort & Spa – 35% Discount
- Memoire Siem Reap – 34% Discount
- Angkor Rendezvous – 34% Discount
- Angkor Eden Boutique Hotel – 34% Discount
- Anjali by Syphon – 31% Discount
- Saem Siemreap Hotel – 27% Discount
- Mane Boutique Hotel & Spa – 27% Discount
- Royal Empire Hotel – 25% Discount
- Royal Angkor Resort & Spa – 25% Discount
If you’ll be flying to Siem Reap, we can tell you how to save money on flights this spring.