Cambodian public holidays in 2023
Cambodia has long been known for enjoying some of the most holidays in the world. In this article we take a look at the paid public holidays of 2023 to help plan your getaways accordingly. That has changed a little- it’s tough kid, but it’s life, sang the Dead Kennedys.
There are a total number of 22 ‘paid’ public holidays this year. Any public holiday that falls on a Sunday previously granted the employee another day off as in lieu of the following working day, but no more..
January
The first month has almost passed and it was pretty grim. No 1st off for International New Year due to it being a Sunday, and the 7th for Victory over Genocide day saw no Monday off.
March
8th of March, International Women’s Day, falls on a Wednesday- first paid day off of the year.
April
Khmer New Year is one of the most important holidays in Cambodia. This year we celebrate it from Friday April 14th to Sunday April 16th. Most Cambodians will take the entire week off- but hard to say how much will be given as the majority is the weekend. This is a good time to travel somewhere on the 11th and return on the 19th, but beware that the entire country is traveling at once. Traffic jams are expected at the beginning and the end of the holiday.
May
This is the month of the long weekends. International Labor Day is celebrated on the 1st which is a Monday- a long weekend! The following Thursday, the 4th, is Visak Bochea day. It is a good idea to take the Friday off as well, because the Royal Plowing Ceremony is celebrated on the 8th which is a Monday giving you that long break.
The 14th, which is another Sunday, is King Norodom Sihamoni’s birthday.
June
Queen Norodom Monireath Sihanouk’s birthday will be celebrated on the 18th, another Sunday.
September
Pchum Ben will be celebrated from Friday September 13 to the 15th, anothe weekend holdiday.
The 24th, which is Constitutional Day is yet another Sunday.
October and
Yet more Sundays here (who regrets no more follow on holdiays?) 15th is the Commemoration Day of King Norodom Sihanouk and the 29th is the Coronation Day of King Norodom Sihamoni.
November
November 9, a Thursday, sees Independence Day. The last holiday of the year, Water Festival is Sunday 26th- Tuesday 28th.
