Cambodge & Bon Om Touk 2025 : Phnom Penh calme, provinces en fête

This year, the legendary Bon Om Touk, also called the Fête de l’Eau in Cambodia, is experienced under a contrasting light. While the main festivities in Phnom Penh were canceled due to ongoing tensions at the border with Thailand and the government's need to concentrate resources on humanitarian issues, traditional celebrations continue with fervor in several provinces of the kingdom.

Siem Reap

Along the quai Sisowath, usually animated by the frantic boat races and songs, calm reigns supreme. Yet, residents and visitors enjoy the holidays by strolling, admiring the sunset over the Mekong, and soaking in the soft festive atmosphere that persists.

"It’s strange without the races, but the city remains beautiful and peaceful. Families come here to reconnect and take their time," says Srey Mala, a fruit street vendor.

Many Cambodians took this break to travel to tourist destinations such as Kampot and Kep, where the sea air and tranquility offer an ideal setting for relaxation during these holidays.

In Battambang, the celebration does not stop: the city hosts the 4th edition of the festival Saart, an urban art event that lights up the streets with murals, musical performances, creative workshops, and giant puppet shows. This festival highlights the cultural richness of the region while attracting residents and tourists in a festive and colorful atmosphere.

In the provinces, the tradition of Bon Om Touk continues enthusiastically. In Kampong Cham, Battambang, and Siem Reap, locals organize smaller regattas where traditional dances, music, and shared meals punctuate the days. The festival takes on a strengthened community dimension:

"Here, we proudly display the colors of the province, we celebrate our culture despite the absence of Phnom Penh," says Sokha, organizer of boat races in the region.

The decision to cancel the major events in the capital, without suspending the holidays or celebrations in other regions, marks the government’s clear intention to avoid massive gatherings in a delicate context, while respecting the national attachment to this millennia-old festival.

Phnom Penh

If the bustle of the boat races and fireworks are missing in Phnom Penh, the magic of Bon Om Touk 2025 lies in this invitation to peaceful contemplation, family sharing, and prayers for peace and prosperity. Between walks by the water, offerings at pagodas, and tasting typical dishes, the capital lives at a gentler pace, recalling the very essence of this celebration: honoring water, the source of life and connection among Cambodians.

Kampot

Thus, even without its grand regattas, Phnom Penh retains its role as a cultural heart, while the provinces passionately celebrate what Bon Om Touk has symbolized for centuries: the vitality of the peuple khmer and the respect for the nature that surrounds it.

Illustrations AKP