Cambodia & Tourism: Exceptional attendance and cultural revival during the Pchum Ben 2025 festival

From 21 to 23 September 2025, Cambodia saw a remarkable rise in tourist numbers during the traditional Buddhist festival of Pchum Ben, the ancestors' festival, a time for meditation and family reunions.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, more than 2.14 million visitors - local and foreign - travelled throughout the kingdom, an increase of 20.1% compared to the same period last year.

Of these, 2.12 million were Cambodian tourists, up 21.2%, while foreign visitors exceeded 24,000.

The most popular provinces were Siem Reap, which welcomed more than 238,000 visitors, followed by Battambang, Preah Sihanouk, Kampong Cham and Kampong Chhnang, all of which enjoyed remarkable tourist numbers.

These figures illustrate the vitality of domestic tourism, boosted by the profound cultural and spiritual celebration represented by Pchum Ben.

Prime Minister Hun Manet took to social media to officially thank Cambodian officials, local authorities and citizens for their solemn, joyful and orderly participation in the Kan Ben and Pchum Ben ceremonies. He praised their crucial role in preserving and promoting Cambodian traditions and customs, ensuring that this deep-rooted cultural heritage is passed on to future generations.

Beyond the numbers, this celebration has a strong symbolic value, uniting Cambodians in a spirit of respect for ancestors and strengthening national identity, particularly in areas marked by geopolitical tensions such as the border with Thailand, where faith