Phnom Penh celebrates a triumphant Oktoberfest 2025 — between German-Cambodian friendship and popular festivity

Phnom Penh, radiant with joy and music, experienced a memorable weekend with Oktoberfest 2025, energized by the contagious enthusiasm of H.E. Stefan Messerer, the German Ambassador to Cambodia. The event, held on October 24 and 25 on Koh Pich Island by the German Business Cambodia (GBC) and EuroCham, brought together more than a thousand participants in a lively, colorful, and deeply international atmosphere.

A dynamic opening

From the start of the evening on October 24, the tone was set: H.E. Stefan Messerer, wearing a traditional Bavarian jacket (Trachtenjacke), officially opened the festival to thunderous applause. His speech, full of humor and enthusiasm, electrified the audience.

“Oktoberfest is not just a beer festival; it’s a celebration of friendship, music, and shared joy between Cambodians and Germans,” he declared before raising his mug for a resounding Prost! echoed by the crowd.

With his spontaneous and generous spirit, laughter, confetti, and Bavarian music quickly filled the alleys of Connexion Koh Pich, where the public joined in a mood of shared happiness.

When diplomacy meets festivity

More than a mere official presence, Ambassador Messerer embodied the spirit of the festival. Setting aside the formalities of diplomacy, he joined the celebration—chatting with visitors, toasting with guests, and gladly sharing stories about German traditions. His contagious joy energized the night, leaving many to remark that “this edition will be remembered for the Ambassador’s energy.”

A symphony of conviviality

The organizers went to great lengths to offer a sensory journey: Hanuman beer brewed in the German style, rustic Munich-inspired buffets, fiery music from the Austrian-German band Ozapft, and blue-and-white Bavarian decorations.Beneath the string lights, the atmosphere was so festive one could almost believe they were in Munich—but with a Khmer accent and Asian smiles.

The fusion of cultures and the warm presence of diplomats, business leaders, and the general public turned this popular celebration into a living, joyful symbol of dialogue between nations.

An Oktoberfest now an institution

Since its revival in 2024, Phnom Penh’s Oktoberfest has firmly established itself as a major annual tradition. For EuroCham and the GBC, the goal is clear: to make the festival a lasting cultural bridge where business, gastronomy, music, and friendly diplomacy meet.

And in people’s memories, this 2025 edition will particularly shine for the warmth and festive passion inspired by an ambassador who, for one evening, was truly the first of the Bavarians… in Phnom Penh.

Watch all photographs of the event here