The Water Festival, also known as Bon Om Touk, is a vibrant three-day national holiday in Cambodia that celebrates the end of the rainy season and the reversal of the Tonle Sap River’s flow. The festival includes spectacular dragon boat races, fireworks, illuminated floats and boats at night, and a bunch of more thrilling and cultural activities. If you are curious about this festival, I highly recommend considering where to go and how to have fun during this amazing festival.
Before celebrating the festival, it is essential to know or plan where to attend or have lots of fun at this traditional event. The best place to celebrate Bon Om Touk is obviously Phnom Penh, alongside the Tonle Sap River near the Royal Palace and Sisowath Quay. In my opinion, this is an absolute peak. The capital hosts one of the largest festivals in all of Cambodia. The iconic boat races on the Tonle Sap River, the illuminated boats, fireworks, concerts, and the cultural ceremonies (Sampeah Preah Khae, Ok Ambok or a ceremonial of pounding new rice, etc.), truly don’t get any better than this.
Siem Reap is also a solid choice for having fun at the celebration. Although Siem Reap’s celebration is smaller than Phnom Penh’s, Siem Reap offers a traditional charm blended with a festive spirit. The festival includes boat races on the Siem Reap River, cultural performances, Ok Ambok at Angkor Wat, and other ceremonies and events at the festival.
To have fun at the Water Festival in Cambodia, I suggest heading to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap or any other places you desire to watch the colorful energetic boat races, enjoy the fireworks, and witness the floats full of beautiful lights reflecting joy and happiness. I also recommend engaging in cultural activities.
In summary, The Water Festival is one of my favorite festivals in Cambodia and it would be a great opportunity to experience the fun of the festival, especially if you are willing to do so.
Written By: Kuoch Kimlong
GEP 11 B-a, Aii Tk Campus
Khmer
English