As Cambodia is rich in culture and religion, several traditional festivals take place all year round. The country is among the list of nations that have the highest number of holidays and festivals in the world.

Cambodian festivals are much associated with Buddhism. The tradition has been so strong that even the western colonization and Khmer Rouge regime in the 19th and 20th century cannot quash the practice of these events. These days are a great time for the locals to unite and rejoice.

Additional to the major religious festivals, there are also fascinating occasions for tourists to participate in such as Water Festival with boat racing on Ton Le Sap, the joyful Angkor Festival, and the Sea Festival by the coastline. These events are extraordinarily joyful and would definitely worth your time.

There are quite a number of national holidays in Cambodia. Some of the holidays are to memorize the important periods and limestones of the nation’s history, while some holidays are religious occasions that have their roots from Buddhism and Khmer culture.

Beside the western calendar like other countries in the world, Cambodia has another traditional Chhankitek calendar, which is based on the movement of the moon. Consequently, many of the holidays do not have a fixed date in the western calendar because they depend on the lunar calendar instead.

There are 20 national holidays in total. The most important holidays in Cambodia are said to be Meak Bochea in February, when all the monks gather to listen to Buddha’s teachings, Khmer New Year in April, National Day of Remembrance to commemorate the massive killings during the Khmer Rouge in May 20, and Pchum Ben (between September and October) – the Buddhist holiday to pay tribute to the ancestors.

When traveling to Cambodia, it’s important for tourists to consider health and safety for a safe and enjoyable trip. Here are some essential tips:

1. Vaccinations and Health: Before visiting Cambodia, check and receive necessary vaccinations, such as for malaria, Japanese encephalitis, and routine vaccines.

2. Drinking Water and Food: Drink only bottled water or boiled water and consume well-cooked food to avoid foodborne illnesses.

3. Travel Insurance: Purchase suitable travel insurance before your trip to protect yourself from unforeseen emergencies.

4. Traffic Safety: Exercise caution while navigating traffic and wear a helmet if riding a motorcycle or bicycle.

5. Environmental Protection: Respect the environment by not engaging in activities that cause pollution and properly dispose of waste.

6. Wildlife Interaction: Avoid contact with wild animals and refrain from touching or consuming unknown plants.

7. Cultural and Religious Sites: Dress modestly with long trousers and sleeves when visiting temples and religious sites, and follow local customs and rituals.

8. Privacy: Ask for permission before taking photos of locals and respect their privacy.

9. Historical Artifacts: Do not touch or mark historical artifacts and monuments, and follow conservation rules at heritage sites.

10. Cultural Understanding: Learn about and respect the local culture, showing appreciation for Cambodia’s people and traditions.

By following these guidelines, tourists can ensure a safe and respectful experience while traveling in Cambodia.

Riel (KHR) is the official money currency in Cambodia. 01 US Dollar would have an equal value to approximately 4,134 riels. The exchange rate fluctuates on a daily basis, but this rate is largely accepted all over the country.

Even though riel is the official note, the United State Dollar is widely used throughout this nation. While people use riel for small purchases like in a convenience store or a restaurant, USD is preferable when conducting larger transactions. A fun fact is that most ATMs in Cambodia would allow you to withdraw USD rather than riel.

In border areas with Thailand and Vietnam, Thai Bath and Vietnam Dong are acceptable. In case you travel to Cambodia from Vietnam, for example, you can use the leftover Vietnam Dong notes on your wallet to buy things at the airport or at a local market

In Cambodia, the postal and community systems play a crucial role in providing postal and communication services to the residents and visitors. Here is some information about the postal and community systems in Cambodia:

1. Postal Service: The postal service in Cambodia is operated by “Cambodia Post.” They offer courier services, mailing letters, and parcels both domestically and internationally.

2. Post Offices: Post offices are commonly found in major cities like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville. You can also find post offices in smaller towns and rural areas.

3. Postal Services: Cambodia Post provides various postal services, including regular mail, parcel delivery, money transfers, and postal savings assistance.

4. Postal Network: The postal system in Cambodia is expanding and improving to meet the growing needs of residents and tourists.

5. Community Connectivity: In addition to postal services, the Cambodian community also uses modern means of communication, such as mobile phones and the internet, to stay connected with their families and friends.

6. Service Centers: Service centers and convenience stores also often offer mailing and postal services in populated areas and cities.

However, please note that some remote or rural areas may have limited postal and community development, so it’s essential to research and choose suitable communication methods when traveling to these regions.

1. Visa: Most tourists need to obtain a visa before arriving in Cambodia. Visas can be obtained from Cambodian embassies or consulates in their home country or through online visa services.

2. Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of departure from Cambodia.

3. Health Requirements: Some travelers may be required to show proof of vaccination, such as a yellow fever certificate, if arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. Additionally, during health emergencies or pandemics, travelers might be asked to present a negative COVID-19 test result upon entry.

4. Arrival Form: Fill out an arrival form provided by the immigration authorities upon arrival.

5. Duration of Stay: Comply with the allowed duration of stay as indicated on your visa or entry stamp.

6. Respect Local Laws and Customs: Abide by local laws and customs during your stay in Cambodia.

7. Restricted Areas: Be aware of restricted areas, especially those near border regions or military installations, as access may be restricted.

8. Environmental Protection: Show respect for the environment and avoid activities that could harm natural resources or wildlife.

9. Restricted Photography: Refrain from taking photographs or videos of sensitive locations or military personnel.

10. Currency Declaration: If you are carrying a large amount of cash (over USD 10,000 or its equivalent), you may be required to declare it upon arrival in Cambodia.

Things to notice to avoid cultural offense

Dress code

As Cambodia is the sacred land with numerous temples, it is important for tourists to dress properly when visiting this country. It is better to pay much notice to your dress code, especially when you are women. Nowadays, people might be acquainted with wearing shorts and skirts everywhere you go. In addition to the fact that Cambodia is a holy land, the people in Cambodia are quite conservative, and they would never thumb up if seeing you wearing revealing clothes. Hence, try to cover your skin as much as possible.

It is better to be culturally respective, so put on a long pant or dress that below your knees and avoid tank top/ strapless/ spaghetti top when coming out, especially when you go to the temples.

Special religious etiquette (exercise gratitude, etc.)

Showing respect and gratitude towards the locals is a great way to gain trust and friendship. Cambodia people feel lucky for everything they have, and there is almost no complaint no matter how worse their situation is.

Additionally, you should show respect to elder people and the religious practicers (like monk and nun). Just a prayer-like gesture is enough.

Face-saving etiquette

Not only Cambodia but other Asian countries values face-saving etiquette. It is considered unacceptable to lose one’s face in front of other people; hence, avoid criticizing or shouting at others when you are in public.

It is never a wise thing to lose your temper. Try to keep calm and hang on your smile to make people respect you.

Notice your hand and feet

These are little yet important protocols to practice when traveling to Cambodia. The locals consider the head as the most sacred part of the human’s body, so don’t touch it. In contrast, feet and left hand are believed to be the dirtiest; thus, do not use your left hand to shake other’s hand or point your feet at them. Remember to remove your shoes before going to sacred places like temples and sanctuaries, also.

In order to avoid cultural offense and show respect to the local culture, it is important to dress properly. Followings are some tips that travelers should notice:

Take off your shoes and headcovers when entering a sacred place

Leave your shoes, sandals, and hats behind if you are about to enter the temples. If you feel putting on and off your sneakers waste too much time and effort, use flip-flops instead. You will walk a lot and need to remove your shoes quite often, so try the most convenient one to put on.