For the third time in four months, preparations are underway to bring in a new year in Cambodia. International New Year is an excuse to party with the rest of the world and Chinese New Year has been adopted as an unofficial holiday. But Khmer New Year still stands apart as one of the major … read the full post

If fish amok is not your idea of a traditional Christmas dinner, there are other alternatives in Phnom Penh over the holiday season. Although turkeys are not indigenous to Cambodia, several restaurants are offering a festive spread to ensure your tastebuds know it’s Christmas. Top it off with some carols and candles, and you’ll be … read the full post

Being from the northern hemisphere, it used to be difficult for me to equate warm temperatures and bright sunshine with the festive period, but Christmas is growing in popularity in Phnom Penh. From the second week in December, Cambodians will wish you a Happy Merry Christmas. So forget “bah humbug!” — if you’ll be in … read the full post

The United States celebrates 10, while England usually has eight. In the league table of public holidays, they are merely amateurs compared with Cambodia’s 28 days of legislated relaxation. Brits may have got a bonus day this year for their Queen holding down a job for a long time, but Cambodians celebrate the King’s coronation and … read the full post

It’s not hard to have a Happy Merry Christmas in Phnom Penh. There are lots of things to do in town during the holiday week, or of course, the possibility of an island getaway. If it’s a traditional or not-so-traditional Christmas dinner you’re after, you’ve got lots of choices, from low-budget to posh. Here are … read the full post

If you’re planning on being in Phnom Penh across Christmas (rather than say escaping to beautiful Koh Rong), there are more than a few ways to spend an enjoyable afternoon. The locals, who are mostly Buddhist, don’t celebrate the holiday so restaurants and bars are still open for business. That doesn’t mean there’s a lack … read the full post

We’re in the middle of one of Cambodia‘s major holidays right now, although if you’re visiting, you might not have even noticed. Pchum Ben is one of Cambodia’s most important Buddhist festivals. It lasts 15 days determined by the lunar calendar, with the formal name for the last day of the festival called Prachum Benda. … read the full post