Chinese New Year in Cambodia
Cambodia has a significant Chinese-Cambodian community, and Chinese New Year is widely celebrated — especially in Phnom Penh's Chinatown and among the business community. It's not an official public holiday but has a major impact on commerce.
2026 Dates
January 29, 2026 (Year of the Horse)
🎉 What to Expect
- •Lion and dragon dances through Phnom Penh's Chinatown (around Street 136)
- •Red decorations and lanterns throughout business districts
- •Firecrackers and fireworks (informally, despite being technically banned)
- •Special family meals and temple visits
- •Many Chinese-owned businesses and markets close for 3–5 days
- •Siem Reap and other towns have smaller celebrations
📍 Best Locations
Phnom Penh Chinatown
Streets 136 and 110 come alive with lion dances, decorations, and firecrackers. The most vibrant celebration.
Canadia Tower area
Business district with impressive decorations and corporate celebrations.
Siem Reap Old Market
Smaller but cheerful Chinese New Year decorations and events.
💡 Practical Tips
- • Many markets and Chinese-owned businesses close for 3–5 days.
- • Tourist restaurants and Western-owned businesses stay open.
- • It's a great time to visit — festive atmosphere without the closures of Khmer New Year.
- • ATMs and banks remain operational.
- • Hotel prices may increase slightly as some Chinese tourists visit.
⚠️ Closures & Impact
- • Not an official public holiday — government offices remain open
- • Many Chinese-owned businesses close for 3–5 days
- • Major markets (Central Market, Russian Market) may partially close
- • Tourist infrastructure mostly unaffected
- • Some increase in Chinese tourism during this period
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Events & Festivals
November 23–25, 2026 (official public holiday)
🎊Khmer New Year 2026 (Choul Chnam Thmey)April 14–16, 2026 (official public holiday)
🕯️Pchum Ben 2026 (Ancestor Festival)October 10–12, 2026 (official public holiday; the 15-day Pchum Ben period begins before it, with Kann Ben starting September 27)
🐂Royal Ploughing Ceremony 2026May 5, 2026 (public holiday)
🪷Visak Bochea 2026 (Buddha Day)May 1, 2026 (combined with International Labour Day in the official holiday list)
🇰🇭Cambodia Independence Day 2026November 9, 2026
👑King's Birthday 2026May 14, 2026
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