Introduction
Many South and South East Asian Countries like Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Sri Langka celebrate their New Year on the solar calendar. Called by different names like Choul Chnam Thmey or Khmer New Year , Sangkran, Pi Mai Lao, Thingyan, and Aluth Avurudu, the New Year is celebrated in the mid of April. These festivals link the sun’s movement into Aries, featuring similar traditions.
What is the Khmer New Year?
Khmer New Year is one of Cambodia’s biggest traditional festivals. It is also known as Chaul Chnam Thmey, or Moha Sangkranta in Khemr or the Cambodian New Year, and is a three-day holiday in Cambodia. “Chaul Chnam Thmey” means “enter the new year” in English. The Khmer New Year is based on the traditional solar New Year. This year, the Cambodian New Year is from Monday, 14 April to Wednesday, 16 April 2025, and the animal for the year is the Snake.
History of Khmer New Year
The Khmer New Year starts from Monday, 14 April, to Wednesday, 16 April 2025, per the ancient Khmer horoscope reading.
Earlier, it began on the first day of the first month of the Lunar Calendar, either in November or December. But in the 13th Century of the Angkor Era, the Khmer King, either Suryaraman II or Jayavaraman VII, changed to the fifth month of the Lunar Calendar in April, i.e., the Solar Calendar. The reason behind this shift was that 95% of the Khmer population were farmers, and the busiest period was from November to March because of harvesting. As April is free time, has no rain, and tends to remain hot, this month was an ideal time to go on vacation after collecting their income. Hence, April was the right time to celebrate the Khmer New Year.
How is the Khmer New Year Celebrated?
The Khmer New Year is all about family and community celebrations. Schools conduct events for their students 2 weeks before the festival, followed by school and public holidays for 3 days.
The 3 Day of Khmer New Year has its unique name and related customs:
Day 1 Moha Sangkran
“Moha Sangkran” is the first day of the new year. It is the welcoming of New Angles, who come to protect the world for a year. The leaders of these angels are “KimiteaTevi”. On this day, family members clean and decorate the house, prepare food and drinks, and offer fruits and food to monks for blessings.
Day 2 Veareak Vanabat
The second day is “Veareak Vanabat”. Families dedicate the ceremony to their ancestors at monasteries. On this day, they offer gratitude and gifts to the elders and distribute charity to the less fortunate. In the evening, they visit the religious temple and carry out the custom of building sand mounds. This brings prosperity and longevity to the Cambodian people.
Day 3 Veareak Laeung Sak
The final day of the Khmer New Year is “Veareak Laeung Sak”. In the evening, they perform the last ceremony called “Puthu Srang Preah.” Here, they bathe with holy fragrant water on the statue of Buddha, grandparents, or elders to show gratitude and apologise for mistakes.
What Do You Do on Khmer New Year?
One of the most essential aspects of human life is entertainment. The Khmer New Year has various activities and games for everyone, from young children to adults, to spend quality time together.
Creating Water Basin
On day one, the local people prepare a water basin with flowers like Jasmin, five incense sticks, candles, desserts, fruits, drinks, etc.
Playing traditional games
The second day includes playing the traditional Khmer games like:
- Tossing towels called “Chol Chhoung.”
- The scarf-hiding game is called “Leak Kon Saeng.”
- Tug-of-war called “Teanh Proat.”
- The traditional “Bos Ang Kunh” game involves coordinating hands and eyes to enhance concentration.
- Catch the baby hawk called “Chab Kon Kleng.”
- Pagodas and other localities are filled with happy classical songs and dance.
Feasting
If you are wondering what do they eat in Khmer New Year? The answer is there are many mouthwatering options you can gulp on. On the third day, the families prepare delicious traditional foods like:
- The “Nom Ansom” is served with sweet sticky rice dessert.
- The “Khmer Curry” is cooked with lots of herbal ingredients.
- “Khmer Fish Amok” a steamed fish curry made with coconut milk in banana leaves
- “Kralan” is a tasty rice cake made with coconut milk and nuts, steamed and roasted inside the bamboo.
Fireworks and street parties
The last day is celebrated with fireworks and street parties in Cambodia. They create a joyous environment by commemorating it with families and friends.
Where to Celebrate Khmer New Year 2025 in Cambodia?
The Cambodian New Year happens throughout the country. You donot need to go for off-beat travel or rural villages to feel the essence of the festival, as most bustling celebrations happen in Kampot, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang.
Kampot
Kampot shines during the Khmer New Year nearly 1 million people gathered in the city for the festival. Here you can experience the authentic vibe and culture as locals share their traditions with wide arms. Here, you can experience the temple ritual, joyous water fights and special Khmer New Year foods like Kralan and Num Ansom. The traditional games and Apsara dances enrich the experience. You can also visit the nearby Bokor National Park during your festive trip.
Phnom Penh
The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is the centre of celebration. The entire Royal palace is decorated with lights and has an exclusive fireworks show. The street around the Palace is filled with food stalls selling traditional Cambodian cuisine. People gather to offer prayers and donations and participate in fun activities and games.
Siem Reap
The UNESCO world heritage site Angkor Wat temple is located in Siem Reap. The festival attracts nearly 1.8 million visitors. The temple is filled with lights, and the community celebrates with traditional dance performances and music. Street fairs are held with local crafts and food stalls.
Battambang
You must attend to witness the boat race at Sangker River that happens at Battambang. The city also hosts street fairs and cultural performances. Travellers can visit the local pagodas and temples to offer prayers and observe traditional ceremonies.
redBus has multiple bus operators listed on the site for the cities mentioned above. You can reserve your bus tickets from anywhere online according to the timing, seats and bus type you want to travel in.
How to Say Happy New Year in Khmer?
Here is how to wish someone Happy Khmer New Year:
| Khmer Greetings | Pronounce | Meaning in English |
| សួស្តីឆ្នាំថ្មី | Soursdey Chnam Thmey | Happy New Year |
| សួស្តីឆ្នាំថ្មី! សូមរីករាយសុខសប្បាយ! | Soursdey Chnam Thmey! Som riekreay sok sabay! | Happy New Year! Wishing you happiness and good health! |
| ឆ្នាំថ្មីសូមអោយប្រពរពរអ្នកសុខសប្បាយ | Chnam Thmey som arprapoun neak sok sabay | For the New Year, I wish you good health. |
Don’t forget to say these greetings in a polite way by placing your hands in a prayer like gesture called “Sampeah”.
Latest update on Khmer New Year 2025
- For the Khmer New Year in 2025, Prime Minister Hun Manet has declared to bring back the huge Angkor Sankranta Festival in Siem Reap.
- The festival will be hosted from Monday, 14 April 2025 – and Wednesday, 16 April 2025.
- The Prime Minister has called on the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC) members in Siam Reap to prepare for the event.
- The key events will be cultural performances showcasing Cambodia’s vibrant tradition and highlighting the country’s rich heritage.
- The local government has also encouraged the video content curators to produce promotional materials highlighting Siem Reap’s attractions and upcoming festivals.
Conclusion
Khmer New Year is a celebration of rich heritage and a time to reflect gratitude. It is that time of the year when families gather to honour their ancestors, and you get to dive into the heart of Cambodian Cultural celebration, creating a lifetime of experience.
Sursedey chnam thmey!
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Khmer New Year?
The Khmer New Year 2025 is from 14 April to 16 April.
- What day is Khmer New Year?
This year Khmer New Year is on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
- When does Khmer New Year start?
The Khmer New Year 2025 starts on Monday, 14th April.
- Why Khmer New Year is important?
Khmer New Year has a profound cultural and spiritual significance, making the traditional New Year a time of renewal to honor ancestors and seek blessings for the coming year.
- What are the Purposes of Khmer New Year Celebration?
The purpose of the Khmer New Year Celebration is to celebrate the end of the harvest season, welcoming the new lunar year, honoring the ancestors, cleanse away the misfortunes and promote good luck and prosperity.
- When does Khmer New Year end?
The Khmer New Year will end on wednesday, 16th April.
- Why is Khmer New Year in April?
The Khmer New Year is based on solar calendar, aligning the sun’s movement into Aries.
- Why do we Celebrate Khmer New Year?
We celebrate to observe tradition, celebrate the new year, offer food to monks, participate in cultural and religious rituals and have a good time with family.
- What is the First Day of Khmer New Year called?
The First Day is called the Moha Sangkran.
- How to write Happy New Year in Khmer?
You can write it as “Soursdey Chnam Thmey” or “ សួស្តីឆ្នាំថ្មី “.
