The Water Festival

The water festival is one of the most cheerful and significant festival in Cambodia culture. This festival is celebrated annually for three days on the banks of Tonle Sap river in front of the Royal Palace. It has had a very long history started from ancient time of Angkor. For three days, Phnom Penh citizens, foreign tourists, and peasants from various provinces gather together in the capital city to celebrate the festival both day and night. A long the river bank in front of the Royal palace is one of the most crowded places in the city. During the water festival, the people like watching boat-racing on the river in the afernrnoon. All night they enjoy watching firework display, lantern floating (Bandeth Pratip), dancing and listening to music. All the things are considered, the water festival is really wonderful in khmer culture.