Discover the remarkable Bon Om Touk water festival in Cambodia

If Thailand boasts the famous Songkran water festival, Cambodia also hosts the incredibly vibrant and festive Bon Om Touk water festival. The event spans 3 days and is expected to attract over 1 million attendees.

Explore the extraordinary Bon Om Touk water festival in Cambodia

Cheers echo from the crowds gathered on the shores of Tonle Sap Lake in Phnom Penh, Cambodia as the wooden boats begin their race. From a distance, the slender, colorful boats swiftly glide across the water, propelled by the oars of 80 individuals, both men and women.

It's one of the most joyful sights at the Bon Om Touk water festival in Cambodia. This year's festival, held from November 21st to 23rd, is one of the most esteemed festivals, expected to attract over 1 million Cambodian citizens from provinces and cities to Phnom Penh.

Bon Om Touk and what you need to know

Also known as the Moon Festival, Bon Om Touk coincides with the full moon in the Katdeuk Buddhist month, marking the end of the rainy season and wishing for a bountiful harvest next year.

The Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong River have long had a significant impact on the lives of the people of the Pagoda Land as they provide abundant fish for food and livestock, and enrich the soil with sediment for the crops. The festival commemorates a special natural event: the redirection of water from Tonle Sap Lake. Throughout the year, water flows from the lake into the Mekong River, but during the rainy season, the Mekong water level rises, pushing water back into the lake, increasing its volume tenfold.

A tragic event occurred in 2010, a disaster struck the festival when the crowd squeezed and trampled each other on the bridge at Koh Pich, resulting in 340 deaths and 750 injuries. After the incident, the festival had to pause for 3 years. Upon its resumption, the event was ensured with tighter security, including increased police patrols and crowd control measures.

What makes Cambodia's water festival unique?

While smaller festivals take place all over Cambodia, the main event is the boat race held in the capital city of Phnom Penh with over 400 racing boats participating. Additionally, some other events are also organized in Siem Reap.

In Phnom Penh, crowds gather along the riverbank to cheer for their favorite boat teams, the event taking place under the presence of King Norodom Sihamoni. After the race concludes, people can indulge in traditional foods at food stalls, participate in free music performances, or…

As night falls, people flock to the riverbank to witness the enchanting boat parade under the shimmering moonlight. The culmination of a festival day is the dazzling fireworks display.

Tradition

Boat racing is not just a fun competition; it's an event that villages must spend months preparing for. While craftsmen meticulously adorn the boat's details before painting, eager teams train, and villagers raise funds to participate in the festival and cheer for their team.

Beyond the boat race, special commemorative rituals are also organized during the water festival for people to express their gratitude to the earth and river deities.

Sampeah Preah Khae, held on the last day of the festival, also known as the moon salutation, is an occasion for people to pray for a bountiful harvest to come. During this ceremony, after the midnight hour when Cambodians gather at temples to pray under the moonlight, they will together enjoy the dish 'auk ambok' – flattened rice, fried and served with bananas, and coconuts.

Preparing to Join Cambodia's Water Festival Season

During the Bon Om Touk water festival, hotels and guesthouses quickly fill up, so you need to choose the right time to book tickets. Finding transportation is also quite difficult, so tourists need to plan to book taxis or buses. Most areas in the city of Phnom Penh become pedestrian streets during the festival, so you need to check the location of the hotel for convenient movement.

In case you want to observe the festival from a distance, you can reserve a table at rooftop bars like Le Moon, FCC, or The Quay Boutique.

Festivals in Siem Reap will be held around the Siem Reap River, but the crowd here is not as dense as in the capital city of Phnom Penh.

By Tien Dat/Hanoimoi.com.vn

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Reference: Travel guide Mytour