Bon Om Touk

Races on the river

Dragon boat competitions form the centrepiece of the opening day along the riverfront. Each narrow racing craft is painted with protective eyes at the bow so the vessel resembles a living dragon. A woman dances at the front of the craft to embody the boat spirit or its guardian, while a coxswain shouts cadence to keep dozens of rowers moving in unison. These spirited regattas recall Cambodia's historic naval strength, including a twelfth-century victory under King Jayavarman VII on the Tonle Sap lake against Cham forces. At the close of the tournament, the king presents awards to the winning teams.

Floating lanterns at dusk

When evening falls, government ministries and institutions release illuminated floats into the water during the Bondet Bratib ceremony. Glowing displays lit with colourful lamps drift down the river while fireworks burst overhead. This ritual expresses gratitude to Preah Mae Kongkea, the water goddess derived from the Hindu Ganga tradition, who is revered as the mother of all rivers, streams, and lakes. Cambodian participants thank her for providing fish, soil sediments, and water for agriculture. Buddhist observers also dedicate floating lamps to the sacred tooth relics of the Buddha, seeking merit and national prosperity on the auspicious night of the full moon.

Honouring the full moon

The second night centres on Sampeah Preah Khae, the worship of the moon, alongside the sharing of a special dish called Og Ambok. Shortly after midnight, when the full moon reaches its peak, families light incense and pray to Preah Purthisat and Lord Indra. Communities pound fresh harvest rice in wooden mortars until the grains flatten into flakes, discarding the husks before blending the cereal with ripe bananas and coconut juice. In a lighthearted ritual game, participants feed mouthfuls of this mixture to one another, laughing together and celebrating the legend of the rabbit seen on the moon.

How Bon Om Touk is kept

The festival unfolds across three distinct days of civic and spiritual events. Festivities open with energetic boat races along the river, accompanied by bow dancers and cheering crowds. At nightfall, massive decorative barges illuminated with bright lights glide along the water while fireworks light up the sky. On the second night, gatherings stay awake past midnight to venerate the moon, pound toasted rice into ambok, and share fruit. The final day concludes the regatta with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and royal prizes for the swiftest rowing teams.

When and where

The celebration takes place every year over three days in late October or November during the full moon. It aligns with the lunar Mid-Autumn period, marking both the conclusion of the rainy season and the rare natural reversal in the flow of the Tonle Sap River.

The largest gatherings happen along the Sisowath Quay riverfront in Phnom Penh, where millions converge before the Royal Palace. Celebrations also take place across Cambodian provinces and within Khmer communities in southern Vietnam.

What Bon Om Touk means

Bon Om Touk celebrates the indispensable role of water in Khmer life. By offering prayers and lanterns to the water goddess Preah Mae Kongkea, communities express thanks for bountiful fish catches and rich agricultural soil. The boat races honour historical naval triumphs that defended the realm, while midnight moon rites celebrate Buddhist relics and celestial legends of renewal.

On the table

• Ambok
• Bananas
• Coconut juice

Days Bon Om Touk is marked

Questions people ask about Bon Om Touk

See also

KathinaA Buddhist season of offering new robes and gifts to monks after the rains retreatRoyal Ploughing CeremonyA royal agricultural rite opening the rice season across mainland Southeast AsiaVesakA day to honor the birth, awakening, and passing of the Buddha, kept by Buddhists across Asia.Mid-Autumn FestivalAn annual harvest festival celebrating family reunions, full moons and mooncakes

Good reading and sources

• Cambodian stampede: Phnom Penh counts the cost of water festival disasterThe Guardian, Article
• Cambodian stampede: Phnom Penh counts the cost of water festival disasterThe Guardian, Article

• Bon Om Touk on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.