# How Cambodia’s Pchum Ben differs from Qingming

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Source: <https://www.kps-tv.com/en/news/detail/1704>

Language: en

Content scope: full

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Original publication: 2025-09-07T03:41:26Z

Cambodia’s 15-day religious observance ran from September 8 to 22 in 2025. The public holiday was September 21 to 23.

Preah Sihanouk Provincial Television, September 7 — Cambodia’s annual Kan Ben and Pchum Ben observance in 2025 spans the 15 days from September 8 to 22. The nationwide public holiday is September 21 to 23. Like China’s Qingming Festival, the Cambodian observance is a time to remember ancestors and carries forward a Buddhist tradition.
Pchum Ben has been observed in Cambodia for more than a thousand years. It is traditionally believed that the spirits of ancestors return to receive offerings. Devotees believe that giving alms and chanting transfer merit to the departed, bring them peace and protect surviving relatives. The festival is considered as important as Cambodian New Year.
Pagodas across the country hold religious rites each day. At about 4 a.m., devotees bring sticky-rice balls, cakes, bananas, candles and other offerings, and listen with palms joined as monks chant. They then circle the main shrine three times and place offerings on the ground to symbolically share food and merit with their ancestors. They offer meals to the monks, who chant to dedicate the merit and pray for the peace of the departed and the well-being of their families. Worshippers then share the food with the monks, symbolising reunion and shared merit. The report says Buddhist rules require the rites to finish before noon.
On the fourteenth day, September 21, many families make sticky-rice parcels to share with relatives and offer at pagodas. On the fifteenth and most important day, many people attend collective rites at pagodas. Halls and surrounding areas fill with people sharing meals and praying. On that final day, families also continue to honour their ancestors at home after attending rites and giving alms at pagodas.
The festival brings families together as well as marking a national religious observance. During the three-day public holiday, many return to their home provinces to see relatives or travel elsewhere. Tourist sites grow busy, while Phnom Penh becomes quieter as residents leave to visit their families.
Like Qingming and the Ghost Festival in Chinese communities, Pchum Ben centres on honouring the departed. It differs in lasting fifteen days, with daily observances that highlight the role of Buddhism in Cambodia. The report describes it as Cambodia’s longest Buddhist festival and a reflection of both remembrance and enduring faith.
Compiled by Preah Sihanouk Provincial Television.

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