Phnom Penh Water Festival Boat Races

បុណ្យអុំទូក

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Sports & AdventurePhnom Penh
Dates23–25 November 2026Confirmed listing
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceWhat distinguishes the boat races from the
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: KHR
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Phnom Penh Water Festival Boat Races in Phnom Penh

The boat races of Phnom Penh's Water Festival are the athletic heart of Bon Om Touk, run over three days along Sisowath Quay where the Tonle Sap, Bassac, and Mekong rivers meet. Hundreds of dugout-style longboats, each crewed by dozens of rowers representing a province or pagoda, compete in timed heats, with the King traditionally awarding prizes to the fastest crews at the close of racing.

The longboat races of Phnom Penh's Water Festival are the sporting centerpiece of Bon Om Touk, staged over three days along Sisowath Quay where the Tonle Sap, Bassac, and Mekong rivers converge.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What distinguishes the boat races from the festival's other rituals is their sheer competitive scale and community stakes: a single racing boat can carry over eighty rowers, and an edition of the festival may field several hundred boats representing nearly every province in the country, making it one of the largest amateur rowing competitions in the world by participant count

02

The mystery stays covered

Crews train for weeks on home rivers before the event, and each boat is typically owned and maintained by a pagoda or village association rather than an individual, so a strong finish becomes a point of collective pride carried home to the crew's community for the following year

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Dugout-style racing boats sponsored by provinces and pagodas

Water and renewal

Living ritual

synchronized paddling led by an onboard drummer or caller

The sacred route

Living ritual

multi-day heats along Sisowath Quay

The local code

Living ritual

royal prize presentations to winning crews

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and pre-festival training sessions on home rivers that build toward the capital competition

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

23–25 November 2026

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Light, sweat-wicking clothing and a hat for hours in direct sun along the riverbank, sturdy sandals or shoes for standing on uneven quay pavement, and sunglasses given the glare off the...

Safety

At Phnom Penh Water Festival Boat Races, respect barriers, moving equipment and marshal guidance; photos are never worth stepping into active areas.

Where to stay

For busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Phnom Penh Water Festival Boat Races does not become the hardest part.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

KHR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map11.56 N, 104.93 EOpen in Google Maps

Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Nearest airportPNH — Phnom Penh
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaFor busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Phnom Penh Water Festival Boat Races does not become the hardest part.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Phnom Penh via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Phnom Penh, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for November.Compare faresFestival gearLight, sweat-wicking clothing and a hat for hours in direct sun along the riverbank, sturdy sandals or shoes for standing on uneven quay pavement, and sunglasses given the glare off the water.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Cambodia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Phnom Penh Water Festival Boat Races?

Phnom Penh Water Festival Boat Races is listed for 23–25 November 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Phnom Penh Water Festival Boat Races take place?

The festival is listed in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLnmc.gov.kh
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates23–25 November 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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