Phnom Penh (VNA) – The Cambodian government held a royal prayer ceremony at the ancient Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province on April 13–14 to mark the traditional New Year festival Choul Chnam Thmey.
Presided over by King Norodom Sihamoni, the ceremony followed royal rituals to pray for peace and prosperity in the new year and to preserve the country’s cultural heritage.
Attending were top Cambodian leaders including Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, and other senior officials, diplomats, monks, and international guests. Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu and his spouse were also present.
The ceremony featured traditional chanting by 79 monks, royal prayers, ritual drumming, and classical dance performances. It concluded with the King and senior officials offering alms and New Year gifts to monks and attendees.
This annual event, rooted in Cambodia’s spiritual and cultural history, is not only a religious observance but also a symbol of national unity and pride. It serves as a tribute to the ancestors who built Angkor Wat and other historic sites, while expressing aspirations for continued national harmony and development.
The ceremony added to the vibrant atmosphere of the three-day New Year celebration, which runs from April 14–16 and includes various traditional and recreational activities nationwide./.
