Phnom Penh, Cambodia — Phnom Penh came alive this week as communities across the capital marked the 2026 Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, with a range of cultural events and traditional activities. The celebrations, which officially fell on Feb. 17, 2026, ushered in the Year of the Horse under the Chinese zodiac, drawing participation from local residents, ethnic Chinese families and cultural visitors alike.
In the days leading up to the holiday, markets and homes throughout Phnom Penh were adorned with red lanterns, paper-cuts and festive couplets, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity for the year ahead. Cambodians of Chinese descent prepared for the occasion by cleaning their homes, decorating entrances and purchasing plum blossom saplings — a traditional emblem of renewal.
Public and private cultural venues hosted various activities that showcased both Cambodian and Chinese heritage. A Chinese-Cambodian cultural exhibition in the capital provided residents and visitors with opportunities to explore traditional arts, tea customs and calligraphy, reflecting deep cross-cultural engagement ahead of the New Year.
Government and community leaders highlighted the festival’s role in strengthening ties between Cambodia and China. Ahead of the celebrations, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet extended his best wishes to Chinese communities at home and abroad, acknowledging the longstanding cultural and socio-economic links between the two nations. Traditional performances, including lion dances staged at prominent sites such as the Royal Palace, further underscored the shared cultural heritage and festive spirit.
For many families, the Spring Festival remains a time of reunion and remembrance. Households gathered for feasts, temple visits and ancestral honors, sustaining traditions that bridge generations. Observances in Phnom Penh reflected both festive vibrancy and meaningful cultural continuity, making Chinese New Year one of the city’s most dynamic seasonal celebrations.
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