Prime Minister Hun Manet has highlighted the success of the Angkor Sankranta event, noting its achievement of three key objectives.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of Angkor Sankranta 2025 on Monday afternoon in Siem Reap provincial city, Mr Hun Manet emphasised that the event has become a powerful symbol of unity, fostering patriotism by bringing together people from all walks of life, regardless of religion, affiliation, or sector.
The Prime Minister also underlined the Angkor Sankranta’s role in promoting Cambodian tourism. He noted that the event showcases to the world that Cambodia enjoys peace and happiness — a message that helps attract more international visitors to the Kingdom.
Moreover, he stressed that Angkor Sankranta has made a significant contribution to strengthening local economic activities and improving the livelihoods of local residents.
He further pointed to three key factors enabling the Cambodian people’s joyful celebrations: enduring peace and security, which allows free and safe travel across the country; an increasingly interconnected infrastructure network facilitating their travel; and a variety of modern transportation options, reflecting their better standard of living.
This year’s Angkor Sankranta, held under the theme “Smiles for the New Year Celebration,” offers a wide array of entertainment and cultural experiences. Highlights include the “Angkor’s Heartbeat” Show, “My Village” Exhibition, Ok Chaktrang (Khmer Chess) Competitions, Angkor Sankranta Parade, Ancient Khmer Mixed Martial Arts Demonstrations, Traditional and Popular Dance Performances, the “Angkor Smile Garden,” “Let’s Play Water” (Tos Tos Leng Teuk), “Moni Harotey,” and so on.
Since its inception in 2013, when Siem Reap welcomed 170,000 visitors, Angkor Sankranta has seen remarkable growth. By 2023 — the festival’s 10th anniversary — the province recorded over 2 million attendees, generating more than $126 million in revenue. AKP
