Siem Reap province, home to the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archeological Park, is hosting the 8th River Festival from Mar. 15 to 17 along the Siem Reap River, between the Royal Residence and Wat Bo pagoda, to promote tourism potential along the riparian provinces in Cambodia.
Under the theme ‘River for Peace and Development,’ the annual event this year features art performances and concerts by national and international artists, a fireworks display, a tourism product exhibition, a Mekong food festival, and entertainment activities, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
The 8th River Festival is seen as a solemn celebration aimed at highlighting the priceless importance of the Kingdom of Cambodia’s rivers under the shadow of peace, national unity and sustainable development, the Ministry of Tourism said.
In addition to showcasing the beauty of the Kingdom of Cambodia’s vibrant waterways, the 8th River Festival will be a platform for cultural exchange, education and community engagement, attracting locals and for
eign tourists to actively participate in the conservation of these important natural resources, stated the ministry.
The thrilled festival will contribute to the growth of tourists and increase the potential of tourism in Siem Reap and the riparian provinces of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the ministry’s Secretary of State and Spokesperson H.E Top Sopheak said.
‘The Ministry of Tourism puts high hopes of more national and international tourists to attend the event like those in previous years,’ H.E Top Sopheak said.
Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, will preside over the official opening ceremony of 8th River Festival on Mar. 16.
Organised since 2015, the River Festival is aimed to inspire movement of the public to participate in the development of sustainable river resources and to participate in the tourism diversification campaign by creating new tourism events in riparian provinces.
Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia’s economy. The Kingdom attracted s
ome 5.43 million international tourists in 2023, a sharp increase of 139 percent from 2.27 million in 2022, the official report showed.
Cambodia is well known for its world cultural heritage sites, namely the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province, the Preah Vihear Temple and Koh Ker Temple in Preah Vihear province, and the Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological Site in Kampong Thom province.
Besides, the Kingdom has a 450-kilometre-long pristine coastline stretching across four southwestern provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse