Young people gathering for a traditional ceremony to send their ancestors back after the celebration of Pchum Ben, or Ancestors' Day in the outskirts of Phnom Penh on the morning of Oct 3, 2024. - AP
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's three-day Pchum Ben public holiday had come to an end with about 1.78 million people travelling to different tourist destinations across the kingdom, the Ministry of Tourism said in a report on Friday (Oct 4).
Of the number, 37,091 were foreign visitors, the report said.
The most popular attractions during the holiday were Battambang, Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, Kampong Chhnang and Kampot provinces, the report added.
Prime Minister Hun Manet said celebrations of the traditional Pchum Ben festival was essential to preserve and promote Cambodia's beautiful culture, tradition and custom for next generations.
Pchum Ben festival, or the Ancestor's Day, from Tuesday to Thursday, was the second largest celebration in the South-East Asian country after the lunar New Year in April.
During the festival, Buddhists visited pagodas, offering food, drinks, incense sticks, candles and some money to monks in order to dedicate to their relatives and loved ones, who had passed away. - Xinhua
