September in Cambodia: A mix of Busy, Rainy and Sunny time

It rains so heavily again here in Cambodia in September and it's the time of Pchum Ben's days in Cambodia that people are going to the pagoda bringing food and praying for their ancestors. 

During September, there are days will it rains a lot and there are days when the sun shines like a great summertime. Many Cambodians are preparing for the pagoda and many workers have days off and go home to their families.

It rains so hard in September in Cambodia

Like every year it rains so heavily here in Cambodia since the start of September. I wake up most of the morning hearing the loud sounds of the rain. It's good when it rains sometimes in the countryside but people in cities don't really enjoy that because it's a hard time going to work and some businesses are having a quiet time.

Things to be aware of when it rains hard in Cambodia

While writing this post in September of 2022 some parts of major cities like Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville and Siem Reap are still getting flooded when it rains hard for days. The journey to the islands is not recommended and it's not a good time to travel.

Here are the things to be aware of and tips for the rainy season in Cambodia:

• Some parts of the cities and province often get flooded while the other parts are in a good situation when it rains heavily so to should check and make sure the part you're staying in is not flooded if you're staying during the rainy time in Cambodia
• If you're having a short time to visit Cambodia, September might not be a good month you can see the Cambodian culture during the Pchum Ben period but your traveling can be ruined by the rain.
• Parts of the beaches in Sihanoukville, Kampot, and Kep are affected so much by the rain and usually, it rains more heavily and the wind is so hard that it's not safe visiting the beach
• You should prepare for the rainy days so that when it rains this hard you can stay in and do your stuff instead of going out

Good things about September in Cambodia

Cambodians are enjoying the holidays of Pchum Ben that usually occur during September every year. People go back to their homeland and go to the pagodas with their families and friends and it is so exciting to see crowds of people in the pagodas doing the thing they believe is a good deed.

Even though it rains hard but there are times of sunshine during the days as Cambodian people like to say "After the rain the sunshine". Another good thing is that in my observation it usually rains so heavily during the night and early morning and the sun comes out during the day.

Should you visit Cambodia in September?

You shouldn't visit Cambodia in September if you don't enjoy the rain, but it is also a very good time to visit Cambodia to see the people in traditional costumes celebrating their Pchum Ben events. And it is not raining every day and all day long in September, the sun will shine and you may have a great time here in Cambodia during September.

September can be a quiet time in the cities as many Cambodians go back to their homeland, the street inside the cities will be less crowded the business is a little bit slow down, and the pagodas are filled with Cambodian people with their smiles.

Public holidays in September in Cambodia

There is a lot that happens during September as Pchum Ben last 15 days but the holiday counts only the last three days of Pchum Ben. There are also only 3 public holidays in September 2022 in Cambodia:

• 24th: first public holiday of the month people are rushing home the bus can be very busy
• 25th: Crowds of people will be at the pagodas in each city and province across the country
• 26th: last day of Pchum Ben and some people are heading back for the next day of work