The Mekong River always swells during the wet season and ebbs during the dry season. When the waters of the Mekong River begin to ebb, the water festival is always held annually in front of the Royal Palace and boat racing is constantly conducted along the Sap River in Phnom Penh Capital, Cambodia. It shows Khmer cultural tradition, artistic talents, good merit, peaceful preference, human happiness, social solidarity, national conscience, physical agility, outstanding bravery, great perseverance, and strong will of the Cambodian people in protecting national independence, territorial integrity, people's lives, public property, ancestral legacies, and national honour against all stratagems of enemies' aggression. It also expresses the development of various agricultural products favoured by the fertile land, which combines with industrious behaviour, great patience, creative ideas, and tireless effort in rice production of all our farmers.

On Wednesday 09-11 November 2011, the water festival will be jubilantly held in Phnom Penh to commemorate the undivided strength of the powerful Khmer marine forces in the ancient Khmer Empire and to show a wide range of travel and transport possibilities by water.