The Ministry of Tourism and the National Committee for Clean City Evaluation have hosted the “best countdown city of the year” contest on December 31, to celebrate New Year 2023.

The contest aims to crown the best city in the Kingdom to countdown the clock and ring in the new year at midnight on December 31st.

In a December 29 notice, the National Committee for Clean City Evaluation chairman – Minister of Tourism Thong Khon – said that the competition criteria was based on the public decorations and design, hygiene, cleanliness and nice environment as well as the overall security, safety and public order of the location, which should aim to please both local and tourist revelers with the planned celebrations.

Khon asked that both Cambodian citizens and international tourists join in and vote for their favourite spot this year at: http://bestcountdowncity.cambodiacleancity.gov.kh/

The voting starts at 5pm on December 31, 2022 and runs until 5pm on January 2, 2023.

It was noted that as the international new year approaches, authorities and officials across the Kingdom are decorating their towns and districts with lights and getting ready to host events and parties both large and small to ring in 2023.

The Battambang provincial administration has already set up an outdoor area for revelers to gather and celebrate in Battambang town with lights, decorations, music concerts, food exhibitions and plenty to drink on offer over the weekend of December 30-31.

The Siem Reap provincial administration has also been doing its best to draw travelers for the holiday and has been hosting a series of events and programmes that began on December 25 and will run up into the early days of 2023, with the hope of making it a happy new year for all in their corner of the Kingdom.