A Love Letter to the Diaspora 🇰🇭 | Celebrating Khmer New Year in Cambodia

This video is my love letter to every koun Khmer across the diaspora. To the ones who feel most proud to be Khmer during Khmer New Year. To the ones who only feel a sense of community during Khmer New Year. To the ones who feel like an imposter during Khmer New Year. To the ones who only have memories of Khmer New Year. To the ones who never really got to celebrate Khmer New Year. And to everyone whose experience falls somewhere in between... I made this because I know what it's like to search for belonging in pieces of a culture you were told was yours but never fully felt like home. And I wanted you to see what it looks like when koun Khmer come together and experience Khmer New Year in Cambodia, not as outsiders, but as people coming home. In April 2026, I brought nine koun Khmer from across the U.S. and Australia through Cambodia for 10 days and celebrated Choul Chnam Thmey in the motherland. This video is a glimpse of what that felt like and what it meant. 📍Where we stayed in Phnom Penh: Baitong Hotel & Resort: https://www.baitonghotel.asia/ Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/i7r8ShyZ5nG1K... _________________________ 🌿 A Koun Khmer Homecoming Experience If you've ever wondered what it would be like to truly understand the traditions you grew up around, to speak the language without fear, to be surrounded by your people and feel like you belong, this is your invitation to come home with Selarati. This journey was created for koun Khmer who grew up away from Cambodia and want to come home in a deeper, more intentional way, together. We traveled through Phnom Penh, Battambang, and Siem Reap, learning about our history and culture, practicing Khmer, sharing meals, reflecting, and building community. And we celebrated Khmer New Year the way our ancestors have for generations. If this resonates with you, I hope you'll consider joining us. _________________________ 🇰🇭 Next AKKHE Trip: July 9-18, 2026 Registration is open now until May 15, 2026. How to join: 1. Fill out the interest form: https://selarati.com/interest-2026 2. You'll receive an email with the registration link and trip pricing & details This trip is designed to be transformative, intentional, and deeply rooted in connection and healing--to the land, the culture, and each other. I hope to welcome you home. _________________________ This is the first of four videos from our Khmer New Year Homecoming. More coming soon 🤍 *📌 Follow Selarati* Instagram:   / selarati   TikTok:   / selarati   Facebook:   / selarati.official   Website: https://selarati.com *📌 Follow me (Priscilla)* Instagram:   / priscillakimong   TikTok:   / priscillakimong   *📌 Subscribe* to follow the full series! --- Credits: Executive Producer: Priscilla Kim Ong Videographer: Alisha Escarez Editor: @t.k_shoot Featured Khmer New Year Photos & Videos from the Diaspora: Long Beach, CA: @Khmer_Renaissance (  / khmer_renaissance  ) (all videos) @Khmmunity (  / khmmunity  ) Lowell, MA: Khmer Krom Association of New England - (https://www.facebook.com/share/1Am5u7... Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (  / cmaalowell  ) Other personal photos & videos from friends & family featured in: San Jose, CA San Diego, CA Lowell / Chelmsford, MA --- #Selarati #KhmerNewYear #Cambodia #KounKhmer #KhmerDiaspora #CambodianAmerican #Homecoming #KhmerCulture #ChoulChnamThmey #KhmerIdentity #DiasporaStories