Khmer ethnic culture festival shines in Kien Giang
The 12th culture, sport and tourism festival of the Khmer ethnic people in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang is taking place in Go Quao township, Go Quao district from November 21 to 23, attracting thousands of visitors.
Kien Giang (VNA) – The 12th culture, sport and tourism festival of the Khmer ethnic people in the MekongDelta province of Kien Giang is taking place in Go Quao township, Go Quaodistrict from November 21 to 23, attracting thousands of visitors.
The annual festival, which celebrates theOoc Om Bok (the Khmer festival of worshiping the moon), features Khmer cuisine,sport-culture activities and musical performances.
The traditional Ngo boat race, whichreflects unity in Khmer culture, is a highlight of the event. The boats arekept at Khmer pagodas throughout the year in preparation for the race, wherethey each represents a Khmer village.
Ooc Om Bok is one of three main festivals,along with Sene Dolta and Chol Chnam Thmay, that Khmer people celebrate everyyear. It has been recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage by theMinistry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
The event begins around 7-8 pm on theevening of 14th of the 10th lunar month when the moon’s position is high in thesky. Khmer people celebrate at home outdoors or at Khmer pagodas, praying forgood luck, happiness, good weather and bumper crops.
There are about 1.3 million Khmer peopleliving in the southern region of Vietnam.-VNA
The Khmer ethnic community in the southern province of Soc Trang these days are jubilantly celebrating their traditional Ooc Om Bok festival, which worships the Moon deity for bumper crops.
Ooc Om Bok Festival, also called the Festival of Worshiping the Moon, will take place in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang from November 16-22, with various activities to celebrate the traditional Khmer festival.
A Ngo boat race (similar to the sport of dragon boating) took place on Long Binh river of the Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh on November 21, part of the traditional Ooc Om Bok Festival of the Khmer people.
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Ngo boat race (Illustrative photo: VNA) 
