The highlight of the event will be a ghe ngo (Khmer long boat) race on November 10 and 11. (Photo: VNA)
Soc Trang (VNA) – A string of cultural and sport events will be heldduring the Ooc Om Bok festival in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang fromNovember 5-11.
Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Ngo Hung, who is also deputyhead of the organising board, said the festival is held annually to preservethe traditional cultural values of the Khmer ethnic people and promote theimage of Soc Trang and its people to domestic and foreign visitors.
Ooc Om Bok will feature a re-enactment of a moon worshipping ritual, a waterlantern (Loi-protip) festival, a show of traditional Khmer costumes, and astreet food festival.
The highlight of the event will be a ghe ngo (Khmer long boat) race on November10 and 11. TheKhmer ethnic people view the race as both a game and a way to expresssolidarity, as well as a traditional ritual to bid farewell to the God of Waterafter the harvest season. Hundredsof people are expected to attend the festival, so provincial police haveoutlined a plan to ensure safety and security during the event, Hung said.
The Ok Om Bok festival takes place under the full moon in the 10th lunar month, when the rainy season ends and the dry season starts, meaning itsharvest time.
The Khmer believe themoon is a god who controls the weather and crops throughout the year.
On this occasion, they offerfarm produce to thank the gods for favourable weather and a bumper harvest./.
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.
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The highlight of the event will be a ghe ngo (Khmer long boat) race on November 10 and 11. (Photo: VNA) 
