Soc Trang to host week of cultural extravaganza, sporting thrill
The Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang is gearing up for the first Culture, Sports and Tourism Week, with the 6th Ooc Om Boc festival - Ngo boat race scheduled from November 9-15.
Soc Trang (VNA) ꦏ– The Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang is gearing up for the first Culture, Sports and Tourism Week, with the 6th Ooc Om Boc festival - Ngo boat race scheduled from November 9-15.
Tran Van Lau, Chairman of the provincial People's Committee and head of the festival organising board, said the festival has become a unique cultural hallmark that defines the distinct "brand" of Soc Trang over the past years.
Male teams are preparing for a 1,000m competition (Photo: VNA)
It is a great opportunity to popularise the image of its people, land, cultural identity as well as its potential and advantages to friends both inside and outside the province, he said.
It is also to celebrate the rich cultural traditions of the Khmer ethnic community in Soc Trang, as well as the broader southern region of Vietnam. It reflects the aspirations and spiritual needs of the Khmer people, offering them a platform to engage in and preserve their cultural heritage.
The festival's highlight will be the highly anticipated Ngo boat race, expected to draw between 55 and 60 male and female teams.
Throughout the week, a myriad of events will unfold across prominent locations in Soc Trang city, including Bach Dang square, Maspero river, and the freshwater lake cultural area.
Other highlights include a moon worshipping ceremony, the Loi Protip water lantern release contest, and a performance of the Ca Hau boat.There will be the 10 booths set up by Soc Trang and adjacent provinces to display and introduce OCOP products and regional specialties.
At the intense race (Photo: VNA)
This event will also witness a historic moment as Soc Trang aims to set a Guinness World Record for the largest performance of traditional Khmer music.
In a significant move, the provincial Department of Planning and Investment has compiled a list of 17 projects open to investment for the 2025-2030 period, which has been submitted to the provincial People's Committee for approval. These projects span various sectors, ranging from industry and industrial infrastructure, energy and electricity, agriculture, healthcare, to education and environment.
At the same time, to expedite the completion of project procedures, the department worked with various agencies to advise the provincial People's Committee on six key projects that require fast-tracking and are ready for investment calls. They include a vocational school, a shopping outlet, a commercial service and residential complex, a 9ha hi-tech agricultural project at Thi Doi canal, a waste-to-energy solid waste treatment plant in My Tu district, and a commercial residential and market complex in Nga Nam town./.
Khmer people in the southern province of Soc Trang have grieved for the passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong who always paid much attention to ethnic minority groups in general and Khmer people in particular.
A ceremony took place in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang on May 22 to start a sustainable development project targeting one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice linked to green growth in the region.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
