Khmer Festival of Culture, Sports and Tourism kicks off in Kien Giang

Since 2007, the festival has become a provincial-level cultural event, attracting a large number of locals and visitors. In particular, the tenth Khmer Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival is one of the main events of the 2016 Phu Quoc–Mekong Delta National Tourism Year.

The festival comprises many exciting activities such as trade fairs, exhibitions for Vietnam’s best-quality products, folk games, football and basketball competitions, photo and exhibitions display relating to the Khmer people’s lives, and more.

The Ngo boat race is one of the most attractive activities at the festival, with the participation of 47 boat race teams.

The annual event has been held on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the lunar calendar, contributing to conserving and proving the national cultural value, meeting the spiritual needs of the Khmer people in Vietnam and tightening further solidarity between the country’s ethnic groups.

Ok-Om-Bok, a moon worshipping ritual performed by the Khmer ethnic group, is one of the three main events celebrated every year. Traditionally, the Khmer believe the moon is a deity who controls the weather and crops throughout the year.

As part of the event, local residents provide offerings to show their gratitude to the deity for giving them good weather conditions and fruitful harvests.