The Ngo Boat Racing Festival, a tradition of the Mekong Delta region’s Khmer ethnic minority, began in Soc Trang province’s Soc Trang City on November 15.
The celebration of the moon and rice featured special performances, Khmer agricultural rituals on a floating Maspero River stage, and an exhibition of the 13 ghe go boat designs representing 13 Mekong Delta provinces.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh described the annual festival as a national event promoting and preserving cultural and sporting traditions.
Soc Trang Provincial People’s Committee Vice Chairperson Quach Viet Tung said the festival also allows the province to advertise its unique traditions to potential domestic and foreign visitors.
The festival, which will run until November 17, encompasses a trade fair, a Kinh, Khmer, and Hoa cuisine festival, folk games, traditional sports, a photograph exhibition depicting Soc Trang, and a series of art performances.