Khmer culture-sport-tourism festival underway in Kien Giang
The opening ceremony of Kien Giang’s Khmer culture-sport-tourism festival took place on November 8 on the bank of Cai Lon river in Go Quao district, which houses the largest number of Khmer people in the Mekong Delta province.
Kien Giang (VNA) – The opening ceremony of KienGiang’s Khmer culture-sport-tourism festival took place on November 8 on thebank of Cai Lon river in Go Quao district, which houses the largest number ofKhmer people in the Mekong Delta province.
This year’s event, the 14th edition, is scheduledfor November 6 – 9, in conjunction with the Ok Om Bok (moon worshipping) – one ofthe three main festivals, along with Sene Dolta and Chol Chnam Thmay, thatKhmer ethnic people celebrate every year.
With the participation of nearly 3,000 artisans, actors andathletes from across the province, it features a range of activities, includingmusical-art performances, a food-culture trade fair and exhibition, a footballtournament, and a Ngo (Khmer boat) race.
The Ngo race, considered a big draw to locals, sees 12teams competing in the three categories of 800m and 1,200m for men, and mixed 800m.
Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee NguyenLuu Trung said the festival returns after two-year hiatus over COVID-19, expectedto welcome some 300,000 visitors.
Kien Giang has 27 ethnic groups comprising more than 261,000people, or 15% of its population, with the Khmer numbering 228,200./.
The Khmer community in Soc Trang province, along with Khmer people in the southern region, hold traditional Sene Dolta festival from the 29th of the eighth lunar month to the first of the ninth lunar month each year. This is one of the most important religious festivals for Khmer ethnic people.
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At the Ngo boat race (Photo: VNA) 
