Thousands of people and tourists join in the atmosphere of Ok Om Bok festival

A bustling, joyful atmosphere spread throughout the space as many locals and tourists eagerly participated in folk competitions such as tug of war, stick pushing, sack jumping, cross-country running...

On November 5, thousands of Khmer people, locals and tourists gathered at Ao Ba Om National Scenic Area (Nguyet Hoa Ward, Vinh Long Province) to immerse themselves in the jubilant atmosphere of the Ok Om Bok festival.

The pentatonic music combined with loudspeakers and cheers at sports competition areas and folk games created a vibrant cultural space full of festival colors.

From early morning, many people and tourists eagerly participated in folk competitions such as tug of war, stick pushing, sack jumping, cross-country running... The bustling, joyful atmosphere spread throughout the space of this national historical-cultural relic.

Mr. Kim Ngoc Rinh, Tra Cu commune, shared that for over 10 years, every year he has returned to Ao Ba Om to enjoy the Ok Om Bok festival. Arriving at 6am on November 5, he registered to participate in most of the sports and folk games.

“Winning or losing is not important to me. The local Khmer people and I want to work together to preserve and spread the unique culture of our people to tourists near and far,” said Mr. Rinh.

According to Mr. Lam Huu Phuc, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vinh Long province, sports activities and folk games are an indispensable part of the festival, contributing to preserving and promoting the value of the national intangible cultural heritage of the Ok Om Bok festival of the Khmer people.

Integrating these activities into the series of festival events aims to create a space for fun and entertainment for people, help connect the community, promote the image and people of Vinh Long, and bring the unique culture of the Khmer people to tourists.

Tourist Cao Hong Phuong Ha (Dong Thap province) said she had been to Vinh Long many times but this was the first time she had been immersed in the atmosphere of the Ok Om Bok festival.

“I am very impressed with this joyful and bustling atmosphere. The people here are friendly and hospitable, the cuisine is rich and attractive. I clearly feel the spirit of solidarity and attachment between the local ethnic groups through each game and dance,” Ms. Ha shared.

Meritorious Artist Sang Set, Head of the Khmer Literature and Arts Association (Vietnam Ethnic Minority Literature and Arts Association), said that the Ok Om Bok festival, also known as the moon worshiping ceremony, takes place on the full moon day of the 10th lunar month every year. When the harvest is finished, the Khmer people offer the first products of the season to the Moon god - the god who regulates the weather, making rain and wind favorable, helping the crops to be bountiful.

Every year on the occasion of Ok Om Bok festival, the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee organize a series of welcoming activities with many unique cultural, artistic and sports programs. This year, the festival is associated with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Week with many rich and attractive activities from October 30 to November 5.

People visit and learn about Khmer products at Ao Ba Om National Scenic Area. (Photo: Thanh Hoa/VNA)

The Moon Worshiping Ceremony (Ok Om Bok) and the flower lantern releasing program on Ba Om Pond on the evening of November 5 will close the Ok Om Bok Culture, Sports and Tourism Week 2025.

Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh Long province Nguyen Quynh Thien, Head of the Organizing Committee of the Week, said that the event took place in a joyful and united atmosphere of the local ethnic people, marking an important milestone after the success of the first Congress of the Vinh Long Provincial Party Committee, term 2025-2030, opening a new development path with the aspiration to build the province to be increasingly rich, civilized and sustainable, in which culture is identified as the spiritual foundation of society, both a goal and a driving force for development.

Ok Om Bok Festival is a vivid demonstration of Khmer cultural identity - an inseparable part, contributing to enriching the cultural appearance of Vinh Long, the Southern land as well as the culture of Vietnamese ethnic groups./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/hang-nghin-nguoi-dan-du-khach-hoa-minh-vao-khong-khi-cua-le-hoi-ok-om-bok-post1075085.vnp