“Ngo Boat Racing Festival in Soc Trang – Colors of the River”: The soul of the village in the beat of the festival drums

Within the framework of the Video/Clip Creation Contest "Vietnam Tourism Impressions 2025", the work "Ngo Boat Racing Festival in Soc Trang - Colors of Rivers" by MARIO POPCORN has excellently won the third prize in the long video category of the monthly voting category.

With a youthful yet profound perspective, the video immerses viewers in one of the most unique and sacred festivals of the Khmer people in the South - the Oc Om Boc Festival in Soc Trang , where the souls of the villagers are awakened in the bustling drum sounds and the colors of the rivers.

The opening scene is a brilliant shot of the morning festival.

The video opens with brilliant shots of the morning of the festival. From above, the Maspero River appears like a silk strip winding through the heart of Soc Trang city, with both banks lined with festival-goers. The sound of drums and gongs blends with the cheers, creating a vivid soundscape of a festival that has a strong influence on the hearts of the people of the South.

Each Ngo boat that appears in the frame is not just a boat, but a symbol of the undying spirit of solidarity. Each stroke of the oar is a heartbeat of dozens of people, all aiming for victory – but above all, towards national cultural pride. In the rhythm of the drums, the audience feels the strength of the Khmer community, of the people of the river region who are always attached to nature and worship the water god.

MARIO POPCORN's video not only records the speed race, but also recreates the spirit of the Oc Om Boc festival - the traditional "Moon Worship" ceremony of the Khmer people, to thank the Moon God for blessing the harvest, favorable weather and wind. Interspersed between the boat racing scenes are images of people preparing offerings, lighting lamps and floating them on the river, and Khmer girls in traditional costumes gracefully dancing and singing by the festival fire. Every detail highlights the beauty of humanity, beliefs and the joy of the community's labor.

Elaborately staged, the video delivers a coherent and emotional narrative: from the excitement before the race, to the explosion when the boats rush across the water, then pauses in the moment when the floating lanterns reflect the moonlight on the river. All blend into a song that is both exciting and sacred – true to the spirit of the festival recognized by UNESCO as a “National Intangible Cultural Heritage”.

With vivid visual storytelling, steady editing and sincere emotions, “Ngo Boat Racing Festival in Soc Trang – Colors of the River” is not only a travel video, but also a proud cultural film, contributing to promoting the beauty of the Mekong Delta – where people and nature blend together in the same rhythm of life.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/le-hoi-dua-ghe-ngo-soc-trang-sac-mau-cua-song-nuoc-linh-hon-phum-soc-trong-nhip-trong-hoi-20251026205740871.htm