Resounding Khmer folk music

Joining the bustling atmosphere of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Week to celebrate the Ok Om Bok festival in 2025, from October 31 to November 3, at the stage next to the Ba Om pond scenic area, the melodies of instruments, drums, trumpets... resounded. That was the atmosphere of the musical "party" from the 1st Provincial Khmer Traditional Musical Instrument Performance Competition in 2025.

	Bustling Ok Om Bok festival night in Vinh Long province 2025
	Ok Om Bok Festival: Preserving and spreading Khmer cultural values
	[Infographic] Activities to celebrate Ok Om Bok Festival 2025 in Vinh Long province

Joining the bustling atmosphere of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Week to celebrate the Ok Om Bok festival in 2025, from October 31 to November 3, at the stage next to the Ba Om pond scenic area, the melodies of instruments, drums, trumpets... resounded. That was the atmosphere of the musical "party" from the 1st Provincial Khmer Traditional Musical Instrument Performance Competition in 2025.

Khmer traditional musical instrument performance to celebrate Ok Om Bok festival.

Having the opportunity to observe the competition over the 4 days, we witnessed the active and quality participation of 12 participating units with nearly 50 performances by more than 200 artisans, musicians, and actors from communes and wards in the province and Tra Vinh University.

The performances brought to the delegates and the audience richness and uniqueness through each solo, duet, and ensemble piece. In particular, the art troupes used many traditional musical instruments typical of the Khmer people. In particular, the Organizing Committee encouraged the staging units to interweave illustrative or accompanying dances suitable for each piece of music, thus contributing to enriching the performance.

For example, in the performance “Ro bam music ensemble - Ream-ker melody” by Tra Vinh University, along with the sounds of strings, drums, gongs and bamboo flutes… are the graceful dances of the supporting female actors.

Or in the quartet performance "Classical wedding music: Hao and Neari" performed by Cau Ngang commune, along with the musical notes are supporting actors portraying the couple and other characters in the traditional wedding of the Khmer people.

In general, this is not a professional playground, because the 12 units participating in the competition are only mass art troupes at the commune and ward levels. However, through the competition, it shows that the artists and actors have shown their skillful talents in the performance.

All the performers on stage breathed life into each instrument, performing traditional melodies in a realistic and lively way. At the same time, each performance was creative in its arrangement and harmony, contributing to the renewal of the work, while still maintaining the unique Khmer cultural identity.

From that, it can be affirmed that the competition has created a strong vitality for Khmer traditional music in contemporary cultural life. The competition is also a bridge for generations of artisans to meet, exchange experiences, arouse passion for the younger generation, and strengthen solidarity among ethnic groups in the province.

Highly appreciated performance of Cau Ke commune unit.

According to Mr. Thach Mu Ni - Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions, Head of the Contest Jury, each unit brought to the contest a colorful program with its own unique features, creating many excellent performances.

Another highlight is that many units have used the music of the Khmer people of Tra Vinh in particular and the Khmer people of the Southern region in general, which have been created, passed down and preserved to this day.

Many young, highly skilled musicians combine with older musicians and artisans to create an impression on the audience through each performance. This is also a continuation between young people and experienced artisans, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the nation's fine cultural values.

The first provincial Khmer traditional musical instrument performance competition in 2025 has ended, but the echoes of Khmer traditional musical instruments will last forever. We believe that, with the joint efforts of the community, the precious musical heritage of the Khmer people will continue to be preserved and promoted, becoming a unique cultural and tourism product, contributing significantly to the sustainable development of the province.

Mr. Thach Boi - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee of the contest affirmed: The success of this contest is a solid foundation for the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to continue to research, organize periodically and improve the quality in the following years.

Article and photos: LAM THY

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/van-hoa-giai-tri/202511/ngan-vang-lan-dieu-am-nhac-dan-toc-khmer-f330f03/