Bustling opening day of Ooc Om Boc festival - Ngo boat racing in 2025

In the bustling atmosphere of the last days of October, a large number of people and tourists flocked to Phu Loi ward and Soc Trang ward (Can Tho city) to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Ooc Om Boc festival - Ngo boat racing in Can Tho city in 2025, one of the most unique cultural and sporting events of the Khmer people in the South. This year, the main activities of the festival take place from November 3 to November 5, with many exciting and attractive cultural, sporting and tourism activities.

Ngo boat team of Pôthisatharam pagoda practices "sprint".

61 boat teams registered to compete

In the last days of October, in some pagodas in communes and wards such as: An Ninh, Thuan Hoa, Phu Tam, Ke Sach, My Huong, Nhu Gia, Lam Tan, Vinh Phuoc, My Xuyen, Soc Trang ... everywhere you can see the image of athletes diligently practicing "sprint" on long boats over 30m long, cutting through the waves to the bustling cheers of the people.

Several boat teams were present at the Ngo boat racing track (Maspéro River section) to practice for the official race day. In the late afternoon, the practice atmosphere became more and more exciting. Boat teams from Tuk Prăy, Kh'leang, Chrôi Tùm Chác, Phnoroka, Tum Núp, Pôthisatharam, Săng Ke pagodas... were entering the speed and swimming technique testing phase. The rhythmic shouts combined with the coach's whistle created a powerful, enthusiastic symphony.

Mr. Kim Hal, Head of the Ngo Boat Club of Tuk Prăy Pagoda (Long Phu Commune), shared: “After more than 20 days of training on the platform, the pagoda has just launched a new Ngo boat for the whole team to start practicing speed and swimming techniques on the Maspéro River race track. The new boat was invested in by the pagoda, with delicately painted patterns, is lighter and glides better on the water, so everyone in the team is very excited and eager. From now until the competition day, the brothers will take advantage of every afternoon to go down to the water to practice physical strength, adjust their swimming rhythm, and be determined to win a high ranking in this year's racing season.”

For the Khmer people, the Ngo boat is not only a means of competition but also a sacred symbol in spiritual life, considered as a guardian deity of peace, an embodiment of solidarity and strength of the village. Therefore, whenever there is a Ngo boat, from the elderly to the children, everyone cherishes it, is proud, and is willing to contribute their efforts to train with the boat team and their village to prepare for the festival season.

According to Venerable Thach Sal, Abbot of Pôthisatharam Pagoda (Sóc Trăng Ward), every year the number of Ngo boat athletes of the pagoda participating in training is very large, about 160 people. "To create conditions for the brothers to participate, this year the pagoda registered 2 male Ngo boat teams, including 1 dugout boat team and 1 wooden boat team, so that all athletes have the opportunity to participate in the competition, contributing to creating a vibrant and exciting atmosphere for the festival" - Venerable Thach Sal said.

The most anticipated Ngo Boat Race will take place on November 4 and 5 at the Ngo boat racing stand in Soc Trang ward. Up to this point, 61 boat teams have registered to participate, including 53 male teams and 8 female teams from inside and outside Can Tho city. The male Ngo boat team will compete in the 1,200m distance and the female Ngo boat team will compete in the 1,000m distance.

“Colors of Khmer culture in the heart of Tay Do”

On the roads leading to the festival area, the authorities and local authorities are urgently decorating with flags and flowers, beautifying the city, cleaning up and ensuring traffic safety. In Phu Loi ward and Soc Trang ward, preparations for the grandstands, embankments and audience areas are being carried out urgently, ready to welcome tens of thousands of visitors from near and far to the festival.

As planned, the festival will open on the evening of November 3 at Bach Dang Square, broadcast live on the platforms of Can Tho Newspaper, Radio and Television, with many unique art performances honoring the cultural identity of Southern Khmer.

At Kh'leang Pagoda, where the Moon Worshiping Ceremony and the performance of pounding flat rice are held, visitors will witness traditional rituals associated with the Ooc Om Boc Festival of the Khmer people in the South. On the Maspéro River, between the C247 Bridge (Swing Bridge) and the 30-4 Bridge (Cao Bridge), visitors can also enjoy the performance of releasing water lanterns (Loiprotip) and the colorful Ca Hau boats.

At the same time, the Can Tho City OCOP Products and Regional Specialties Trade Promotion Fair 2025 opened from October 30 to November 5 at Urban Area 5A, with a scale of about 400 booths, gathering businesses, cooperatives, and production facilities inside and outside the city to participate in introducing and promoting typical products.

Mr. Lam Hoang Mau, Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions of Can Tho City, said: “This year's festival aims to both preserve and honor the cultural values ​​of the Khmer people, and promote the image of Can Tho tourism to domestic and foreign friends. Along with the Ngo boat racing, the activities of displaying OCOP products, introducing Khmer culture and cuisine will help visitors better understand the colorful land of Can Tho - a symbol of national solidarity, arousing pride and responsibility to build an increasingly prosperous homeland."

Coming to Can Tho City this season, visitors can feel the peaceful yet vibrant pace of life, where the three ethnic groups Kinh - Khmer - Hoa live together. Everything is ready for the big festivals, of culture, sports, tourism blending together, illuminating the identity of Can Tho land and people during the full moon season (Pinh bôr-khe-kađak - according to the Khmer calendar).

Article and photos: THACH PIC

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/ron-rang-ngay-khai-hoi-ooc-om-boc-dua-ghe-ngo-nam-2025-a193042.html