“Brilliant Moon River - Brightening Heritage”

The atmosphere was bustling throughout the streets before the festival opened.

The program is directed by the City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Can Tho City; chaired by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho City, in coordination with relevant units. General director: People's Artist Nguyen Minh Thong, script by Dr. Kim Nguyen Bao. The opening ceremony is broadcast live on Can Tho 2 and Can Tho channels, and Livestreamed on digital platforms of Can Tho Newspaper, Radio and Television.

The highlight of the Opening Ceremony is the special art program consisting of three chapters: “Telling stories on the moonlit night” - reenacting the moon worshiping ritual, pounding flat rice and Khmer cultural legends. “Song of solidarity and racing” - honoring the spirit of solidarity and the aspiration to rise up through the image of Ngo boats cutting through the waves. “ Can Tho - Harmony of heritage” - blending traditional and contemporary sounds, praising the city of innovation and integration.

The actors rehearse and run the program in preparation for the opening ceremony.

Within the framework of the festival, the Ngo Boat Race will take place on November 4 and 5 at the Ngo Boat Race Grandstand in Soc Trang Ward, with 61 teams (53 men's teams, 8 women's teams) competing on the Maspéro River (distance 1,200m for men, 1,000m for women). In addition, there will be a Loi Protip performance (water lantern release) with 16 boats and 4 Ca Hau boats participating on the two nights of November 3 and 4, creating a colorful scene on the Maspéro River, between the C247 bridge (Swing bridge) and the 30-4 bridge (Cao bridge).

On the Maspéro River, Ngo boat teams are enthusiastically practicing, ready for the big festival.

On the evening of November 4, at Kh'leang Pagoda, visitors will be able to participate in the Moon Worshiping Ceremony and perform the flattened rice stabbing performance, recreating the traditional rituals typical of the Ooc Om Boc Festival of the Khmer people in the South.

With a space filled with sparkling lights and water, the resounding sound of five-tone drums and the vibrant atmosphere of boat racing, the Ooc Om Boc Festival - Ngo Boat Racing in Can Tho City in 2025 promises to be a unique cultural and tourism highlight, spreading the spirit of solidarity and pride of the Khmer people in the South.

News and photos: THACH PIC

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/-ruc-ro-song-trang-bung-sang-di-san--a193364.html