The vibrant colors of Khmer culture add a brilliant touch to tourism.

Possessing a system of Khmer temples with distinctive architecture, along with a treasure trove of traditional festivals and rich art forms, Ca Mau has valuable resources at its disposal for developing cultural and spiritual tourism.

• Preserving Khmer culture amidst modern life.
• Promoting Khmer cultural values ​​in Ca Mau
• Promoting Khmer culture in schools.
• The vibrant colors of Khmer culture through the Prayer Ceremony.

In Hung Hoi commune, Cai Gia Giua Pagoda, although not as large as Cu Lao or Cai Gia Chot Pagodas, is gradually becoming a tourist destination thanks to its innovative approach to organizing cultural activities. A highlight is the Ngo boat race, held during traditional festivals, creating a vibrant atmosphere rich in Khmer identity. To gradually transform this activity into an attractive tourism product, the pagoda has renovated the lake within its grounds, built service facilities, beautified the landscape, and promoted it by live-streaming the exciting races on digital platforms. As a result, the image of the festival not only spreads within the community but also reaches a wide range of tourists from near and far.

The Ngo boat race at Cai Gia Giua Pagoda (Hung Hoi commune) is held during traditional festivals of the Khmer ethnic group, attracting a large number of tourists.

Ngo boat racing is a long-standing traditional sport closely associated with the cultural life of the Khmer people. During festivals, especially Ok Om Bok, this activity not only serves to preserve culture but also opens up great potential for tourism development.

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Venerable Ly Quang Long, Abbot of Cai Gia Giua Pagoda

Among the Khmer pagodas in Ca Mau province, Xiêm Cán Pagoda (Hiep Thanh ward) is the first and only pagoda recognized as a typical tourist destination by the Mekong Delta Tourism Association. Recently, the Ca Mau Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has invited many domestic travel agencies to Xiêm Cán Pagoda to provide feedback on improving tourism products and strengthening connections between tours and routes within the region. Notably, in 2025, the pagoda will receive support for Project 6, "Preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development," under the National Target Program for socio-economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas, giai đoạn 2021-2025. This will include investment in a stage, performance equipment, and improvements to the quality of artistic activities.

With these resources, the temple's performing arts troupes are equipped with traditional five-instrument orchestras, performance costumes, and training funds, creating artistic programs rich in cultural identity to serve tourists. The temple space thus becomes not only a place of religious activity but also a vibrant cultural meeting point.

Xiêm Cán Pagoda (Hiệp Thành ward) is the first and only pagoda recognized by the Mekong Delta Tourism Association as a typical tourist destination of Cà Mau province.

Impressed by its beauty, Ms. Nguyen Le Mai Phuong, a tourist from Hue city, shared that upon entering the temple gate, she was captivated by its unique architecture and spacious grounds. The distinct difference from other temples in Hue, along with the stories of the local people and monks directly involved in its construction, created a unique impression. According to her, everything from the costumes and music to the dances vividly reflects the rich spiritual life of the Khmer people.

With its unique architecture, Xiêm Cán Pagoda has become an attractive destination for tourists to visit and take photos.

Thanks to the joint efforts of the State and the community, many Khmer temples in Ca Mau not only preserve the "essence" of the ethnic culture but also open up avenues for sustainable tourism development. Traditional values ​​are awakened and spread, becoming a distinctive highlight in the cultural and tourism landscape of this southernmost region of Vietnam, contributing to improving the lives of the people and affirming Ca Mau's unique identity on the tourism map.

Trung Kien - Huu Tho

Source: https://baocamau.vn/sac-mau-van-hoa-khmer-net-cham-pha-ruc-ro-cho-du-lich-a127527.html