Vinh Long develops tourism associated with preserving Khmer cultural identity

Vinh Long – a land located in the center of the Mekong Delta – is not only blessed by nature with rivers and fertile fruit gardens, but is also a place where many cultures converge and blend. Among them, Khmer culture is a unique color, contributing to creating the unique identity of this land.

In recent years, Vinh Long has been making efforts to promote the traditional cultural values ​​of the Khmer people to link with tourism development, aiming at the goal of sustainable development.

The whole Vinh Long province currently has 156 Khmer pagodas with unique architecture, bearing the traditional cultural and religious imprint. Pagodas such as Ang Pagoda, Hang Pagoda, Kom Pong Pagoda or Phno Don Pagoda - also known as Co Pagoda - are not only places for religious activities of the Khmer people but also become attractive destinations for domestic and foreign tourists.

Dance performance for tourists at Khmer Cultural and Tourism Village in Tra Vinh

Located in the middle of a garden of green star apple and oil trees, Hang Pagoda is considered one of the typical architectural works of the Khmer people in Vinh Long. In addition to its ancient beauty, the pagoda is also famous for its traditional wood carving craft maintained by monks and artisans for many generations.

Artisan Son Soc, who has been involved in the sculpture profession for more than 20 years, shared: “The gallery displays masterpieces of sculptures such as buffalo plowing, people pounding rice, flattened rice… to serve tourists and preserve the images and living spaces of ancient people so that future generations can visualize the traditions of their ancestors.”

Ang Pagoda - an ancient pagoda located in the Ao Ba Om relic complex

About 40km southwest of Hang Pagoda, Phno Don Pagoda located in Dai An Commune is also a unique tourist destination. Not only because of the majesty of the main hall but also because of the tens of thousands of storks, herons, and storks that gather all year round in an area of ​​more than three hectares, creating a unique natural landscape that is rarely found anywhere else.

Venerable Truong Van Bien, abbot of Phno Don Pagoda, said: “The difference of Phno Don Pagoda is that there are many storks coming here to nest and sleep. In addition, the environment and architecture of the pagoda are also different, tourists are very excited when visiting. The government has also coordinated with the pagoda to protect the storks, ensuring a stable ecological environment.”

A corner of Ao Ba Om relic site

Promoting the cultural and tourism potential, Vinh Long has been investing in many cultural projects associated with the lives of the Khmer people. One of the highlights is the Khmer Cultural and Tourism Village formed in Nguyet Hoa ward, planned to include seven functional sub-areas such as Ba Om Pond, Ang Pagoda, Khmer Ethnic Culture Museum, Pali School and traditional craft village area.

The highlight here is the Khmer mural road consisting of 28 paintings depicting the daily life, beliefs and customs of the people. Every month, this place welcomes hundreds of groups of visitors to visit and experience.

Hang Pagoda - a place to display masterpieces of wood carvings

Meritorious Artisan Lam Phen expressed: “The province has established the Khmer Cultural and Tourism Village, and I, the local people, am extremely excited and proud. Since the Khmer Cultural and Tourism Village was established, not only the culture and art but also the economic life of the people has been significantly improved.”

Along with that, the Ao Ba Om scenic relic - a national heritage - is an indispensable highlight in the journey to explore Khmer culture. Surrounding the pond are gently sloping sand dunes with hundreds of oil trees and ancient star trees with roots protruding above the ground, creating a magical scene. Every year, on the full moon of the 10th lunar month, this place is bustling with the Ok Om Bok Festival - the traditional moon worshiping ceremony of the Khmer people - attracting tens of thousands of visitors from near and far.

Phno Don Pagoda (also known as Co Pagoda)

Mr. Nguyen Ba Trung, a tourist from Long An, shared his feelings after returning to this land many times: “I am from Long An and had the opportunity to travel here and experience the culture of the Khmer people. What impressed me most was that the people here are very dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditional culture of their ethnic group. I hope that in the future, domestic and foreign tourists will have more opportunities to access tourism here so that the locality can develop more and more.”

In recent years, Vinh Long province has been allocated tens of billions of VND to invest and rearrange tourism activities in a more professional and effective direction; at the same time, preserving and promoting traditional cultural values, supporting equipment and training cultural staff for ethnic minority areas.

Tourists enjoy traditional Khmer crowns

Mr. Duong Hoang Sum, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vinh Long province, said: “We have also completed the products of the Cultural Tourism Village, associated with the complex of Ang Pagoda and the Khmer Ethnic Culture Museum. In addition, with the type of culture and festivals, we promote the beauty of pagodas in the whole province. In particular, Hang Pagoda, Kom Pong Pagoda, and Co Pagoda are some of the pagodas with tourism products bearing the characteristics of the ethnic people, which are very attractive to tourists.”

Khmer pagoda during festival season

With the advantage of being a land of many cultural and natural values, Vinh Long is gradually turning Khmer cultural heritage into a resource for sustainable development. Cultural tourism not only brings livelihoods to the people, but also helps spread the image of a dynamic Vinh Long with a strong identity.

In the future, along with eco-tourism and community tourism, Khmer cultural tourism will continue to be an important highlight, contributing to making Vinh Long a unique destination in the Mekong Delta region.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/vinh-long-phat-trien-du-lich-gan-voi-bao-ton-ban-sac-van-hoa-khmer-2025102710400068.htm