Ho Chi Minh City canal comes alive during Khmer boat race festival

Ho Chi Minh City hosted the Ngo (Khmer) boat race festival on Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal in District 3 on Sunday, bringing a vibrant atmosphere to life.

Thousands of residents and tourists crowded both banks of the canal to support rowers during one of the Khmer ethnic minority community’s traditional sports activities.

Twelve teams raced on a section of the canal between Cong Ly Bridge and Le Van Sy Bridge from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Vu Thi My Ngoc, vice-chairwoman of the District 3 People’s Committee, which was the organizer of the festival, said the event was meant to celebrate the 94th anniversary of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (November 18) and the Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Day (November 23).

The festival was held in anticipation of the traditional Ok Om Bok, or moon worship, festival celebrated by the Khmer ethnic group, which takes place around the 15th day, or the full moon period, of the tenth lunar month, following the harvest season.

“Such a meaningful event is aimed at promoting and maintaining the cultural value of the Khmer ethnic people in southern Vietnam, an inseparable part of the community of 54 ethnic groups in the nation,” Ngoc said. 

The weekend festival filled the canal with zeal and joy, while spectators enjoyed the suspenseful boat races, the fresh morning air, and the allure of the clean canal, which has undergone several makeovers since 1988.

The rowers of the teams from Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho City, and Kien Giang Province became energized as the races heated up, fueled by the warm applause of the audience.

During the races, many long boats glided swiftly along the city’s most charming canal, creating a colorful scene of a festive day.

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