Kien Giang festival honours Khmer culture

Kien Giang (VNA) - A festival is taking place in the southern province of Kien Giang to honour the vibrant traditional culture and custom of local Khmer ethnic people.

The 9 th Khmer Festival of Culture, Sports and Tourism, held in Go Quao township, Go Quao district from November 23-26, features a myriad of activities, including football matches, a men’s volleyball tournament, traditional martial arts, a trade fair, among others.

Photos on the province’s socio-economic achievements as well as Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos are also on display at the event.

Especially, visitors have a chance to enjoy traditional Khmer cuisine and art performances.

According to Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tran Chi Dung, the festival aims to preserve and fine-tune the traditional cultural identities of Khmer people while promoting Khmer spiritual tourism products which are drawing visitors to the province.

It helps enhance solidarity among ethnic groups and popularise local socio-economic potential, especially tourism, he added.

After the opening ceremony on November 25, hundreds of athletes joined in a “Ngo” boat race on Cai Lon River.

The Moon Worshipping Ceremony, known as Ooc-om-bok Festival, one of the three most important festivals of Khmer people, is scheduled on the same day. It is a chance for the Khmer to show their gratitude to the Moon Goddess for giving them happiness, good weather, bumper crops and rich aquatic resources.-VNA