Can Tho Stands Out at the 2025 Oóc Om Bóc – Ngo Boat Racing Festival
The 2025 Oóc Om Bóc – Ngo Boat Racing Festival concluded with great success, attracting thousands of locals and visitors from near and far. As one of the most important traditional festivals of the Khmer community, the event showcased the cultural richness of the Mekong Delta while promoting Can Tho as a friendly, vibrant, and culturally distinctive riverside city.
Held under the theme “Radiant Moon River – Shining Heritage,” this year’s festival took place from November 3 to November 5, 2025, across Phu Loi Ward and Soc Trang Ward, offering a wide range of meaningful and engaging activities.
A Lively Atmosphere Filled with Traditional Rituals
The festival brought together a series of traditional rituals and performances that created an energetic and festive atmosphere:
- Moon Offering Ceremony – an important ritual expressing gratitude to the Moon Goddess and praying for prosperity and good harvests.
- Water Lantern Release & Boat Ritual – symbolic acts of purification and hope for peace.
- Traditional Ngo Boat Racing Competition – the festival’s most anticipated highlight.
The 2025 race featured 61 competing teams, including 8 women’s teams, drawing massive crowds and filling the Maspero River with excitement, unity, and vibrant energy.
Cultural Performances, Cuisine, and OCOP Product Displays
Beyond rituals and races, the festival offered a diverse cultural space rich with Khmer identity and regional creativity:
- OCOP and regional specialty exhibition & trade fair
- Khmer cuisine and Mekong culinary experiences
- Traditional art performances and cultural showcases
- Community cultural spaces and interactive activities
These activities reflected the spiritual life and cultural richness of the Khmer people, while bringing together communities from across the Mekong Delta.
Promoting Tourism and Strengthening Business Connections
The Oóc Om Bóc – Ngo Boat Racing Festival is not only a cultural event but also a powerful platform for:
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Promoting Can Tho as a signature riverside tourism hub
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Supporting investment and tourism promotion activities
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Connecting tourism enterprises, hotels, restaurants, craft villages, and eco-tourism sites
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Introducing local tour packages and showcasing OCOP products
