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The Ok Om Bok Festival is one of the biggest annual celebrations of the Khmer people in Southern Vietnam. During the festival, numerous activities and competitions take place, with the highlight being the traditional boat race that draws countless visitors to witness the excitement. Ok Om Bok Festival 2025 officially began on the evening of November 3 in Can Tho City and other provinces across the Mekong Delta.
The Opening Ceremony of the 2025 Ok Om Bok Festival in Can Tho
Ok Om Bok Festival (also known as the Moon Worship Festival) is one of the three major festivals celebrated by the Khmer people in Vietnam, alongside Chol Chnam Thmay (the New Year Festival) and Sen Dolta (the Ancestors’ Day). This festival shares similarities with Cambodia’s Bon Om Touk Festival, as both honor the moon and water.
Similar to the Bon Om Touk Festival, the Ok Om Bok Festival is held annually on the full moon day of the tenth lunar month, marking the end of the harvest season. The Khmer people celebrate this festival to give thanks to the Moon God, the deity believed to bless them with abundant crops and favorable weather. It is also an occasion to pray for a prosperous new harvest and a peaceful life.
Offerings to the Moon in the Ok Om Bok Festival
The main rituals of the festival include offering harvested products to the Moon on the full moon night, releasing floating lanterns onto the river to drive away misfortune and invite good luck, and feeding young children green rice flakes then asking about their wishes.
During the Ok Om Bok Festival, various cultural performances, sports competitions, and local fairs are also held in many places. Thanks to its vibrant activities, the festival attracts not only the Khmer community but also people from other ethnic groups and international visitors.
The Ok Om Bok Festival is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the culture of the Khmer people in Vietnam
The most exciting event is the Ngo boat race, where crowds line both sides of the river to cheer enthusiastically for the rowers. If you travel to the Mekong Delta in November, you’re truly in luck. You’ll get to immerse yourself in the festival’s lively and joyful atmosphere.
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On the evening of November 3, Can Tho City solemnly held the opening ceremony of the 2025 Ok Om Bok Festival and Ngo Boat Race under the theme “Radiant Moon River – Shining Heritage.”
Following the official ceremony, audiences enjoyed an artistic performance divided into three chapters:
The festival takes place from November 3 to 5 in Phu Loi Ward and Soc Trang Ward (formerly Soc Trang Province), including activities such as the Ngo Boat Race, the Moon Worship Ceremony, and the Water Lantern Releasing Performance. Alongside these cultural events, the One Commune One Product (OCOP) Fair will also be held, showcasing the specialties of the Mekong Delta region.
Floating lanterns shimmer on the Maspero River
Visitors attending the festival will have the chance to experience the vibrant atmosphere of the Ngo Boat Race, taste a flat rice dish made from the finest glutinous rice of the Mekong Delta, and engage in cultural exchanges with the Khmer community through a variety of traditional activities rich in identity. On the night of November 4, the Moon Worship Ceremony will take place at Kh’leang Pagoda, where offerings will be respectfully presented to the deities.
Ngo boat is a traditional boat of the Khmer people. It is a long, beautifully decorated vessel that carries more than 30 male or female rowers. In the competition, each boat usually represents a village or a commune, racing against others along a river stretch of about one kilometer. The race is highly competitive, and with the crowd's enthusiastic cheers, every team gives its all in the fight for victory.
Major Ghe Ngo boat races are held in provinces with large Khmer communities, the biggest ones taking place in Vinh Long and Soc Trang provinces (now part of Can Tho City). On November 3, Vinh Long Province hosted a race featuring 18 teams and 1,000 participating rowers.
The rowers are full of excitement before the race begins
From early morning, crowds of locals gathered along both sides of the river to cheer for the racing teams. By the afternoon, the official competition began. The teams drew lots to compete in knockout rounds over distances of 800 meters and 1,000 meters. This year, athletes were selected regardless of ethnicity, as long as they had good physical fitness and a passion for this highly team-oriented sport. The competition concludes on November 4, after 27 races.
The largest Ngo boat racing festival takes place in Can Tho City. The former Soc Trang Province has the highest concentration of Khmer people, so its celebrations are among the most grand and vibrant.
This year’s race takes place over two days, November 4–5, on the Maspero River. There are 61 competing teams, including 53 men’s teams racing over a 1,200-meter distance and 8 women’s teams competing over a 1,000-meter course. It’s almost impossible to find a good spot to watch the race if anyone arrives late. Some enthusiastic spectators even wade into the river to get a closer view of the competing teams.
The Maspero River is the heart of Ok Om Bok Festival
The event promises to create a lively, festive atmosphere. It is broadcast live on national television VTV and across multiple livestream platforms.
Ngo boat race is a traditional sport of the Southern Khmer community, symbolizing their unity, resilience, and skillful mastery of life on the waterways. The event also serves as an opportunity for Can Tho City to showcase its vibrant cultural identity and the warmth and hospitality of its people.
Spectators don’t hesitate to wade into the water to watch the teams compete
Ok Om Bok Festival 2025 and Ngo boat race are taking place in an exciting atmosphere, attracting visitors from around the world. This is truly the perfect time to explore the rich Khmer culture of Southern Vietnam and enjoy joyful moments alongside the locals during the festive days. Contact Asia King Travel and we’ll be delighted to take you on an unforgettable Mekong Delta tour.
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