Traditional boat racings were held in several southern provinces during the Ok-om-bok festival of the Khmer people.

The competition in Soc Trang province from November 6-12, the biggest of its kind in the Mekong Delta region, has ended with the participation of 45 racing teams from Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Vinh Long and Hau Giang provinces.

The race drew hundreds of thousands of Khmer people in the region and tourists nationwide.
Ten teams from the four provinces of Can Tho, Hau Giang, Vinh Long and Tra Vinh joined another race on Long Binh river on November 12, attracting 15,000 locals.

The festival celebrations also included traditional Khmer rituals and special performances by art troupes from other provinces.

Soc Trang province held an exhibition showcasing the socio-economic achievements of the area and a scientific seminar regarding the preservation of the Khmer people’s cultural identity during their process of integration and development.