Local flavor

Ho Chi Minh City hosts first Khmer boat race festival

A Ngo (Khmer) boat race festival, the first of its kind, was held on the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal in District 3 of Ho Chi Minh City on April 23 as part of activities held to mark the upcoming National Reunification Day (April 30).

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12 May, 2023

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ho chi minh city hosts first khmer boat race festival picture 2 — The festival aims to celebrate National Reunification Day on April 30, as well as Vietnamese Ethnic Groups Culture Day on April 19.

ho chi minh city hosts first khmer boat race festival picture 3 — The race features a total of nine teams from Ho Chi Minh City and four other localities, including Binh Duong, Tay Ninh, Kien Giang, and Binh Phuoc provinces.

ho chi minh city hosts first khmer boat race festival picture 4 — During the duration of the knock-out round, teams are placed into four groups. The winner of each group reaches the semifinal before they then compete for the first prize of the race.

ho chi minh city hosts first khmer boat race festival picture 5 — The purpose of the festival is to maintain the cultural value of the Khmer ethnic people in the southern region. The Khmer people represent one of the largest minorities in the country, mainly residing in the Mekong Delta region.

ho chi minh city hosts first khmer boat race festival picture 6 — Both banks of the canal are packed full of thousands of spectators who come out to support the rowers.

ho chi minh city hosts first khmer boat race festival picture 7 — The Khlang Muong team from Chau Thanh district of Kien Giang province win the championship. The Thon Don team of Rach Gia district and the Xa Xiem Moi team from Chau Thanh district, both hailing from Kien Giang province, finish the race with the first and second runner-up titles, respectively.

ho chi minh city hosts first khmer boat race festival picture 8

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