Soc Trang ready for Ok Om Bok 2023
WVR - The Ooc Om Bok festival to worship the Moon will be held in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang on November 25-27.
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| Ghe Ngo race is seen as a way to express solidarity, as well as a traditional ritual to see off the God of Water to the ocean after the growing season. (Photo: VNA) |
The Ooc Om Bok festival aims at honouring the traditional cultural traits of local Khmer ethnics.
The event is also to promote local tourism promotion, mobilise resources for tourism infrastructure development, and raise public awareness of tourism development.
An array of fascinating activities will be arranged within the framework of the festival, including Ghe Ngo (Khmer long boat) race, Moon worshipping ritual and performance of Loi Protip (water lantern).
A trade fair to promote One Commune One Product (OCOP) and regional specialties of Soc Trang, a demonstration of traditional costumes, and a street food festival called "Taste of Soc Trang" will be held within the festival.
Besides, a ceremony to announce the Guiness Vietnam Record for the largest painting made from ST rice in the country will be organised.
Ok Om Bok is one of the three main festivals along with Sene Dolta and Chol Chnam Thmay that Khmer people celebrate every year. It takes place under the full moon in the 10th lunar month annually, when it changes from the rainy season to the dry season, the growing season to the harvest season.
The Khmer believe the Moon is a god who controls the weather and crops throughout the year. On this occasion, Khmer people provide offerings of farm products to thank the God’s blessing for favourable weather and their bountiful harvest.
Ok Om Bok becomes the symbol of aspiration, beautiful soul and rich emotional life of people to supernatural forces. The festival not only contributes to conserve and promote traditional cultural identity of Khmer community but also a unique tourism product to attract visitors.
Ok Om Bok has been recognised as part of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
