Various events celebrate Ok Om Bok Festival

Several events were held to celebrate the Khmer ethnic people’s Ok Om Bok (moon worshipping) festival in southern Soc Trang Province.
Amateur art performances and the 8th Khmer ethnic costume show, which are part of the Ok Om Bok festival week held every two years, began on November 9 at Park 30-4 in Soc Trang City.
The art show attracted over 400 artists in the city danced and played traditional musical instruments.
The costume show featured numerous Khmer costumes ranging from daily life, festival, wedding to modern.
The show aims to honour the unique features of the Khmer ethnic group in the province and introduce these characteristics to others, said Tran Minh Ly, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The same day, within the framework of the Ok Om Bok festival, the 15th Khmer sports competition opened with 250 local Khmer athletes out to encourage people to improve their health.
The shows and sports challenges will run through November 13.
In a related event, an agricultural trade fair took place on November 9 at the Culture Centre in the neighbouring province of Tra Vinh.
The fair, held by the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, involved 20 local businesses and 90 from other provinces and cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Binh Thuan, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, among others, showcasing key local agro-fishery products.
The six-day-event was intended to promote trade and connect enterprises in Tra Vinh and other localities, aiming to boost production and consumption, said Vuong Quoc Tuan, Director of the Trade Promotion Centre.
Workshops on promoting agro-fishery products and gift design competition will place during the event.
Ok Om Bok festival, one of three main Khmer festivals – along with Sene Dolta and Chol Chnam Thmay – takes place under the full moon in the 10th lunar month annually. On the occasion, Khmer people provide offerings to pray for favourable weather and a bountiful harvest.
The National Intangible Cultural Heritage festival comprises a number of entertainment opportunities, including art performances, traditional sports challenges, folk games and the Ghe Ngo (Khmer boat) race.