On the evening of November 3, at Bach Dang Square (Phu Loi Ward, Can Tho City), the City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Can Tho City organized the opening ceremony of the Ooc Om Boc - Ghe Ngo Race Festival in 2025, associated with the art program with the theme "brilliance of the Moon River - Lighting up Heritage".
The ceremony was attended by Mr. Lam Van Man, member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the National Assembly's Ethnic Council, former Secretary of the Soc Trang Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Le Quang Tung - member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Can Tho City Party Committee; leaders and former leaders of the Central Committee, Can Tho City, Soc Trang Province, Hau Giang Province through the ages; representatives of leaders of localities in the Mekong Delta region; representatives of the Can Tho City Patriotic Monastery Union and a large number of Khmer people, people and tourists.
In his opening speech, Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City emphasized that following the success of the previous Ooc Om Boc - Ngo Boat Race Festival in 2024, Soc Trang province. This festival is a new step forward, in addition to preserving and promoting cultural values, it also promotes and stimulates tourism activities in the city.
Coming to this Festival, people and tourists will be immersed in the exciting atmosphere of the Ngo Boat Race, enjoying the flat rice dish made from the best sticky rice flowers of the plains, to feel the profound human values and strong vitality of the Ngo Boat Race Festival that was established by the Vietnam Record Organization in 2022 "The festival with the largest number of Ngo boats and athletes in Vietnam since 2005".
"Can Tho City is the center of the Mekong Delta region with many potentials, advantages and unique cultural identities, creating favorable conditions for socio-economic development and international integration. From July 1, 2025, Can Tho will merge with Soc Trang and Hau Giang to form the new Can Tho City, opening up new position and vision. In the first 10 months of 2025, the city's economy will remain stable, growing by 7.39%, ranking 3rd in the Mekong Delta. The industrial production index increased by 9.5%; total retail sales of goods and services increased by 16.5%; budget revenue reached 82% of the estimate with more than 20,000 billion VND; tourism welcomed nearly 10 million visitors, revenue of more than 8,600 billion VND. The investment environment continues to flourish with 3,768 new enterprises, registered capital of more than VND 20,300 billion and 20 new investment projects, including 1 FDI project worth 100 million USD. Can Tho focuses on social security, completing the program "Joining hands to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses" with 10,927 houses supported. National defense, security and social order are guaranteed, contributing to maintaining stability and comprehensive development," Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen informed.
After the opening ceremony, the audience enjoyed the art program "Brilliant of the Moon River - Lighting up Heritage" including 3 chapters: " until the story of the moon night" recreating the moon worship ceremony, the rice graft and Khmer cultural legends. "The song of joining hands to fight" honors the spirit of solidarity and aspiration to rise through the image of Ngo boat turning the waves. "Can Tho - harmonizing heritage" blends traditional and contemporary sounds, praising the city for innovation and integration.
The Ooc Om Boc - Ghe Ngo Race Festival in Can Tho City in 2025 will take place from November 3 to 5. Within the framework of the festival, the Ngo Boat Race will take place from November 4 to 5 with 61 teams (53 men's teams, 8 women's teams) competing on the Maspero channel.
In addition, the Loi Protip (water lantern release) performance with 16 boats and 4 Ca Hau boats will take place on the nights of November 3 and 4, creating a sparkling, colorful scene on the Maspero canal, between the C247 bridge and the 30-4 bridge.
On the evening of November 4, at Kh'leang Pagoda, visitors will be immersed in the Moon Worship Ceremony and a performance of the white rice sticks, recreating the typical traditional rituals of the Ooc Om Boc Festival.
