Ox racing festival in An Giang attracts huge crowd

Ox racing, a distinctive feature of Khmer ethnic culture, attracted thousands of visitors to an event in An Giang last weekend, helping to bolster the Mekong Delta province's tourism.

  • Exciting ox racing festival of Khmer people in An Giang Province

The Bay Nui (seven mountains) ox racing festival of the Khmer ethnic people opened in Tri Ton district, An Giang Mekong Delta Province on October 14.

Ox racing festival in An Giang attracts huge crowd -0
The exciting atmosphere at the festival.

The event was co-organised by the An Giang Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and An Giang Radio and Television Station.

This year's festival featured the participation of 56 pairs of ox from Tri Ton, Thoai Son, Chau Phu and Chau Thanh districts, Tinh Bien town (An Giang) and Giang Thanh district, Kien Giang Province.

The annual traditional ox racing festival drew a large number of spectator. This is one of the major traditional festivals of the Khmer people of An Giang province and of the Southwest region as a whole. This festival pays tribute and gratitude to the ancestors and their merits.

Ox racing festival in An Giang attracts huge crowd -0
The exciting atmosphere at the festival.

For the folks of the Bay Nui region, ox racing has its own significant meaning. The winning ox pair brings pride not only to their owners, but the entire hamlet also.

During the planting season every year, Khmer farmers bring their oxen to plow the fields of the Khmer temples as charity work. After the charity work, the farmers host a plowing competition for the oxen, to find out which of them are fast and strong.

The monks are assigned referees for this competition and announce the reward for the winners: a traditional rattle named “Ca tha” for the oxen.

By TM

Other News

Digital innovation breathes new life into Vietnam's museums

Digital innovation breathes new life into Vietnam's museums

Technology is similarly enriching exhibitions at the Vietnam Women’s Museum in Hanoi. Wartime letters, a typewriter and other artefacts linked to former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh have been digitally integrated with collections held at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. Through projection mapping, 3D displays and a virtual reality recreation of the Paris Peace Agreement, visitors can engage more deeply with the life and achievements of one of Vietnam’s most prominent diplomats.

Vesak 2026 highlights Buddhism's enduring commitment to nation in new era

Vesak 2026 highlights Buddhism's enduring commitment to nation in new era

Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Supreme Patriarch of the VBS Patronage Council, called on Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns, and followers to continue serving society with mindfulness and compassion, uphold the noble traditions of Vietnamese Buddhism, and spread the light of kindness to foster a better life for all.

Soul of Mong people's panpipe kept alive in mountainous schools

Soul of Mong people's panpipe kept alive in mountainous schools

In recent years, many localities across the Dong Van Karst Plateau have strengthened efforts to integrate traditional culture preservation into schools. "Khen" performances, linen weaving, folk songs and traditional games are gradually becoming more familiar once again to younger generations.

Australia – Vietnam promote cooperation in contemporary music

Australia – Vietnam promote cooperation in contemporary music

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird said: “We are thrilled to support this musical collaboration between Australia’s Matthew Ifield and Vietnam’s Mỹ Anh. Creative connections and exchange between young people in Australia and Vietnam will help build cultural understanding between our nations”.

VFF leader sends Vesak greetings to Buddhist community

VFF leader sends Vesak greetings to Buddhist community

Vietnamese Buddhism has consistently upheld the spirit of “protecting the nation and serving the people” while accompanying the nation in promoting social ethics, strengthening great national unity, and advancing national development.

Ho Chi Minh City boosts tourism appeal through culinary, cultural experiences

Ho Chi Minh City boosts tourism appeal through culinary, cultural experiences

According to Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director of Agoda Vietnam, travellers are becoming more selective when choosing accommodation, prioritising properties with strong reviews, quality amenities and distinctive dining options. This trend reflects a growing emphasis on the overall travel experience, alongside peer-based quality assurance.

Chinese destinations become increasingly popular among Vietnamese tourists

Chinese destinations become increasingly popular among Vietnamese tourists

With its majestic landscapes, rich ethnic cultures and immersive tourism experiences, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Old Town of Lijiang are becoming increasingly attractive to Vietnamese travellers, while also contributing to stronger tourism and cultural exchanges between Vietnam and China’s Yunnan province.

Flights connecting Da Nang, Moscow resumed

Flights connecting Da Nang, Moscow resumed

The increase in flights from Russia, the CIS and Belarus to Da Nang not only helps diversify the city’s international visitor markets but also reflects growing confidence among international travel companies in Da Nang’s attractiveness and tourism capacity.

Command Cave tour breathes new life into Truong Son legend

Command Cave tour breathes new life into Truong Son legend

The Command Cave tour offers domestic and international visitors an opportunity to explore the values of the World Natural Heritage site of Phong Nha-Ke Bang while commemorating the victories and sacrifices of forces operating along the Truong Son route.

📝OP-ED: Building culture 'immunity' through high-quality works of art

📝OP-ED: Building culture 'immunity' through high-quality works of art

The representative of the Vietnam Cinema Association stated that in the context of today’s fourth Industrial Revolution, the requirement to respect and ensure historical authenticity through cinema has become more important than ever, as digital platforms and cyberspace have enabled the widespread dissemination of cross-border media products.

When millions of beautiful stories together tell of a Happy Vietnam

When millions of beautiful stories together tell of a Happy Vietnam

PSNews - "We have always affirmed that the greatest strength lies in the people, and the greatest creativity also comes from the people. When millions of positive stories are shared and spread simultaneously, we are not only promoting the image of our country, but also helping to strengthen social trust, enhance consensus, elevate national prestige, and proactively counter false and distorted information about Vietnam in the international arena", said Trinh Thi Thuy - Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Head of the Organizing Committee of the award.