At the event, the traditional moon worship ritual, the main activity of the festival, was reenacted by Khmer artists.

Khmer people believe the moon is the god controlling the weather and crops. The worship aims to thank the moon for granting them good weather and bumper harvests, and to pray for better crops in the following year.

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A boat race takes place on the Long Binh River in Tra Vinh city, Tra Vinh province, on November 21 to celebrate the Ok Om Bok Festival

Visitors to the festival also enjoyed traditional singing and dancing performances from the ethnic group.

Addressing the ceremony, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Dong Van Lam wished local Buddhists and Khmer people a happy Ok Om Bok Festival. He also called on them and authorities to preserve national heritage, uphold their traditional culture and help with the development of Vietnamese culture.

To celebrate the festival, Tra Vinh held an array of other activities.

The celebratory program lasted from November 16 to 22, featuring a culture, tourism and cuisine week, a trade – tourism – agriculture promotion exhibition and workshops on the Mekong Delta’s tourism and supply – demand connection.

Additionally, the province unveiled a mural road in Ba Se A hamlet of Luong Hoa commune, Chau Thanh district. The 28 murals, created by Khmer artists, reflect the culture and daily life of the ethnic group.

Tra Vinh is home to more than 310,000 Khmer people, accounting for 31.5 percent of its population.

Source: VNA