Unique culture of Khmer people
As living standards improve, the Khmer people have greater access to cultural and spiritual life. Many traditional forms of art and culture that once faced the risk of fading away are now being revitalized, becoming indispensable parts of local people and attracting growing numbers of visitors.
Numerous cultural festivals and religious rituals, such as Chol Chnam Thmay, Sene Dolta, and Ok Om Boc, have been preserved and promoted as distinctive tourism products. Among the highlights are the Ghe Ngo boat races in Can Tho City and the traditional bull race in An Giang province, which draw tens of thousands of spectators from near and far.
    |
 |
|
The Ghe Ngo boat race attracts spectators. |
Apart from festivals, Khmer pagodas, with their distinctive architecture, are also attractive to tourists. Visitors to these spiritual sites can experience long-standing customs, such as the Kathina ceremony (robe offering), and the tradition of sending young boys to live and study at temples to learn Buddhist teachings and life values.
In Can Tho, the culture of the Khmer people has long been its hallmark. Its uniqueness and deep cultural value make it a rich resource for the city’s cultural tourism development, contributing to turning the city into one of the Mekong Delta’s most attractive destinations.
According to Director of Can Tho’s Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Lam Hoang May, each Khmer pagoda serves as a vital communal space for local residents. These pagodas are not only sacred places for religious practice, but also centers for cultural and artistic activities, agricultural knowledge sharing, and the dissemination of the Party’s guidelines and State’s policies and laws.
The local leader said that through Khmer pagodas restoration and preservation projects, both tangible and intangible cultural heritage elements are better preserved. Investment in human resources and infrastructure has increased to preserve the community’s traditional values. “Khmer cuisine, in particular, plays a key role in offering visitors a unique and memorable cultural experience,” he said.
Some pagodas also house collections of palm-leaf manuscripts, which hold significant historical, technical, and artistic value. These manuscripts are deeply meaningful in the spiritual and religious life of the Khmer people.
Preserving and promoting cultural identity
In recent years, provinces and cities across the Southwestern region have taken various policies to improve the life of Khmer ethnic communities. A key focus has been placed on preserving and promoting traditional cultural values, helping raise local incomes, improve livelihoods, and maintain the cultural identity for future generations.
Today, nearly every Khmer commune or pagoda has its own cultural or performing arts group. Thach Quyet, a resident in Hung Hoi commune, Ca Mau province, said, “With the Party and the State’s support for livelihood development, the people’s material and spiritual life has improved. Many traditional cultural forms that had faded or been in danger of disappearing have now been revived, becoming an indispensable “spiritual dish” during community festivals and holidays.”
As part of Project 6 on preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities in association with tourism development in the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas, local authorities have expanded training in ethnic cultural preservation. This includes Khmer language classes, folk arts training, and the establishment of cultural clubs and performing arts teams in villages and pagodas.
Apart from the advantages, localities in the region clearly understand challenges confronting them in keeping and spreading cultural values. According to Director of Vinh Long’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Duong Hoang Sum, to preserve and promote Khmer culture, agencies and sectors should foster dissemination and education to raise public awareness of its significance.
He also emphasized the need to build a core force for cultural preservation, focusing on the role of monks, artisans, and reputable people; facilitate the teaching and promotion of traditional cultural and artistic values; enhance the socialization of cultural activities. By doing so, localities can inspire the Khmer people to actively safeguard and pass down their heritage.
Source: Baobienphong
Translated by Tran Hoai