Bay Nui Ox Racing Festival in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang (Photo: VNA)An Giang (VNA) – The Bay Nui Ox Racing Festival in theMekong Delta province of An Giang is expected to become an international eventunder a project recently approved by the provincial People’s Committee.
The project on the conservation of the Bay Nui Ox Racing Festivalhas a total funding of nearly 5.8 billion VND (251,822 USD), of which 2.9billion VND comes from the provincial budget and nearly 1.2 billion VND iscontributed by Tinh Bien and Tri Ton districts, Le Van Phuoc, Vice Chairman ofthe provincial People’s Committee said on March 2.
An Giang will develop tours connecting cultural and historicalrelic sites, and tourism destinations across the province with venues of the festivalin Tri Ton and Tinh Bien districts.
The festival is projected to be rolled out in the Mekong Deltaregion and upgraded to an international event with the participation of Khmerpeople from Cambodia and other Southeast Asian nations.
Nguyen Khanh Hiep, Director of the provincial Department ofCulture, Sport and Tourism, expressed his hope that the project will help topreserve ox breeds, improve ox caring and taming methods, and upgradeinfrastructure in service of the festival.
The festival is part of the Sene Dolta, one ofthe most important annual festivals of the Khmer community in the southwestregion, along with Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year) and Ooc Oom Bok, a festivalhonouring the moon for a good harvest.
The oxen racing festival commemorates themerits of the Khmer’s ancestors and wishes for happiness and peace for theirsouls.
During the event, held from the 29th day ofthe eighth lunar month until the first day of the ninth lunar month each year, Khmerpeople pay tribute to their ancestors and take part in activities withtraditional songs and dances after a year of hard work./.
VNA
