What is the Ghe Ngo Boat Race Festival?
The Ghe Ngo Boat Race Festival is a traditional Khmer longboat racing event held every year in southern Vietnam, most famously in Soc Trang Province but also in other Khmer communities across the Mekong Delta such as Tra Vinh, Bac Lieu, and Kien Giang. It takes place on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month (usually late October or November) during the Ok Om Bok Festival, the Khmer Moon Festival. Dozens of elaborately decorated wooden boats, often measuring 25 to 30 meters and rowed by 50 to 60 men or women, compete in high-energy races along rivers like the Maspero.
Beyond the spectacle, the festival holds deep spiritual and communal meaning. The races are not only a test of endurance and teamwork but also a way for Khmer communities to honor the Moon Goddess, give thanks for good harvests, and strengthen bonds between pagodas and villages. With its mix of sacred rituals, vibrant processions, and thrilling competition, the Ghe Ngo Boat Race Festival has become one of the most worthwhile cultural events to experience in the Mekong Delta, offering visitors both excitement and a rare insight into Khmer traditions in Vietnam.
Ok Om Bok – Khmer Moon Festival Background
The Ghe Ngo Boat Race is inseparable from Ok Om Bok, the Khmer Moon Festival. Celebrated on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month, this festival is when Khmer communities express gratitude to the Moon Goddess for blessing them with good harvests, favorable weather, and abundant fish from the rivers.
During Ok Om Bok, families and villages gather for rituals such as the moon offering ceremony, where traditional foods like rice, fruits, and sweet cakes are presented. In the evening, rivers and skies glow with lantern releases, while temple grounds host cultural performances, singing, and dances. These traditions set the spiritual and festive atmosphere for the Ghe Ngo boat races that follow.
For a deeper dive into the Moon Festival itself, see our full guide to Ok Om Bok.
A brief history of the Ghe Ngo Boat Race Festival
The tradition of Ghe Ngo racing is deeply rooted in Khmer religious and community life. Each longboat is considered a sacred symbol, often built by skilled artisans and Buddhist monks, and entrusted to a pagoda for safekeeping. Before races, villagers perform rituals to honor the boats, reflecting the belief that they carry spiritual power and protect the community. For generations, Khmer villages across the Mekong Delta have maintained and venerated their boats, with annual races serving as both cultural celebrations and acts of devotion.
In modern times, the festival has been elevated into one of the signature cultural events of southern Vietnam. The first large-scale Ghe Ngo race on the Maspero River was organized in 2013, turning a local tradition into a regional spectacle. One year later, in 2014, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognized Ok Om Bok—the wider Moon Festival to which the boat race belongs—as a piece of national intangible cultural heritage. Since then, authorities and local communities have invested in preserving and promoting the festival, not only as a religious and cultural tradition but also as a major attraction for tourism in Soc Trang and beyond.
Where and when is the Festival Held?
Where
The main venue of the Ghe Ngo Boat Race Festival is Soc Trang Province, where thousands of spectators line the Maspero River to watch the highlight races.
While smaller versions of the event also take place in Khmer-majority provinces such as Tra Vinh, Bac Lieu, and Kien Giang, Soc Trang is widely regarded as the “capital” of the festival thanks to its scale, organization, and strong Khmer cultural presence.
When
The races are held on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month, which typically falls in late October or November on the solar calendar. This date aligns with the Ok Om Bok Festival, the Khmer Moon Festival. The boat races are usually spread over two days, but preparations begin much earlier as teams train and pagodas carry out rituals.
How long
The full festival experience in Soc Trang spans several days, combining the boat races with other Ok Om Bok celebrations such as moon offerings, lantern releases, food fairs, and cultural exhibitions. However, the main racing events that draw the largest crowds last for one to two days, making them the highlight of the program.
What can you see at the Ghe Ngo Boat Race Festival?
1. The boat races
The heart of the festival is the boat racing itself, where long, narrow ghe ngo boats—stretching 25 to 30 meters—slice through the river at incredible speed. Each boat carries a crew of 50 to 60 rowers, who must work in perfect unison to maintain rhythm and balance.
Both male and female teams compete, with races typically covering 1,000 to 1,200 meters along the Maspero River. The atmosphere is electric, with the sound of gongs, drums, and chants pushing the teams forward as crowds erupt in cheers.
2. Sacred ceremonies
The races are inseparable from spiritual rituals. Before taking to the water, boats are honored through the Pithi Sene Kbal Tuok, a veneration ceremony held at Khmer pagodas. Here, monks and villagers bless the vessels, believed to embody sacred power and community pride. These ceremonies highlight that the Ghe Ngo Boat Race is not only a competition, but also a deeply religious and cultural tradition.
3. Cultural side events
Beyond the races, the festival transforms Soc Trang into a vibrant cultural stage. Visitors can join lantern releases, with glowing lights drifting across both the river and night sky. Streets and fairgrounds bustle with food stalls, offering Khmer specialties and Mekong Delta dishes. There are singing contests, lion dances, handicraft markets, and exhibitions, making the event a showcase of Khmer heritage. Local trade fairs also bring in products from across the delta, adding a lively marketplace dimension to the celebration.
4. Atmosphere
The overall atmosphere is what makes the Ghe Ngo Boat Race Festival so unforgettable. Thousands of spectators line the Maspero River, waving flags and shouting encouragement, while the boats themselves are often decorated with bright motifs of dragons, tigers, and mythical animals. The rowers’ colorful uniforms and the sight of dozens of longboats charging down the river create a spectacle unlike any other in Vietnam. Large grandstands with big screens ensure that even those far from the riverbank can follow the action, adding to the scale and excitement of the festival.
How to visit the festival
Getting there
The Ghe Ngo Boat Race Festival is best experienced in Soc Trang City, the heart of Khmer culture in Vietnam. From Ho Chi Minh City, it takes about 5–6 hours by road, while from Can Tho the journey is shorter at around 1.5–2 hours. Travelers can reach Soc Trang by long-distance bus, hire a private car with driver, or join a tour package that often includes visits to Khmer pagodas and other highlights of the Mekong Delta.
Where to stay
Soc Trang has a growing selection of hotels and homestays, ranging from budget guesthouses to comfortable mid-range options. During the festival, demand spikes dramatically, so it’s strongly advised to book accommodation well in advance. Staying overnight not only guarantees a place to rest but also lets you enjoy the evening lantern releases and other cultural activities that extend beyond the races.
Best viewing spots
The races take place on the Maspero River, and the main action is centered around Grandstand A on one side and Grandstand B on the opposite bank, which is temporarily installed just for the event. Both grandstands provide excellent views and even large screens for following the races.
For those who prefer a more casual experience, there are also plenty of public riverbank areas where locals gather. Arriving early in the day is key if you want a good vantage point, as crowds swell quickly before the races begin.
What to vring & Practical iips
Come prepared for a long day outdoors in the Mekong Delta sun. Essentials include a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, and mosquito repellent. If you plan to visit Khmer pagodas during your trip, wear polite clothing that covers shoulders and knees, and avoid climbing statues or shrines, which are sacred symbols. Expect large crowds and note that littering along the river has been reported, so carrying a small bag for your own trash is considerate. Bring cash for street food, local snacks, and handicrafts, as card payments are rarely accepted at festival stalls.
Safety & Comfort
The grandstands are generally well-organized, with seating, shade, and screens to enhance the viewing experience. However, the festival can get extremely busy, so it’s wise to plan transport ahead to avoid traffic congestion after the races end. Staying centrally in Soc Trang makes it easier to walk to the main festival area and return to your hotel without hassle.
Is the Ghe Ngo Boat Race Festival worth visiting?
For international travelers, the Ghe Ngo Boat Race Festival is one of the most vibrant cultural experiences you can find in the Mekong Delta. It offers a rare chance to witness the Khmer community’s living traditions, from sacred rituals at pagodas to the exhilarating spectacle of longboat races on the Maspero River. The energy of the event, the hospitality of the locals, and the mix of ceremonies, food, and performances make it a truly unique and meaningful festival.
That said, there are some challenges to keep in mind. The festival draws huge crowds, and the weather can be hot and exhausting if you are outdoors all day. Information in English is limited, and like many large public gatherings in Vietnam, the riverbanks are not always spotless. Still, for those who enjoy immersive cultural festivals and authentic local traditions, the Ghe Ngo Boat Race Festival is well worth the effort and an unforgettable addition to a Mekong Delta trip.
