The
festival includes a fair on trade and tourism with 430 booths from 180
units displaying industrial equipment, fine art works, daily
necessities, garments, cosmetic products and agricultural products and
specialties of the Mekong Delta, the South and the Central Highlands.
The fair also has some activities such as ethnic music and dance shows,
workshops on agricultural development and a food festival.
During the festival, there are an artistic photo exhibition, a photo exhibition on Vietnam’s
ethnic groups and economic achievements at Giai Phong Park, sports,
food and artistic performances at the Soc Trang Provincial Museum and at
Giai Phong Park.
On November 1 and 2, ten female groups and 30 male groups have joined
the ghe ngo (a boat made from timber in the shape of a nagar snake, the
sacred object of the Khmer people) race on the Maspero River.
The race is the highlight of the festival. Young Khmer men and women
move gently in harmony with the sounds of gongs and waves. As the first
boat crosses the finish line, the crowds on both riverbanks cheer loudly
and enthusiastically for their victory.