Ok Om Bok and the Ngo boat races bring the Khmer communities of the Mekong Delta together every November. Here is what to expect in 2026, how the races are shaping up, and why Ha Tien Vegas is a convenient base for travelers crossing between Cambodia and Vietnam to watch them.
OK OM BOK – GHE NGO RACE 2026 AT A GLANCE
- Vinh Long: Races on 21-22 November 2026, moved this year from the Long Binh river to the Lang The river beside Piseyvararam Pagoda in Binh Phu commune.
- Can Tho: Races on 23-24 November 2026, held on the Maspero river.
- Field size: 82 boat teams have registered for the Can Tho race, up from 61 in 2025. Sixty-six men’s teams race 1,200 metres, and 16 women’s teams race 1,000 metres.
- New grandstand: The Lang The riverbank project in Vinh Long includes a covered grandstand seating 4,000, a 160 billion VND investment, with parking, a park and a stage nearby.
WHAT IS OK OM BOK AND GHE NGO RACING?
Ok Om Bok is one of the most important festivals of the Khmer people in southern Vietnam, known in Khmer Nam Bo communities as a celebration of the moon and the harvest. The GHE NGO race is its signature event: long, narrow boats powered by teams of paddlers who sprint across the river to the finish line while crowds cheer from the banks.
Boat racing is more than sport in these communities. It is a shared cultural and spiritual tradition, closely linked to pagodas. Many of the strongest teams are based at Khmer temples, and the whole village often helps prepare the boats, cook for the teams and provide drinking water during training.
A Vietnamese academic quoted in the report describes the races as a cultural holiday the Khmer community looks forward to all year, where people gather to socialize and celebrate. Spectators line the banks, climb trees, stand on balconies and even wade into the river to cheer for their teams.
THE TEAMS TO WATCH
The 2026 season shows how deeply the tradition runs in local pagodas:
- Kos Thum Pagoda, Ninh Thanh Loi commune, Ca Mau: Their women’s team has a strong record, winning two first prizes in the 800-metre and 1,000-metre events at a Khmer cultural and sports festival in 2020, and placing second and fourth in Can Tho’s 2025 race. This year the pagoda is entering four boats in Can Tho and one men’s boat in An Giang.
- Tum Nup Pagoda, An Ninh commune, Can Tho: Both its men’s and women’s teams won three consecutive titles in the Can Tho races in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
- Piseyvararam Pagoda, Binh Phu commune, Vinh Long: A consistent top performer that will race on a course close to its own pagoda in 2026.
Many paddlers are farmers, factory workers or shrimp farmers who take time off work to train. Training sessions can run for two to three hours a day, starting early to match the tides.
WHY THE MEKONG DELTA FESTIVAL MATTERS FOR TRAVELERS
If you have been to Cambodia’s Bon Om Touk water festival, you will recognize the connection. The Khmer water and boat traditions of the Mekong region are shared across the border. In 2026, Phnom Penh’s national Water Festival has been cancelled, but the Khmer communities of the Mekong Delta are still holding their races. That makes southern Vietnam a strong alternative for travelers who want to experience this tradition.
WHY STAY AT HA TIEN VEGAS?
Ha Tien Vegas Entertainment Resort sits in Prek Chak, Kampot, nearby the Ha Tien – Prek Chak border gate. That location makes it a practical base for two groups.
For travelers coming from Cambodia to the Mekong Delta: Cross the Prek Chak border, rest at the resort, and then continue by road toward Ha Tien, Rach Gia, Vinh Long or Can Tho for the races. Staying the night before a long road trip gives you time to get settled.
For travelers coming from Phnom Penh or Kampot to watch the races in Vietnam: The resort gives you one comfortable night before crossing into Vietnam at Prek Chak, so you can cross in daylight with a rested start.
Resort facilities include:
- Hotel rooms: Standard, Deluxe, Suite and Honeymoon
- Gold Dragon Beer Garden
- Karaoke rooms
- Spa services
- 24-hour casino
- Kid zone
- Conference rooms
Contact Ha Tien Vegas before you travel:
- Cambodia: +855 81 23 20 03
- Vietnam: +84 988 473 295
- Website: www.hatienvegas.com
Ask the front desk about room availability and transport options for the race days, since accommodation near the Mekong races can fill quickly during the festival.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR RACE DAYS
- Book early. Accommodation in Can Tho and Vinh Long fills quickly during festival weekends.
- Plan around the crowds. Expect heavy crowds on both banks and around the grandstands. Arrive early and keep to clear walking routes.
- Check road access. Traffic management is planned around the race routes, so allow extra time for travel.
- Carry water and sun protection. Riverbanks are open and hot.
- Bring cash and small notes for food stalls and local purchases.
- Respect the pagodas. Many teams are based at temples. Dress modestly, remove shoes where requested, and ask before taking photos of monks or ceremonies.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is Ok Om Bok 2026?
Vinh Long hosts its boat races on 21-22 November 2026, and Can Tho hosts its races on 23-24 November 2026.
Is the Ghe Ngo race the same as Bon Om Touk?
They are related Khmer water traditions. Bon Om Touk is Cambodia’s national water festival, while ghe ngo racing and Ok Om Bok are celebrated by the Khmer community in southern Vietnam. Both involve boat racing and community celebration.
Can I stay at Ha Tien Vegas and still reach the races?
Yes. The resort is about several steps from the Prek Chak border, so you can cross into Vietnam and then travel by road to Can Tho or Vinh Long. Plan a full day for the drive.
Can visitors join the festival?
Yes. Visitors are welcome to watch from the riverbanks and grandstands. Respectful behavior and local etiquette are important.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Ok Om Bok and the Ghe Ngo races show how a community can come together around a river, a temple and a shared love of the sport. For travelers in the region, the 2026 races offer a rich cultural experience, and Ha Tien Vegas makes it easy to rest on either side of the border before or after.
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