Can Tho
Can Tho is preparing to host the Ooc Om Boc – Ngo Boat Racing Festival from November 22 to 24, 2026. The program includes traditional boat races on the Maspéro River, a Khmer Moon Worship ceremony, illuminated river displays and regional food and product fairs.
The Ngo boat races are scheduled for November 23-24, while several related cultural activities begin earlier in the month.
If you’re planning to attend, here’s the announced schedule, where each activity takes place and what to know before traveling.
A note on the festival’s name: Ooc Om Boc is also written as “Ok Om Bok” or “Oóc Om Bóc” in Vietnamese and English sources. These names refer to the same traditional Khmer Moon Worship Festival, known in Vietnamese as “Lễ Cúng Trăng”. The associated traditional boat races are called “đua ghe Ngo”, or “Ngo” boat racing”
Ooc Om Boc Festival 2026 at a Glance
| Event details | 2026 information |
|---|---|
| Main festival dates | November 22-24, 2026 |
| Related activities | From November 14 |
| Ngo boat races | November 23-24 |
| Official opening | November 22, 8:00 PM |
| Opening venue | Công Viên 30/4, Trần Hưng Đạo, Phú Lợi, Cần Thơ, Việt Nam |
| Boat racing venue | Khán Đài Đua Ghe Ngo, Đường Cao Thắng, Khu vực 12, Sóc Trăng, Cần Thơ, Việt Nam |
| Moon Worship ceremony | November 23, 7:00 PM, Khleang Pagoda, 53 Tôn Đức Thắng, Sóc Trăng, Cần Thơ, Việt Nam |
| City | Can Tho, Vietnam |
| Schedule status | Planned; subject to updates |
Latest update – October 15, 2026: The opening venue is listed as 30/4 Park in the latest report on festival preparations. Visitors should confirm the final venue before attending, as the earlier organizing plan named a different location.
Ooc Om Boc is a traditional Khmer festival celebrated annually around the 14th and 15th days of the tenth lunar month. Its dates on the Gregorian calendar change each year, typically falling around October or November.
For 2026, Can Tho’s announced festival dates are November 22-24, with the main boat racing competition on November 23-24.
Ooc Om Boc Festival 2026 Schedule
The program includes events at several venues in Can Tho. The boat racing competition, opening ceremony and Moon Worship ceremony are scheduled separately.
Main Events: November 21-24
| Date and time | Scheduled activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 21, 7:00 PM | Floating lantern and Ghe Cà Hâu boat display begins | Maspéro River |
| Nov 22, 8:00 PM | Festival opening ceremony and cultural program | 30/4 Park, Phu Loi Ward |
| Nov 23, 12:00 PM | Opening of the Ngo boat racing competition | Ngo Boat Racing Grandstand, Soc Trang Ward |
| Nov 23, 7:00 PM | Moon Worship ceremony and traditional flattened rice preparation | Khleang Pagoda, Soc Trang Ward |
| Nov 24 | Continued Ngo boat racing | Ngo Boat Racing Grandstand |
| Nov 24, 4:30 PM | Scheduled closing and awards ceremony | Ngo Boat Racing Grandstand |
The racing competition is expected to involve more than 60 men’s and women’s teams from Can Tho and other localities.
The tournament is scheduled to begin at noon on November 23. A complete timetable for individual races has not yet been confirmed.
Related Cultural Activities and Fairs
Several activities are planned before the official opening.
| Dates | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 14-24 | OCOP and regional specialties fair, approximately 200-300 stalls planned | Urban Area 5A, Phu Loi Ward |
| Nov 18-24 | Traditional craft, local product and tourism exhibitions | Urban Area 5A |
| Nov 19-24 | Regional food area, approximately 30 stalls planned | Urban Area 5A |
| Nov 20, 7:00 PM | Traditional costume performance | 30/4 Park, Phu Loi Ward |
| Nov 21-23 | Floating lantern and ceremonial boat displays | Maspéro River |
OCOP stands for One Commune One Product, a Vietnamese program supporting the development and promotion of local products.
The fair is scheduled to open at 5:00 PM on November 14, while the food and cultural exhibition areas will operate on their respective dates.
Which date should you choose? If your main interest is watching the boat races, plan around November 23 or 24. November 23 also includes the scheduled Moon Worship ceremony in the evening, although arrangements for visitors attending the ceremony have not been fully confirmed.
Where Is Ooc Om Boc Festival 2026 Held in Can Tho?
Ooc Om Boc Festival 2026 takes place at several locations in Can Tho City, primarily around the Maspéro River.
The main venues are:
Ngo Boat Racing Grandstand (Khán đài Đua ghe Ngo)
- Location: Soc Trang Ward, Can Tho City.
- This is the scheduled venue for the boat racing competition on November 23-24.
30/4 Park (Công viên 30/4)
- Location: Phu Loi Ward, Can Tho City.
- The latest published update identifies the park as the venue for the opening ceremony at 8:00 PM on November 22. The traditional costume performance is also scheduled here on November 20.
Khleang Pagoda (Chùa Khleang)
- Location: Soc Trang Ward, Can Tho City.
- The Moon Worship ceremony and traditional flattened rice preparation are scheduled for November 23 at 7:00 PM.
Maspéro River
- Location: Between C247 Bridge (Cầu Quay) and 30/4 Bridge (Cầu Cao), in the area of Phu Loi and Soc Trang wards, Can Tho City.
- This section of the river will host the floating lantern and Ghe Cà Hâu displays, scheduled from November 21-23.
Urban Area 5A (Khu Đô thị 5A)
- Location: Phu Loi Ward, Can Tho City.
- This is the planned location for the OCOP fair, traditional craft exhibitions, food stalls and tourism displays.
Location details reviewed: October 15, 2026. Festival venues remain subject to updated announcements from the organizers.
What Can Visitors Experience at the 2026 Festival?
Ngo Boat Racing
The Ngo boat racing competition is one of the main events of the 2026 program.
Traditional longboats, known in Vietnamese as ghe Ngo, are paddled by coordinated teams competing on the river. More than 60 men’s and women’s teams are expected to participate this year.
The races are planned for November 23-24 at the Ngo Boat Racing Grandstand along the Maspéro River.
The published program provides the tournament opening and closing times, but does not yet include a complete schedule of individual races or public seating arrangements.
Moon Worship Ceremony
A Moon Worship ceremony (Lễ Cúng Trăng) is scheduled for November 23 at Khleang Pagoda.
The program includes traditional offerings and a demonstration of preparing cốm dẹp, a Khmer food made from flattened young glutinous rice.
The ceremony is part of the Khmer community’s annual Ooc Om Boc observance. Visitors should respect its religious setting and follow instructions from the pagoda and organizers.
For more background on Khmer religious traditions in Can Tho, you can also read about Pothisomron Pagoda, a separate Khmer Buddhist heritage site in O Mon Ward.
Floating Lanterns and Ghe Cà Hâu
The 2026 program includes approximately 20-30 floating lantern displays, known as Lôiprotip, and four to six traditional ghe Cà Hâu boats.
The display is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM on November 21, with the lanterns and boats remaining on the Maspéro River through November 23.
The planned activity is an organized display. Visitors should not assume they can release their own lanterns or board the ceremonial boats.
Regional Food and Local Products
The OCOP fair and regional food area will provide additional activities for visitors interested in local specialties, traditional crafts and products from the Mekong Delta.
The food area is scheduled for November 19-24, while the larger OCOP fair is planned for November 14-24.
These activities may be worth considering if you arrive before the boat racing dates or have more time to explore the festival area.
How to Get to Ooc Om Boc Festival from Ninh Kieu Wharf
Travelers staying near Ninh Kieu Wharf in central Can Tho should arrange road transportation to the festival venues.
The main activities are not held at Ninh Kieu Wharf. Before setting off, check the address of the specific event you want to attend.
By Private Car or Taxi
A private car or taxi is a practical option, particularly if you plan to watch the boat races and attend another activity on the same day.
For the races, use the following destination:
Khán đài Đua ghe Ngo, phường Sóc Trăng, thành phố Cần Thơ.
Share the location with your driver and arrange your return journey in advance.
Traffic restrictions and crowd management arrangements may affect access around the venue during the festival.
By Intercity Bus
Intercity bus services may provide another way to reach the Soc Trang area of Can Tho, depending on your starting point and travel date.
Check the current departure location, timetable and arrival point with the operator before booking. Additional local transportation may be needed to reach the racing grandstand.
If you plan to attend evening activities, confirm your return transport rather than relying on an unverified late bus service.
Google Maps: Ninh Kieu Wharf to the Boat Racing Venue
Starting point: Ninh Kieu Wharf (Bến Ninh Kiều), Can Tho City.
Destination: Ngo Boat Racing Grandstand (Khán đài Đua ghe Ngo), Soc Trang Ward, Can Tho City.
Google Maps:https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zp35Y8HTgWgw1ze36
Check the current route, distance and estimated travel time before departing. Allow extra time if traffic restrictions are introduced during the event.
For the opening ceremony, select 30/4 Park instead. For the Moon Worship ceremony, use Khleang Pagoda.
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Day Trip or Overnight Stay?
If you only want to watch the races, a day trip from central Can Tho may be possible with suitable transport arrangements.
Staying overnight closer to the festival venues may be more convenient if you also want to attend evening activities.
November 23 includes both the planned racing tournament opening at noon and the Moon Worship ceremony at 7:00 PM. However, access to the ceremony and individual racing times should be checked before making a detailed itinerary.
For accommodation, transportation and other sightseeing information, see the Can Tho Travel Guide.
What to Know Before Attending
- Check the final schedule. The published program is based on the city’s organizing plan and subsequent preparations. Times and venues may be updated.
- Confirm tickets and seating. Public admission arrangements, grandstand access and reserved seating have not been fully established in the information reviewed.
- Prepare for outdoor conditions. Bring water, comfortable footwear, sun protection and a light rain jacket.
- Carry some Vietnamese cash. Smaller vendors and local transport providers may not always accept international payment cards.
- Respect religious activities. Dress appropriately when visiting Khleang Pagoda and ask permission before taking photographs during ceremonies.
- Allow time for traffic. The race area may become busy. Follow local traffic and crowd management instructions.
- Confirm your destination. The grandstand, opening ceremony, pagoda and fairgrounds are separate locations.
Questions About Attending Ooc Om Boc Festival 2026
When is Ooc Om Boc Festival 2026 in Can Tho?
The festival is scheduled for November 22-24, 2026. Related fairs and cultural activities begin on November 14.
When are the Ngo boat races in 2026?
The races are planned for November 23-24 at the Ngo Boat Racing Grandstand in Soc Trang Ward, Can Tho City. The tournament opening is scheduled for noon on November 23.
Is Ooc Om Boc Festival celebrated every year?
Yes. Ooc Om Boc is an annual Khmer festival traditionally observed around the 14th and 15th days of the tenth lunar month. The corresponding Gregorian dates change each year. Can Tho’s organized festival in 2026 is scheduled for November 22-24.
Where is the opening ceremony in 2026?
The latest published information identifies 30/4 Park in Phu Loi Ward as the opening venue for November 22 at 8:00 PM. Visitors should check the final organizer announcement before attending.
Do visitors need tickets to watch the boat races?
Complete admission and seating information has not been confirmed in the official program reviewed. Check for updates before traveling.
Can international visitors attend the Moon Worship ceremony?
The ceremony is scheduled for November 23 at Khleang Pagoda. Public access arrangements have not been fully confirmed. Visitors should follow the instructions of the organizers and respect the religious setting.
