AN GIANG — Visitors will have the opportunity to meet chef Martin Yan, enjoy an ox racing festival and join the solemn Bà Chúa Xứ honouring festival in Châu Đốc City this May.

This is among a series of events of the An Giang Food and Tourism Culture Week, part of the An Giang Tourism Month, being held in Châu Đốc City from May 16 to 25.

“With a range of interesting cultural, sports and tourism events, we would like to convey the message that An Giang’s aim is a green, clean and friendly tourism development,” director of An Giang’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Văn Lên said.

This cultural and tourism event of An Giang is also aimed at introducing and promoting the local natural landscape, historical and cultural relics, craft villages and local signature food.

An Giang Tourism Month, organised by An Giang’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, features a range of events, which include the Bảy Núi ox racing festival, a traditional festival of the Khmer in the Bảy Núi (Seven Mountains) region; boat racing; lantern releasing event; and a music gala featuring Mekong River’s music bands.

The An Giang Food and Tourism Culture Week will feature 200 booths, an exhibition showcasing An Giang’s tourism destinations, a space introducing the tourism and culture of the Khmer and Chăm ethnic minority groups and a đờn ca tài tử (southern folk music) performance. 

Also on this occasion, visitors can participate in the Bà Chúa Xứ festival, an event that honours the sacred Bà Chúa Xứ (local tutelary goddess). The festival, held between 23rd and 27th of the fourth lunar month of the year at Bà Chúa Xứ temple, has five solemn rituals, including washing the statue of Bà Chúa Xứ, as well as dragon dances and art performances. The festival is recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage. — VNS