In brief
In Takeo province, Cambodia, hundreds of people gathered on Nov. 1 2026 for a two‑day dragon‑boat festival that revived a tradition dating back to the 11th‑century Khmer Empire. The races, part of the Water Festival, celebrated ancient naval forces, attracted tourists, and boosted the local economy. Spectators, competitors, and officials celebrated the event’s cultural and economic impact on the region.
On Nov. 1, 2026, hundreds of locals crowded Takeo Lake in southern Cambodia for a two‑day dragon‑boat festival that brought back a tradition dating to the 11th‑century Khmer Empire.
The blazing sun illuminated 36 dragon boats, whose crews raced across the lake in a display of speed and teamwork that thrilled cheering crowds on the banks of Daun Keo city’s Takeo Lake.
For 22‑year‑old Huch Sreynea, a spectator, the races were “an electric bridge across the centuries,” according to Xinhua, who noted that the regatta honors Cambodia’s ancient naval forces.
The Water Festival, marking the end of the rainy season and the reversal of the Tonle Sap River, gives the races added meaning as they celebrate the river’s life‑giving waters.
20‑year‑old university student Chhin Lida said the festival also “acts as a powerful magnet for tourism” and helps lift Takeo’s provincial economy.
Lida walked through fairgrounds that featured food stalls, “One Village, One Product” showcases, traditional arts, and night‑time fireworks, describing the festival as a “deep breath of gratitude” for ancestors and the rivers that sustain the land.
Dragon‑boat racer Ly Sophal, 37, led a crew of 12 for the first time, saying the regatta is “an age‑old tradition deep within the heart of the Cambodian people” and a prime occasion to attract tourists.
"I am absolutely thrilled to see such massive crowds of spectators cheering us on," said Ly Sophal.
Competitor Leang Chanthon, also 37, echoed Ly Sophal’s enthusiasm, adding that the festival’s spirit was felt by athletes and spectators alike.
According to Xinhua, the event’s revival of a historic regatta not only honors the past but also supports Cambodia’s tourism industry during the Water Festival.
