Cambodia promotes cultural and natural tourism connections

With the theme "River Values: Connecting Culture and Natural Tourism", the event is expected to attract many domestic and international tourists through introducing local products, tourism services and tourism potential in riverside localities.

Silk is a prominent product of craft villages in Takeo (Photo: HUY VU)

In his opening speech, the Cambodian Prime Minister said: “The factors of peace and stability have turned Cambodia into an attractive destination for tourism, investment and trade in Asia; in particular, making tourism the main driving force over the past 30 years, contributing to promoting Cambodia's economic development, increasing about 13 times compared to 1993”.

In addition to rice and crayfish, poultry eggs are also a specialty of the province (Photo: HUY VU)

He also said that events such as the River Festival, Angkor Sangkran or the walking street are all efforts by the Government and local authorities to attract tourists, thereby increasing income for local people and businesses. The theme of this year's festival is meaningful, reflecting the benefits and potential of rivers, linking culture and ecotourism with honoring the deep connection between rivers and people.

The river plays an important role in the lives of Cambodian people (Photo: NGUYEN HIEP)

As a province in the south of the Kingdom of Cambodia, bordering Vietnam, Takeo has agricultural strengths along with a system of rivers, lakes and low hills. This is also home to many ancient temples thousands of years old, which are particularly attractive to historical researchers as well as domestic and international tourists.

Coming to the 9th Cambodia Water Festival, visitors can visit exhibitions on tourism and trade achievements, food fairs and local specialties. Along with that, there are sports competitions, including a 75km cycling race from the capital Phnom Penh to Takeo, a running activity with 1,200 participants, tug of war, volleyball and rowing.

Sunset on the Mekong River flowing through Kratie province, where the first Cambodian River Festival took place (Photo: NGUYEN HIEP)

Takeo Province Governor Vei Samnang said that this is the first time the locality has hosted the River Festival. He hopes that through this festival, the province's economy will be strongly promoted. According to him, the event will contribute to promoting Takeo products to Cambodian people as well as international tourists, thereby promoting and promoting the tourism potential of the riverside province.

The Cambodian River Festival was first held in Kratie province in 2015 and has since been held in many provinces across the country. After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this cultural and tourism promotion activity will be held again in Kampong Thom province in 2023 and Siem Reap province in 2024.