AKP Phnom Penh, March 22, 2025 --

The 9th River Festival is being held in Takeo province with arts performances, sports activities, lantern, and fireworks, attracting many local and foreign visitors.

This year, the festival is taking place from Mar. 21 to 23 under theme "The Value of River: Linking Culture and Natural Tourism,” aimed at promoting tourism along the riparian provinces.

Tourism Minister H.E. Huot Hak said local people and both national and foreign tourists would enjoy live performances of artistic spectacles and concerts, tourism and trade exhibitions, sports, martial arts, floating and sky lanterns, and firework display, among others.

"The festival is designed to promote the value of local products, tourism-related services, and potential tourism destinations in riverine provinces in Cambodia," he said.

Takeo Provincial Governor H.E Vei Samnang placed high hope on the festival, stressing that it would attract more festival-goers.

“This is the first time that Takeo hosts the River Festival, a pride for the province and its entire population,” he said.

Those who join the festival will see the province’s potential such as tourism, agriculture, agro-industry, and industry, which may attract more investment to the province, he underlined.

Besides the festival, tourists can tour many recreational and entertainment venues including natural tourism sites in the province.

The Southeast Asian nation received 6.7 million foreign visitors in 2024, a year-on-year increase of nearly 23 percent, according to a Ministry of Tourism's report.

The River Festival has been held eight times, first in 2015 in Kratie province, 2016 in Stung Treng province, 2017 in Kampong Cham-Thbong Khmum province, 2018 in Kandal province, 2019 in Kampong Chhnang province, and 2020 in Battambang province before being suspended for two years due to the COVID-19 spread.

After the pandemic crisis was under control, the Royal Government of Cambodia decided to organise the 7th River Festival in 2023 in Kampong Thom province and the 8th in 2024 in Siem Reap province.

By Chea Vannak