Kampot province will organise a three-day traditional boat racing event from November 23 to 25, 2026, along the Kampong Bay River in front of Bat Dai Sopheapmongkol Beach, as part of celebrations for Cambodia’s Royal Water Festival.
The event aims to preserve Cambodian cultural traditions, encourage public participation and attract domestic and international tourists to Kampot during one of the country's major traditional celebrations.
The provincial administration is preparing the competition, including race arrangements, venue preparations, security and coordination among relevant provincial departments and institutions.
Key Facts
Event: Kampot Traditional Boat Racing Festival 2026.
Dates: November 23–25, 2026.
Location: Kampong Bay River, in front of Bat Dai Sopheapmongkol Beach, Kampot province.
Occasion: Royal Water Festival (Bon Om Touk).
Preliminary number of boats: 24.
Eligibility: Boats under Kampot province; boats from outside the province will not be allowed to compete under the current arrangements.
Crew size: 22 rowers per boat.
Race distance: 1,000 metres.
Competition duration: Three days.
Awards: Trophies and financial prizes for the first-, second- and third-place winners.
Kampot Prepares Three Days of Traditional Boat Racing
The Kampot Provincial Administration is preparing to organise traditional boat races over three consecutive days, from November 23 to 25, along the Kampong Bay River.
The event will take place in front of Bat Dai Sopheapmongkol Beach, replacing the Koh Smau Beach venue used for a previous edition.
During a technical preparation meeting on the afternoon of October 27, 2026, Kampot Deputy Governor Ung Chhay said preparations had been progressing, with important input received on competition arrangements, race-site preparation, security and public order.
Relevant provincial departments and institutions are also coordinating to ensure the event runs smoothly.
The competition is intended to bring communities together while celebrating Cambodia's traditional Water Festival and promoting Kampot as a tourism destination.
24 Boats Expected to Participate in the Competition
According to preliminary information presented by Deputy Governor Ung Chhay, 24 boats are expected to participate in this year's competition.
Under the current arrangements, participating boats must be registered under Kampot province. Boats from outside the province will not be permitted to compete.
Each boat will carry 22 rowers, following the competition format used in previous editions.
However, the provincial administration has also indicated that companies, private institutions and organisations based in Kampot that wish to participate may still have an opportunity to register their boats in accordance with the organising committee's procedures.
The final participation arrangements will be subject to the committee's registration and competition requirements.
1,000-Metre Races to Determine the Champions
The traditional boat races will cover a distance of 1,000 metres.
The competition will take place over three days, with the organising committee selecting the champions through the scheduled races.
Official rankings will be determined for the top three positions:
First place: Champion and award recipient.
Second place: Runner-up and award recipient.
Third place: Third-place winner and award recipient.
The three leading teams will receive trophies and financial prizes in accordance with the organising committee's arrangements.
The event will provide an opportunity for participating teams to demonstrate their rowing skills, teamwork and competitive spirit while helping preserve traditional Cambodian boat-racing culture.
Residents, Tourists and Organisations Invited to Participate
Deputy Governor Ung Chhay said civil servants, local residents and domestic and international tourists would be able to register to participate in the boat-racing activities.
Companies, private-sector institutions and organisations operating in Kampot that wish to enter their own boats may also register according to the procedures established by the organising committee.
The invitation is intended to encourage wider community involvement and make the event a shared celebration involving public institutions, businesses, residents and visitors.
Interested participants should follow the registration procedures and requirements announced by the organising committee.
Kampot Encourages Tourists to Celebrate the Water Festival in the Province
The provincial administration has invited residents and tourists from Cambodia and abroad to visit Kampot during the Water Festival celebrations.
Visitors will have the opportunity to experience traditional boat racing, support participating teams and enjoy the province's tourism attractions.
The event is also expected to create a festive atmosphere and encourage tourism-related activities across Kampot.
By combining traditional cultural activities with tourism promotion, the provincial administration aims to attract visitors while supporting local businesses and communities during the holiday period.
Preserving Cambodian Traditions and Promoting Kampot Tourism
Traditional boat racing is an important cultural activity associated with Cambodia's Water Festival.
Beyond the competition itself, the event provides an opportunity for communities to gather, celebrate national traditions and pass cultural practices on to future generations.
For Kampot, hosting the three-day event also provides a platform to showcase the province's tourism potential during a major national celebration.
The combination of cultural heritage, community participation and tourism activities could help strengthen Kampot's profile as a destination for domestic and international visitors.
Angkor Times Analysis: Boat Racing Can Strengthen Kampot's Cultural Tourism Appeal
Kampot's decision to organise a three-day traditional boat racing event during the 2026 Water Festival reflects the role of cultural events in promoting provincial tourism.
The event has several potential benefits for the province. First, it provides a platform to preserve traditional boat racing and encourage participation among local communities. Second, it creates a reason for domestic and international visitors to travel to Kampot during the holiday period. Third, it could generate additional business opportunities for hotels, restaurants, transport operators, retailers and other tourism-related businesses.
The location along the Kampong Bay River, in front of Bat Dai Sopheapmongkol Beach, also offers an opportunity to connect the sporting event with Kampot's riverside and coastal tourism attractions.
The preliminary participation of 24 boats, each carrying 22 rowers, indicates the scale of the planned competition. Opening registration opportunities to companies and organisations based in Kampot could further encourage private-sector involvement.
To maximise the event's benefits, effective crowd management, public safety, traffic arrangements, visitor information and coordination among local businesses will be important.
The three-day celebration could become more than a sporting competition. With effective organisation and continued community participation, it can contribute to preserving cultural heritage while strengthening Kampot's position as a destination for festival tourism.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will Kampot hold its traditional boat racing event in 2026?
The event is scheduled for November 23–25, 2026, over three days.
2. Where will the boat races take place?
The competition will be held along the Kampong Bay River, in front of Bat Dai Sopheapmongkol Beach in Kampot province.
3. How many boats are expected to participate?
Preliminary information indicates that 24 boats are expected to participate.
4. How many rowers will each boat carry?
Each participating boat will have 22 rowers.
5. What is the distance of the boat race?
Each race will cover a distance of 1,000 metres.
6. Can boats from other provinces participate?
Under the current arrangements, only boats registered under Kampot province will be allowed to compete. Boats from outside the province will not be eligible.
7. Can companies and organisations register boats?
Yes. Companies, private institutions and organisations based in Kampot may still have an opportunity to register boats according to the organising committee's procedures.
8. What prizes will the winning teams receive?
The first-, second- and third-place teams will receive trophies and financial prizes according to the organising committee's arrangements.
9. Why is Kampot organising the event?
The event aims to celebrate the Royal Water Festival, preserve traditional Cambodian culture, encourage public participation and attract domestic and international tourists.
10. Are tourists invited to attend?
Yes. The provincial administration has invited Cambodian residents and international visitors to visit Kampot, enjoy the celebrations and support the participating teams.