Mondulkiri province in northeastern Cambodia will host a three-day international boat racing festival from November 13 to 15, 2026, combining traditional waterway celebrations, indigenous cultural showcases, local product exhibitions and entertainment to attract domestic and international visitors to Sen Monorom.
Organised by the Mondulkiri Provincial Administration, the event will take place at Sen Sok Dom Dam in Sen Monorom City. Highlights will include the preparation of 1,000 bamboo-tube servings of traditional soup, a culinary tradition associated with the province’s indigenous communities, alongside boat races, concerts, fireworks and other festive activities.
Key Facts
Event: International Boat Racing Festival
Dates: November 13–15, 2026
Location: Sen Sok Dom Dam, Sen Monorom City, Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia
Organiser: Mondulkiri Provincial Administration
Cultural highlight: Preparation of 1,000 bamboo-tube servings of traditional soup
Other activities: Concerts, local product exhibitions, fireworks, floating lanterns, lantern releases and the traditional Ok Ambok celebration
Edition: The second time the provincial administration has organised the international boat racing event
Main objectives: Celebrate Khmer traditions, showcase indigenous culture and promote tourism in Mondulkiri
Mondulkiri Prepares for Three Days of Boat Racing and Festivities
The upcoming festival will bring together boat racing and cultural activities as part of Cambodia’s traditional Water Festival celebrations.
According to an announcement by the Mondulkiri Provincial Administration, the three-day programme is intended to provide entertainment for local residents while creating opportunities for visitors to experience the province’s cultural traditions, local cuisine and tourism attractions.
The event will be held at Sen Sok Dom Dam in Sen Monorom, the provincial capital. Alongside the boat races, visitors can expect live music, exhibitions of locally produced goods and displays of local achievements.
The combination of sporting activities, cultural presentations and public entertainment is intended to make the festival a gathering point for residents, businesses and tourists during one of Cambodia’s important annual festive periods.
1,000 Bamboo-Tube Servings to Showcase Indigenous Food Culture
One of the festival’s distinctive attractions will be the preparation of 1,000 bamboo-tube servings of traditional soup, highlighting the culinary heritage of indigenous communities in Mondulkiri.
Bamboo-tube cooking is associated with traditional food preparation in parts of Cambodia, using bamboo as a cooking vessel. Its inclusion in the festival will provide an opportunity to showcase local food traditions and introduce visitors to the region’s cultural identity.
For tourism destinations such as Mondulkiri, local cuisine can complement natural attractions by giving visitors additional reasons to explore regional communities, food traditions and locally produced products.
The provincial administration also plans to organise exhibitions featuring local products, offering another platform to highlight the province’s production capacity and cultural heritage.
The announcement does not specify which indigenous communities will participate or provide further details about the soup preparation programme.
Fireworks, Floating Lanterns and Traditional Celebrations
The festival will feature a range of activities beyond boat racing, including concerts, fireworks, floating offerings, lantern releases and Ok Ambok celebrations.
These activities connect the event with Cambodia’s traditional Water Festival period, which includes celebrations associated with boat racing, the floating of illuminated offerings, Ok Ambok and paying respect to the moon.
The programme is expected to create a festive atmosphere for families and visitors while showcasing elements of Cambodian cultural heritage.
For travellers planning a visit, the festival offers a reason to consider Mondulkiri as a destination during November. Visitors should confirm event schedules and any access arrangements with local authorities before travelling.
Tourism Opportunities for Mondulkiri
The festival forms part of a broader opportunity to promote Mondulkiri as a destination for cultural experiences and regional tourism.
Known for its highland setting and distinctive indigenous heritage, the province can offer visitors experiences that complement Cambodia’s better-known urban and archaeological destinations.
An event that combines boat racing, local cuisine, product exhibitions and traditional performances can help encourage visitors to spend time in the provincial capital and engage with local businesses.
Potential beneficiaries include accommodation providers, restaurants, transport operators, food vendors, local producers and tourism service providers. However, the scale of any economic benefit will depend on visitor numbers, spending patterns and how effectively local businesses participate.
Local product exhibitions may also help producers introduce their goods to new customers and strengthen recognition of Mondulkiri’s regional identity.
To maximise the benefits, organisers and tourism stakeholders can focus on providing clear visitor information, maintaining event facilities, supporting local vendors and promoting responsible tourism practices.
The provincial announcement does not provide an expected visitor total, an event budget or projected tourism revenue.
Second International Boat Racing Event Organised by the Province
The Mondulkiri Provincial Administration is organising the international boat racing event for the second time as part of the celebrations for Cambodia’s Water Festival and related traditions.
The festival’s stated objectives include promoting Khmer cultural practices, presenting the diversity of local traditions and cuisine, and attracting more domestic and international tourists to the province.
Repeating the event may help build a recognisable annual attraction for Mondulkiri. Consistent organisation and promotion could strengthen its place on Cambodia’s tourism calendar, although the long-term impact will depend on future attendance, visitor satisfaction and the continuity of the event.
Angkor Times Analysis: Linking Cultural Heritage With Regional Tourism
Mondulkiri’s three-day festival illustrates how provincial events can combine cultural preservation with tourism promotion.
Rather than relying on a single attraction, the programme brings together sport, food, entertainment and local products. This approach can encourage visitors to engage with several aspects of the province during one trip.
Three opportunities stand out.
First, cultural tourism can support local businesses. Events that showcase indigenous cuisine and traditions can create opportunities for local vendors, producers and tourism operators, provided community participation is meaningful and the cultural elements are presented respectfully.
Second, the festival can strengthen Mondulkiri’s tourism profile. A recurring event may help the province attract visitors during the November festive period and encourage travellers to explore destinations beyond Cambodia’s main tourism centres.
Third, local product exhibitions can connect tourism with enterprise development. Visitors may become customers for locally made goods, while producers gain exposure to wider markets.
The challenge is to convert a short festival into lasting benefits. Clear travel information, good event management, local business participation and respect for indigenous cultural identity will be important to achieving that objective.
For travellers, the November 13–15 festival offers an opportunity to experience boat racing and cultural activities in Sen Monorom. For local stakeholders, it provides a platform to showcase Mondulkiri’s heritage and strengthen the province’s position within Cambodia’s domestic and international tourism market.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will Mondulkiri’s international boat racing festival take place?
The festival is scheduled for November 13–15, 2026.
2. Where will the festival be held?
The event will take place at Sen Sok Dom Dam in Sen Monorom City, Mondulkiri Province, northeastern Cambodia.
3. Who is organising the festival?
The Mondulkiri Provincial Administration is organising the event.
4. What are the main attractions?
Activities will include international boat racing, concerts, local product exhibitions, the preparation of 1,000 bamboo-tube servings of traditional soup, fireworks, floating offerings, lantern releases and Ok Ambok celebrations.
5. Why is the bamboo-tube soup significant?
The food showcase is intended to highlight the culinary identity and traditions of indigenous communities in Mondulkiri.
6. Is this the first time Mondulkiri has held the event?
No. According to the provincial announcement, this will be the second time the provincial administration has organised the international boat racing event.
7. How could the festival benefit local businesses?
Accommodation providers, restaurants, transport operators, vendors and local producers may benefit from visitor spending and exposure during the festival. The actual economic impact will depend on attendance and spending.
8. Is visitor attendance expected to be high?
The announcement aims to attract domestic and international tourists but does not provide a forecast for visitor numbers.