The big pond is 500 meters length and 300 meters wide.
It is surrounded by trees that are hundreds of years old.
Ba Om Pond has long been known for its poetic beauty.
It was recognized as a national relic in 1994 by the Ministry of Culture and Information.
The waterway is connected with two Khmer legends.
Once upon the time, Khmer girls could only get husbands if they had money.
A woman, called Om, decided this was unjust and thought of a competition between men and women to see who could dig the biggest pond in 24 hours.
If the women won, the custom would change.
The pond would store fresh water for the dry season.
The day of the competition came and the men’s side played around a lot instead of working because they believed in their strength.
The women’s side, led by Om, used tricks to delay the men’s work.
For instance when the work was almost finished, the women erected a long pole with a lantern in the east.
The men thought the Morning Star had risen, so they went to bed early and lost.
Ever since men have had to marry girls regardless of how much money they have and the pond was named after Om.
In the second legend, every year in the rainy season ngo om (a species of spicy herb) grew around the pond.
Cow herds in the Luong Hoa and Nguyet Hoa fields ate this plant, so their meat was delicious.
The pond was called Ao Ngo Om (Ngo Om Pond).
In the course of time, the name was mispronounced Ao Ba Om.
Every year, in the middle of the 10th lunar month – around the middle of December, the Khmer people celebrate the Ok Om Bok Festival by Ba Om Pond to express thanks to the Moon Goddess for bumper crops.
Activities in this event include boat racing, dancing, and releasing wind lanterns.
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