25 km from the heritage town, a Mekong River hydropower project under construction since January, casts a dark shadow over the future of this UNESCO world heritage site.
Festival organizers say 338 boats from across Cambodia have registered for the races, and will compete over a 1,700-meter course on the Tonle Sap Lake where it meets the Mekong River in front of the Royal Palace.
A UNESCO report strongly urges the Laos authorities to stop the dam construction at this location, especially with the Sayaburi dam already located on the Mekong River below Luang Prabang.