Opening of the traditional boat racing festival on Cam Ly river

(NADS) - On the morning of August 19, in Quang Binh, the 2024 Traditional Boat Racing Festival on Cam Ly River opened.

The traditional boat racing festival on Cam Ly river is not only a sports competition, but also a cultural beauty that has existed since ancient times. With the meaning of praying for "favorable weather, peace and happiness for the people", the festival attracts a large number of people from all over to return to their hometown to attend and cheer. In recent days, along both banks of Cam Ly river, the bustling sound of wooden fish, the urging sound of drums, and the shouts of young men practicing swimming have created a vibrant, bustling festival space filled with martial spirit.

This year's festival features 10 rowing boats from 10 villages and a joint venture company, including teams from Trung Tin Village, Loc Xa - 405, Hoang Vien, Hoang Dam, Lai Xa, Ngo Xa, Vinh Quang, Ngo Bac, My Hoa, and My Duc. The rowing boats are built according to traditional specifications, with each boat having no more than 20 athletes including the boatman, helmsman, bowman, water bailer, and boat commander. Immediately after the opening ceremony, the teams began to compete in the qualifying rounds. The boats were divided into two groups, swimming through two rounds to select the 6 best boats for Class A and 4 boats for Class B to compete in the finals.

The atmosphere on the Cam Ly River was constantly heating up with each stroke of the oars, each shout of the athletes and the enthusiastic cheers from thousands of spectators standing on both sides of the river. The Boat Racing Festival not only left a deep impression on the hearts of the locals but also on the hearts of visitors from afar. Many spectators could not hide their excitement and joy when witnessing the dramatic and traditional races.

Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan from Trung Tin village in Da Nang, a son far from home, shared: "Every time I return to my hometown during the festival, I feel proud and moved. This is an opportunity for us to connect with each other, to remind ourselves of our roots and the precious cultural values of our homeland."

Mr. Truong Thanh Tung from Hoang Vien village, a local resident, also expressed: "The Boat Racing Festival is our pride. It is not only a sports competition but also an opportunity for us to show our love for our homeland, solidarity and determination to preserve traditional cultural values."

At the end of the group stage, the Organizing Committee found 6 teams to enter the finals this afternoon including: My Hoa, Hoang Vien, Trung Tin, My Duc, Vinh Quang, Ngo Bac...

The 2024 Traditional Boat Racing Festival on the Cam Ly River is not only a simple sporting event, but also a symbol of martial spirit, solidarity and national pride. The event has connected the hearts of thousands of people, from the elderly to the children, from those far from home to the locals, all beating together towards their roots, towards the precious traditions of the General's homeland. The vibrant and bustling images of the festival seem to breathe a new wind into the daily life of the people of Son Thuy, making everyone more attached to their homeland and solidarity.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thuc - Chairman of the Commune People's Committee, Head of the festival steering committee shared with reporters: “The traditional boat racing festival on Cam Ly River is not only a sporting and cultural event, but also a vivid expression of love for the homeland and national pride. The vibrant and bustling images of the festival seem to breathe new life into the daily life of Son Thuy people, making everyone more connected and united. Moreover, this festival is also a testament to the persistence of traditional values, a bridge between the past and the present, between generations. In the flow of modern life, maintaining and promoting traditional festivals such as boat racing on Cam Ly River is extremely important, so that we not only preserve precious cultural values but also spread them to the younger generation, helping them understand and be more proud of their origins.”

Some pictures of the traditional boat racing festival on Cam Ly river (Quang Binh).