Boat racing festival in Hai Nam island commune - Quang Yen district - Quang Ninh

The Going-to-the-Paddy Festival has existed for a long time in the daily life of the people of Ha Nam island area. It is held annually before people start planting crops, expressing the gratitude of the people to the Gods of Agriculture and the village's tutelary gods, praying for the gods to bless the crops. Within the framework of the festival, there will be many special activities. Besides the ceremony, the festival includes a rowing boat competition, a rice planting competition and an art program. After the Going-to-the-Paddy ceremony, thousands of people from Quang Yen town (Quang Ninh) flocked to the banks of Cua Dinh river to watch and cheer on the boat racing by pole-lifting.

Author Pham Quoc Dung with the photo series “Boat racing festival in Hai Nam island commune - Quang Yen district - Quang Ninh ”, recorded the images after the ceremony is the festival, the most special is the boat racing competition by using poles of the local residents. After receiving the only steering oar, the swimmers quickly run to Cua Dinh river to start. The photo series was submitted by the author to participate in the Photo and Video Contest of Happy Vietnam - Happy Vietnam, organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications .

The Going-to-the-Paddy Festival is a unique traditional festival, originating from the custom of the “Ha Dien” and “Thuong Dien” ceremonies of the residents of Ha Nam island, Quang Yen town, Quang Ninh. After the ceremony, the most exciting part is the boat racing competition of the men’s and women’s teams. Each participating team must participate in 2 swimming rounds including rowing (oaring) and especially the pole swimming round. The athletes must stand on the boat and use the pole to push the boat…

The traditional boat racing festival is the most anticipated activity of the annual Xuong Dong festival.

After the ceremony, thousands of people in Quang Yen town (Quang Ninh) flocked to the banks of Cua Dinh river to watch and cheer on the boat racing festival by pole-riding.

The first racing teams were young men from the area. The enthusiasm of the young men always made the racing exciting and thrilling.

Teams compete in boat racing around Cua Dinh River

They had to use a pole to row across the 4km long track.

The competition is always a hot spot and is awaited by the people. Being ahead or winning will bring pride to the whole village.

Vietnam.vn