380 athletes participate in the Swallow-tail boat racing festival in Muong Lay town

This is the opening activity for Dien Bien National Tourism Year 2024 with many unique cultural and sports activities taking place in Muong Lay town in a jubilant and exciting atmosphere.

The "Te Ta" ceremony to worship the river god, praying for favorable weather, good crops, and a peaceful life

This year's race has the participation of 380 athletes, from 19 racing teams from districts: Tua Chua, Muong Cha and agencies, units, communes, wards in the town and provinces of Son La, Lai Chau .

The athletes will compete in 3 categories, of which the provincial men's team category (5 teams) will be divided into 2 timed rounds to select the 3 fastest teams to enter the finals. The mixed men's and women's categories (7 teams) and the city men's category (7 teams) will be divided into 3 timed rounds to select the 3 teams to enter the finals. The competition distances are 500m and 1,000m. To prepare well for this year's festival, Muong Lay town has invested in building 6 new racing boats made of composite material, each boat is 18m long, 0.45m high, and 1.1m wide.

During the 1km race, starting from Co Khi bridge towards Nam Can bridge to Hoc village, Lay Nua commune and back, the teams always received enthusiastic cheers from a large audience, creating a special exciting atmosphere on the first day of spring.

Swallow-tail boat racing festival in Muong Lay town

Along with the traditional Swallow-tailed Boat Racing Festival, the people of Muong Lay town and visitors from near and far can also participate in spring activities, culinary competitions, shopping at booths introducing typical local products; folk games of the Thai ethnic group...

On the same day, the National Paragliding Club Championship took place with the participation of 60 pilots from 15 paragliding clubs across the country, attracting many young people to experience. The meaningful activities imbued with national cultural identity once again affirmed the strong attraction of one of the most anticipated festivals of the year, becoming a special pride of the ethnic people of Muong Lay town.

National Paragliding Club Championship with the participation of 60 pilots from 15 paragliding clubs across the country

It is expected that this year, Dien Bien province will have nearly 170 national and provincial events taking place. This will be an opportunity for Dien Bien to achieve the goal of welcoming 1.3 million tourists; an opportunity to promote, call for, and attract investment in the tourism sector. Thereby, gradually turning Dien Bien into one of the tourist centers of the Northern Midlands and Mountains.

The successful organization of Dien Bien Tourism Year 2024 events will be a condition to open up new opportunities for Dien Bien to continue implementing tasks and solutions, coordinating with units in the region to inter-regionally and successfully organize tourism activities. Thereby, truly making tourism a spearhead economic sector of Dien Bien.

Q.VY; photo by T.NGA