Buffalo number 17 was slaughtered at the Hai Luu Buffalo Fighting Festival in 2025. (Photo: Duc Thinh)
For the buffaloes participating in the festival, the journey is not just limited to the fighting itself. Prior to that, there is a selection and training process to prepare them for competition. Once inside the arena, they are provoked, forced into life-or-death direct confrontations with their opponents, enduring strong impacts, injuries, and immense pressure amidst a crowd of tens of thousands.
After the match, win or lose, the outcome is almost the same: the buffaloes are slaughtered and consumed right outside the arena. For some attendees, the meat of these bullfights is even seen as a symbol of good luck or "fortune" after the festival.
For many years, the violent nature of buffalo fighting festivals has sparked considerable debate. However, it wasn't until 2025 that an incident at the traditional buffalo fighting festival in Hai Luu commune ( Phu Tho province ) drew significant public attention (the Hai Luu buffalo fighting festival in Phu Tho province in 2026, held on the 16th and 17th of the first lunar month, is one of the oldest buffalo fighting festivals in Vietnam, symbolizing the martial spirit of ancient Vietnamese people).
During the qualifying round, buffalo number 17, after losing, fell into a state of panic and lost control. When control measures proved ineffective, the animal was immediately dealt with in the arena. The image of the buffalo collapsing after being electrocuted, then quickly taken away for slaughter, caused shock and generated much controversy.
Some people believe this was an unintentional incident. However, many others argue that the event reflects the consequences of an activity that places animals in a tense, violent, and high-risk environment, which does not reflect the natural nature of the species.
Ms. Thuy Duong, representative of Animals Asia, stated: “In buffalo fighting festivals, each buffalo is referred to by a number. But behind that number is a living being, capable of feeling pain, stress, and fear. The important thing is that they do not participate voluntarily and have no opportunity to choose a different outcome.”
“Not everything that is called tradition needs to be preserved. A civilized society is not measured by the number of old rituals maintained, but by the courage to eliminate harmful and outdated practices, in order to move towards more progressive and humane values. How we treat vulnerable lives also most clearly reflects the humanistic values of our community,” Ms. Duong emphasized, and hoped that the government would come up with a healthier solution.
Amidst the ongoing and differing opinions on maintaining or modifying this festival, one fact remains: the buffaloes still enter the arena under the guise of a festival and leave it dead.
The story, therefore, goes beyond the traditional festival element and raises a larger question about how society can balance cultural preservation with the need to ensure the safety and humane treatment of animals in the current context.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/bi-kich-so-phan-con-trau-tai-le-choi-trau.html
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