Hundreds of people compete in 'crossing the river to catch ducks'

02/26/2024 | 06:19

TPO - Within the framework of the activities of the Lam Chay festival ( Long An ), the duck catching competition in the canal next to Tam Vu market attracted thousands of participants, creating an extremely bustling atmosphere.

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At 3:00 p.m. on February 25, thousands of people participating in the vegetarian festival stood tightly packed on both sides of the canal next to Tam Vu market, waiting to watch the duck catching contest with bare hands.

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More than 100 ducks were released into the canal. Hundreds of young men swam down the canal to catch them. On the shore, thousands of people shouted and cheered.

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"All contestants must catch the ducks with their bare hands, without using any supporting tools. The contest has no limit on the number of participants. Anyone who is capable can jump in and catch them, as long as they know how to swim," said a duck releaser.

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Ms. Le Tuyet Nhan Tam (living in Binh Duong province) shared: "Yesterday, my family and I made offerings at Ba Pagoda. Today, we took the opportunity to go to Tam Vu to participate in the Lam Chay festival. My family left in the morning but arrived right at the time of the Chieu U parade, so we were able to squeeze in here now. I heard many people say that this competition is very fun. I have to admit that the duck catchers are really good. I thought catching a duck would not be too difficult, but if you let it down, you will lose it immediately."

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Lam Chay is a traditional festival held annually at Tan Xuan communal house, Linh Phuoc pagoda, Ong pagoda and Tam Vu market (Tam Vu town, Chau Thanh district, Long An) with the purpose of restoring traditional folk values, praying for favorable weather, bountiful crops and peace for the country.

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According to the reporter, catching ducks with bare hands is not too difficult for farmers in the river region.

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A moment likened to "duck catching dance".

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Duck-catching contestants must have endurance and swim continuously to catch the ducks for more than 30 minutes. After the contest ends, many exhausted "duck-catchers" slowly swim back to shore.

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The spoils of the competition are... duck porridge and salad to celebrate the Lam Chay festival. After the duck catching competition, other festival activities will continue on the evening of January 16 (February 25) this year, in which the main event is the activity of pushing the lucky bamboo frame at midnight. Because it falls on a Sunday evening, this year's activity is expected to attract tens of thousands of participants.