Unique bull racing festival in the border region.

Photo report by: LY ANH LAM

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As scheduled, the traditional bull racing festival at Chua Ro Pagoda in 2025 was recently organized by the People's Committee of An Cu Commune, An Giang Province, in coordination with other units. This cultural and sporting event is closely associated with the Sene Dolta Festival of the Khmer people in Southern Vietnam. The festival usually signifies gratitude to heaven, earth, and livestock for bringing the people a bountiful harvest and a prosperous life. Having been held many times, this unique festival has increasingly affirmed itself as a typical cultural and tourism event, becoming a highlight and making a positive contribution to the socio -economic development of An Giang Province.

Rô Pagoda, located in Vinh Thuong hamlet, An Cu commune, An Giang province, is the venue for the annual bull racing festival. This is the largest festival of the Khmer ethnic group in the area. The organizers estimate that approximately 8,000-10,000 people will attend the festival in 2025.

The festival attracted thousands of people, especially professional and amateur photographers from all over the province and beyond, who came to watch and cheer.

This year, the festival features a competition among 32 pairs of oxen from within and outside the commune. In the photo: The racers and pairs of oxen line up for the opening ceremony at the grandstand.

After the opening ceremony, the pairs of racing oxen parade around the arena.

These four-legged "athletes" are meticulously cared for before the race.

In each race, the pairs of oxen go through a warm-up round before waving flags to signal the start of the sprint race. The competition is fierce and exciting.

A skilled and agile rider is accelerating towards the finish line, leaving his rivals behind.

A pair of mischievous bulls refused to race, much to the amusement of the spectators.

The distinctive sounds of traditional musical instruments are indispensable in the bull racing festival, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere and giving the racing teams the strength to compete more fiercely.

Local dishes and beverages are sold by vendors to serve festival-goers.

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/doc-dao-le-hoi-dua-bo-vung-bien-a191458.html