Dragon boat racing on the canal with the most beautiful scenery in Can Tho

On December 1, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho City organized the 2024 Can Tho Dragon Boat Racing Championship. This is one of the activities to celebrate the Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong Delta Tourism and Trade Week taking place in Can Tho.

Can Tho organizes city-level boat racing competition for the first time

All the matches of the tournament took place on Khai Luong canal, near the Ninh Kieu wharf pedestrian bridge (Cai Khe ward, Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho city), one of the most beautiful views in Tay Do with typical landscapes of the Mekong Delta and many check-in points that attract tourists. Therefore, right from the first competitions, many spectators came to watch and cheer.

The 2024 Can Tho City Dragon Boat Racing Championship has 13 participating teams, competing in a 500m race. The starting point is from Cai Khe boat dock (tide-blocking sluice) to the pedestrian bridge. The teams are divided into groups, competing in a round-robin to calculate points. The organizing committee selects the top 2 teams in each group to compete in the semi-finals. The two best teams in the semi-finals will compete in the finals.

In the end, Phong Dien team won first place, Pitu Khosa Rangsay Pagoda team won second place and Thot Not Q team won third place.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho City, awarded prizes to the winning teams.

Ms. Thi Po Pha (53 years old, living in Thot Not District, Can Tho City) said that she went early in the morning to cheer for her team, Pitu Khosa Rangsay Pagoda. She used to be a veteran rower, participating in many ngo boat racing competitions in the Mekong Delta. However, watching ngo boat racing in the center of Can Tho is interesting, so she hopes that the competition will be held here annually. "Racing ngo boat racing in a place with such beautiful scenery will motivate athletes to participate, and the fans will be excited too," Ms. Pha confided.

Mr. Truong Cong Quoc Viet, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho City, said that this is the first time Can Tho has organized a city-level Ngo boat racing competition. Ngo boat racing is one of the traditional cultural activities of the Khmer people in the South. "The competition aims to create a joyful, united and close atmosphere among ethnic groups and between localities. Through this, we want to contribute to preserving the national cultural identity and developing a healthy sport that has become a spiritual food for the people," Mr. Viet shared.

The tournament has only one competition distance of 500 m.

Departure point from Cai Khe port

Popular race track scene

The tournament received the attention of many audiences.

Each team has only 12 official athletes.

The contest aims to contribute to promoting the culture of Ngo boat racing in the South and promoting the image of Can Tho tourism.

The racing atmosphere was exciting with enthusiastic cheers from the audience.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dua-ghe-ngo-tren-con-rach-co-phong-canh-dep-bac-nhat-can-tho-185241201124412887.htm