Thrilling bull racing competition at That Son in An Giang

September 29, 2024 | 1:20 PM

TPO – On the morning of September 29th, the 29th Bay Nui Bull Racing Festival – 2024 took place at the bull racing arena in Vinh Trung commune, Tinh Bien town, An Giang province. The festival was held in celebration of the Sene Dolta festival of the Khmer ethnic group. The competition brought together 64 selected pairs of bulls, resulting in many exciting, captivating, and spectacular races for the An Giang Television Cup.

According to reporters, thousands of people from all over came here from early morning to watch the bull race. This is a traditional festival, celebrating the Sene Dolta festival of the Khmer people. Photo: Nhat Huy.

This year's bull racing festival attracted 64 pairs of bulls from An Giang province and 2 pairs from Kien Giang province. Most of the bulls in this competition came from areas inhabited by the Khmer ethnic minority. In each round, two pairs of bulls were randomly selected and competed in a knockout format, with the winning team advancing to the next round. Photo: Nhat Huy.

When the referee gives the starting signal, the pairs of oxen must perform two events: the "Calling Circle" (controlling the oxen to walk at a slow speed, mainly to demonstrate their ox-controlling skills) and the "Releasing Circle" (showcasing their speed in a sprint to the finish line). Photo: Nhat Huy.

Despite the hot weather, thousands of people still came to cheer on the oxen, making the race even more lively. Photo: Nhat Huy.

The Bay Nui bull racing festival in An Giang attracts foreign tourists who come to watch and cheer. Photo: Nhat Huy.

Scenes from the Bay Nui bull racing festival in An Giang. Photo: Nhat Huy.

The bulls are being cared for before going into battle. Photo: Nhat Huy.

The thrilling competition captivated the audience. Photo: Nhat Huy.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Bang, Director of An Giang Provincial Radio and Television Station, said that the Bay Nui An Giang bull racing festival not only showcases the rich traditional culture and ethnic identity of the Khmer people, but also serves as a sporting and recreational playground for Khmer farmers in the villages and hamlets after their hard work in the fields. Photo: Nhat Huy.

The organizers are expected to hold the closing ceremony and award prizes to the winning pairs of oxen on the afternoon of September 19th. Photo: Nhat Huy.

Nhat Huy