Tens of thousands of people flocked to watch the buffalo fighting festival in Do Son from early morning.

On the morning of September 30th (the 9th day of the 8th lunar month), 16 buffaloes officially competed in the 2025 Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival. Tens of thousands of local people and tourists from all over came to watch and cheer.

A spectacular stretcher-carrying moment between buffalo 08 and buffalo 11 - Photo: TIEN NGUYEN

Numerous locals and tourists attended the festival - Photo: TIEN NGUYEN

The traditional Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival in 2025 consists of two parts: the ceremony and the festivities. The ceremony, held from September 22nd to October 7th (corresponding to the 1st to 16th days of the 8th lunar month), includes incense offerings, flag raising to open the festival, water procession, and offerings to the gods; rituals honoring the deities; a procession of the village guardian deity to attend the festival; the sacrifice of the champion buffalo; thanksgiving to the deities; and farewell to the deities.

The festival takes place on September 30th (the 9th day of the 8th lunar month), where 16 buffaloes, carefully nurtured and trained with their signature fighting techniques, will offer spectators thrilling and intense matches.

According to Mr. Nguyen Quang Dien, chairman of the People's Committee of Do Son ward, this is a traditional folk festival, associated with the long-standing custom of worshipping the water god and making sacrifices among the people of the coastal area of ​​Do Son.

The festival preserves the spiritual and cultural traditions and community-based cultural identity, reflecting the martial spirit of the people of Do Son with their aspiration to conquer nature, master the sea, and pray for favorable weather, abundant harvests, national peace and prosperity, and a happy and prosperous life for the people.

Buffalo number 08 emerged victorious over buffalo number 11 - Photo: TIEN NGUYEN

Mr. Nguyen Quang Dien, Chairman of the People's Committee of Do Son Ward, delivered the opening speech - Photo: TIEN NGUYEN

The festival features a blend of agricultural cultural elements from the delta region with those of coastal communities, reflecting the diversity of Vietnamese folk culture and beliefs, and closely linked to the long history and development of the land and people of Do Son.

According to Mr. Dien, after 36 years of restoration and development, the traditional buffalo fighting festival in Do Son still retains its folk elements and traditional cultural values ​​left behind by our ancestors.

To prepare for the festival, right after the Lunar New Year, the buffalo fighting arenas send experienced people to various locations throughout the country and Southeast Asia to find and buy buffaloes.

Beating drums to open the festival - Photo: TIEN NGUYEN

The buffaloes participating in the festival are carefully selected and trained, showcasing their bravery and symbolizing the strength and chivalrous spirit of the people of the coastal region.

"Among the 16 'buffaloes' participating in the 2025 festival, three are imported from Thailand: buffalo number 01, buffalo number 10, and buffalo number 15."

However, the 13 domestic buffaloes are no less strong than the imported ones, promising some dramatic and exciting "showdowns" - said the leader of Do Son ward.

According to Tuoi Tre Online , from early morning, tens of thousands of people from Do Son and tourists from all over the country were present to cheer on the buffaloes and witness the beautiful matches firsthand.

Security and safety within the stadium were also given special attention. The police force worked tirelessly to regulate traffic, ensuring that people could reach the stadium safely and conveniently.

In addition, the stadium is also equipped with sturdy fences, allowing visitors to watch the most exciting matches in their entirety while ensuring their safety.

Drum and gong dance performance at the festival - Photo: TIEN NGUYEN

Increase the prize money for buffalo fighting.

In 2025, the festival organizers adjusted the prize money for the winning buffaloes, increasing it compared to previous years.

Specifically, the first prize is 100 million VND (an increase of 30 million VND); the second prize is 70 million VND (an increase of 30 million VND); and the third prize is 30 million VND (an increase of 10 million VND per prize).

TIEN NGUYEN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hang-van-nguoi-di-xem-choi-trau-do-son-tu-sang-som-20250930001102609.htm