The beauty of the raft racing festival in Duong Huu

Preserving traditional beauty

According to the memories of many generations of Long Son (old) people, now Duong Huu commune, the image of bright red flags, the bustling sound of drums, and the cheers of cheering during the raft racing festival have long become beautiful memories that cannot be forgotten. In the past, people here often used bamboo and rafts from the forest to make simple rafts to make a living, cross rivers, and catch fish. Gradually, from a means of labor, the raft became a cultural symbol, closely associated with community life.

Raft racing on Khe Chao Lake. Photo: Xuan Thoa.

In order to show gratitude to our ancestors and restore traditional beauty, since 2007, Long Son commune has initiated and organized the annual raft racing festival on the occasion of National Day, September 2. This year, when Long Son commune and Duong Huu commune (old) merged into Duong Huu commune, the racing festival was still maintained and became a typical cultural "brand" of the locality every Independence Day.

2025 marks the 16th time the raft racing festival is held on Khe Chao Lake, which is also a special year to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2. With a water surface area of 28 hectares, surrounded by vast primeval forests, Khe Chao Lake has become an ideal space to organize the racing festival, attracting the attention of people and tourists from all over the world.

Mr. Khuc Van Sinh, Vice Chairman of the Commune People's Committee, Deputy Head of the Festival Organizing Committee informed: Compared to before, the scale of this year's race has expanded much more. Previously, only 5 villages of Long Son commune (old) participated, now all 13 villages of Duong Huu commune have sent teams to compete. Each team consists of 5 official athletes (1 commander, 4 assistant drivers) and reserve members. The teams will go through many qualifying rounds and semi-finals. The organizing committee will select the 3 strongest teams to compete in the final round on a 500 m long race track. The paddles must be at least 2 meters apart, absolutely do not let the paddles touch each other, do not push, hold, or pull the opponent's paddle. The commanding athlete only plays a directing role, and is not allowed to directly steer. It is this fairness and transparency that has created the attraction and drama for the tournament.

Before the opening day, all the villages were bustling with the atmosphere of practice. People prepared gongs, drums, cymbals, and percussion instruments; young men enthusiastically practiced rowing; women and girls gathered to sew uniforms and make flags to cheer. Mr. Hoang Van Trong, a Nung ethnic in Thuong village, excitedly said: “Every year, when Independence Day is near, people eagerly prepare. Besides the official competition, the most enjoyable thing is that after each race, every family holds a small party and sings together.”

This year, in particular, there were many new teams participating for the first time, creating a lively competitive atmosphere. The villages also sent experienced teams to guide and train the new athletes.

Along with the cultural and spiritual values, the organization and reward work are also carefully prepared. This year, the Organizing Committee will award 13 prizes to the racing teams, with a total value of 17.5 million VND. This is not only a material reward but also has spiritual value, encouraging the teams to compete with all their might, encouraging the sports and cultural movement in the whole commune.

Comrade Khuc Van Sinh, Vice Chairman of Duong Huu Commune People's Committee, Deputy Head of the Festival Organizing Committee said: "The Khe Chao Lake boat racing festival is not only a folk sport activity but also a unique cultural and tourism product, contributing to promoting the local image. We hope that through this event, the spirit of solidarity of the people will become increasingly stronger, at the same time creating motivation to develop community tourism, associated with preserving the national cultural identity".

Honoring cultural values

The raft racing festival is both a folk sport and a great significance in preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the community. This is an opportunity for people to remember the pioneering efforts of their ancestors and to educate the younger generation about the spirit of solidarity and attachment. Each racing team is a miniature image of solidarity, harmonious cooperation, helping each other overcome all difficulties to achieve victory. This unique cultural feature needs to be preserved and promoted in today's modern life.

Khe Chao Lake Boat Racing Festival 2025 will be held on September 1, 2025 in Tau village, Duong Huu commune. The race track is 500 m long; the teams will compete in a knockout format (qualifying round - semi-finals - finals).

This year's racing festival also aims to promote the local image and contribute to the development of community tourism. With the advantage of the pristine landscape of Khe Chao Lake and the surrounding primeval forests, the festival attracts a large number of visitors from all over the country to experience. In addition to watching the raft racing, visitors can participate in cultural and artistic activities, traditional cake making competitions, enjoy local cuisine or simply stroll in the forest and breathe the fresh air.

In the jubilant atmosphere of the national festival, the raft racing festival on Khe Chao Lake has become a spiritual symbol of the Duong Huu people, an opportunity for people to express their national pride and love for their homeland and country.

From a restoration activity, after nearly two decades, the racing festival has developed into an annual cultural - sports - tourism event, contributing to enhancing the local image and promoting socio-economic development. Especially in 2025, when the whole country celebrates the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2, the racing festival will be even more meaningful, affirming the aspirations of the ethnic people here.

With the consensus of the people and the attention and direction of the Party Committee and the government, the boat racing festival on Khe Chao lake is preserved and increasingly promoted, becoming a unique cultural and tourist highlight, adding to the meaning of Independence Day for the ethnic minorities in Duong Huu commune.

Mai Toan

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/net-dep-hoi-dua-thuyen-mang-o-duong-huu-postid425131.bbg