Boat racing festival in Hai Nam island commune - Quang Yen district - Quang Ninh

The "Going Down to the Fields" festival has a long history in the daily life of the people of Ha Nam Island. Held annually before the planting season, it expresses the people's gratitude to the Gods of Agriculture and the village guardian deity, and their prayers for a bountiful harvest. The festival includes many unique activities. Besides the ceremonial part, the festivities feature boat racing, rice planting competitions, and artistic performances. After the "Going Down to the Fields" ceremony, thousands of people from Quang Yen town (Quang Ninh province) flock to the banks of the Cua Dinh River to watch and cheer on the boat race by pushing their poles.

Author Pham Quoc Dung's photo series "Boat Racing Festival in Hai Nam Island Commune - Quang Yen District - Quang Ninh Province" captures the festive atmosphere following the ceremony, most notably the boat race using poles by the local residents. After receiving their single oars, the young men quickly race out onto the Cua Dinh River to start. The photo series was submitted by the author to the Happy Vietnam Photo and Video Contest, organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications .

The "Going Down to the Fields" festival is a unique traditional festival, originating from the "lowering the fields" and "raising the fields" rituals of the inhabitants of Ha Nam Island, Quang Yen town, Quang Ninh province. Following the rituals, the most exciting part is the boat race between men's and women's teams. Each participating team must complete two races: rowing (with oars) and, uniquely, rowing with poles. Athletes stand on their boats and use poles to propel them forward... The traditional boat race is the most anticipated event of the annual Rice Planting Festival.

After the traditional rice planting ceremony, thousands of people in Quang Yen town (Quang Ninh province) flocked to the banks of the Cua Dinh River to watch and cheer on the boat race by pushing their poles.

The initial racing teams were made up of young, strong men from the region. Their enthusiastic spirit always made the races exciting and captivating.

The teams competed in a boat race around the Cua Dinh River. They had to use poles to navigate the 4km race course. The competition is always a hot topic and eagerly awaited by the villagers; taking the lead or winning brings pride to the entire village.

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