Fishermen in Phan Thiet race boats to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

In Binh Thuan, nearly 300 athletes competed in a traditional boat racing festival, over 200 years old, in Phan Thiet on the afternoon of the second day of Tet (Lunar New Year), hoping for a bountiful catch of shrimp and fish.

On the afternoon of February 11th, thousands of locals and tourists flocked to both banks of the Ca Ty River to watch the boat racing festival celebrating the new year. This traditional festival, dating back over 200 years, is closely associated with the seafaring lives of the people of Phan Thiet and symbolizes a prayer for favorable weather and abundant catches of shrimp and fish.

Before the race, the river water rose with the tide, and nearly 300 athletes from 9 racing teams gathered at the Duc Thanh bridge area. They were skilled and experienced rowers selected from fishing villages in Phan Thiet.

The first three teams to start in the 300-meter row race. Photo: Viet Quoc

From the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), the rowers have been training hard. Now, entering the race, they are determined to compete to the best of their abilities to bring glory to their team. "We strive to compete with all our might in a spirit of unity," said rower Le Duc Hai of the Duc Long ward team.

At 1 PM, following the signal, the racers smoothly glided across the waves, then quickly accelerated, propelling their team's boat forward. The racing boats sped across the river amidst the cheers of the cheering spectators. The teams competed in three events: 300m synchronized rowing, 500m synchronized rowing, and 1200m turning course.

A large crowd gathered on the banks of the Ca Ty River to watch the boat race. Photo: Viet Quoc

On both banks of the river, from Tran Hung Dao Bridge down to Duc Thanh Bridge, people crowded together, cheering and encouraging the boat teams amidst the continuous rhythmic drumming, creating a lively atmosphere of the early spring festival in the coastal city of Phan Thiet.

Mr. Le Thanh, 67 years old, a resident of Phan Thiet, said that every year on the second day of Tet (Lunar New Year), he and his neighbors gather to watch the boat race on the Ca Ty River. "I've been watching boat races since I was 10 years old; it's an indispensable part of the cultural life for us people from this coastal region," Mr. Thanh said.

The Phu Tai team (in red jerseys) surged ahead to win first place in the 500-meter synchronized rowing event. Photo: Viet Quoc

In the final results, the Lac Dao ward team won the 300-meter synchronized rowing event. The Phu Tai ward team won both the 500-meter synchronized rowing and the 1,200-meter turning events.

"The festival, held annually, is a valuable playground, creating a vibrant atmosphere for locals and tourists at the beginning of the new spring," said Mr. Nguyen Nam Long, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phan Thiet City and head of the festival organizing committee.

Viet Quoc

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