Quynh Nhai is bustling with boat racing festival

Continuing the activities at the Quynh Nhai Culture, Sports and Tourism Week 2024, on the morning of February 18, at the Pa Uon Bridge boat racing wharf, Quynh Nhai district held the opening ceremony of the 2024 Traditional Boat Racing Festival. Attending the opening ceremony were leaders of departments, branches and sectors of the province; representatives of some districts of Dien Bien and Lai Chau provinces and a large number of athletes, people and tourists inside and outside the province.

Pa Uon bridge area where the boat racing festival takes place.

This year's traditional boat racing festival attracted the participation of 16 teams from communes in Quynh Nhai district; teams from Bac Yen district, Muong La district and Muong Lay town, Dien Bien province; Nam Nhun district, Lai Chau province. The teams competed in 4 categories: 10-man boat; 20-man boat; 10-woman boat and mixed 20-man and 20-woman boat; competing at a distance of 1,600m. The racing boat is a swallow-tailed dugout canoe made from the trunk of a tree.

Teams participating in the Boat Racing Festival.

This is the 11th time Quynh Nhai district has organized the traditional boat racing festival with the participation of teams with many athletes who have experience competing in boat racing competitions in previous years and have skillful swallow-tail boat control skills.

The organizers presented souvenir flags to the participating teams.

Right after the opening ceremony, the teams participating in the first event started to set off, each swallow-tailed boat racing through the waves to reach the finish line in front of the cheers and enthusiastic encouragement of thousands of spectators and tourists gathered at the two river ports and on Pa Uon bridge. The weather was quite favorable, the people and tourists flocked to the area where the boat racing festival was held more and more, creating an extremely vibrant and bustling atmosphere.

The teams start the 20-man men's team event.

People and tourists came to cheer for the teams.

Traffic police force participates in ensuring security and order.

The traditional boat racing festival contributes to preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural values of residents living in the area around Son La hydroelectric lake; creating a useful playground, enhancing understanding, exchange and solidarity among ethnic groups inside and outside the province, bringing an exciting, cheerful atmosphere, hope for a lucky, peaceful and successful year.