Ready for the traditional boat racing festival

According to Phan Chi Dung, Head of the Department of Culture, Science and Information of Bo Trach district, the traditional boat racing festival gathers racing and swimming boats from many communes and towns in the district. The tournament is divided into two competitions: Men's rowing boat and women's racing boat. Each boat will have about 19-20 athletes participating in the competition with a total length of 6km for men's boats and 4km for women's boats, starting from the central boat wharf of Son river to Xuan Son bridge, passing the Chay river junction and then returning to the starting point.

Mr. Phan Chi Dung said: “The traditional boat racing festival of Bo Trach district has been successfully organized for 7 seasons. Compared to previous seasons, this year's season is organized on a larger scale, with the participation of 10 male boat teams (an increase of 3 teams) and 3 female boat teams. In addition, the district also organizes many cultural and sports activities on the sidelines of the festival.”

The traditional boat racing festival of Bo Trach district is an opportunity to promote the image of local people and tourism .

The district's Department of Culture, Science and Information has proactively worked with the communes, coordinated with the district's Department of Finance and Planning to advise the district People's Committee to provide funding to support the construction of racing boats for the boat teams participating in the festival for the first time with a support level of 70 million VND/boat. The boats were built and handed over to the communes on April 12, ensuring enough time for practice and familiarization before participating in the festival.

Chairman of Cu Nam Commune People's Committee Nguyen Van Luong said: “This is the first year that our commune has participated in the district's traditional boat racing festival. The cadres and people in the whole commune are very sympathetic and supportive. Because it is the first time participating, the commune's athletes also have more difficulties than the other teams due to lack of experience and practical competition... As soon as the district's directive plan was issued, the leaders of Cu Nam commune held a meeting, deployed the plan, assigned specific tasks to each department; coordinated with related units to complete boat building procedures; selected excellent athletes to participate in the tournament... With the spirit of training, exchanging and learning, right after receiving the boat and holding the launching ceremony, we planned a training session for the swimming team to achieve the best results".

Bo Trach traditional boat racing festival attracts a large number of people to participate and cheer.

Phong Nha is a locality with both male and female boat teams participating in the traditional boat racing festival of Bo Trach district since the first seasons. With the advantage of being a riverine people and the efforts in training and competing, the town's racing and swimming teams have won many high prizes in recent times.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) and International Labor Day on May 1, in Phong Nha town, it is expected that, in addition to the traditional boat racing festival, Bo Trach district will organize a folk dance festival, an art program and a Son River grass carp competition.

Preparing for this year's boat racing festival, Vice Chairman of Phong Nha Town People's Committee Tran Quy Cong shared: "The town has made a specific plan for the preparation work to participate in the district's boat racing festival. Up to now, the selection of athletes, inspection of racing boats, swimming... have been completed, the training work will be carried out 10 days before the competition time. Phong Nha is also the venue of the festival, therefore, the town always actively cooperates in the preparation and organization work; propaganda activities are promoted to widely inform the content of the festival to the people to participate, respond and cheer."

Vice Chairman of Bo Trach District People's Committee Nguyen Huu Hong said that the traditional boat racing festival is an opportunity to promote the unique cultural values ​​of the locality; contribute to promoting the image and cultural identity of Bo Trach people, creating conditions for tourism development with rich, diverse and attractive products. This is also an opportunity for people to meet, exchange, improve health, and promote the strength of community solidarity.

“Up to now, preparations, inspections of docks and other conditions to ensure the festival have been carried out by relevant departments, units and localities. Localities with participating teams have made training plans, ready for the new season. The festival is expected to take place on April 29, on the Son River, in Phong Nha town, expected to leave many good impressions in the hearts of tourists and people,” Mr. Nguyen Huu Hong added.

Le Mai

Source: https://baoquangbinh.vn/van-hoa/202504/san-sang-cho-le-hoi-dua-thuyen-truyen-thong-2225626/