The first exciting Bay Nui bull racing festival of the new An Giang province

On the morning of September 20, 2025, at the Tri Ton commune bull racing ground (in the Ta Pa - Soai Chek Sports - Tourism Complex), Tri Ton commune, An Giang province, the 2025 Bay Nui bull racing festival officially opened.

Attending the event were Mr. Tong Phuoc Truong - Member of the Provincial Standing Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee; Mr. Le Trung Ho, Provincial Party Committee Member, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, along with leaders, former leaders of the province, monks, priests... Tens of thousands of people inside and outside An Giang province watched and cheered the festival.

The 2025 Bay Nui bull racing festival has 64 pairs participating. Photo: Lam Dien

There are 64 pairs of oxen from 10 communes and wards in the province participating in the competition, including: Tri Ton commune, Ba Chuc commune, O Lam commune, Co To commune, Vinh Gia commune, An Cu commune, Nui Cam commune, Giang Thanh commune, Chi Lang ward and Tinh Bien ward.

The Bay Nui Bull Racing Festival originated from the Khmer people's custom during the Sene Dolta festival - a ceremony to honor ancestors, which took place after the harvest season. Initially, bull racing was just a community activity in pagoda yards, both for entertainment and to strengthen the bond between villagers and neighbors.

In his opening speech, Mr. Le Trung Ho - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Organizing Committee of the Bay Nui Bull Racing Festival 2025, commented: "With its special appeal, this folk game has developed into a large-scale festival, held annually and become a typical cultural beauty of the Bay Nui region".

Mr. Le Trung Ho delivered the opening speech at the Bay Nui Bull Racing Festival. Photo: Lam Dien

Before the opening ceremony, there were many cultural activities imbued with Khmer national identity. Photo: Lam Dien

Before the opening ceremony, there was an art performance by the Khmer An Giang Art Troupe with many special performances such as: Bamboo Weaving Dance, Singing and Dancing to celebrate the new day of Phum Sróc. Photo: Lam Dien

Pentatonic music performance. Photo: Lam Dien

This is a unique cultural and sports event of An Giang province, closely associated with the spiritual life of Khmer people in the Bay Nui region, and is also an activity to celebrate many important events of the country and locality.

Immediately after the opening ceremony, the pairs of oxen entered the competition. These are excellent pairs of oxen, controlled by experienced drivers… competing in a direct pair-by-pair format to select the winning pair to advance to the next round, bringing the audience dramatic, attractive and emotional moments.

The organizers presented souvenir flags to representatives of the owners of 64 pairs of oxen. Photo: Lam Dien