Son Dong: Announcing An Chau rowing festival as a national intangible cultural heritage

BAC GIANG - On May 7, the People's Committee of Son Dong district held a ceremony to announce the traditional An Chau rowing festival as a national intangible cultural heritage according to the Decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and opened the traditional rowing festival in 2025. Attending the ceremony were Mr. Nong Quoc Thanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Heritage (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), and representatives of a number of provincial departments and branches.

Báo Bắc Giang•07/05/2025

Speaking here, comrade Hoang Van Trong, Chairman of the District People's Committee emphasized that the An Chau rowing festival has existed since the 15th century, held on the 10th day of the 4th lunar month every year at Bich Tri Communal House and on the An Chau River, upstream of Luc Nam River.

Comrade Hoang Van Trong spoke.

This is a cultural and religious activity of the people of An Chau area praying for favorable weather, good crops, health and peace for all people. The festival is associated with the name of General Vi Duc Thang, who commanded and trained soldiers in river crossing and flood fighting skills to fight foreign invaders and guard the An Chau valley.

Over hundreds of years, the An Chau rowing festival has been preserved by the people. The Party Committee, government and people of all ethnic groups in the region consider this not only a unique cultural and religious activity but also a vivid symbol of solidarity, community strength and gratitude to the ancestors who have contributed to building and protecting the homeland.

Mr. Nong Quoc Thanh (third from right) presented the Certificate of recognition of the traditional An Chau rowing festival as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage to officials and people of Son Dong district.

Recognizing the significance and great values of the festival in the spiritual and cultural life of the people, on December 10, 2024, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism decided to include the traditional An Chau rowing festival in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

This is an important event, a source of pride for cadres, party members and people of all ethnic groups in An Chau area in particular and Son Dong district in general.

A large number of delegates and people participated in the procession ceremony at the boat racing festival.

At the ceremony, comrade Nguy Van Tuyen, Secretary of the District Party Committee, beat the drum to open the ceremony; Mr. Nong Quoc Thanh presented the Certificate of recognition of the traditional An Chau rowing festival as a national intangible cultural heritage to the officials and people of Son Dong district.

The swimming teams draw lots before the swimming competition.

Next, many delegates, officials, and people of all ethnic groups participated in the procession of the Certificate of Recognition down to the An Chau River; representatives of the elders and youth swam in a parade (worship swimming) and the teams participated in the final round of the rowing competition.

The swimming teams compete.

This year, the An Chau rowing festival attracted 300 athletes from 18 swimming teams from Vinh An commune and An Chau town to compete. At the final round, the Organizing Committee awarded the first prize to the swimming team from Dinh residential group, An Chau town.

Comrade Nguyen Van Tuyen, Secretary of the District Party Committee, awarded the first prize to the swimming team from Dinh residential group.

Within the framework of the festival, there are also many competitive activities such as: Crossbow shooting, traditional martial arts, tug of war, table tennis; folk games and cultural exchanges.