Teams competing in the 2024 Lô River Boat Racing Festival. VNA/VNS Photo Quang Cường

TUYÊN QUANG, BÌNH THUẬN In Tuyên Quang on February 13, the Tuyên Quang People's Committee organised the 2024 Lô River Boat Racing Festival. Many tourists and locals gathered at the festival to witness the races, which featured 450 participants from 15 districts across Tuyên Quang City. Every racing ream had to race the 2.5-kilometre course on the Lô River.

After an intense and dramatic race drawing thunderous cheers from the spectators, the Tràng Đà Commune Racing Team won the race, with Mỹ Lâm Commune Racing Team as the runners-up and Tân Hà ward finishing at third place.

The competition marks the event's 17th anniversary, and displays Tuyên Quang people's unity, bravery, sportsmanship and will to conquer nature.

Coracle Racing in Phan Thiết draws hundreds  

Coracle racing at the 2024 Traditional Boat and Coracle Racing Festival in Phan Thiết. Coracle racing is the festival's most well-known event. VNA/VNS Photo Hồng Hiếu

On the afternoon of February 11, Phan Thiết City in Bình Thuận Province hosted the Traditional Boat and Coracle Racing Festival to celebrate the 2024 Tết holiday. This special cultural event, organised by the Phan Thiết City People's Committee, takes place each Lunar New Year, showcasing the unique cultural heritage of the coastal city.

Nearly 300 athletes from 13 wards and communes within Phan Thiết City participated in the festival this year. Teams competed in two categories: boat racing (distances of 500m, 300m, and a 1,200m lap) and coracle racing (single, double, and relay events over 500m). All athletes are local fishermen from Phan Thiết City.

After intense competition, the Lạc Đạo ward racing team won first prize in the 300m boat race. The Phú Tài ward team secured a double victory in the 500m and 1,200m boat races. In the coracle racing category, Hưng Long ward took first prize for single, Hàm Tiến ward for relay, and Tiến Thành commune for double.

The Organising Committee noted the improved quality of the festival's competitions due to the teams' excellent preparation. Athletes demonstrated a spirit of camaraderie, learning, and skill-sharing throughout the event.

Held during the early days of the New Year, the festival promotes fitness and sportsmanship among the community. It also celebrates the resilience of fishermen and their commitment to safeguarding the nation's maritime sovereignty. Moreover, the event helps promote Phan Thiết and Bình Thuận Province as destinations with rich cultural heritage and stunning tourist attractions. VNS