Thousands gather for boat race festival in central Vietnam
Wednesday, August 14, 2024, 12:11 GMT+7
Thousands of people and tourists lined both banks of the Thu Bon River in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam to watch the Thanh Ha pottery village boat racing festival 2024 under the blazing sun on Tuesday afternoon.
Thanh Ha Village, with a history spanning 500 years, is renowned for its traditional pottery craftsmanship and is a popular tourist destination in central Vietnam.
The village is distinguished by its vibrant, colorful pottery, crafted from clay sourced from the Thu Bon River.
Every year, the village hosts a traditional boat racing festival on the river to celebrate the anniversary of its pottery craft.
|
|
| Teams compete at the Thanh Ha boat racing festival in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, August 13, 2024. Photo: Thanh Nguyen / Tuoi Tre |
The festival atmosphere at this year’s traditional boat racing event became lively starting early Tuesday afternoon.
Thousands of locals and tourists gathered at the new Cam Kim Bridge and along both banks of the Thu Bon River.
Many spectators chose prime spots to watch and cheer on the competing boat teams.
|
|
| Spectators cheer on teams competing at the Thanh Ha boat racing festival in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, August 13, 2024. Photo: Thanh Nguyen / Tuoi Tre |
This year’s festival featured nine racing teams from communes and wards across Quang Nam Province and neighboring Da Nang City.
Each team, composed of 17 strong rowers, battled fiercely for victory in the intense and exciting race.
As the starting signal was given, the boat teams exerted their full strength, rowing swiftly toward the finish line amid the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd.
|
|
| Locals watch teams competing at the Thanh Ha boat racing festival in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, August 13, 2024. Photo: Thanh Nguyen / Tuoi Tre |
The rhythmic drumming and continuous applause created a vibrant atmosphere along the river.
Despite the high temperatures, both locals and tourists passionately supported the teams.
“For those of us who grew up on the Thu Bon River, this boat racing festival is a cherished cultural tradition,” Nguyen Sau, a resident of Thanh Ha pottery village, commented.
|
|
| A group of foreign tourists watch teams competing at the Thanh Ha boat racing festival in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, August 13, 2024. Photo: Thanh Nguyen / Tuoi Tre |
“It’s also a chance to showcase our unity, preserve our heritage, and promote sportsmanship.”
Tourists also found the festival engaging.
“I’m particularly impressed by the lively atmosphere generated by the locals,” Nguyen Huy, a visitor from Da Nang, remarked.
|
|
| Locals watch teams competing at the Thanh Ha boat racing festival in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, August 13, 2024. Photo: Thanh Nguyen / Tuoi Tre |
Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
