Phan Thiet fishermen race boats to celebrate spring

Binh Thuan Nearly 300 athletes compete in the more than 200-year-old traditional boat racing festival in Phan Thiet to pray for a full hold of shrimp and fish, on the afternoon of the second day of Tet.

On the afternoon of February 11, thousands of locals and tourists flocked to both banks of the Ca Ty River to watch the boat racing festival to welcome the new spring. This is a traditional festival that has existed for over 200 years, associated with the seafaring life of Phan Thiet people, with the meaning of praying for favorable weather and a full hold of fish and shrimp.

Before the race, the river water rose with the tide, nearly 300 athletes from 9 racing teams gathered at the Duc Thanh bridge area. They were skilled rowers, selected from fishing villages in Phan Thiet.

The first 3 teams to start in the 300 meter horizontal race. Photo: Viet Quoc

Since the days before Tet, the rowers have been practicing hard. Now entering the race, they are determined to compete with all their might to bring glory to their team. "We are trying our best to compete in the spirit of solidarity," said rower Le Duc Hai, of the Duc Long ward boat team.

At 1 p.m., after the signal, the racers rhythmically surfed the waves, then quickly accelerated, bringing their team's boat forward. The racing boat glided quickly on the river amid the cheers of the audience. The teams competed in 3 events: 300 m parallel, 500 m parallel and 1,200 m turn.

Crowds of people gathered on the banks of the Ca Ty River to watch the boat race. Photo: Viet Quoc

On both sides of the river from Tran Hung Dao bridge to Duc Thanh bridge, people stood crowded, cheering for the boat teams to the continuous sound of wild drums, creating an exciting atmosphere of the first spring festival in the coastal land of Phan Thiet.

Mr. Le Thanh, 67 years old, a resident of Phan Thiet, said that every year on the second day of Tet, he and his neighbors go to Ca Ty River to watch the boat racing festival. "Since I was 10 years old, I have watched boat racing. This is an indispensable spiritual food for us coastal people," said Mr. Thanh.

Phu Tai boat team (red shirt) broke away to win first place in the 500 meter parallel race. Photo: Viet Quoc

In the final result, Lac Dao ward boat team won the 300 meter tandem event. Phu Tai ward team won both the 500 meter tandem event and the 1,200 meter turnaround event.

"The festival is held annually as a useful playground, creating an exciting atmosphere for locals and tourists during the early spring," said Mr. Nguyen Nam Long, Vice Chairman of Phan Thiet City People's Committee, head of the festival organizing committee.

Vietnam

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