The Perfume River is in turmoil with the oars racing the boats.

TPO - The 36th Hue City Traditional Boat Race organized by the city's Department of Culture and Sports took place with great enthusiasm, gathering more than 300 athletes and thousands of spectators, becoming a unique cultural and sporting highlight of the National Day holiday in the ancient capital.

On September 2, on the Perfume River, the Department of Culture and Sports of Hue City organized the 36th traditional boat race, attracting thousands of people and tourists to watch and cheer, creating a vibrant festival atmosphere on the occasion of National Day.

From morning to noon, the two banks of the Perfume River in the central area of ​​Hue City, in Thuan Hoa and Phu Xuan wards, are always bustling with cheers, the sound of drums urging and the rhythm of oars.

This year's tournament brings together 10 boat racing teams, with more than 300 male and female athletes from riverside localities in the city.

Each team consists of 10 rowers and 1 steersman, competing in 10 races, with contents including offering prizes, money prizes and breaking prizes. The athletes compete fiercely, bringing many dramatic and attractive chases.

Maintained continuously for over 36 years, the boat racing competition on the Perfume River has become a unique traditional cultural and sports activity of Hue every National Day.

Mr. Hoang Quang Huy, a member of the boat racing team of Quang Dien commune, shared: "With the sporting spirit of the people in the river area, the boat racing tournament aims to enhance solidarity, help people practice health, rescue skills on the river and connect the spirit of the National Day holiday on September 2 nationwide."

Not only a sports competition, boat racing on the Perfume River is also a long-standing community culture. This is an opportunity for people to gather, exchange, and strengthen village relationships.

According to the Department of Culture and Sports of Hue City, the boat racing is a festival of the Huong River during the National Day holiday. The tournament contributes to developing the movement of practicing traditional sports, preserving and promoting the cultural values ​​of rivers, and at the same time creating a community playground connecting localities. This is also an opportunity to strengthen solidarity between wards and communes, encouraging people to participate in sports, especially those on rivers.

Historically, boat racing also inherits the spirit of training sailors from the Nguyen Lords. When Phu Xuan became the capital of Dang Trong, the Nguyen Lords' elite navy contributed to many victories against foreign invaders. That tradition is preserved through boat racing, as a way to educate the nation's patriotism, resilience and will to overcome difficulties.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/song-huong-day-song-cung-mai-cheo-dua-ghe-post1774936.tpo