The Dam Boat Racing Festival is held once every five years in Dam Village (Tay Tuu Ward, Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi) with the aim of reproducing the maneuvering and fighting strategies of naval forces that were headed by General Dao Truong under the reign of King Hung Due Vuong (dating back to the 3rd century BC)
According to Nguyen Mong Tuong, head of the festival’s organisation board, this year’s festival attracted the participation of three sailing teams with 6 boats. All participants were valiant young men aged from 20 to 35 who were carefully selected from three hamlets of Thuong, Trung and Ha. Each boat is 15m long, holding 25 people including one main captain, one auxiliary captain, 18 rowers, one flag-raiser and one cheer leader.
What makes the Dam boat racing festival exciting is that boats competed fiercely, and even collided with each other. Those that can avoid being upturned after collisions can receive big prizes at the contest.
The festival highlights the solidarity, team work and sporting spirit of the Vietnamese people.
According to Nguyen Mong Tuong, head of the festival’s organisation board, this year’s festival attracted the participation of three sailing teams with 6 boats. All participants were valiant young men aged from 20 to 35 who were carefully selected from three hamlets of Thuong, Trung and Ha. Each boat is 15m long, holding 25 people including one main captain, one auxiliary captain, 18 rowers, one flag-raiser and one cheer leader.
What makes the Dam boat racing festival exciting is that boats competed fiercely, and even collided with each other. Those that can avoid being upturned after collisions can receive big prizes at the contest.
The festival highlights the solidarity, team work and sporting spirit of the Vietnamese people.
By Trinh Bo
The Dam boat racing festival in 2015 seen from high above. Photo: Trong Hai
Supporters gather at the river banks to cheer participating teams.
Tay Tuu residents cheer competing teams at the festival.
Supporters wear clothes in colours similar to that of their favourite teams.
The joy of the winning team.
Rowers use ingenious techniques to get the boats to the finish line as fast as possible.
Rowers try to get their boats to the finish line.
The main captains are in charge of the boats’ navigation and steering as well as directing the rowers.
Boats simultaneously go forward after the starting signal.
Two teams fiercely compete on the Pheo River.
Rowers pull their oars according to the commands of the cheer leader.
Tens of thousands of people throng the river banks.
Competing boats gather on the Pheo River before the race.
Contestants conduct rituals in front of the temple before the race.
Supporters cheer for their favourite team.