Traditional Boat Racing Festival on the Perfume River in Hue Vietnam

The ancient city of Hue, Vietnam, recently came alive with the vibrant energy of the traditional boat racing festival on the iconic Perfume River (Sông Hương). This annual event, held in Trieu Son Dong village (Huong Vinh ward, Hue City), attracted thousands of locals and international tourists who gathered along the riverbanks to witness a spectacular display of athletic skill, teamwork, and cultural heritage.

More than just a thrilling sporting event, this traditional boat race is a deeply rooted cultural celebration. It serves as a vital platform for preserving and promoting the unique cultural and sporting values of the region, while also acting as a major catalyst for local tourism development. This year's festival was particularly special, as it created a joyful, festive atmosphere for the Lunar New Year (Tet) and commemorated the 577th anniversary of the founding ancestor of Trieu Son Dong village.

A total of 10 competitive teams representing various wards, communes, and districts across Thua Thien Hue province—including Hue City, Huong Tra, Huong Thuy, Phu Loc, Phu Vang, Phong Dien, and Quảng Điền—gathered to showcase their rowing prowess. The racing boats, uniquely crafted from woven bamboo, are designed to accommodate a maximum of 12 rowers. To ensure fair competition, each athlete is strictly permitted to row for only one designated team throughout the entire tournament.

The festival commenced with the dramatic strike of the village elder's opening drum, signaling the start of a fierce and highly anticipated competition. According to the traditional rules, the teams competed in a total of 12 intense races. This included one sacred "Cung" race for men, ten competitive "Tien" races, and one final celebratory "Thai Binh" race. The Cung and Thai Binh races required the teams to complete three grueling laps of approximately 800 meters each, while the Tien races consisted of two 800-meter laps.

Under clear, beautiful skies, the Perfume River was transformed into a bustling arena. The banks were packed with excited spectators, while the water itself was filled with decorative dragon boats and local vessels. Elderly villagers, dressed in elegant traditional Ao Dai, watched proudly from the shores. In the end, the Thanh Ha team from Quang Thanh commune claimed the prestigious first-place overall grand prize, followed by the Giap Trung team from Huong Toan ward in second place, and the Tu Ha team taking third.

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