Held annually on the 8th, 9th, and 10th days of the 4th lunar month, the festival is a cornerstone of life in An Chau town.

The boat procession ritual at the festival.

During a recent visit to Son Dong, we explored the historic sites of Che communal house and pagoda, and Chai temple, located along the Luc Nam River that flows through An Chau (commonly called An Chau River), where the boat races take place.

The ancient banyan tree, hundreds of years old, casts its shade over the tranquil Che communal house.

Nong Van Lu, 82 years old and a longtime custodian of the communal house, as well as the head of the ritual committee, shared the festival’s deep roots: “According to local folklore, the boat racing festival on the An Chau River dates back to the 15th century. It was originally established to honour General Vi Duc Thang and to reenact the training of soldiers in the region. The festival also serves to pay tribute to the local deities and heroes who built and defended the land, and pray for a bountiful harvest and the well-being of the people. During the festival, people gather to clean the worship areas, streets, and alleys. Even those with busy lives return home to participate in the festival.”

Rowers complete at the festival.

The festival kicks off in the morning with a solemn procession of offerings from the Ve pagoda to the Ve communal house, where incense is burned in honour of the deities.

This is followed by the “thuong thuyen” (boat worship) ritual at Chai temple, where participants pray for boat protection, smooth sailing and a prosperous year ahead.

Locals carry a bamboo boat, decorated with five-coloured paper and filled with offerings such as sticky rice, chicken, wine, fruits, and incense, to honour the water gods before the boat races begin.

The boat races themselves are an exhilarating display of strength and teamwork. Each boat is crewed by ten strong men, selected from An Chau and neighbouring communes.

Depending on the regulations each year, the races span either 1,200 or 1,500 meters, with three teams competing per round to determine the finalists.

Having attended the festival in past years, I was particularly struck by the sight of the paddlers moving in perfect synchronization, with their coordinated strokes propelling the boat swiftly across the river.

The vibrant colours of the national and festival flags, combined with the sound of drums, gongs, and the cheers of the spectators, created a lively, dynamic scene that evoked the spirit of military training from years past.

Beyond the boat races, the festival also features a wide variety of folk games that draw participants of all ages. These include stick pushing, archery, traditional martial arts, blindfolded duck-catching, blindfolded pot-smashing, cockfighting, and performances of Quan Ho (love duet) folk songs, as well as music from ethnic minority groups.

Locals and visitors alike join in the festive atmosphere, immersing themselves in the lively celebration.

For years, the An Chau boat racing festival has been a source of pride for the local community, with its distinctive cultural heritage capturing the essence of Son Dong's identity.

Boat racing teams on the An Chau River.

With the recent recognition as a national intangible cultural heritage, both local officials and residents are focusing on preserving and promoting the festival’s unique features in the new era.

Sharing plans for promoting the cultural heritage, Tong Thi Huong Giang, Vice Chairwoman of the Son Dong district People’s Committee, stated: “This is the first cultural heritage from our district to be recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage, and it’s a source of immense pride not just for An Chau town but for the entire district. In 2025, we plan to organise the festival more systematically and on a larger scale. We will restore traditional cultural practices and folk games to further enhance the festival’s appeal.”

With its rich traditional rituals, the worship of the God of Agriculture and local deities, and unique cultural and sports activities, the An Chau boat racing festival has created a strong identity for the people of the Son Dong mountainous region.

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