Unique Border Bull Racing Festival

Photo report: LY ANH LAM

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As scheduled, the 2025 Chua Ro Traditional Bull Racing Festival has just been organized by the People's Committee of An Cu Commune, An Giang Province in coordination with other units. This is a cultural and sports activity associated with the Sene Dolta Festival of the Khmer people in the South. The festival often carries the meaning of giving thanks to heaven, earth and livestock for bringing people a bountiful harvest and a prosperous life. After many times of organization, the unique festival has increasingly affirmed itself as a typical cultural and tourism event, becoming a highlight and contributing positively to the socio-economic development of An Giang province.

Ro Pagoda in Vinh Thuong Hamlet, An Cu Commune, An Giang Province, is where the annual bull racing festival is held. This is the biggest festival of the Khmer ethnic group here. The organizers said that about 8,000-10,000 people will come to watch the festival in 2025.

The festival attracts thousands of people, especially professional and amateur photographers from all over the province and outside to watch and cheer.

This year, the festival took place with the participation of 32 pairs of oxen from inside and outside the commune. In the photo: Racers and pairs of oxen lined up for the opening ceremony at the grandstand.

After the opening ceremony, the racing bulls paraded around the arena.

The four-legged "athletes" are carefully cared for before the race.

In each lap, the pairs of bulls go through a warm-up round before waving a flag to signal the start of the sprint. The competition is fierce and exciting.

A rider showing skill and endurance, accelerating to the finish line leaving his opponent behind.

A pair of bulls were acting up and refused to race, much to the amusement of the spectators.

The distinctive sounds of traditional musical instruments are indispensable in the bull racing festival, contributing to the vibrant festival atmosphere, adding strength to the racing teams to compete more fiercely.

Folk dishes and drinks are sold by locals to serve festival-goers.

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/doc-dao-le-hoi-dua-bo-vung-bien-a191458.html