These are unique three-walled sailboats running against the wind from Quang Ninh. Representatives of the unit owning these sailboats said that in the immediate future, the unit will bring 3 boats to run along the coast of Ha Long Bay, contributing to the backdrop for the Flower Avenue and lighting technology on Ha Long Bay taking place from February 14th to the end of February 22nd (from December 27th to the 6th day of Tet).
In the long term, the unit wishes to complete 7 more boats, with the hope of establishing a tourist sailing fleet running along the coast of Ha Long Bay - a special tourism product serving tourists and people.
Currently, the remaining three-walled sailboats continue to be completed by three-walled sailing artisan Le Duc Chan (born in 1950) at a facility in Phong Hai ward, former Quang Yen town, now Lien Hoa ward, Quang Ninh province.
Artisan Le Duc Chan is the 17th generation successor of the traditional three-walled boat and shipbuilding profession in Quang Ninh. This is one of the unique types of boats - sailboats running against the wind.
When the boat runs in the wind, flaunt the sail in a fairy-wing style. When the boat runs across the wind, the sail column is in a pha chằng style. The column sways 2 sails when the boat runs against the water, against the wind.
When the wind rises, the boatman must tighten the sail tie close to the rear, on the rudder side to one side of the boat for the sail to be stretched, slightly diagonally facing the sail in front that has been slightly relaxed. The wind hits the rear sail which is very tense, so it bounces back and hits the front sail, creating a pushing force for the boat to move forward. The boat will run slanted towards the side without wind, advancing along the "Chi" line.
This is one of the most unique sailing styles in the country and in the world.
Currently, there are not many people who can build and operate this type of boat.
From the 1990s, opening border gates, machinery and mechanization flooded Vietnam, people gradually switched to building engine-mounted boats, and the three-walled sails gradually disappeared. Now, no one orders 3-walled boats anymore.
Therefore, if the three-walled sailboat team is put into service for tourists, the local tourism industry will not only create more unique tourism products, but also contribute to introducing and maintaining the traditional craft of building boats against the wind.
