The audience laughed non-stop when watching Phu Yen pack horses compete

On February 6 (the 9th day of Tet), at the national historical site of Go Thi Thung Tunnels (An Xuan commune, Tuy An district), the traditional Go Thi Thung horse racing festival took place. Photo: Hoai Luan

The race has the participation of 32 horses from 4 communes, including: An Linh, An Xuan, An Hiep and An Tho. The riders on the horses will compete in 8 qualifying rounds, selecting 8 first-place horses to enter the semi-finals, with 2 races. The 4 horses in first and second place of the 2 semi-finals will enter the final round, to find the horse in first, second and third place. Each race will have 4 horses participating. Photo: Hoai Luan

After more than 2 hours of competition, horse number 23 (An Hiep commune) won first prize; second prize went to horse number 25 (An Hiep commune); third prize went to horse number 9 (An Xuan commune) and horse number 15 (An Hiep commune). Photo: Hoai Luan

Hang chuc nghin nguoi dan, du khach phan khich co vu cho cac ky si. Anh: Hoai Luan

Thousands of people and tourists excitedly cheered for the knights. Photo: Hoai Luan

The racing horses are pack horses (horses used to transport agricultural products - PV). The riders are farmers with "muddy hands and feet". Thanks to these "unique" details, the Horse Racing Festival in Go Thi Thung has become more attractive, bringing laughter to the audience in the spring. Photo: Hoai Luan

Le Thi Phuong (23 years old, living in Tuy An district) excitedly shared: "Every year I go to Go Thi Thung to watch horse racing. Although the race is not professional, both the people and the horses are very enthusiastic, creating hearty laughter for the viewers." Photo: Hoai Luan

Ong Nguyen Huu Son, dieu khien ngua dua so 23 danh giai nhat cuoc thi cho biet khong co bi quyet nao de danh chien thang. “Cuoc dua nay phu thuoc vao ngua rat nhieu, vi la ngua tho hang nen cung tuy y lam. Dung truoc dam dong, ngua de bi hoang chay loan xa. Toi phai dung roi thuc manh no moi chiu dua, hon nua phai tap trung cao do, neu khong se bi no hat rot la bi loai ngay“, ong Son noi.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Son - the rider of horse racing number 23 shared: "This race depends a lot on the horse, because it is a pack horse, it is very arbitrary. Standing in front of a crowd, the horse can easily panic and run wildly. I have to use a whip to urge it to run, and I have to concentrate highly, otherwise it will be thrown and disqualified immediately". Photo: Hoai Luan

Unaccustomed to the cheers and encouragement of the crowd, many horses panicked and ran away from the track. Photo: Hoai Luan

The rider fell down on the track when his horse refused to cooperate, making everyone laugh. Photo: Hoai Luan

Mr. Huynh Gia Hoang - Chairman of Tuy An District People's Committee said that Go Thi Thung Horse Racing Festival is a unique cultural beauty of the locality and has existed for a long time. In the coming time, the locality will continue to maintain and promote this cultural beauty. Thereby attracting investment, contributing to economic development, increasing the income of local people. Photo: Hoai Luan