29 boats compete on the river
On the morning of September 2nd, Le Thuy commune (Quang Tri province) organized a traditional swimming and boat racing festival on the Kien Giang River in 2026 (hometown of General Vo Nguyen Giap), attracting many people and tourists to watch and cheer.
The festival takes place on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the successful August Revolution and National Day 2. 9. This is also the first time Le Thuy commune has been assigned by the province to preside over the festival organization after operating the 2-level local government model.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Le Van Son - Chairman of Le Thuy Commune People's Committee - said that the traditional swimming and boat racing festival on the Kien Giang River originated from the custom of praying for harvests, praying for favorable weather, national peace and prosperity of riverine residents.
In 2019, the traditional swimming and boat racing festival on the Kien Giang River was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.
According to Mr. Son, being assigned to preside over the organization of this year's festival is both an honor and a responsibility for the Party Committee, government and people of Le Thuy commune in preserving and promoting the value of heritage.
To prepare for the festival, Le Thuy commune coordinates with agencies and units to implement plans on facilities, security and order, traffic safety, racetracks and service for people and tourists.
The 2026 festival gathers 21 boats and 8 racing boats, representing villages and hamlets to compete. In addition to teams in Le Thuy commune, boats in Van Xa village, Truong Phu commune and Moc Dinh village, Cam Hong commune also participate in the festival.
The teams competed on a 24km long swimming track. The organizers requested the athletes to compete with a spirit of solidarity, honesty, compliance with regulations and the refereeing of the team. Functional forces are required to ensure security and order, traffic safety and safety on the race track.
People crowded the shore cheering
From early morning, many people gathered along both banks of the Kien Giang River to choose positions to watch the teams compete. Many families brought flags, drums and moved along the race track to cheer for their village boats.
Present from about 6 am, Mr. Vo Huy Duan (54 years old, residing in Sen Ngu commune, Quang Tri province) said that his family proactively came early to find a convenient location to monitor the boat teams.
“My family and I were present early to cheer for the boat teams. Compared to every year, this year's festival is organized on a larger scale, bringing joy to the people” - Mr. Duan shared.
Hòa vào dòng người tập trung dọc hai bên bờ sông, chị Hoàng Thị Hằng (38 tuổi, trú thôn Thượng Giang, xã Lệ Thủy) cũng đến từ sớm để cổ vũ cho đội nhà.
According to Ms. Hang, the festival season is the time when many Le Thuy children who are living and working far from home arrange to return. Therefore, both sides of the river are even more crowded when teams enter to compete.
Seeing people standing along both banks, cheering, running along each rhythm of the row to cheer, I feel very proud. On September 2nd, I hope the athletes will compete with all their might, striving to bring the highest results to the village" - Ms. Hang said.
According to Le Thuy Commune People's Committee, along with competition activities, the locality requires people and tourists to preserve the environmental landscape, practice a civilized festival lifestyle and cheer in accordance with regulations.
The swimming and boat racing festival on the Kien Giang River continues to be one of the activities associated with the Independence Day of Le Thuy people, while contributing to preserving the cultural space formed from the life of the riverside community.
Some images recorded by Lao Dong Newspaper on the morning of September 2:
