The 11th Muong Lay ward swallow-tail boat racing festival, Dien Bien province, associated with 2026 cultural, sports and tourism activities, is taking place in the early days of the new year with the theme "Returning to the Da Giang River". At the Co Khi boat wharf area, a large number of spectators watched, along with cheers and drums resounded.
This year's race has 14 teams competing (including 8 men's teams and 6 mixed-race teams) from Dien Bien, Son La and Lai Chau. The teams compete in the 1,000m distance.
Each racing team consists of 20 rowers, requiring rhythmic coordination, a solid physical foundation and technique to control the characteristic swallow-tailed boat speeding on the waves.
Muong Lay is known as a place of convergence and cultural exchange of brotherly ethnic groups in the upstream Da River, notably the Thai ethnic group (white Thai industry). For the people here, the Da Giang River is not only a source of livelihood but also a cultural space, preserving community memories.
Swallow-tailed boat racing is a unique folk sport, reflecting the river and water customs of the White Thai people. The boats are designed to be slender, with their tails curved like swallows, symbolizing ingenuity, courage and the desire to conquer nature.
According to the leader of Muong Lay ward, through 11 times of organization, the festival has not only stopped at a physical fitness competition but has become a symbol of community solidarity. This is an opportunity for ethnic minorities to meet, exchange, and promote the beauty of local culture to tourists inside and outside the province.
The 2026 swallow tail boat racing festival is organized on a larger scale, within the framework of activities "Floating tourism on the Da River in 2025-2026". The event aims to harmoniously combine the preservation of traditional values and sustainable tourism development.
This is considered an attractive cultural rendezvous, connecting tourism between Dien Bien and neighboring localities, creating momentum for socio-economic development for Muong Lay land.
The 11th Swallowtail Boat Race Festival will take place until the end of January 4. Besides the swallowtail boat race, the festival also has many rich and attractive activities such as: Kayak races; cycling races; tug-of-war; national paragliding; jet skiing, folk games; ethnic cuisine contests...
