Jul - 04 - 2025
Every spring, the serene countryside of Vinh Phuc Province (Phu Tho now) comes alive with the energy and excitement of the Hai Luu Buffalo Fighting Festival. Taking place annually from the 15th to the 17th day of the first lunar month, this cherished tradition is a vibrant showcase of local heritage with sacred rituals honoring ancestral spirits and dramatic buffalo battles captivate thousands of enthusiastic spectators.
Historical roots of the buffalo fighting festival
The festival is a long-standing traditional event held in Hai Luu Commune, Phu Tho Province. According to legend, the festival dates back to the 2nd century BC, when Prime Minister Lu Gia led his troops to the Hai Luu mountain area to resist foreign invaders. After each victorious battle, he held buffalo fights to boost morale and reward his soldiers. Following Lu Gia’s death, the local people honored him as their village’s tutelary god and preserved the tradition by organizing the buffalo fighting festival annually in his memory.
More than just a fierce competition, the Hai Luu Buffalo Fighting Festival is a cultural symbol of Vinh Phuc. The buffaloes are carefully selected and rigorously trained for months, ensuring thrilling matches that draw thousands of spectators from across the country and abroad.
The festival has a deeply rooted history since the 2nd century BC
When the festival takes place
In the past, the event was traditionally held on the 17th day of the first lunar month. However, due to various reasons, including the fierce resistance war against French colonialism, the festival was suspended after 1947 and remained dormant for many years. It wasn’t until 2002 that the event was officially revived.
Owing to its growing popularity and increasing number of visitors, the Organizing Committee extended the festival in 2004 to span two days, taking place annually on the 16th and 17th of the first lunar month. Today, the festival officially begins on the 15th with ceremonial rituals such as offerings to the village’s tutelary god, and continues with the main buffalo fighting events on the 16th and 17th.
The celebration is from the 15th to the 17th days of the first lunar month each year
Distinctive traditions of the Hai Luu Buffalo Fighting Festival
The festival's rituals and competitions reflect the deep cultural values of the Hai Luu community and each activity plays a vital role in preserving and celebrating local heritage.
How buffaloes are chosen
The fighting buffaloes, locally referred to as "Mr. Cau," are carefully selected and specially raised for the Hai Luu Festival. Each year, around April, experienced breeders travel across the country in search of the strongest and most promising candidates. These buffaloes require meticulous care, including a carefully managed diet and consistent training. Daily routines include grazing, physical conditioning, and practicing combat techniques. Typically, each buffalo is raised for at least six months and must be over 10 years old to ensure it has the necessary strength, endurance, and weight for competition.
Selecting the right buffalo demands expertise. Ideal contenders are large, tall, and striking in appearance, often with a sleek coat of shiny black hair. Most importantly, they must be in peak physical health and equipped with strong, sharp horns - their primary weapons. In a match, a buffalo with powerful horns can secure victory in just a few fierce thrusts, often forcing its opponent to retreat.
Around April, breeders search nationwide for the strongest buffaloes
Sacred ceremonies in the Hai Luu Buffalo Fighting Festival
The spiritually rich ceremony begins on the 15th day of the first lunar month with sacred rituals held at the temple dedicated to the village's tutelary god. On the morning of the 16th, a solemn procession and incense offering ceremony take place. The procession features a vibrant lion dance team, a group carrying red flags, a palanquin bearing offerings, and most notably, a buffalo representing the village. Adorned with red cloth and floral wreaths, the buffalo leads the way toward the spiritual site, where incense is offered in a deeply reverent tribute.
There are numerous rituals during the event, and visitors are welcome to take part
Epic battles in a the festival
Following the ceremonial rituals, the festival comes alive on the 16th and 17th of the first lunar month with thrilling buffalo fights. After months of intensive training, the buffaloes enter the arena, delivering an emotional rollercoaster for the audience, ranging from anticipation and excitement to tension, disappointment, and overwhelming joy.
As the match begins, the two buffaloes charge at each other, unleashing their full strength in fierce combat. Using their powerful horns, they engage in intense and dangerous clashes. During the fight, owners are strictly prohibited from interfering; all actions in the ring are overseen by the referees. Only when a buffalo retreats or runs away is the owner permitted to enter the arena to retrieve their animal, upon the referee’s signal. The matches conclude on January 17, with the Organizing Committee presenting First, Second, and Third prizes to the winning buffalo owners.
The owner is delighted with the victory
The Hai Luu Buffalo Fighting Festival is more than just an exciting cultural spectacle; it’s a vibrant blend of ancient legend, sacred ceremony, and intense competition. The festival offers a rare glimpse into Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage. Visit Vinh Phuc during this time to immerse yourself in one of the most unique and unforgettable traditions.
