Traditional Boat Racing Festival On The Huong River 2025

The Traditional Boat Racing Festival was just instituted in 1975 (after the liberation of the South), but it has already established itself as an essential part of Hue City's culture. Boat racing is an opportunity for people to express their love for the country as well as their joy on Vietnam National Day.

How the Traditional Boat Racing Festival got its start

The Boat Racing Festival provides a chance for young people to compete against each other on the Huong River. 

The significance of the festival

After the liberation of the South in 1975, the province of Thua Thien Hue held its Boat Racing Festival. The event aims to improve health protection, create an environment where young people can compete against one another on the river, and make everyone feel happy and entertained. This is also a chance for the populace to express their happiness on National Day.

The traditional boat racing association is significant in the province's wards, communes, and districts. Young people make up the majority of the participants. The atmosphere is always thrilling and exciting since both elderly people and children will stand on the land or on boats to cheer.

The province of Thua Thien Hue holds its Boat Racing Festival since 1975

The purpose of the Traditional Boat Racing Festival

If the ancient villages' boat races had a deeper meaning and served as a means of intercession for good weather, then this event is a chance for people to express their excitement and compete on the occasion of Vietnam National Day. The festival aims to provide a place for young people to engage in competitive river sports. Additionally, it protects and promotes the province of Thua Thien Hue's traditional sport. It is a distinctive cultural characteristic that aids in drawing visitors to Hue during festivals.

The Traditional Boat Racing Festival is a chance to celebrate Vietnam National Day

Date and location of the festival

The celebration is held on National Day, September 2, on the banks of the Huong River. Many visitors from around the world and thousands of residents of the old city will arrive early on the day of the boat racing festival. Everyone gathers on the Huong River's banks so they will not miss the chance to take in the breathtaking boat team competitions. The athletes will move to the starting area for the competition after the ceremony.

The Traditional Boat Racing Festival is held on the banks of the Huong River

What makes the Boat Racing Festival unique?

Each racing team consists of one driver and ten rowers who compete in a variety of activities. Furthermore, the organizing committee incorporates dragon boat racing as a discipline for competition. This sport is a part of the national competition system. The race schedule and competition rules will be revealed by the organizers on the day of the Traditional Boat Racing Festival. The event will begin with a drumbeat, and all teams will race through several stages along the Huong River.

The competitions between the male and female boat teams take place in an exceedingly appealing and dramatic manner, each using their unique methods. The race completely engrosses viewers. When the boat is about to cross the finish line, the audience's cheers erupt throughout the area and grow louder and louder. All of these contribute to Hue's lively, energetic environment and exciting moments for both inhabitants and visitors. This is a cultural and athletic event showcasing Hue's distinctive qualities and the power of unification.

This is a cultural and athletic event showcasing Hue's distinctive qualities

The Traditional Boat Racing Festival on the Huong River is a practical activity to preserve and promote the cultural beauty of Hue City. Besides, it will help the locals' health and provide opportunities for river practice. If you travel to Hue on Vietnam National Day, make sure to stop by and observe this event.