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The traditional ox race festival in Bay Nui, An Giang Province has recently become an interesting event, attracting both home and foreign visitors.

The ox race is usually held once a year in the Dolta festival of the Kh’mer ethnic minority (in the late eighth or early ninth lunar month) that is by no means minor or less attractive to any other sport events when peasants flock to the course with a sport spirit and a desire for victory. The thunderous shouts in both Khmer and Vietnamese languages are an evidence of this fact.

In recent years, the festival drew the attention of more and more people, not only in Bay Nui region, An Giang Province, but also those from the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City.

Old folks say that many Kh’mer peasants used to come from hamlets to help pagodas with farming work, and senior monks often held ox races to give award to the strongest and best pairs. During the transplanting season (dry season), the races would be held on sand lanes with the oxen pulling a cart but during the harvest season (rainy season), they would be held on muddy fields and the cart is replaced with a harrow. With time, the ox races have become a traditional festival.

From 1992, authorities of Tinh Bien and Tri Ton Districts in An Giang Province held the festival alternatively with official regulations under which each race would be between two pairs, starting from different points of time. The oxen must perform two rounds, the first called the ho during which they amble around the course and would be disqualified if they venture off the course, and the second called the tha, the most exciting one especially the last 100 metres, during which racers spare no effort or talent to overcome the opponent without falling. If the later starting pair can step on the harrow of the earlier starting one, they would be declared the winner without having to touch the finish line.

The festival has really become a popular cultural and sport event in the region. Joining the festival, visitors will not only enjoy a unique and attractive sport but also have a chance to see with their own eyes the scenic beauty of Bay Nui amidst boundless rice fields and pilgrim to the shrine dedicated to the Mother of the Region and beautiful Khmer pagodas.

This year, the first prize of VND 5 million (USD 316) was awarded to Nguyen Van Tan’s oxen driver Chau Bi.

From: VNP