About 10,000 people participated in a boat racing festival held on the section of the Thu Bon River in the Thanh Ha pottery village of Hoi An City in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam on Sunday.

Thousands of spectators on both sides of the Thu Bon River began cheering loudly early on Sunday morning as 10 teams from Quang Nam Province and neighboring Da Nang competed to win the Thanh Ha village traditional boat racing festival.

As part of the Thanh Ha pottery's anniversary and the recognition of the Thanh Ha pottery profession as national intangible cultural heritage, the teams participated in two competitions, including a warm-up race and the official five-kilometer race.

Teams compete at the Thanh Ha boat racing festival in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, August 7, 2022. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Truong Huong, deputy chairman of the Thanh Ha Ward People’s Committee, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the traditional boat racing festival in the area has a long history and is a significant occasion for local fishermen. 

"After the COVID-19 pandemic, this boat racing contest is also a meaningful activity to promote the local tourism industry," Huong said.

"This morning, tens of thousands of people arrived in Thanh Ha Village to participate in the event." 

Le Dung, a member of the Dai Nghia boat crew from Da Nang, was ecstatic to have won the competition's top prize for the very first time. 

Spectators cheer on teams competing at the Thanh Ha boat racing festival in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, August 7, 2022. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

“Even though the sun was scorching and I'm exhausted by the race, I am quite thrilled," Dung said. "The teams in this year's contest are all competitive, but I must push my crew to row even harder in order to achieve our goals."

"The festival is the spiritual food of the people of Quang Nam, and boat racing is a very healthy sport," said Le Van Ba, a resident of Hoi An City.

"Each year, I attend the festival to cheer on all of the competing teams."

Teams compete at the Thanh Ha boat racing festival in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, August 7, 2022. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Spectators cheer on teams competing at the Thanh Ha boat racing festival in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, August 7, 2022. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Locals take part in a parade to celebrate the Thanh Ha pottery’s anniversary in the namesake ward, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, August 7, 2022. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

A lion dance performance takes place in Thanh Ha Ward, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, August 7, 2022. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

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Linh To - Nguyen Khanh - Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre News