In recent years, Da Nang has promoted the integration of sports tournaments into traditional cultural festivals. This increases the attractiveness and interest of festivals, and at the same time contributes to spreading physical training and sports tournaments at the grassroots level.

Athletes competed enthusiastically at the traditional boat race on Co Co river within the framework of the Quan The Am Festival 2023. Photo: P.N

The Beach Volleyball Tournament for Fishermen in Man Thai Ward, Son Tra District, has attracted the participation of more than 100 athletes from volleyball teams namely Hoang Sa, Truong Sa, Lang Ong, Lang Chai, Keo Luoi and Man Thai.

Athlete Truong Van Hung, a member of the Man Thai beach volleyball team, said that the annual tournament has gradually become a festival of fishermen in the locality. It has provided the good opportunity for local fishermen to meet, exchange and improve their skills.

Also within the framework of the 'Cau Ngu' (Fish Worshipping) Festival 2023, the Son Tra District authorities organised sports tournaments for wards in the district. Accordingly, wards competed in 5 sports: carrying fish, pushing sticks, coracles, tug of war and volleyball beach.

According to Mr. Vu The He, the Director of the Son Tra District Centre for Culture, Information and Sports, the integration of sports tournaments into traditional cultural festivals is regularly deployed by the district, bringing effective and positive results.

In addition to spreading the physical training and sports movements among the public, sports tournaments also help to make the festival atmosphere more exciting and attractive, thereby contributing to the introduction and preservation of cultural, spiritual and religious values, promoting the beauty of community culture in modern life, becoming a unique cultural and sports rendezvous for locals and visitors.

Along with Son Tra District, Ngu Hanh Son District promotes the organisation of sports tournaments in traditional cultural festivals.

The Quan The Am (Avalokitesvara) Festival is one of the large-scale festivals in Ngu Hanh Son District, attracting a large number of tourists from all over the world.

As part of this year’s festival, a traditional boat race was held on the Co Co River on March 10, drawing much attention from both locals and visitors.

The tournament had10 racing teams from districts of Lien Chieu, Son Tra, Cam Le and Hoa Vang, and wards of My An, Khue My, Hoa Hai, Hoa Quy in Ngu Hanh Son District.

The boat race created a joyful and exciting atmosphere, bringing interesting experience to festial-goers.

In Hoa Vang District, the physical training and sports movements was also active. Every year, the district organises boat racing, and football and volleyball tournaments in village communal house festivals of Tuy Loan, Bo Ban, Huong Phuoc and Truong Dinh.

According to Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Trong Thao, traditional cultural festivals have two parts: a solemn ceremony and a festival.

What makes sports tournaments attractive and interesting during the festival is the gathering of a large number of athletes, residents, and tourists, thereby honouring the cultural values of the festival and promoting the development of physical training and sports movements.

Reporting by PHI NONG - Translating by M.DUNG