The boat race was held annually on the Han River in Da Nang to celebrate the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2). It was one of the best sports events which played a vital role in the spiritual life of local residents, thereby contributing to attracting tourists to the city. However, this event has been interrupted since 2018, causing regret for city dwellers.

Teams competed in the 2023 ward-level boat race on the Han River, which was organized by Nai Hien Dong Ward Authority. Photo: NHU NGHIA.

Mrs. Huynh Thi Tro in nearly 70 years, a resident of Son Tra District’s Nai Hien Dong Ward said that she has witnessed a remarkable transformation in the Han River where some families lived in 3,206 slums, and temporary houses (locally called Nha Cho) as they were given accommodation in local residential areas which offered better living conditions. She added that she witnessed the unforgettable moments when she joined her neighbors on the bank of the Han River to watch the annual boat race. This sports event was indispensable to the spiritual life of local residents to celebrate the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2). It was one of the most awaited events of the year for city dwellers.

Mr Cao Dinh Hai, the Chairman of the Nai Hien Dong Ward the People's Committee , said that lives of rowers, fishermen and divers are confined to their boat so the revival of the annual boat race will bring them great joy and encouragement. Therefore, all of them want to keep their rowing teams status available. In 2022, the ward authority asked for permission from competent bodies to organize a ward-level boat race which saw the participation of teams from wards across the city.

Following the success of this event, the municipal government granted approval to the Nai Hien Dong Ward authority in 2023 to organize a boat race to celebrate the 48^th anniversary of the Liberation Day of Da Nang (March 29). The boat race was part of the 'Cau Ngu' (Fish Worshipping) Festival which aims to honour the Gods of the Sea and the Whale, as well as pray for a successful fishing season ahead. The boat race saw the participation of 10 rowing teams from Da Nang and Quang Nam Province.

“The ward-level sports event attracted 10,000 domestic and foreign tourists who gathered along the Han River to watch the exciting race. Obviously, the event demonstrates positive social impact , as well as proves attractive to locals along with domestic and international tourists," said Mr. Hai.

The Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports said that the boat race held annually on the Han River was one of the best cultural and sports events in the city to celebrate the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2), and it has been held continuously in the city until 2017. This amazing event saw the participation of male and female rowing teams from Da Nang and Quang Nam Province. A large number of locals and tourists gathered on the banks of the Han River to watch one of their most anticipated events of the year.

The boat race aims to introduce beautiful culture and tradition of people in the Central Coast region of Viet Nam, thereby contributing to promoting Da Nang as an attractive destination for domestic and international tourists. However, the city-level annual boat race has been interrupted since 2018 due to objective and subjective reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and challenges for the city seeking the event’s sponsors.

Mr Pham Tan Xu, the Director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports, said that the department is active in giving advice to the municipal administration to revive the city’s annual boat race on the Han River. Previously, the VTV Da Nang Cup Open Boat Race (later called as the VTV8 Cup Open Boat Race) had been held annually on the Han River. The event has been co-organized by the Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports and VTV 8 which is specialized channel of the Viet Nam Television Network for viewers in the Central region and Central Highlands, and the Da Nang Water Sports Association.

“Currently, we are active in working with VTV8 to develop a specific plan to revive the city’s annual boat race in a bid to meet cultural and spiritual needs of local residents, as well as create a highly attractive tourism product to make the city more inviting to domestic and international tourists, " said Mr. Su.

Reporting by TRONG HUY - translating by H.L