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On the morning of April 25, 2026 (the 9th day of the 3rd lunar month), the Phu Tho Provincial Rowing Competition took place at Van Lang Park Lake, Viet Tri City, as part of the Hung Kings Commemoration Day. Organized by the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the event brought together 9 teams from districts and cities throughout the province, with hundreds of athletes participating.
A breathtaking race on the 2.6 km green track.
The dragon boat race is held in qualifying and final rounds on the same day. Each team uses a longboat, staffed by more than 20 people, including rowers, rhythm keepers, and navigators. The boats start simultaneously on signal, competing over a distance of approximately 2.6 km, with results determined by the finishing time. The competition consists of two rounds. The qualifying round is divided into three heats, with three teams in each heat; the top three teams from each heat, along with the best-performing second-place team, advance to the final.
People arrived early to choose good vantage points around the lake.
The tournament attracted thousands of people who crowded both banks of Van Lang Lake.
The boats maintain a tight formation, oars entering the water to the beat of the drums. As they enter the middle section, the rowing rhythm is steady, and the speed is kept consistent. Towards the end, the teams simultaneously increase their rhythm, shortening the distance between them. The difference between the boats is only a few strokes.
More than 20 oarsmen on each boat keep the rhythm with drumbeats.
This year, nine teams representing different localities are competing over a distance of 2.6 km.
Along both banks of the lake, people gathered early. Many groups stood in fixed positions in their respective localities, carrying flags and small drums. As the boats entered the receding water, the cheers intensified, creating direct pressure on each rowing stroke.
The dragon boat race requires precise coordination between the oarsmen.
Nguyen Sinh Ba, captain of the Viet Tri 1 ward rowing team, said the team had been preparing for months, maintaining regular training to ensure physical fitness and rowing rhythm. “Participating in the competition during the Ancestor Commemoration Day is an honor for the team members. Everyone proactively arranged their work schedules to train, aiming for the best possible results,” he said.
The three teams, Tien Luong, Thanh Mieu, and Doan Hung, entered the final round of the competition.
People cheered as the boats entered the receding tide.
The moment of crossing the finish line determines the final rankings of the teams.
The rowing team from Tien Luong commune finished first, securing the top position overall.
Preserving the cultural beauty of the riverine landscape within the festival.
Boat racing takes place during the Hung Kings Commemoration Day, a series of provincial-level events lasting several days in Phu Tho province. This activity is maintained annually in the Hung Temple festival calendar, aiming to check the training progress and preserve a form of collective activity associated with the riverine region.
The competition format has remained unchanged over the years: simultaneous start, distance race, and time-based victory. Long boats, large teams, and rhythm are maintained by drums. The helmsman keeps the boat straight, minimizing deviations from the current. Teams compete in turns, with the best results advancing to the final round.
The outcome depends on the level of coordination between the rowers. A mismatch in rhythm reduces speed and causes the boat to lose direction. In the final stretch, when the teams simultaneously accelerate, small errors can create a significant gap. During the series of events surrounding the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day holiday, the boat race attracts large crowds at Van Lang Lake, especially on peak days.
