The festival was an opportunity for Khmer and Kinh people to meet and strengthen solidarity.

The Ro Temple Ox Racing Festival is a cultural and sporting activity of the Khmer ethnic group in Bay Nui, Tri Ton district and Tinh Bien town. It is held on the occasion of Sene Dolta Festival - an event to show deep gratitude to ancestors, grandparents and parents, pray for dead people, and ask for good luck for living people.

This annual festival attracts the participation of around 100,000 people. This year’s edition saw the fierce competition between 26 couples of oxen from Tinh Bien town and Tri Ton district.

Below are photos of the ninth Ro Temple Ox Racing Festival:

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The race is held on the occasion of Sene Dolta Festival. In the photo: An owner is taking care of his ox.
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Ox racing is credited as one of the unique festivals in Asia.
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Each ox pair has to complete in two parts. In the first part, “athletes” walk slowly and perform technical movements. In the second one, they run at the highest speed to reach the finish line.
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A controller stands on a wooden harrow attached to the ox to control his speed.
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A view of a fierce competition between couples of oxen
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The festival attracting the attention of thousands of spectators

Translated by Tran Hoai