January 02, 2018 | 21:04 (GMT+7)
Traditional boat race launched in Muong Lay
PANO – Eight boat racing teams from units and localities in Muong Lay town, Dien Bien province and Nam Nhun district, Lai Chau province participated in the fourth boat race in Muong Lay town on the first day of 2018.
Accordingly, the participating teams competed in the 1,000m event and other sports of the ethnic minority groups.
Prior to the race was a river god worshiping ritual to pray for favorable weather for locals to have a bumper crop.
Launched in 2015, the boat race reflects Dien Bien province’s efforts to popularize the beauty of the Thai ethnic minority people and their culture to attract both domestic and international friends and create an opportunity for ethnic minority groups to strengthen solidarity and preserve their traditional boat race.
Along with competitions among boat teams, the organizers also held exchanges and folk games for visitors and introduced them to the local handicraft products and special dishes of the Thai ethnic minority people.
At the event, the People’s Committee of Muong Lay town kicked off the Culture and Sports Festival for ethnic minority groups in the town.
Translated by Tran Hoai