Traditional horse racing in Bac Ha Plateau in June

(VNF) - For a long time Bac Ha District in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai has been famous for not only its beautiful landscape with immense forests adorned with white plum and bauhinia flowers in blossom, but also the Horse-race Festival.

It is a unique feature in the cultural and spiritual life of the local people. (Source: fansipanlegend.com.vn)

The 11^th traditional horse race in Bac Ha District in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai will be held in June along with activities promoting the region’s tourism.

The horse is traditionally the friend of the people of Bac Ha, as it helps them with transportation and their farming work, and the horse racing, which existed in the minds of the Bac Ha people as a myth, has become a unique traditional culture found on the ‘white plateau'.

To prepare for the festival, it is very important for horsemen to select, take care of and train horses just for the festival. The best horses are chosen locally, then throughout the communes then the district. A good horse will be strong and upright, have good teeth and a thick, smooth mane. The first elimination round involves 100 horses and riders, that is narrowed down to 60, then to 12 and finally to the best three who compete for the title.

The traditional form of riding, without a saddle, makes the race more interesting, coupled with spectacular performances. (Source: Internet)

When you watch the horse races of ethnic minority highland Bac Ha, you will understand the difficulty and the bravery of the riders on the track. They are riding without Harness and Pedals hold his foot; only a rectangular linen cloth on horseback. They control their horses by their deep skills and experiences that were handed down from previous generations.

Though the horse race is not professional but still makes an unparalleled signature culture of the Northwest people. The race festival has successfully captivated the tourist’s interest in Bac Ha tourism in particular and Lao Cai in general.

An accident during the race: a jockey falls down from his horse. (Photo: Viet Nam News/Truong Vi)

During wartime, racing was not held for many years since horsemen were needed on the battlefields.

Now, the racing has been brought back as part of the activities to meet the cultural and spiritual demands of local ethnic groups, helping preserve their special cultural values. As a race designed for "barefoot cavaliers", who have always been friends of horses, the festival has become an attraction for both domestic and international tourists, particularly as more tourists choose Bac Ha as their travel destination./.

( Compiled by VNF )