The race is part of activities to realize a cooperation agreement on cultural and sport development in the city between the Hanoi People’s Committee and national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines.
The Open Hanoi Dragon Boat Racing Festival 2019 officially opened at West Lake on February 16, attracting more than 700 professional and amateur racers who made up 43 domestic and international teams.
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Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung. Photo: kinhtedothi
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Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports To Van Dong said all racers will compete in 600 meter-long races on West Lake – the area near Ly Tu Trong Park, Thanh Nien and Nguyen Dinh Thi roads.
The race is part of activities to realize a cooperation agreement on cultural and sport development in the city between the Hanoi People’s Committee and national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines.
Accordingly, participants are divided into two categories: one for professionals, and another for amateurs during the two-day event.
Professional competitors have come from China, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, and Hong Kong, as well as various different cities and provinces from across Vietnam. They are split into male and female categories who competed on February 16.
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Over 700 racers to attend the 2019 Open Dragon Boat Racing Festival. Photo: kinhtedothi
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Meanwhile, amateurs compete in the qualifying round on February 16 and the final the following day.
During the festival, athletes from the boat racing and other water-based sports feature on a parade. Local residents also have the chance to enjoy a number of art performances, including lion dances, water puppetry show, and cai luong (reformed opera).
In 2018, the first dragon boat festival was organized on the capital’s West Lake. The event gathered 27 teams from seven districts around Hanoi.
Mai Nguyen