An annual horse racing festival which takes place in Bac Ha district of the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai has officially been honoured as part of 10 newly-recognised national intangible cultural heritages.
According to a collection of old documents, Bac Ha horse race was originally held back in 1980, before resuming in 2007.
With event taking place once a year during the spring, it is considered to be the perfect occasion for locals and visitors to enjoy activities as they wish for good luck ahead in the new year.
On the list of 10 national intangible cultural heritages announced by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on May 31, two other heritages from Lao Cai province were also named. They are the decoration on traditional costumes of the Nung Din ethnic group in Muong Khuong district, and that of the Mong Hoa ethnic group in Bac Ha district.
The others to feature in the top ten include two festivals in Hanoi, a whale worshiping festival in central Ha Tinh province, fish sauce production on Phu Quoc island, two ethnic festivals in Kon Tum and Vinh Phuc provinces, and lace knitting in Ha Nam province.
