Alien force: Four foreign tourists also teamed up and joined the race, to the enthusiastic support of the spectators. — VNS Photo Cong Thanh

QUANG NGAI (VNS) — Thrilling boat races have been held across the country to celebrate the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

As many as 5,000 local people and tourists gathered along the banks of the Hoai River on Tuesday to cheer the amateur boat racing in ancient Hoi An city.

A four-member team from Cam Kim Commune finished first after the 4km race.

Four foreign tourists also teamed up and joined the race, to the enthusiastic support of the spectators.

Nearby, a traditional boat race was held yesterday - also at Ly Son island, but 30km off the coast of Quang Ngai Province.

Historically, the event was aimed at recruiting the best sailors for the flotillas that protected the Hoang Sa (Paracel islands) and Truong Sa (Spratly islands) and was first held back in 1826.

The Hoang Sa Soldier Feast and Commemoration Festival in the island district was officially recognised as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage event by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism last year.

Meanwhile, in the Central Highlands city of Kon Tum, a race featuring dugout canoes - boats made from hollowed tree trunks – was held on the Dak Bla River.

The canoe is still the daily transport vehicle for ethnic groups living along the rivers of the province. — VNS