Locking horns: Two buffaloes fight each other at the Do Son buffalo fighting festival.

HA NOI  (VNS)— The Do Son buffalo fighting festival in the northern port city of Hai Phong will be recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage on Thursday when the festival takes place.

The announcement will be made at the festival's opening ceremony. Hundreds of artists will perform to celebrate the event and re-enact the buffalo fighting on stage.

The traditional festival, which is held annually on the ninth day of the eighth lunar month, not only expresses the martial spirit of the local people, but also helps promote the locality's image and tourism potential. — VNS