Tu Linh Boat Race-unique cultural identity in Ly Son Island

The Tu Linh Boat Race in the spring in Ly Son Island District, in the central province of Quang Ngai, held for the first time in 1826, lasts for five days from the fourth to eighth day of the first Lunar month.

The festival, which is a folk cultural feature imbued with the traditional identities of people on the island, aims to pay homage to natives’ ancestors who formed the island and soldiers who have fought for the country’s sovereignty.

The event is also an opportunity for the local people to pray for prosperity, peace and smooth voyages for the fishermen.

There are eight boats from the communes that participate in the event. They are decorated following the images of four holy beasts, including long (dragon), ly (unicorn), quy (turtle) and phung (phoenix).

Ly Son boat race festival has been attractive thanks to not only dramatic competition but also due to the sophisticated decorations of the boats, especially the heads and tails of the four holy beasts.

The participants should be healthy and skillful men. In the past, the boats were designed for only 14 people; however, in recent years, the boats have been built for 24 men.

Ly Son’s people believe that the village that has the winning boat will be the most peaceful and prosperous during the year.