Rowers of Tay village, An Vinh commune prepare for the racing (Photo: VNP/VNA) 
Teams compete in the boat racing (Photo: VNP/VNA) 
According to old documents, the Tu Linh (four mythological creatures – dragon, qilin, tortoise, phoenix) boat racing festival on Ly Son Island was first held in 1826. (Photo: VNP/VNA) 
The festival takes place around the Lunar New Year festival to pray for good weather, bumper crops, and peace. It is also meant to pay tribute to ancestors who explored this land, as well as the then Hoang Sa flotilla that planted sovereignty markers on Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes and frequently. (Photo: VNP/VNA) 
To preserve and bring into play this festival, the Ly Son district People’s Committee conducted many surveys and studies over the past years to compile a dossier seeking the inclusion of this activity in the list of national intangible cultural heritage. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism made the recognition in September 2020. (Photo: VNP/VNA) 
Local people on Ly Son island support teams competing in the racing (Photo: VNP/VNA) 
Ly Son islanders believe the winning team would enjoy the most peace and prosperity during the year. (Photo: VNP/VNA) VNA
