A boat race team at the event (Source: http://www.hanoimoi.com.vn)Hanoi (VNA) – The open dragon boat race 2019 kicked off atWest Lake in the capital city of Hanoi on February 16, attracting thousands oflocals and visitors.
Attended the opening ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam,Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung, and leaders ofcentrally-run agencies.
Director of the municipal Department of Cultureand Sports To Van Dong said the festival drew over 700 professional and amateurracers of 43 teams.
They are from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Laos as well as 12cities and provinces across Vietnam, namely Quang Binh, Hanoi, Ho Chi MinhCity, Da Nang, Thai Nguyen, Vinh Phuc, Hai Duong, Binh Thuan, Quang Tri, BenTre, Hung Yen and Hai Phong.
At the opening event, visitors were treated tospecial art performances, including dragon and lion dances staged by 150members from the Hanoi Martial Art Association.
The race is part of activities to realise acooperation agreement on cultural and sport development in the city between theHanoi People’s Committee and the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines.
In February last year, the first dragon boat festival was organised onthe capital’s West Lake. The event gathered 27 teams from seven districtsaround Hanoi.-VNA
VNA
