The capital city of Hanoi will organise a dragon boat racing festival for the first time from 10:00 to 15:00 on February 24.

Dragon boat racing

The event is expected to draw 400 athletes from 27 teams of Hanoi’s districts, namely Hoang Mai, Bac Tu Liem, Chuong My, My Duc, Thanh Oai, and Ba Vi and Son Tay town, as well as Hai Duong, Hung Yen and Thai Nguyen provinces.

They will compete in different men’s, women’s and mixed categories in the city’s West Lake. 

Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports To Van Dong said boat racing is developing in many member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), so the city plans to invite their athletes to partake in the next festivals if the first is held successfully.

Hanoi is striving to build the West Lake to into a key tourism area with the dragon boat racing festival as one of the most attractive activities, he added.

A music show will be held on the sidelines of the event to create an exciting atmosphere.

Before the competition takes place, athletes of the boat racing and some other water sports will join a bike parade along the West Lake.-VNA