The festival will mark the 17th time the horse race has been held in the mountainous area. 

This year will see the horse race take place from June 2 to June 8 at Bac Ha stadium, with the occasion featuring the participation of jockeys from Lao Cai and the neighbouring provinces of Tuyen Quang, Ha Giang, and Lai Chau.

The horses are required to run seven laps at a length of 1,500 metres in total.

The organisers will award first, second, and third prizes to the overall winners of the competition.

The Bac Ha white plateau festival will also include art performances put on by ethnic people and a tour aimed at discovering ancient tea trees.

Bac Ha district is famous for its rural market session which is held every Sunday. The site is not only a trading place, but also serves as a venue for cultural exchanges among ethnic people residing in the region.

The horse-trading session is held as part of the Sunday market, with local horses being praised as one of the most beautiful types of horses found throughout the country.

The horse race is a unique traditional cultural practice carried out by ethnic groups living on Bac Ha white plateau. Organised annually since 2007, the race is a much-anticipated sporting event among both locals and visitors to the town.

VOV