Highlights of the traditional boat race at Cua Lo beach
As part of the 2026 Van Loc Temple Festival, on the morning of March 5th, Cua Lo ward organized the opening ceremony of the traditional boat race and the closing ceremony and awarding of prizes for the sports activities.
Attending the opening ceremony were representatives from the Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Commission; Comrade Ngo Duc Kien - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee, and Chairman of the People's Council of Cua Lo Ward; along with leaders and a large number of people from Cua Lo Ward and visitors from all over.
The traditional boat race on Cua Lo sea is associated with the Van Loc Temple Festival, which is held every three years.
The Van Loc Temple Festival in 2026 will be held from the 15th to the 17th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse (corresponding to March 3rd to 5th). This is a traditional cultural activity, demonstrating the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source," commemorating Grand Marshal Nguyen Su Hoi - the eldest son of Grand Tutor Nguyen Xi.
Grand Marshal and Duke Nguyen Su Hoi was born in 1447 in Thuong Xa village, Chau Phuc district (now Dong Loc commune) and died in 1506. He made significant contributions to helping the Le dynasty repel foreign invaders and to attracting settlers to establish the ancient Van Loc village, now Cua Lo ward.
To commemorate and honor the contributions of Grand Marshal and Duke Nguyen Su Hoi, after his death, the local people built a tomb for him, honored him as the tutelary deity, and erected a temple in what is now Cua Lo ward. Due to its historical and cultural value, in 1991, Van Loc Temple was classified by the State as a National Historical Monument. Associated with Van Loc Temple is the Van Loc Temple Festival, with its solemn rituals and lively festivities, reflecting the characteristics of an ancient coastal village, which has been continued and developed to this day.
One of the highlights of the Van Loc Temple Festival is the traditional boat race on the Cua Lo sea. For the people of Cua Lo, the boat is not only a means of livelihood but also a symbol of their life closely connected to the sea.
The traditional Cua Lo boat race has thus become a cultural ritual, recreating the spirit of hard work and conquering the sea of the fishermen. Through this, it contributes to promoting community solidarity; preserving and maintaining the cultural identity of the fishing village; and arousing pride and the will to venture out to sea among the people.
This event is an opportunity for people to commemorate their ancestors, pray for favorable weather, calm seas, and successful fishing. At the same time, the boat race contributes to enriching the cultural and spiritual life of the people and increasing the attractiveness of Cua Lo beach tourism.
Through the race, the image of a dynamic Cua Lo, rich in maritime culture, is widely promoted, contributing to the development of the local economy and tourism.
Eight teams with a total of 128 athletes participated in this year's race. Each team consisted of 16 people, including one rower, one drummer, and 14 paddlers, all of whom were residents of the coastal region.
At the end of the race, the Organizing Committee awarded first prize to the Yen Luong swimming team; second prize to the Lang Hieu team; and two third prizes to the Nghi Tan 1 and Nghi Tan 6 teams.
Also this morning, the Organizing Committee of the Van Loc Temple Festival summarized and awarded prizes for sports, camping, and folk games to collectives and individuals.
