An overview of Bac Ha Horse Race 2014  (source: baolaocai)
                                     
                                         Horse riders and their pack-horses in Bac Ha Horse Race 2014 (source: vovworld)
                                     
                                                           The festival attached a lot of visitors  (source: vovworld)

Bac Ha district in Lao Cai province is very well known for the stunning mountain views and traditional festivals, especially Bac Ha Horse Race festival. The Bac Ha Horse Race festival is one of the most interesting event which has existed for nearly 100 years. In the race, all the riders are farmers from different ethnic groups on Bac Ha plateau as well as its neighbour districts and the racehorses are their pack-horses. The Bac Ha Horse race takes place annually on June and attaches not only the local people but also foreign tourists. According to Bac Ha People’s Committee deputy chairman Thao Seo Cau, the festival plays an important role in promoting and broadcasting ethical tourism in Bac Ha district. The local public enjoy the races, and so do the tourists whose numbers have doubled since 2009 to nearly 30,000 a year.

The traditional Bac Ha Horse Race 2015 will be held in the form of socialization. According to this form, there will be approximately 12.000 tickets for the Horse Race are expected to sold by Bac Ha district. This year, the race will attract more than 80 horses from 10 communes in Bac Ha district as well as its neighbor districts. In the festival, the horse riders will compete in two categories: individual competition and team competition. The qualifying round will take place on 6th June in order to choose the best riders for the final round that will be held on the next day. In addition, many other cultural activities are also held, involving music, dance, food and social tourism in several villages such as Na Hoi, Ta Chai, Ban Pho, Thai Giang Pho…

By Duc Toan