(VOVWORLD) - Ly Son island in Quang Ngai province will organize its traditional Tu Linh (four sacred animals) boat race next month, which has been certified as a national intangible cultural heritage.
 Illustrative photo from quangngaitv.vn |
The Tu Linh boat race, first held in 1826, is a tribute to Ly Son’s founders and soldiers of the Hoang Sa (Spratly) and Truong Sa (Paracel) Archipelagoes forces who have sacrificed their lives to protect Vietnam’s territory. It also prays for luck, favorable weather, and bumper harvests for fishermen and islanders.
Ly Son district now has 2 national intangible cultural heritages: the Tu Linh boat race, recognized last year, and the “Khao lề thế lính Hoang Sa”, a ritual to show gratitude to Ly Son islanders who joined the army and died protecting national territory, which was recognized in 2013.