The Tứ Linh Boat Racing Festival is one of the most iconic and sacred folk celebrations on Lý Sơn Island. Deeply rooted in the spiritual life of the island community, the festival takes place every Lunar New Year and is held annually at An Vĩnh Communal House and An Hải Communal House, forming a cultural tradition shared by the entire island.
- Festival Name: Tứ Linh (Four Sacred Creatures) Boat Racing Festival
- Racing Crews: Long (Dragon), Lân (Unicorn), Quy (Turtle), Phụng (Phoenix)
- Time: From the 4th to the 8th day of the Lunar New Year
For generations, the people of Lý Sơn have organized the festival to pray for favorable weather, abundant harvests, prosperous fishing seasons, and peace for their villages. Beyond being a festive New Year activity, the race is considered a sacred ritual that honors the sea deities who protect fishermen, and pays tribute to the ancestors who founded and cultivated the island.
Each communal house prepares four racing boats, named after the Four Sacred Creatures: Long – Lân – Quy – Phụng. These boats are long, slender, and lightweight, with intricately carved prows and sterns resembling mythical creatures gliding over the sea. When not in use, they are stored and worshipped in the communal houses, only launched into the water during the festival season.
Before the race, each village selects 20–25 strong, experienced young men to form the rowing team. The most crucial position is the helmsman, whose skills and experience keep the fragile racing boat balanced and steady against waves and wind. Villagers believe that whichever boat finishes first will bring good fortune to their hamlet for the entire year. Therefore, each team performs solemn rituals at the communal house, praying for divine blessings before the race begins.
From the 4th to the 7th day of the Lunar New Year, villagers gather at the communal houses to conduct ceremonies honoring guardian spirits and ancestral founders, offering prayers for peace and prosperity. After the rituals, the ceremonial drum signals the start, and the boats move to the starting point at the waterway in front of the communal house. The racecourse spans approximately 1,000 meters, marked by four wooden buoys. When the chief officiant strikes the command drum, all four boats surge forward simultaneously amid thunderous cheers from thousands of spectators. After four intense laps, the boat that crosses the finish line first claims victory and brings pride to its entire village.
After the races at An Vĩnh and An Hải, the island-wide Eight-Boat Championship Race takes place on the 8th day of the Lunar New Year. The eight boats draw lots for starting positions, then compete in four laps to select the four finalists. The final championship race determines the strongest racing boat of the year—an honor of great significance to the winning village.
The Tứ Linh Boat Racing Festival is not only a thrilling cultural and sporting event but also a powerful expression of community spirit, faith, and gratitude. With traditions preserved across centuries, the festival stands as a vibrant symbol of Lý Sơn’s maritime heritage and the enduring strength of its island community.
