Bay Nui Ox Racing: Racing Through Tradition In The Mekong

Bay Nui Ox Racing festival in An Giang province is a Khmer traditional festival in the Mekong Delta. This festival is a symbol of agricultural beliefs, expressing the desire for a rich harvest season.

The Bay Nui Ox Racing Festival in An Giang province. | Source: Adrien Jean Photography

The Mekong Delta is known for its lush landscapes, vibrant culture and unique festivals, and one event that stands out above the rest is the Bay Nui Ox Racing festival in An Giang province. Taking place during the wet season, this festival offers not just a thrilling race, but also a deep connection to the traditions of the Khmer people. After several unsuccessful attempts, I finally managed to attend this unique spectacle this year.

The story behind the race

The Bay Nui Ox Racing Festival is deeply rooted in Khmer traditions. Legend has it that the race began many decades ago as a way for young farmers to celebrate after the harvest. Each village would put forward its strongest oxen, and a friendly competition would determine who had the best team. Today, the stakes are just as high - winning the race is believed to bring good fortune and abundant crops to the victors’ commune.

Paired in teams, the oxen pull a longboard that the jockey uses to "surf" across the muddy, waterlogged track. The jockeys, balancing precariously, must guide their oxen through the intense race while maintaining perfect control. It’s a test of both skill and endurance, for the oxen and their riders.

A photographer’s dream

For a photographer, the race offers a great mix of action and emotion. The combination of speed, power, and the splattering mud provides an opportunity to capture raw, fast-paced action shots that are unlike anything else in Vietnam.

But as often in this kind of events, I quickly became more captivated by what was happening behind the scenes. It’s not just the race that makes this event so photogenic - it's the crowd. The energy if hundreds of people cheering on their favorite jockey is contagious, and it’s easy to get lost in the excitement.

This article is provided by Adrien Jean from his blog at adrienjeanphotography.com. View more of his photography on Instagram at @adrienjeanphoto.

• Source: Jean, A. (2025, October 30). Racing through tradition in the Mekong. Vietcetera. https://vietcetera.com/en/bay-nui-ox-racing-racing-through-tradition-in-the-mekong